Category — Robert's Creek, BC

2010 Sustainable Living Arts School
Permaculture Design Certification
and Food Cycles Program

Join Delvin Solkinson and Robin Wheeler for a dynamic year round adventure in education. We offer a full Permaculture Design Certificate with a complete Food Cycles Program to create an integrated system of both design concepts and functional living skills.

Permaculture is a holistic approach to conscious living. It promotes an awareness of the world with a focus on sustainability, low impact living and healthy community development.

The Food Cycles course promotes seasonal awareness with practical activities to do at every time of year.

Learn the role of native plants, tips for organic gardening, growth cycles, propagation, seed saving, harvesting, food preservation, water wisdom, medicine making, integrated composting and so much more as part of practical and relevant Timely Actions in the Garden. Other course topics include design methods, patterns in nature, climatic factors, water, soils, earthworks, design strategies for urban and rural applications, practical living for all climates on the planet, trees, aquaculture, waste management, sustainable architecture, ethical business practices and economics, bio-regional organization, and effective aid.

From dormant earth to finished season, the Food Cycles program will occur in conjunction with the Permaculture Design classes to round out and ground in the new permaculture practitioner’s certificate.

13 spaces only
register now to hold your space

Class will begin March, on every other Monday and last for 15 months.
Location: Edible Landscapes, Robert’s Creek BC

Contact
Robin Wheeler : info@ediblelandscapes.ca (604) 885-4505
or Delvin Solkinson : delvin@illuminated.com
for more details

A weekend long introduction to permaculture course is happening at the Heart Gardens, a branch campus of the Sustainable Living Arts School, in historic ‘downtown’ Roberts Creek this weekend . The course is offered through Capilano University. Join Delvin in a unique learning experience about permaculture in the Elphinstone rainforest.

Permaculture Design is a holistic approach to sustainable community development. This course is a basic introduction to permaculture principles and concepts. Organic gardening with native plants will be discussed, and there will be tours of the Heart Gardens and Gumboot Gardens in Roberts Creek. There will also be a discussion about composting and a hands-on workshop about making your own organic solid and liquid fertilizers with an easy to create and maintain worm farm.

Where? The class meets at the “Elfinhome”, at the back of the Gumboot Café in the Heart of Roberts Creek.

When?
Sat Sept 19 and Sun Sept 20

Noon - 5 pm

Register? via Capilano University

$69

http://www.capilanou.ca/ce/sunshine-coast/gen-interest.html
604.885.9350
conted@capilanou.ca

More info? Email Delvin at delvin@illuminated.com

• The weekend fee is $125. This includes camping, some plant matter, tincture bottles etc, and some food, and loads of learning and experiental opportunities.
• There is a modest bus with sleeping platform and electricity for $15 a night and a camper for the same price. Friends or family can take in the beach, do some cycling or hang about the farm.
• Please let me know by August 5 if you would like to attend - I can send a PayPal invoice which also takes Mastercard and Visa. info@ediblelandscapes.ca
  

Please pass around where appropriate!

Two days of herb nerds! What could be better? We’ll learn recognition skills, making basic medicines, native herbs, harvest and storage techniques and more $25 per class.- take one or take all. You can either pay by Visa or Mastercard  via Paypal right away or mail her a cheque. 80% of student fees go directly to the teachers, with another 10% for preparing for classes and promotion.  Attending these workshops is a direct way to support folks who live on the land and keep the skills and traditions of the sustainable living arts alive.

If you are part of a family or group of friends who would like to learn and practice together, get in touch with Robin to arrange group pricing. Edible Landscapes is a place to come to reconnect, learn, relax and get inspired on how we can increase our self-sufficiency…together. You can camp on the land, hike to the ocean, walk in the woods, wander the gardens, browse in the edible and medicinal plant nursery and medicine emporium.

To register, contact Robin at (604) 885-4505, or email (and she will invoice you via Paypal) – see details on other programs at slas.ca or ediblelandscapes.ca.

June 13

10:00 – 11:30    Herb Recognition and growing methods with Robin Wheeler
Seeing a plant bursting with vigour and swaying under the weight of the bees, instead of just in powdered form or tincture, is a great reminder that we are working with an integrated, energetic being when we make medicine. See, smell and taste some of the over 150 varieties of plants here so that you will more easily recognize them in the future. Take photos or leaf samples as that can help as well. We will discuss growing methods for those wishing to grow herbs at home.

11:45 – 1:00   Intro to Botany for Herbalists with Garliq

This class is designed to navigate the world of Green, to know why a plant is what it is and not a ‘look alike.’ We’ll learn to answer a few basic questions about flower and leaf structures that will enable us to be sure we’re working with the medicine we think we are. Please bring samples from Robin’s plant walk to help apply this learning directly.

1:00 – 1:45   Lunch – brown bag or order $6 snack lunch.

1:45 – 3:15   TBA – hopefully Infused oils and lotions with Barb Cotgrave of Halfmoon Herbals.

3:30 – 4:45  - Harvesting and Storage Techniques with Robin Wheeler
We will go outside and harvest leaves, stems and flowers, then go in and prepare them for drying. When we store herbs for any length of time, we want to use the best practices possible, know the problems that can occur and how to bypass them to retain high active levels in our medicine and culinary plants.

5:00 onwards – shared/potluck dinner.

7:00 – 8:30     Homeopathy and Herbs with Marlow Purves
Herbs and plants are a major remedy source in the homoeopathic pharmacopeia.  The herbs that have been used traditionally for thousands of years find new and different application when potentised.  Marlow will share some of the revelations of the remedies made from common herbs as a means of enhancing our knowledge, respect for and awe of our healing companions. We will likely try to potentize a herb for ourselves!

June 14

10:00 – 11:30    Introduction to Chinese herbs with Sarah Gilbert and Julie Starsage
Ancient Chinese systems are based on far different diagnostic criteria than we are used to, and the forms their medicines take, in terms of preparation and ingestion, are also new to us. Sarah will introduce us to herbs and formulas that have been appreciated for centuries, and give us a better idea of how they are used in modern times.

11:45 – 12:45    Wildcrafting Basics with Lyrae Emerson
An examination of the methods of ethically harvesting wild and indigenous plants in a manner that minimizes impact on the population while maximizing their medicinal potential. We will look at tools, time of year to harvest roots, barks, stems and other plant parts, as well as look at how the practice of wildcrafting in itself can be a healing experience. Comes with take home instruction sheet on wildcrafting and harvesting guidelines.

12:45 – 1:30    Lunch – brown bag or order the $6 snack lunch.

1:30 – 3:30 – Making Plant Medicine with Lyrae Emerson
Learn how to turn your raw or dried plant matter into finished medicines. Lyrae will discuss and show preparation of infusions, pills, teas and tinctures, show and share samples, discuss alternate procedures, and basically give a solid background so that people new to the field can go home and follow recipes with confidence.

3:45 – 5:00     Native Use of Herbs with Cymba
Consisting of in-the-field plant identification, discussing traditional and contemporary uses of these plants.  Food, medicinal and ceremonial uses will be covered as well as ecologically sustainable harvesting techniques.  A hands-on component will include topical salves making (everyone will leave with a traditional medicine).

Shared potluck dinner to follow for all who want to continue exchanging thoughts.

May 9/10 – Permie Weekend - Wild Weekend, SLAS, Roberts Creek Two days of moving into a wild space!

9:30 – 11:00 Wildcrafting Indigenous Herbs with Lyrae Emerson
An examination of the methods of ethically harvesting wild and indigenous plants in a manner that minimizes impact on the population while maximizing their medicinal potential. A focus will be given to native medicinal herbs, but we will also discuss traditional medicinal plants and look at how the practice of wildcrafting in itself can be a healing experience. We will also look at some of the methods of processing the leaves, flowers, berries, bark and roots that we collect. Comes with take home instruction sheet on wildcrafting and harvesting guidelines. $25

11:15 – 12:45   Introduction to Wild Edibles with Annette Clarke
Easy to identify plants that do not need any complicated cooking methods are the topic of this course. An emphasis is placed on respectful collection and proper identification of the food plants. Different plants are growing and ripening with each season. Topics change slightly depending on the time of the year.  We will cover berries, wild weeds and edible trees. $25

12:45 – 1:30 Lunch (paper bag it or order $6 snack lunch)

1:30 – 3:00   Building Emergency Shelters with Annette Clarke
Building shelters is something very essential, not just for a survival situation, but also for the soul. The feeling of warmth and protection is joined by feelings of accomplishment, pride and community; we did this ourselves!

The course teaches how to feel confident and comfortable in the outdoors without tent and sleeping bag. It explains how to choose the right location and how to create a functioning shelter out of natural materials without harming living plants. Includes lots of hands-on work, handouts and a short introduction into cordage and simple tool-making. $25

3:30 onwards -  Into the Wild with Peter Light (off site – 2692 Highway 101)
Covers all the resources one can find close to your doorstep in our west coast woods.  Learn how to recognize the principal trees in our forest; spot useful old, moss-covered logs for multiple uses; process cedar poles and beams for all your building needs; split cedar shakes for roofs and walls – in short, how to go into the woods and harvest all you need for a FREE house, barn, shed, bench, fence, gate, handle, etc., etc., as well as a FREE supply of fuel to heat your home and cook your food.  Learn, too, of more unsuspected wealth that lurks among the trees!  Includes an introduction to the hand tools you will need to harvest these resources. Firecircle and dinner to follow – bring goodies to add to the feast. $30

Sunday May 10 10 – noon – Native Plant Technology with Cymba
The workshop will consist of a walk around the area to identify plants that were (are) commonly used in various technological ways (providing materials for cordage, adhesives, shelters, clothing, tools etc.  Samples of important materials from off-site will also be provided for discussion.  In a hands-on component we will play with simple tool construction (includes binding and gluing). * The exact nature of these workshops will vary according to interaction between participants. We will attempt to cover all materials and the instructor is willing to spend more time if participants feel a need.

12:45 – 2:45  - Wild Containers with Annette Clarke
We may find ourselves in the bush, wanting to carry berries, mushrooms or other precious finds. Annette will show us samples of various containers made from bark, leaves and vines that will last for years.  Container materials will be:
Grass, Leaves, Sedges and Rushes, Cattail and Birch bark. We won’t make all the different container types, but I will bring them all for showing the options and then pick one simple version (Leaf or Grass) and a Cattail container to make ourselves.

3:00 – onwards –  Cooking With Fire – TBA - Siting, building and maintaining a functional and safe cooking or signaling fire – and we will have a meal with bannock, wild greens and tea, and whatever else to brought to us – perhaps some home made wine!

Call Robin at (604) 885-4505 or email at info@ediblelandscapes.ca to register or get more information.

Camping available on site.

Whew! The wind is high, clouds are shifting back in. I am looking at my trays of “starts” that I picked up at the local nursery, and figuring the time is right to stick them in.

I bought them a few days ago and observed the warning on the wall above them - Hard Frosts! Do not Plant Immediately! So I brought them home and planted them into big, round pots, just in the solid, rectangular cube that they came out of their little trays in, and behold - they had already taken advantage of the extra space and nutrient rich medium and had put fresh roots right down to the bottom of the new pot! It is definitely worth “potting up” those starts once you get them home.

I prepped some areas by raking back the mulch and loosening the soil. I quickly raked in some alfalfa pellets and rabbit poop I just conveniently had. Then I listened to the forecast. Change in the weather after a clear spell is a good thing. The cloudy days mean warmer nights, and the plants like a few days of overcast to adjust to their new lot in life. The chance of rain means no blasting sun to pull the moisture out of their leaves before the roots have set into the soil to take over the job. And if these plants have never been in direct sunlight before, then a few days of overcast will protect them from getting sunburn.

I placed the little plants in with their roots well loosened and heading straight down, firmed them in, smoothed the soil and applied a loose mulch. The loose mulch all around them will also protect from a bit of frost.
Then I set out some beer in little cat food tins for the slugs, to distract them from this new finding. As the plants take, I will deepen the mulch. And drink the rest of the beer.

If I had lots of time, I would put pegs around the garden bed and stretch clear plastic around it, to keep the wind away. This would give an extra boost in our cool springs.

I only planted out things I knew could tolerate some cold - walla walla onions, bok choy and chard. I will likely put out the cabbage and lettuce in a few days.

A good test for “end of frost” is to check on a very clear night, such as the full moon we just had, and see if there is frost following that. Since there was little if any frost up here at 800 feet above sea level, I took this as a sign. This doesn’t mean we won’t get a cruel surprise, but with properly hardened off and protected plants, a cold night will not be a great danger.

Meanwhile, the precious muskmelons and tomatoes are only an inch high, under good light in a heated room - it is WAY early to even think of kicking those little fellows out!

Happy Gardening,
Robin

This whole day workshop is directed towards the new or expanding food producer who wishes to produce more, or focus their production more efficiently.  Topics will include post harvest handling, water management, the SPIN gardening method, microclimating, resources, marketing, discussion on farmers markets and more.

Sustainable Microfarm Forum – April 19, 2009

10:00 – 4:30 at Rolling Earth, Robert’s Creek, BC

$85 includes lunch and beverages. Carpooling encouraged. Register by emailing Robin at info@ediblelandscapes.ca or calling (604) 885-4505.

More info on the Sustainable Living Arts School in Robert’s Creek, BC.

If you are thinking a year ahead, sow a seed,
If you are thinking ten years ahead, plant a tree.
If you are thinking one hundred years ahead, educate the people.
- Kuan Tzu

Gaiacraft : Temple Permaculture

Permaculture Design Certification Course

Permaculture is a whole systems approach to conscious living. It promotes an awareness of the world in a new light with a focus on sustainability, low impact living, organic gardening and healthy community development. Using a series of principles, techniques and technologies, permaculture empowers people with the skills to evolve their relationship to themselves, each other, the land upon which they live and the planet.

Bill Mollison, the founder of permaculture, defines the world as such:

Permaculture (”Perm”anent “agri”culture and “Perma”nent “culture”) is a sustainable design system stressing the harmonious interrelationship of humans, plants, animals and the Earth.

Permaculture principles focus on thoughtful designs for small-scale intensive systems which are labor efficient and which use biological resources instead of fossil fuels. Designs stress ecological connections and closed energy and material loops. The core of permaculture is design and the working relationships and connections between all things. Each component in a system performs multiple functions, and each function is supported by many elements. Key to efficient design is observation and replication of natural ecosystems, where designers maximize diversity with polycultures, stress efficient energy planning for houses and settlement, using and accelerating natural plant succession, and increasing the highly productive “edge-zones” within the system.

Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted & thoughtful observation rather than protracted & thoughtless labour; & of looking at plants & animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single-product system.

Join us for an adventure in learning. With the 72 + hour core curriculum we will learn together how to map and design our land and our lives, to plan for emergency, grow food organically and work together to build a more sustainable future. With the certification you will be empowered to use the word permaculture in your business and consider yourself a permaculture designer able to hire yourself out for permaculture consultations and teach permaculture workshops with confidence. Not only is this a course about learning how to practice permaculture, it is also about how to teach permaculture.

Course Topics include:

* design methods * understanding patterns in nature * climatic factors * water * soils * earthworks and their use in earth repair * techniques and design strategies for both urban and rural applications * the temperate climates * dry lands * cold climates * humid cool climates * humid tropics * trees and their energy transactions * aquaculture * waste management * energy efficient architecture * legal strategies and trusts * effective working groups * right livelihood * money and finance * ethical investment * bio-regional organisation * effective aid and much much more

The details:

• There are 13 classes, one a moon for a full year. All classes are required for completion of the course.
• Normally these courses cost $800 - $2000 but here in Roberts Creek at this time the course costs only $20 - $40 per class depending upon class size. The maximum class size is 8 to ensure an intimate learning environment. We will move around to different locations for each class, students have the option to host a class on their land if they wish.

Register now to hold your space with

Delvin Solkinson delvin@crystalandspore.com

www.heartgardens.com

www.gaiacraft.com

You are warmly invited to another Sustainable Living Arts School weekend learning festival:

Bush Farming

April 25 and 26th 2009

on the Sunshine Coast.

Many speak of buying raw land (which may be all they can afford) to create a small farm, and would like more opportunity to learn about the issues. During this two day event we will visit  four farmers who have built from scratch, with few financial resources, and learn about predator control, bush clearing, water problems, building codes and other issues that make or break sustenance farmers. We will be spending 3 hours or longer at each farm. Visitors may choose how many farms they will visit. This is an opportunity to learn from mistakes as well as successes.

Register with Robin Wheeler infoATediblelandscapes.ca 604-885-4505.

Cost: $40 per farm.

Accomodation: Come for the day or spend the weekend. Camping is available at Robin’s Edible Landscapes or accommodations at Rolling Earth.

Saturday 9:30 – 12:30
Maria Hunter’s site had been a dairy farm long ago, but she had few resources to improve it. She learned to maximize the advantages there, to live with very little while raising two daughters. Her home is “home made” as finances have allowed and is still under construction. Since her daughters are grown, she is now returning to farming to help sustain her.

Saturday 2:00 pm onwards
Peter Light has been homesteading deep in the bush for many years. He now nurtures a small patch of land where he sells bamboo and other perennials. He has learned many skills and will be discussing these for the afternoon. Peter lives in a trailer and has converted the outside area into an extension of his living space. Firecircle and shared meal can be enjoyed.

Sunday 9:30 – 12:30
Alain Bergeron bought rough logged forest and within three years had a successful market farm. He worked hard to improve the soil and perfect his planting regimes, and now has good yields and sells well at the farmers markets. He is still living in a converted bus and is facing common problems with building a legal home.

Sunday 2:00 – onwards
Robin Wheeler of Edible Landscapes purchased land and then brought portable buildings onto it where they were slowly reassembled and finished. She is slowly improving the soil and it now supports several gardens as well as her nursery and medicinal plants. She will discuss the various stages used in developing the site.