North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Leslie Moyer <unschooler@lrec.org>]

Contact Julie directly to register or for more information. 

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Julie Gahn <juliegahn@yahoo.com>
> Cc: Mark Shepard <forestag@mwt.net>
> 
> 
> Please forward to anyone who may be interested--Thank you!
> 
> ****************************
> 
> Northeast Oklahoma and surrounding regions are in for a treat when Mark 
> Shepard conducts an Agroforestry/Permaculture "weekend intensive" in the 
> Tahlequah area on November 4 through 7 (or longer if more farms want 
> walking/talking tours).
> 
> Mark is the CEO of Forest Agriculture Enterprises and runs New Forest Farm, 
> the 106 acre perennial agricultural forest considered by many to be one of 
> the most ambitious sustainable agriculture projects in the United States.
> 
> Read about Mark Shepard's work here: 
> http://permaculture.org.au/2010/12/18/mark-shepherds-106-acre-permaculture-farm-in-viola-wisconsin/
> here:  http://www.forestag.com/bio.html
> and here: 
> http://littlehouseontheurbanprairie.wordpress.com/2010/10/24/new-forest-farm-visit/
> 
> The weekend will consist of a free and open-to-the-public lecture on Friday 
> evening.  The weekend intensive course will start with a lecture Saturday 
> morning followed by practical application through walking and talking tours 
> at local farms Saturday afternoon through Monday evening and beyond if 
> desired.
> 
> This event is possible due to a grant from Sustainable Green Country, NSU 
> Committee for Sustainability (assistance in locating lecture space), 
> generosity of River Bend Catering, participating farms, and workshop 
> attendees.  Many thanks to all!!!   If there are any proceeds raised above 
> Mark Shepard's fees, they will be used to start a Sustainable Tahlequah 
> Lecture Series aimed at bringing regional and national 
> sustainability/regenerative farming experts to the Tahlequah area.
> 
> Fees for participants:
> Friday:  Free and open to the public
> Saturday: $55 per person
> Sunday: $45 per person
> Monday: $45 per person
> 
> If you are serious about agroforestry/permaculture and would like to attend 
> this course but the participant fee is a barrier, please contact Julie Gahn 
> at juliegahn@yahoo.com or (918) 207-9107.
> 
> 
> DETAILED SCHEDULE:
> 
> Friday evening Lecture 7 pm to 9 pm:
> NSU Webb Building, Room 614
> 
> Introduction to agroforestry, ecologically designed farming and 
> permaculture including a brief history of agriculture, followed by a brief 
> introduction to ecosystem mimicry, then on to some Permaculture design 
> principles and how we apply them on an agricultural scale. 
> 
> Saturday morning Lecture 8 am to 11 am:
> NSU Webb Building, Room 614
> 
> Earth shaping and water management in the farm-scale 
> agroforestry/permaculture system and introduction to stacking and 
> succession.
> 
> Saturday Lunch 11:30 am to 12:30 pm (Riverbend Catering!)
> Gahn farm on Double Spring Creek 
> (You're invited to leave your suggestion for our farm name!)
> 
> Saturday Walking and Talking Tour 12:30 pm to 5:00 pm: 
> Gahn farm at Double Spring Creek 
> (Bring clipboards and pens)
> 
> During the tour of the farm, the owners will discuss with Mark:
> 
> -- Earth shaping and water management
> -- Perennial polycultures and succession appropriate for our location
> -- Logistics of harvesting in a polyculture system e.g. how to harvest tons 
> of nuts in a "stacked" situation
> -- Processing nuts (Mark's hazelnut invention)
> -- Integration of animals into nut/fruit plantings
> -- Practical advice for a newbie getting their first farm animals 
> -- Recommendations on enterprises that could be undertaken & collaborations 
> that could be sought
>       -- Selling to the "nut" markets?
>       -- Wood gas from nut hulls?
>       -- Alcohol Can Be a Gas -- is David Blume's book sound from an 
> engineering standpoint? 
>       -- Should we be planning/designing systems to produce our own vehicle 
> fuel from alcohol?
>       -- Complementary fruit products?
> -- How to practically go "off-grid"
> 
> (Participants are welcome to ask questions too.)
> 
> We are in the finalizing the schedule for Sunday and Monday (at this point 
> four more farms have expressed interest in hosting at least a 1/2 day 
> walking/talking tour.  Mark Shepard is driving to Tahlequah, giving him the 
> option to extend his stay, and additional farms are welcome to arrange for 
> a walking and talking tour. Please contact Julie Gahn at 
> juliegahn@yahoo.com or (918) 207-9107 for further information.
> 
> We hope you can come learn about Mark's approach to agroforestry, 
> permaculture and regenerative farming!
>  
> Julie Gahn
> Gahn Farm at Double Spring Creek
> (name tbd!)
> 
> Links that may be of interest:
> Tahlequah Community Garden
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TahlequahCommunityGarden/
> Sustainable Tahlequah
> http://www.sustainabletahlequah.org/
> Sustainable Green Country
> http://www.sustainablegreencountry.org/main/
> Oklahoma Food Cooperative
> http://www.oklahomafood.coop/
> Oklahoma Sustainability Network
> http://www.oksustainability.org/
> 
> 
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