permaculture

[Allan Balliett <igg@igg.com>]

Friends - This program draws its inspiration from Seeds of Change 
mainstay Howard Shapiro's book "Gardening for the Future of the 
Earth." This series is free. Whether you're growing food for yourself 
or other people - - or if you intend to som time in the future - - 
this is a chance to get together with like minded people to surface 
your questions and to share experiences. You dont have to attend 
every session, so, if you miss the discussion tomorrow, you can still 
show up at another meeting. If you have any questions, please ask me 
at aballiett@brces.org

thanks

-Allan Balliett
Blue Ridge Center CSA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Allan Balliett
540-668-7640


Discussion Group Focuses on Essential Innovators in Sustainable  Gardening
Gardening for the Future of the Earth discussion series shows how any 
backyard gardener can create a flourishing plot that also helps renew 
and preserve the earth's resources

NEERSVILLE, VA , April 18, 2002-Backyard gardeners have always known 
they are doing more than beautifying the neighbourhood. Pride comes 
as much from practicing wise stewardship, as from growing prized 
tomatoes. A new series at the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental 
Stewardship in Neersville, Va., will explore trends in small-scale 
sustainable cultivation for the home gardener. The six-part Thursday 
night series gets underway April 25 at 7 PM.
"Gardening is a primary human activity that connects us to the earth, 
upon which we depend for our survival. To garden is to witness change 
and  growth and evolution  and the cycle of nature," said the Blue 
Ridge Center's Allan Balliett. "It is truly miraculous and one of the 
greatest joys in life. Gardening in harmony with nature  is a way to 
make a positive difference in the critical environmental and 
spiritual problems facing all of us."
The Blue Ridge Center's discussion series that will focus on the 
lives, systems,  and techniques of  the world-wide leaders in 
sustainable gardening and growing practices. We invite anyone 
interested in small-scale sustainable food production to join us and 
to take away those ideas, concepts and techniques that appeal to them 
and can be applied to their gardens.
"Each of us can make a personal difference by doing something as easy 
as composting to build soil or as challenging as changing the way we 
view  our relationship with the world," said Balliett.
The first video and discussion in this series will focus on "The Big 
Country," a rare documentary on the work of  Australian gardener Alex 
Podolinski, the most influential biodynamic teacher in the world. It 
will be shown at the Blue Ridge Center  at 7pm on April 25 
Registration is not mandatory but is appreciated.
This program is  part of "Gardening for the Future of the Earth," a 
6-week series of video and discussions on Thursday nights at the Blue 
Ridge Center that will include programs on Alan Chadwick, John 
Jeavons, Masanota Fukuoka, Bill Mollison and a screening  of the rare 
Japanese video "Life in the Soil."  Gardening systems covered will 
include biodynamics, biointensive, nature gardening, permaculture and 
the soil foodweb  All programs are af 7-9 PM on Thursday evenings in 
the big tent at Blue Ridge Center CSA, Neersville, VA. Admission is 
free of charge. The Blue Ridge Center is a rustic site-the tent is 
not air conditioned.
The program is sponsored by the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental 
Stewardship, and is hosted by the garden's intern program. Interns 
spend four to six months at the Blue Ridge Center learning techniques 
in sustainable agriculture and working in the Center's community 
supported garden. The Blue Ridge Center is a 900-acre agricultural 
and forest educational  preserve  in Neersville, western Loudoun 
County.
Information about this and other education opportunities are 
available at the www.Blue RidgeCenter.org. Register by contacting 
Allan Balliett at the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship 
at (540) 668-7640 or aballiett@brces.org
-  end  -