permaculture

[Ethan X <livetrii@yahoo.com>]

   Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2006 10:14:08 -0000
   From: "wvinekeeper" <vinekeeper@forestfarm.org>
Subject: intro Great Lakes Agroforestry


Hello Permaculturists~

Greetings from  NW Lower Michigan and the Grand Traverse region.

We are a new cooperative of landowners seeking to manage our woodlands
and forests with a more permaculture-like spirit and awareness. 
Education of landowners in permaculture practices is a major goal and
focus.

We hope to learn from the group here as we seek to build an active
alliance of multi-generational natural resource stewards.  Your
suggestions are deeply respected and appreciated.

A key activity of this Great Lakes group is the increased production of
gourmet and medicinal mushrooms produced on the vast amount of
overstocked hardwood pole timber now choking many of our second growth
sites, but we market both timber and non-timber sustainably derived
forest products.

A new discussion group focusing on permaculture development in this 12
county region is available at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/agforestfarm/
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/agforestfarm/>

We would love to communicate with anyone of a permacultural persuasion.

Thanks and be well

W. Vinekeeper

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
     
   Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2006 10:17:15 -0000
   From: "wvinekeeper" <vinekeeper@forestfarm.org>
Subject: Goals of a Great Lakes Consortium


In follow-up to the introductory message, following is a statement of
the goals, methods and services provided by the Great Lakes 
Agroforestry
Consortium.  Your suggestions and comments are most welcomed.  Thanks



GREAT LAKES AGROFORESTRY CONSORTIUM



GOALS:

1. To inform landowners of sustainable management opportunities for
private woodlots and timberlands.

2. To promote the production of sustainably derived timber and
non-timber forest products.

3. To inform the consuming public about the values inherent in
sustainable natural resource management programs.

4. To significantly improve the overall productivity of regional
woodlots and timberlands, and to improve the economic viability of land
owners and local economies.

5. To improve the health of producers, consumers, and the communities
and regions they live in.

6. To foster the development of a sustainable human culture capable of
providing for and nurturing future generations.

7. To bring the products of a sustainable agroforestry (permaculture) 
to
an informed public.

METHODS:

1. Community Education. The use of a regular series of media stories 
and
productions promoting the goals and practices of a new permacultural
awareness and mentality. This will be part science, part reporting, and
part human interest.

2. Regional Public Seminars. One-day mini-conferences for the purpose 
of
demonstration and general information.

3. Interactive Web Site. An evolving source of on-line education
resources. Including a forum for on-going discussion.

4. Electronic Newsletter. A weekly or bi-weekly communication focusing
on issues and opportunities in the field of sustainable natural 
resource
management for small landowners.

5. Cooperative Support and Development. Programs and support services
will be aimed at the development of small (3-12) member producer
cooperatives whose purpose will be the local support and development of
neighbors and communties.

6. Publications. The periodic publication of "how-to" manuals and other
publications of interest to small landholders, and other relevant
materials.

SERVICES:

1. Marketing. Markets are developed in advance of known production of
member co-ops and as new developments and insights emerge from on-going
product research and development.

2. Resource Evaluation. On-site resource evaluation of private parcels
and proposed new developments, and design recommendations for enhanced
production. Professional consulting teams may be employed to help
produce sustainability development plans.

3. Timberland Management Plans. Helps devise long term plans for
multi-generation forest management.

4. Natural Resource Harvest Oversight. Serves as a landowner advocate 
on
commercial scale logging operations to assure proper adherence to
overall management goals and fair landowner returns.

5. Production Technologies Education. Provides access to information 
and
training in support of hands-on landowner management.

6. Production Materials. Provides access to genetic materials (spawn,
tree crop species), and small hand tools.

7. Assistance in Local Cooperative Development. Provides organization
help for the establishment of neighborhood and community agroforestry
producer cooperatives.

8. Timber Stand Improvement Teams. Members may be afforded access to
local work groups to perform specific improvement tasks on private
property.

9. Tree Plantation Improvement Teams. Access to improvement teams
specializing in pine plantation management.

10. Mushroom Production Teams. Access to on-site thinning and
inoculation labor resources.


"In the world I see -- you  will stalk elk through the damp canyon forests 
around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You will wear leather clothes  that 
last you the rest of your life. You will climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines  
that wrap the Sears   Tower,  and when you look down, you will see tiny 
figures pounding corn and  laying strips of venison on the empty car pool 
lane of some abandoned  superhighway." Fight Club

Reclaim our Commons! 
http://ReclaimTheCommons.Net
Reclaim our Future! 
http://PeakOilAnarchy.blogspot.com  
http://Anthropik.com  
http://PostCarbon.org
Reclaim our History! 
http://911Truth.org  
http://OilEmpire.us  
http://GlobalResearch.ca
                
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