[SustainableTompkins] Permaculture Classes/Events April 2008 Ithaca, NY

[Michael Burns]

the FINGER LAKES PERMACULTURE INSTITUTE
http://www.FingerLakesPermaculture.org

a project of the CAYUGA NATURE CENTER
http://www.CayugaNatureCenter.org

presents
APRIL 2008 SCHEDULE


EARTHWORKS
part of the Winter Weekends PDC

Saturday, April 5
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
$50 each class/$150 for four (see schedule online)

This class is all about the forming of earth for water catchment,  
erosion control, and nutrient capture and storage. The basic design  
and construction of swales, ditches, ponds, dams, and berms will be  
covered, along with a hands on demonstration on the CNC property.


SOIL
part of the Winter Weekends PDC

Sunday, April 6
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
$50 each class/$150 for four (see schedule online)

Soil is argued to be one of our most vital resources because it  
sustains plant life of all forms. With this in mind, humans have  
spent the greater part of the past century engaging in practices that  
have damaged soil fertility at an astonishing rate. This model will  
cover the basics of soil ecology, look at human impacts, and discuss  
solutions for reinvigorating a material that is very much alive and  
essential to our health.


PERMACULTURE BOOK CLUB with the ITHACA FREESKOOL
"Orchards, Farm Forestry, and Grain Crops"
"Animal Forage Systems and Aquaculture"
April 10
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
free

We meet at the Autumn Leaves Bookstore Cafe, 115 on the Commons. Go  
upstairs.
We will discuss chapter 6 (Orchards, Farm Forestry, and Grain Crops) and
chapter 7 (Animal Forage Systems and Aquaculture) of
Introduction to Permaculture by Mollison. All are welcome, especially  
if you read the chapters!
http://ithacafreeskool.wordpress.com


LOCAL FOODS BRUNCH
Sunday, April 13th
$12 Adults/$6 Kids

Early Birding Hike            7:30 a.m.
Brunch & Live Music             10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Permaculture Gardening Techniques     12:00 p.m.

Cayuga Nature Center offers a healthy brunch sourced from local and  
organic ingredients and a variety of activities for the whole family.  
We will serve buttermilk & vegan pancakes, eggs, homefries, and a  
seasonal dish cooked by CNC staff. Coffee, Tea, and Juice are  
included. Fee: $12 Adults and $6 Kids includes general admission

Brunch will be accompanied by live music. CNC Board Member Jim Spear  
will lead an early morning bird hike at 7:30 am.  Land Use manager  
Steve Gabriel will lead a tour of gardens and share several  
innovative techniques staff will be using to plant, maintain, and  
develop gardens. Trails will be open for hiking, and visitors can  
also enjoy our live animal collection and six story tree house!

More info: www.CayugaNatureCenter.org or call 607-273-6260.


FORESTS & TREES
part of the Winter Weekends PDC

Saturday, April 19
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
$50 each class/$150 for four (see schedule online)

Forests play a vital role in so many of the earths vital processes;  
they bring the rain, regulate temperature, hold soil and store  
moisture among other things. In this session we will consider the  
myriad of benefits forests and trees bring to our lives and look at  
different methodologies of forest use and management in practice at  
Cayuga Nature Center in our 80 acres of woods.


GARDENING & AGRICULTURE
part of the Winter Weekends PDC

Sunday, April 20
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
$50 each class/$150 for four (see schedule online)

Vital to our existence is the cultivation of food crops, which occur  
on various scales with many different styles around the globe. Join  
farmer Melissa Madden and gardener Kay Cafasso for a discussion of  
theories, methods, and techniques for growing food on any scale.  
Innovative approaches will be useful to gardeners, farmers, and urban  
growers.


PERMACULTURE BOOK CLUB with the ITHACA FREESKOOL
"Urban and Community Strategies"
April 24
6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.
free

We meet at the Autumn Leaves Bookstore Cafe, 115 on the Commons. Go  
upstairs.
We will discuss chapter 8 (Urban and community Strategies) of
Introduction to Permaculture by Mollison. All are welcome..
http://ithacafreeskool.wordpress.com


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Earn your permaculture design certificate.
The Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute
offers affordable local classes.
http://www.fingerlakespermaculture.org
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