Rising Appalachia with Barika at Willow Crossing Farm!

A day long, farm-based mini festival, with special guests; irie food; labyrinth walks, permaculture, wild-crafting, and herbal workshops; and opportunities to connect with various environmental and social justice campaigns.

Stay tuned for updates and more details.

Tickets available paypal Keith@Prospectrock.org $25: ‘send money to a friend’.

Tickets will also be available online and by phone through Flynn Tickets ($3.50 service charge) and downtown Burlington at the Flynn Ticket Box Office (no service charge).  You can also buy tickets in person at the farm, downtown Jeffersonville, and soon to be announced locations in Johnson.

Join the conversation, ask questions, and stay in the loop with last minute details at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1633723003574469/

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-Vermont’s Community Supported Permaculture Institute since 2000-

Hi Friends- Happy summer to you all!  We’re pleased to announce some new events, some opportunities to share in the fun of our 8th Annual Permaculture Design Certification Course– and a very special FARM BASED CONCERT with RISING APPALACHIA! Join with Food Not Lawns author Heather Flores– presenting free and open to the public on Monday, July 20.

Food Not Lawns: Neighborhood Design Workshop

Explore friendship based community organizing with author & founder of Food Not Lawns, Heather Jo Flores.  Food is central to a thriving community; a hub around which people gather.  Learn through community dialogue, games and envisioning what’s possible for your yard and your community.  Are you ready to start a neighborhood-based garden project or to turn your yard into a garden and your neighborhood into a community?  Then this workshop is for you.

Heather will also join our course teaching team to include aspects of social permaculture.  IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO SIGN UP!  

We’ll be diving in to permaculture design at Vermont’s longest running permaculture research site- and designing the new home for High Mowing Seeds! (FB EVENT PAGE)

Grow Food- Not Lawns!

INHABIT- A Permaculture Perspective     

Screening Free and Open to the Public- Wednesday, July 22, 7 PM

You are also welcome to join us for an all farm-sourced meal- dinner is served at 6pm, and is $14 buffet style.  Reservations are required for dinner.  Please contact head chef Candace Taylor with number in your party and dietary preferences and restrictions (we are happy to meet the needs of omnivore, vegetarian, gluten, vegan, etc.) to make dinner reservations. Candace: healin.irie@gmail.com

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Medicine Womyn’s Retreat!

Join us to nourish and nurture your inner divinity. Come gather with sister allies and connect deeply with your authentic self. This will be a day filled with ritual, creative expression and blissful self love! The workshops throughout the day will be based on Aromatherapy, Herbal crafting, Flower Essence, Fiber arts etc…There will also be a medicine walk, a labyrinth journey, rituals and songs, sacred Heartfire Henna, guided meditation, Yoga with Fletcher Boote and a rockin Kirtan to end the evening. $60-75 sliding scale August 8th, 10-5 at Willow Crossing Farm RSVP with Kori Gelinas to reserve your spot:  https://www.facebook.com/events/1084317594930782/

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RISING APPALACHIA

-LIVE AT WILLOW CROSSING FARM!  with special guests BARIKA–

Details TBD- Save the Date!  Please help us spread the word.

Also COMING UP:

August 9 – Mayan Fire Ceremony for Families with Mayan Grandmother Nana Wilma

NURSERY PLANTS!

We still have plenty of CURRANTS, SEA BERRIES, BLACK LOCUST, and many other rare FRUITS, NUTS, BERRIES, and VINES available for sale!

Thank you for your support and for SHARING our events with your networks!

-Keith and Family

2015 Permaculture Design Certification Courses June or July

2016

Permaculture Design Certification Course

 July 17-29

This world-reknown course fills early!  Please clear your schedule and confirm your space now.

We are excited to announce that as the only Fully Accredited Permaculture Institute in Vermont

we have secured full scholarships for income eligible Vermont State residents.

Scholarship applicants should be in touch with as much notice as possible.

The 2014 summer course was a blast with students coming from across the country and with a wide variety of backgrounds and intended applications for permaculture design!    Stay tuned for photos, design work, and student comments- students’ final designs ranged from farms to apartments, communities, and businesses in a wide variety of ecological contexts.

Student Design Work for the UVM Horticulture Research Center and Catamount Farm

 

Unlike all other Permaculture Design Certification courses- students work to create both collaborative and individual designs, allowing the opportunity to practice the design process twice, work with real-world clients and sites, as well as developing ideas for your own sites, bioregions, and specific interests with professional guidance.   Students’ final individual design presentations are from a wide geographical and cultural diversity- ranging from 100+ acre farms, to vacant-lot community gardens, to natural building renovation, ‘renter’s permaculture’ apartment / urban strategies, and more!   The balance between collaborative and individual work, combined with the diverse students we attract make each design a highlight, and broaden our collective experience and practice.  This ‘two-design’ format, increasingly being used by other courses and other instructors, is Prospect Rock Permaculture‘s unique innovation to augment the requirements of an fully accredited and internationally recognized Permaculture Design Certification Course.

Read below for more course details and 2013 flyers.  Click here for more information about the Registration Process.

Burlington Permaculture and Prospect Rock Permaculture are pleased to offer our Eigth-Annual summer Permaculture Design Certification course.

Immersed in wild ecology, beautiful scenery, and the abundance of Willow Crossing- our Family Farm and Vermont’s oldest Permaculture Research Site- we practice the art of re-visioning and remaking Heathy Human Whole Systems.

The two week residential intensive course goes above and beyond the internationally recognized standard curriculum with focus on Community Resilience, Social Justice, Food Security, Farm Design, Transition, Environmental and Outdoor Education, Natural Building, Horticultural Therapy, Community/ Commercial Scale Production and Propagation, Appropriate Farm Machinery and Tools, and visits to the vibrant farms, homesteads, nurseries, and ethical businesses that contribute to the resurging agricultural economy of this most Fertile Valley of Northern Vermont.

All food served during the course will come from our farm and immediately local farms visited during the course.  With opportunities to see, practice, and implement permaculture solutions at varying scales; thorough grounding in the process of design, first-hand study of ecology- and guided by the most experienced designers, farmers, and educators in the U.S. – this course affords opportunities for development and engagement in personal and community abundance and security like no other.

ABOUT THE SITE                                                                                                              TEACHING TEAM

Hands-on Design and Co-Creation of Vibrant, Wholly Nourishing Human Landscapes:

Together, we engage in whole-systems ecological design and implementation of permaculture solutions for a multi-use community garden specifically focused on the needs of food-insecure Vermonters.  Learn alongside students, architects, activists, community planners, homesteaders, farmers, natural builders, business owners, and others while solving real-world design problems as a team, and generating full designs for a site of your own choosing– while guided by some of the world’s foremost professional designers and being immersed the wild and cultivated beauty of a 12 year old permaculture site.

Our approach explores the way human beings- as individuals and communities- can participate in the creation of ethical, socially just, and ecologically regenerative perennial support systems.  We apply the sciences of Ecology, Anthropology, Ethnobiology, and Evolution to agriculture, the built environment, and social and economic organization (‘invisible structures’) by integrating plants, animals, buildings, people, communities, economies, and the landscapes that surround us through careful analysis and thoughtful design.  We also practice permaculture ethics, principles, techniques, and skills by collaborating on real-world projects repairing, restoring, and regenerating human ecosystems.

We welcome graduates of other permaculture design courses to refresh their certification, gain new perspective and experience, build their networks, and advance their practice with the Advanced Permaculture Design and Teacher/ Facilitator Training opportunities available through this course.

Permaculture is a design science focused on the intersection of social and ecological health.  We explore the relationships between the built environment, food security, energy, water, and natural communities, in order to retrofit this infrastructure to respond to the confluent crises of the 21st century with localized resilience, abundance, and ecological regeneration.  Build your skills and capacity by taking part!

Our dynamic natural site in the midst of an agriculturally vibrant area affords ample opportunities to study and observe wild ecology, fruit, nut, vegetable, and medicinal herb production, natural/ alternative beekeeping poultry care, natural building, alternative energy, community-scale resilience, etc. In addition to all farm sourced food, immersion in wild ecology, radical sustainability, and the site offers us the opportunity to swim, hike, paddle, and camp in the beauty and inspiration of the early Vermont summer.

All farm sourced, local organic meals, travel to field trips, canoe and kayak use, and camping accommodation is included in the course cost of $1600.  There are other lodging options available at additional cost.  There are limited opportunities for professional development grants, work trade, scholarships, and other financial aid.  Discounted registration for groups, couples, referrals, and travel to the course by boat, bike, foot, or other non motorized means, is available for early registrations.  This course has historically filled quickly, please contact us to reserve your space as soon as possible.

As always, permaculture designers, activists, and alumni are welcome visit to present, review students designs, network, or just join us for a (very) local organic meal!  Many sessions will be open and free to interested public.

Instructors and guests include:  Keith Morris, Mark Krawczyk, Alissa White, Lisa DePiano, Andrew Faust, Skotty Kellogg, the Beehive Collective, and more!

This course is available for 5 credits through the University of Vermont.  Please visit http://www.learn.uvm.edu for details about registering through the University.

Our partners at WAGN The UVM Extension Women’s Agriculture Network have set some funds aside to help Vermont Women Farmers with enrollment.

We are fully accredited with VSAC (Vermont Student Assistance Corporation), and funds are available for full scholarships for income-elligible VT residents.

Thanks!

REGISTER HERE

Space is limited, and the course typically fill well in advance.

Please inquire about work trade and other scholarship opportunities.

 

Happy Spring! Grafting Workshop, Scionwood Swap, and Plant Sale!

Hi Friends!

Hope you’re enjoying the nice long days and melting snow!  We’re getting ready and have been working with the trees- while the orchard is still under feet of snow, it doesn’t look like it will last through this next week of warm weather that’s finally arrived…

Happy to announce that our 3rd Anual Grafting Workshop and Vermont Scionwood Swap will has been rescheduled for Sunday April 13!  Here’s to hoping for nice weather and not too much mud!

We hope this date works for as many of you as possible!  All participants must register!  We’ll need to provide some details and parking information just prior to the event.  If you registered for the previously postponed date, please confirm whether you’re still coming or your plans have changed.

DETAILS HERE!   Direct Link to REGISTRATION FORM.

 

 

Our Spring Plant Sale and Plum Flower Party will be held Saturday, May 3!

While final list and prices will have to wait until we can get through the snow and start digging some plants, we know we’ll have our favorite, VT-proven varieties of Hazelnuts, Hardy Kiwis, Sea Berry, Walnut, Apricot, Plums, Apples, Cherries, Pears, Grapes, Medicinal Herbs, Blueberries, Currants/ Gooseberries, Strawberries, Asparagus, as well as Rootstock for Apples, Pears, and Prunus (Plums, Peaches, Apricots, etc.).  Stay tuned for more details to be announced in the next few weeks, and please email me if you’d like to reserve anything in particular.  Last year we sold out early, we will most likely only be open at the farm for pick-up of pre-ordered plants.  All proceeds support Permaculture Research, Education, and Productive Reforestation.

 

And finally, we’re excited to announce a few open spaces in this summer’s Permaculture Design Certification Course– the nation’s leading Farm and Wildlife Immersion PDC.  Centered on Design and Practice- join a diverse group of students from around the country and the world in collaborative design for Real-World Community projects, hands on at Vermont’s most diverse permaculture farm, research center, and wildlife sanctuary; and gain professional support in developing Designs for Your Own Property!  Participants range from total ‘newbies’ to practicing architects and landscape architects; sustainability and conservation professionals; farmers, chefs, ‘foodies’, extension agents; activists; homesteaders; and design, ecology, and food-systems students.  Facilitated by a diverse, talented, and most experienced teaching team- we provide a solid, science-based foundation for experiential and experimental ecological design education while cutting-edge information, cross-disciplinary techniques, and 21st Century Integration and Systems Thinking provide new territory for even the most experienced practitioner’s to explore and co-learn with professional peers.  REGISTER NOW TO HOLD YOUR SPACE.  As the only fully-accredited Permaculture Institute in Vermont, Vermont State residents are eligible for a full scholarship.  This PDC can also be taken for 5 fully transferable credits from the University of Vermont.

We’ll begin announcing more open houses and farm tours starting in May!  Look forward to seeing you all this season!

Best,

Keith, Family, and Team

Willow Crossing Farm- Johnson, VT

Prospect Rock Permaculture

Vermont’s Original Permaculture Design and Education Institute

www.ProspectRock.org

 

 

Nov. 15- Keynote Presentation in NH and Comments for FSMA!

New Hampshire- 2100

Farms for the Future

Ecological Regeneration and Economic Viability for Northeastern Farm Legacy

FRIDAY, November 15, 2013

     6:00 PM    —    Newport, NH

     As the 21 century gets underway, it appears ever more likely that we will face continued challenges and change at an unprecedented rate- likely even greater than experienced during the 20th century.  As we face uncertainty in regards to climate, energy, government, and the global economy- we can fear change, scramble to react, or adapt appropriately and with intention.

Join with professional farm designer Keith Morris to explore how the study of ecology, history, and ecological design can help us act on the tremendous opportunities we have at present to make our farms more resilient, ecologically regenerative, and economically viable with an eye towards healthy communities and a lasting legacy into the future.

We’ll look to a few inspiring examples from here in the northeast and beyond of farms using permaculture to create health and abundance by combining tradition with new crops and techniques- focusing on the intersection of social and ecological health, and caring for future generations.

On Friday, November 15 at 6 pm, you are invited to join us for the 67th Annual Awards Dinner for the Sullivan County Conservation District.  There will be a farm-sourced meal, recognition for stand-out farms and educators, and an opportunity to  weave connections between area veteran farmers, young and new growers/ homesteaders, extension agents, and state and local representatives looking to engage in making a viable agricultural future for the region.

$15 Includes Dinner and Award Ceremony, to make a reservation, please contact Lionel Chute, ASAP

lchute@sullivancountynh.gov

6:00 PM  in the Sugar River Bank Community Room

     10 N. Main St.  in Newport, NH

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HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT FSMA (the Food Safety Modernization & Safety Act)!?

Comments are due by NOV. 15!

The rules, as currently proposed, have the potential to be very damaging to many farms – especially those who are focused on veggies and fruits, or concerned about Food Sovereignty.

RURAL VERMONT, NOFA VT, UVM EXTENSION,  New England Farmers’ Union, and the VT Agency of Agriculture have pulled together some of the best analysis of what you need to know and what you CAN DO to add your voice to the protest over how these proposed rules could devastate small scale agriculture in the northeast.

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR AN AWESOME COLLECTION OF INFORMATION ON HOW TO LEARN MORE AND SUBMIT EFFECTIVE, INFORMED COMMENTS!

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We’ll also be presenting with MARK SHEPARD (whose farm is pictured in the flyer above) during this Winter’s NOFA MASS Conference on January 11.

AND with NOFA VT on February 15

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LASTLY- Our internationally recognized, farm-based PERMACULTURE DESIGN CERTIFICATION COURSE will be held this summer July 20 – August 1, and is already beginning to fill!  Please reserve your space now, and feel free to share course information with potentially interested friends and networks.

Happy Harvest-

Keith and Family

Tonight – Free Screening of ‘The Growing Edge’ at Willow Crossing Farm

Hi Friends!

As most of you know, we’re just beginning a two-week residential intensive ‘Earth Activist Training’ Permaculture Design Certification course with international permaculture designer and best-selling author Starhawk.

We’re happy to announce that a number of evening presentations will be free and open to the public.

While we normally only send our a few emails/ blog posts a year in this format, I’ll be sending a few this week with more details for these opportunities.  If you’re not interested, please just delete, or let me know what types of announcements you’d like to receive.

Read below for a list of presentations, and feel free to share with potentially interested friends or networks.

THIS EVENING will be a introduction to permaculture design with Starhawk, Charles WIlliams, Rushelle Frazier, and Keith Morris and a screening of ‘The Growing Edge’.

All presentations (except the open UVM sessions) will be at 7:30 pm here at Willow Crossing Farm.

All-local, organic farm-sourced dinner will be served at 6 pm, and is $12-15 per person, all you can eat.

Dinner guests must RSVP in advance.

Thanks,

Keith and Family

Permaculture: The Growing Edge is an antidote to environmental despair, a hopeful and practical look at a path to a viable, flourishing future. The film introduces us to inspiring examples of projects, and includes a visit to David Holmgren’s own homestead, tracking deer with naturalist Jon Young, sheet mulching an inner-city garden with Hunters Point Family, transforming an intersection into a gathering place with City Repair and joining mycologist Paul Stamets as he cleans up an oil spill with mushrooms. We interview some of the key figures in the Permaculture movement, including David Holmgren, Penny Livingston-Stark, James Stark, Paul Stamets, Mark Lakeman, Dr. Elaine Ingham, Maddy Harland, and others.  Permaculture is a sustainable system of earth care that offers solutions to many of our grave environmental problems and a hopeful, proactive vision of change. The Permaculture movement, started by Australians Bill Mollison and David Holmgren in the nineteen seventies, is now a worldwide network of skilled ecological designers, teachers, food growers, natural builders, environmental activists and visionaries. “Permaculture is the key to a post-carbon future,” says Maddy Harlan, editor of Permaculture Magazine.

Open Sessions at the EAT PDC!– FREE and open to the public- at Willow Crossing Farm in Johnson, VT.Donations to the Gender and Diversity Permaculture Leadership Scholarship Fund, which is generously supporting a number of our students and our apprentice teacher, are gratefully accepted.

All presentations begin at 7:30 pm.

All local organic Farm-sourced dinner is served at 6 pm, $12-15, must RSVP in advance for dinner!

Sunday, Sept. 8
Introduction to Permaculture:
Starhawk, Charles Williams and Keith Morris give an introduction to permaculture and show the documentary Permaculture: The Growing Edge made by Starhawk and Donna Read.

Tuesday, Sept. 10
Permaculture Activism with Rushelle Frazier: Inner city permaculture, work with veterans, permaculture for mobilizations and encampments

Wednesday Sept. 11
Permaculture for diverse climates and environments
Tropical/global permaculture
Starhawk—Drylands permaculture and the International Permaculture Convergence in Jordan

Sunday Sept. 15
Urban permaculture slideshow
Lisa DePiano on Pedal Pushers and an urban CSA
Keith on permaculture for renters

Monday Sept. 16
Natural building
Charles Williams on passive solar and design for efficiency
Natural building slideshow

Monday Sept. 16 AT UVM in BURLINGTON
Starhawk 5:10- 8:10 pm

Wednesday Sept. 17
Full Moon Ritual

Thursday, Sept. 18 at UVM in BURLINGTON
SCOTT KELLOGG 5:10- 8:10 pm

Thanks- feel free to share.