at Spirit Hollow with Keith Morris and Mark Krawczyk
Join us for an exciting exploration of the process and principles that are Permaculture Design. An integrated, ethically-based, holisitic design system, permaculture provides a revolutionary framework for individuals, families, businesses, towns and bioregions to develop productive, diverse, resilient, healthy, enlivening and beautiful gardens, farms, homes, ecosystems, economics and communities.
After an in-depth exploration of the design principles that drive permaculture thinking and practice, we’ll actively delve into the process of designing for our host site, Spirit Hollow community. We’ll discuss the vital importance of clear goals articulation, thoroughly analyze the ecological characteristics of our site and then collectively move towards developing a harmonious design concept that builds on the relationships between them. Placing a strong emphasis on the development of dynamic, perennial agricultural systems, this intensive weekend will leave you energized, inspired and activated to return home and “permaculture” your community.
The intensive begins Friday night, April 30th at 6:30PM with an introductory lecture. Hours on Saturday are 9AM-5PM with breaks for lunch and supper and continuing from 6:30-9PM; Sunday hours are 9AM-4PM with break for lunch. If you just want to attend the Friday lecture, the fee is $20; cost for the whole weekend (Friday-Sunday) is on a sliding scale of $175-190 (please pay what you can afford). There may be two, half-tuition scholarships based on need; so, please inquire by calling us at (802) 447-3895. You can register by calling or online.
Meals are all potluck-style; so bring dishes for two breakfasts, two lunches and one supper. Use of the kitchen is always available; we will provide beverages and hot drinks throughout the workshop.
Recommended Reading:
- Introduction to Permaculture, Bill Mollison with Reny Mia Slay
- Permaculture-A Designer’s Manual, Bill Mollison
- Permaculture-Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability, David Holmgren
- Gaia’s Garden, Toby Hemenway
Items to bring:
- notebook, pens, pencils
- drawing/drafting tools–optional (markers, engineer’s scale, trace paper, etc.–not necessary, but may be useful)
- external hard drive or flash drive ( if you have one–to share electronic resources)
- maps/photos of your site–optional. These would be property surveys, topo and soil maps, aerial images, etc. ( We likely won’t have time to discuss individual site designs, but the resources could make for a great opportunity to share with other students and to explore what resources are available to us.)
- appropriate clothing–boots/water resistant shoes, rain gear, additional warm clothes (just in case)
- toiletries and gear for sleeping in the yurts at Spirit Hollow. (The yurts are shared, open spaces; so bring sleeping bags, pillows and air mattresses or padding. You can also camp in your own tent if you require more privacy. Spirit Hollow does have warm outdoor showers and outhouses. If accomodations are too rugged, we can recommend motels within 15-20 minutes of Spirit Hollow.
BIOS:
Mark Krawczyk is a permaculture designer, educator and community organizer, traditional woodworker, natural builder and impassioned soil-building devotee in Burlington, Vermont. He owns and operates Keyline Vermont, an ecological land use design and consultation firm, and co-organized the grassroots educational non-profit, Burlington Permaculture.
Keith Morris has been applying his life-long love of nature and people to permaculture and ecological design since 1996 and has worked professionally as a designer, farmer, natural builder and educator, facilitating healthy and healing human ecosystems since 2000. His work integrates community building, ecological regeneration, shelter and structures and diverse, nutrient-dense food production into beautiful and productive whole systems. He teaches at Sterling College, the Yestermorrow Design/Build School and the University of Vermont and has worked for USAID Farmer to Farmer in Nigeria and Ghana.
