NW Permaculture Institute

Earth Care, People Care, Future Care

Tag Archives: garden


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Cancelled – Backyard Habitat Design with Dr. Roberta Bigelow, presented by Mid-Willamette Permaculture Guild Free Film and Lecture Series, Wed March 11th @ 6:30pm

This event will be rescheduled at a later date.

 

Are you interested in becoming part of the solution? Permaculture is applied ecology; founded by Australian agronomists Bill Mollison and David Holmgren in the late 1970s, it is now a worldwide movement promoting ethically grounded gardening and landscape design—working with nature, rather than against it. The Mid-Willamette Permaculture Guild sponsors monthly meetings featuring films and lectures on all aspects of permaculture design and related topics pertaining to restorative and regenerative gardening and agriculture.

This Second Wednesday of March (March 11) our guest speaker will be Dr. Roberta Bigelow, presenting on the topic of backyard habitat design. Roberta retired from Willamette University in 2015 after teaching physics for nearly 30 years. She took the Master Gardeners’ Trainee course as soon as it was available, becoming a Master Gardener in 2016 and the MCMGA Treasurer in 2017. Along with Master Gardeners Karen Freeman and Carol & Bill Sutkus, Roberta taught a class on Backyard Habitat gardening–the gardening practice that seeks to provide natural habitat for wildlife.

Backyard Habitat Gardening

We are currently living in a time where the loss in biodiversity is becoming known as the sixth extinction, the sixth time in world history that many species have disappeared at a rapid rate, but this time the cause is clearly human activity. The reasons for this rapid decline in biodiversity are complicated but among them are habitat degradation and loss. The principle of Backyard Habitat gardening is to create natural, low-maintenance gardens that support people, wildlife, and the planet. We do this through removing invasive weeds, using native plants when possible, reducing pesticide use to a minimal level, managing water appropriately, and providing wildlife habitat. In this presentation, Roberta will talk about practical ways to make your yard attractive to wildlife, mainly insects and birds.

Held in Salem every 2nd Wednesday at 6:30 pm At Salem Friend’s Meeting House, 490 19th Street NE (19th and Breyman) For more information: 971-218-4772/ dianedalychavez@gmail.com or 971-701-6965/ tiellis@gmail.com

 

 

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Fresh, Free Film in Salem Wednesday July 11th @ 6:30pm

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Will Allen – Growing Power

 

“Our current industrial method of food production is increasingly viewed as an unsustainable system, destructive to the environment and public health. But what is the alternative?

Fresh profiles the farmers, thinkers, and business people across the nation who are at the forefront of re-inventing food production in America. With a strong commitment to sustainability, they are changing how farms are run, how the land is cared for, and how food is distributed. Their success demonstrates that a new paradigm based on sustainable practices can be profitable and a model for our food system, if people choose to support it.

Fresh opens with a short summary of the problems and consequences of industrialized food production, then focuses primarily on the individuals who are creating new approaches to address environmental, health, and economic challenges throughout the food chain.

Joel Salatin is a world-famous sustainable farmer and entrepreneur who, by observing nature, devised a rotational grazing system for his animals that heals the land while making his operations many times more profitable than his conventional farming neighbors.

Will Allen, a former pro basketball player and recipient of a Macarthur “Genius Award”, is now one of the most influential leaders of the urban farming movement. He teaches people in the inner city the value of healthy food and how to grow their own.

David Ball saw his family-run supermarket and a once-thriving local farming community dying with the rise of Walmart and other big chains. So he reinvented his business, partnering with area farmers to sell locally-grown food at an affordable price. His plan has brought the local economy back to life.

Fresh also features a farmer in Iowa who illustrates the struggles family farmers face, a hog farmer in Missouri who stopped using antibiotics on his pigs, and commentary by noted food expert and author Michael Pollan.”  Film 70 mins.

 

Interested in restoration agriculture, sustainable gardening, and local solutions? Come join our latest free film to meet other like minded folk and learn more.

NW Permaculture Institute Free Film and Lecture Series
Held in Salem every 2nd Wednesday @ 6:30 pm
At Salem Friend’s Meeting House, 490 19th Street NE (19th at Breyman)
For more information: 971-218-4772, or dianedalychavez@gmail.com.


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Ingredients, Free Film Event in Salem, Wednesday March 14th @ 6:30pm

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As American food nears a state of crisis, INGREDIENTS explores a thriving local food movement where community, food-safety, and flavor are commonplace. Traveling across the United States, from the urban food deserts of Harlem to the abundant Willamette Valley, INGREDIENTS, is a journey that reveals the people who are bringing good food back to the table, and the myriad ways we all can eat better. It empowers and sparks the joy of discovery in creating a healthier, more sustainable model for living and eating well in a world in need of balance. 67 mins.

Interested in restoration agriculture, sustainable gardening, and local solutions? Come join our latest free film to meet other like minded folk and learn more.

NW Permaculture Institute Free Film and Lecture Series
Held in Salem every 2nd Wednesday @ 6:30 pm
At Salem Friend’s Meeting House, 490 19th Street NE (19th at Breyman)
For more information: 971-218-4772, or dianedalychavez@gmail.com.

 


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2 Day Introduction to Permaculture @ GeerCrest Farm, Oct 14th & 15th

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A 2-day Introduction to Permaculture course designed to give participants a solid understanding of how to apply permaculture ethics, principles, strategies and techniques in their lives and communities.    

Register here and reserve your spot today!


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Compost Classes in Salem and Oregon City this July…

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Compost Class
July 22nd, Noon – 2:30pm – Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem, 5090 Center Street NE, Salem, Oregon

July 31st, 6-8:30pm – St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 822 Washington St., Oregon City, Oregon

A well made compost is as good as gold when you want your garden to thrive with healthy plants and nutrient rich produce, but compost can easily go wrong with the wrong recipe or the wrong conditions. Permaculture educator, Lichen June, of the NW Permaculture Institute, teaches this fun and fact filled class. Learn about soil structure and function, how plants eat, pH effect on available nutrients, weeds as indicators and paramedics, compost recipe and care, and how to adjust that recipe when things go wrong or when you need to speed up the process.  Class fee $20, all handouts included.   Class info and registration, (503)449-8077, ljuneclasses(at)gmail.com

 


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“Points Beyond – Living as Community,” New intentional living project in Silverton, Oregon, public event April 16th @ 2:30pm

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Points Beyond: A Cottage Community, is holding an informational event on Sunday April 16th @ 2:30pm.  After you’ve finished gathering your Easter eggs, head over to 1206 E. Main Street, Silverton, OR 97381, to learn more about this cottage community.  Please RSVP to Info@PointsBeyondCottages.com

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“Points Beyond is an intentional community of private homes clustered around shared space. Each single family home has traditional amenities, including a private kitchen. Our shared spaces will feature a common house, which includes a large kitchen and dining area, laundry, and recreational spaces. We will also have a workshop with added guest quarters, and carports at both ends of the property. Shared outdoor space includes parking, walkways, open space, and gardens. Community members also share resources like tools, books, and recreational equipment. Households have independent incomes and private lives, but neighbors collaboratively plan and manage community activities and shared spaces.”

For more information and cottage images visit: pointsbeyondcottages.com


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Rebecca’s Wild Farm: A Farm for the Future, Free Film, Potluck, and Free Seed Event in Salem, March 23rd @ 6:30pm

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Rising fuel prices are a wake up call for filmmaker, Rebecca Hosking, as she investigates how to turn her family’s farm in Devon into a low energy farm for the future. Going beyond mere alarm raising to present practical, ingenious solutions from pioneering farmers and gardeners, Rebecca shows that nature holds some surprising keys to abundance, and hope for the future of farming. Film 50 minutes.

After the film browse through a selection of free vegetable, herb, and flower seeds, donated by Silverton Grange.

Interested in restoration agriculture, sustainable gardening, and local solutions?  Come join our latest free film and potluck to meet other like minded folk and learn more.

NW Permaculture Institute Free Film and Lecture Series
Held in Salem every 4th Thursday @ 6:30pm (except November and December)

Salem 4th Thursday events include potluck & discussion
@ Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem, 5090 Center Street. NE, Salem
For more information: 503-449-8077

This event is made possible by support from the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem, LifeSource Natural Foods, Silverton Grange, Straub Environmental Center and private donations from people in our community.  Thank you for your support!

 


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Salem Free Film Event, The Permaculture Orchard: Beyond Organic, January 26 @ 6:30pm

 

Learn how to set up your own permaculture orchard at any scale. Recognizing the limitations of the organic model as a substitute to conventional fruit growing, we propose a more holistic, regenerative approach based on permaculture principles. Based on 20 years of applied theory and trial and error, biologist and educator Stefan Sobkowiak shares his experience transforming a conventional apple orchard into an abundance of biodiversity that virtually takes care of itself. The concepts, techniques and tips presented in this film will help you with your own project, whether it is just a few fruit trees in your urban backyard, or a full-scale multi-acre commercial orchard. 115 minutes.

Film includes:

  • creating habitat for birds / pollinators
  • natural pest control techniques
  • the trio system / plant combinations
  • the shrub + herbaceous layers
  • seed planting of annuals
  • planting fruit trees / drainage considerations
  • tree training vs. pruning
  • grafting / overgrafting
  • starting your own trees vs. buying trees
  • mulch options with a focus on plastic mulch and why/how
  • drip irrigation
  • the importance of cultivar selection
  • the grocery aisle concept
  • spraying / fungi control
  • tree protection
  • frost protection

 

Earth Care, People Care, Fair Share: Free Film and Lecture Series
Held in Salem every 4th Thursday @ 6:30pm (except November and December)

Salem 4th Thursday events include potluck & discussion
@ Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem, 5090 Center Street. NE, Salem

For more information email nwperma@gmail.com or call 503-449-8077

 

This event is made possible by support from the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem, Life Source Natural Foods, and private donations from people in our community.  Thank you for your support!

 


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Salem October 27th film event cancelled, film for January selected, The Permaculture Orchard

We are very sorry that due to unforeseen circumstances our October 27th film and potluck in Salem is cancelled.  Since we do not hold films on the 4th Thursdays that fall on holidays in November and December, our next film and potluck will be on January 26th, 2017.  We are pleased to present an excellent and educational film called, The Permaculture Orchard.

Happy Holidays and we look forward to seeing you in January!