tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20807208475200276142024-03-12T16:02:56.678-07:00Totally Sustainable"We definitely need art, and music, and disciplined, nonviolent, but very real anger. Mostly we need to tell the truth, resolutely and constantly. Fossil fuel is wrecking the one earth we've got. It's not going to go away because we ask politely. If we want a world tht works, we're going to have to raise our voices". Bill McKibbenAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033213229329816867noreply@blogger.comBlogger124125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080720847520027614.post-32395729874320857172015-05-11T07:40:00.001-07:002015-05-11T07:40:16.083-07:00Webinars on Organic Agriculture and Ecology Subjects AvailableCheck out this link to a list of very interesting and helpful topics in organic agriculture and wetlands ecology remediation/restoration:<br />
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http://www.conservationwebinars.net/Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033213229329816867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080720847520027614.post-8822091160094194482015-03-12T13:25:00.000-07:002015-03-12T13:25:18.862-07:00A Permaculture PrimerPlease check out my recent article, "A Permaculture Primer" in the Spring 2015 edition of "The Connecticut Gardener". Hard copies of the article are available from the publisher at PO Box 248, Greens Farms, CT 06838-0248, or by calling 203-292-0711. Or, to read on-line, click this link:<br />
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<a href="http://www.conngardener.com/images/SampleMA15.pdf">www.conngardener.com/images/SampleMA15.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033213229329816867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080720847520027614.post-595114640138248112014-06-22T14:32:00.001-07:002014-06-22T14:32:20.035-07:00Podcast on safegroundlandcare.com with Bernadette GiblinMy dear friend, Bernadette Giblin, a phenomenal organic land care professional (NOFA certified) and a mover-and-shaker in spreading the word about caring for lawns and sports fields organically, invited me to be on her podcast the other day. We had a sweet conversation and explored many topics. You can listen to the podcast by clicking this link:<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">http://safegroundlandcare.com/soils-wetlands-scientist-cynthia-rabinowitz-fair-share-principle-permaculture/</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033213229329816867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080720847520027614.post-71247865313204827852014-06-10T19:15:00.004-07:002014-06-10T19:15:49.057-07:00Graduate Institute Ecotherapy Program<div class="MsoNormal">
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I am privileged to have been invited to speak at the Graduate Institute in Bethany, Connecticut in their Ecotherapy Interest Group meeting on Monday, June
23 at 6 pm. The Ecotherapy Interest Group is held once a month in conjunction with the Graduate Institute's <o:p></o:p>Ecotherapy and Cultural Sustainability certificate program.</div>
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I will be giving a presentation on <b>Permaculture as Healing Art</b>. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Please feel free to pass along this information to those who
may be interested: <a href="http://www.learn.edu/pages/news/entry/permaculture.html">http://www.learn.edu/pages/news/entry/permaculture.html</a>
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This meeting is open to the public and I hope that you can join us. TGI requests that you RSVP on their website (<a href="http://www.learn.edu/events">www.learn.edu/events</a>).<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Ecotherapy and Cultural Sustainability certificate
program is well underway and is progressing with great vitality. Staff will provide an update on the program at the next interest group meeting.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033213229329816867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080720847520027614.post-34974218886571060892014-06-10T12:07:00.001-07:002014-06-10T12:18:44.899-07:00New Rain Garden Installation in Municipal Greenway along Steele BrookSuccessful rain garden installation today in Watertown, Connecticut along the Steele Brook Greenway. This is a combined private and public venture to convert an overgrown eyesore in the floodplain of the brook into a beautiful and ecologically appropriate public space.<br />
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Rain gardens are being installed more often now as people recognize the need to deal with stormwater runoff in ways that are better for the environment. Stormwater that runs off roads, driveways, parking lots, and other impervious surfaces, carry pollutants into rivers and streams and also flow very fast, often overwhelming municipal storm sewers and causing local flooding. As more rain gardens are built, we are seeing a slow down of this problem and a reduction of pollutants reaching major bodies of water. In Connecticut everything drains to Long Island Sound which receives large amounts of contaminants. <br />
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Rain gardens allow stormwater to infiltrate the soil where soil micro-organisms as well as plant roots help to metabolize contaminants and reduce the amount being drained into the waterways.<br />
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Before installing the Watertown Greenway rain garden today, the area was grass with invasive Japanese Knotweed growing all around the area.<br />
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After excavation and soil removal, new, clean topsoil was spread over the newly created depression<br />
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Although, excavating and sculpting the rain garden depression and removing the root filled soil, was the first step. I am afraid the knotweed will return. Actually, I am positive it will, so a vigorous and regular maintenance plan will be in place to eradicate it manually whenever it appears. I have used, and will use again, a product known as Burn Out which is an approved substance in organic certified landscape care.<br />
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It rained heavily a few times prior to planting day and so the lowest areas of the rain garden depression were extremely wet and soupy, like cake batter. Impossible to walk on - one planting volunteer lost her shoe in the mud and it had to be dug out! We resorted to standing on thick layers of cardboard to get some stability in the mud.<br />
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I also used a thick layer of cardboard around the perimeter to discourage the weeds and also to keep the grass back from the edge of the planting area. I don't want the mowers to get too close to the shrubs around the top of the rain garden! <br />
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Plants used in the rain garden were chosen first and foremost for their suitability for the soil moisture conditions at various elevations in the rain garden. In the center is the wettest area. Here we mostly used perennial plugs featuring Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Milkweed), Liatris spicata (Dense Blazing Star), Eupatorium perfoliatum (Boneset), Hibiscus moschuetos (Swamp Rose Mallow). We also used large pots of Matteuccia struthiopteris (Ostrich Fern), and Onoclea sensibilis (Sensitive Fern).<br />
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Around the top of the basin, I planted 2 large Betula nigra trees (River Birch), one of my favorite birches, it tolerates a wide range of soil moisture conditions. Also, I chose Viburnum cassinoides (Wild Raisin), a lovely native shrub with white spring flowers and edible fruits. If you can get to them before the birds do they can be eaten raw or cooked into a preserve. Other shrub choices for the upper areas were low bush blueberry, Vaccinium angustifolium, and lastly, Myrica pennsylvanica, (Bayberry). Bayberry is a another lovely native shrub with a semi-evergreen habit. Edible leaves are sweetly aromatic and make lovely tea. I also use the leaves in soups etc. The little grey berries are loved by migrating birds. People have used them for making scented wax candles, too. I also used a few Andropogon gerardii,(Big Bluestem) in the drier places.<br />
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These plants were also chosen for aesthetic appeal and for wildlife habitat, pollinator insects and bird habitat, especially. Of course, it all has to mature and I'll be watching carefully this first season to make sure the plants settle in to their new home well and do not have to compete with weeds.<br />
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None of this would have been possible without the volunteer help of members of the Watertown Garden Club (whose names I'm not publishing as I don't think they would like that out in cyberspace!. Thanks so much, everyone! You were terrific!<br />
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And with yours truly in the middle<br />
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I can be reached at my e.mail: cynthia@hgconnsoil.com for consultations or design services for rain gardens, riparian buffer plantings and general ecological landscape planning and design.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033213229329816867noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080720847520027614.post-81786651334477742172014-03-07T09:38:00.001-08:002014-03-07T09:38:10.434-08:00Short video on state of the art amphibian road crossing tunnelMost of our native amphibians are at risk of death when migrating across roads to their breeding sites. Here is one solution:<br />
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http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/monkton-road-wildlife-crossing<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033213229329816867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080720847520027614.post-25954117531131914682014-03-05T13:43:00.002-08:002014-03-05T13:43:31.885-08:00CT-NOFA Winter Conference last SaturdayWe were privileged to present two workshops last Saturday at the annual winter conference of CT-NOFA (Northeast Organic Farmers Organization).<br />
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The event was held at the campus of Western Connecticut State University and there was the largest attendance ever recorded for the midwinter conference. What an achievment for the staff and volunteers of NOFA. Way to go guys!<br />
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Stuart and I presented workshops on building a Cob Oven and on Raising Shiitake Mushrooms. You can see our power points at www.hgconnsoil.com and click on "Press Releases and Link".<br />
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Also, here is another link to a terrific write-up of the event:<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033213229329816867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080720847520027614.post-4008677280554389852014-03-04T06:36:00.001-08:002014-03-04T06:36:44.643-08:00Scientists "discover" importance of soil carbon!It's never too late for academia to catch up with what a lot of us have known for a very long time - that soil is vital for the health of the planet. In so many ways, and in the following terrific article from Yale University, scientists have "discovered" that putting the carbon back into the soil (yep - that's the carbon we let escape by employing ill-advised agricultural techniques) we may be able to arrest climate change and at the same time make the soil healthier for our agriculture too. A win-win situation if ever I heard one.<br />
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http://e360.yale.edu/feature/soil_as_carbon_storehouse_new_weapon_in_climate_fight/2744/Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033213229329816867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080720847520027614.post-88155833880058879272014-03-03T11:29:00.001-08:002014-03-03T11:29:10.739-08:00Practical Beekeeping Workshop announced<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Rounded MT Bold', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Beekeeping With Al Avitabile</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">6 April 2014</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">1:00 pm</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Fee: $40</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Outdoor Demonstration and Lecture</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Eminent beekeeper and bee researcher, Al Avitabile, returns </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">to the Center for Sustainable Living for another spring workshop. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Al’s previous workshops at the Center have been our most popular </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">events. Al will share his expertise and vast knowledge with us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Al is extremely generous with his time and spends as much time</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">as needed to cover all topics that are brought up by attendees. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Previous workshops with Al have included visits to local bee yards</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">to observe various practices and maintenance projects first-hand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">This workshop is a must for all existing or new beekeepers.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">To register for this program please visit www.hgconnsoil.com for a registration form.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033213229329816867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080720847520027614.post-34204143396883113002014-03-03T09:07:00.001-08:002014-03-03T09:07:11.310-08:00Albert Einstein quotes worth sharingI seem to be seeing quotes by Albert Einstein all over the place these days. Perhaps people are waking up to the truth that he brought to the world - we are all connected. <br />
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Here are a couple of quotes I've seen recently:<br />
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"A human being is part of the whole, called by us, "Universe", a part limited in time and space.<br />
<br />
He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest - a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness."<br />
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and also:<br />
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"Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better"<br />
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SOUNDS LIKE PERMACULTURE TO ME! Perhaps Bill Mollison got some of his inspiration from Einstein when he realized that humans were part of ecology and cannot be separate from it.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033213229329816867noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080720847520027614.post-63782002664902430622014-01-16T14:46:00.000-08:002014-01-16T14:46:32.957-08:002014 workshop schedule at Center For Sustainable LivingPlease visit my website at www.hgconnsoil.com to see a complete schedule of Permaculture and sustainability workshops for 2014.<br />
<br />
www.hgconnsoil.com<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033213229329816867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080720847520027614.post-35658625956173249462014-01-16T14:43:00.001-08:002014-01-16T14:48:18.355-08:00Judaism observes a year of "fallow" known as the "Shmita Year"My dear Rabbi, Andrea Cohen Kiener has written a beautiful and thoughtful interpretation and explanation of the Shmita year. This special fallowing of the land is written into the Torah and demonstrates an understanding of agriculture little known today in commercial agriculture. Click on the link below to read Rabbi Andrea's blog:<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://sovaproject.org/">http://sovaproject.org/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033213229329816867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080720847520027614.post-6396679662369747232014-01-16T14:40:00.000-08:002014-01-16T14:40:18.303-08:00Upcoming NOFA Organic Land Care Accreditation CourstHere is an opportunity for all landscape professionals to deepen their credentials and become certified organic land care professionals (OLCPs) through the Northeast Organic Farmers Association. Well known throughout the nation as the leading certification program for landscapers to thoroughly learn about organic methods of landscape design and maintenance, this course will be held at the Community College in Norwich, CT. from 10 February 2014 through 13 February 2014.<br />
<br />
For more information about the certification program, click on this link:<br />
<a href="http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1101748879193-2056/New+England+Regional+Accreditation+Course+Agenda+2014+FINAL.pdf">http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1101748879193-2056/New+England+Regional+Accreditation+Course+Agenda+2014+FINAL.pdf</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1101748879193-2056/New+England+Regional+Accreditation+Course+Agenda+2014+FINAL.pdf">onal+Accreditation+Course+Agenda+2014+FINAL.pdf</a><br />
<br />
As you scroll through the topics sessions, please note I will be teaching a segment on Permaculture on 2/13/14 at 9:00am.<br />
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Hope to see you at this event!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033213229329816867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080720847520027614.post-62720021779003079332013-12-20T09:14:00.002-08:002013-12-20T09:14:54.023-08:00Documentary about Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture InstituteHere is a link you can use to view this interesting program about one of the most well-established Permaculture Homesteads and also a training institute in this country:<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uV9UuCaYKsU&feature=youtu.be">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uV9UuCaYKsU&feature=youtu.be</a><br />
<br />
The Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute offers workshops and certification programs in Permaculture.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033213229329816867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080720847520027614.post-19085913836842017922013-12-05T08:05:00.003-08:002013-12-05T08:05:31.615-08:00Wendell Berry to speak in New Haven this Saturday, 12/7/13Wendell Berry is a famous writer among certain circles. He is an avowed agrarian, poet, essayist and, in my book, a wise man. Some of his most well-known works may be "The Unsettling of America" and "The Art of the Commonplace" both of which are painful to read, in places. Not a good recommendation, I know, but if we are to see through the BS we are regularly handed out, we have to be able to deal with the pain of what has happened to society during the 20th and 21st centuries. Another beautiful little book of essays and literature, that I love, is "Imagination in Place". Truly a lovely little book.<br />
<br />
He will be speaking at a Yale University sponsored event at the Shubert Theater in New Haven on Saturday, 7 December 2013, at 2:30pm. The event is free and open to the public but you must make a reservation. The Theater is located at 247 College Street, New Haven. You can call the box office to make reservations: <strong style="color: #676767; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px;"> </strong><span style="color: #676767; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px;">203-562-5666 or 888-736-2663.</span><br />
<span style="color: #676767; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033213229329816867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080720847520027614.post-84792546755779542542013-12-05T07:40:00.003-08:002013-12-05T07:40:51.754-08:00Read Bill Duesing's essay on CT-NOFA's latest "Gleanings"Bill Duesing is the founder and long serving President and more recently Executive Director (retired) of CT-NOFA (Northeast Organic Farmers' Association). Here is the link to his lovely essay in the latest edition of "Gleanings", an on-line newsletter published periodically by CT-NOFA. Bill is one of the most dedicated and knowledgeable people I know in the field of food and agriculture. His insights are valuable and clearly expressed. The link is:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://ctnofa1982.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-boulder-in-road-or-kellogg-drives.html">http://ctnofa1982.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-boulder-in-road-or-kellogg-drives.html</a><br />
<br />
If you have trouble with the link, simply go to the CT-NOFA website and click through to "Gleanings".Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033213229329816867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080720847520027614.post-87129070348313225052013-09-12T18:26:00.002-07:002013-09-12T18:26:42.458-07:00This Book I'm ReadingI have to share this book I'm reading. It's called "Harvest" by Richard Horan. To write this book he visited farms all over the United States and volunteered on their harvest. He harvested wheat in Kansas, to cranberries in Massachusetts. Along the way, he learned a lot. I want to share something he wrote in this book, with all of you, and perhaps you will read the whole book, too.<br />
<br />
Here is the part I want to share:<br />
<br />
In this he starts by quoting Mr. Bryce Stephens, a farmer of red winter wheat and a devoted adherent to Rudolph Steiner's biodynamic farming methods, strictly organic and natural, of course. Here he is talking about GMO seed (genetically modified seed):<br />
<br />
"They're already in ninety-five percent of soybean and eighty percent of corn crops grown in the US. they certainly know that whoever controls the seeds controls the world!" <br />
<br />
Then Mr. Horton goes on in his own words: "I discovered yet another injustice. There is a full-scale, round-the-clock conspiracy against the obvious, and it is well financed, professionally managed, and magnificently effective. So, in addition to evolution deniers, global-warming pooh-poohers, omniscient-free-market fundamentalists, mountaintop-removal mountebanks, atomic-energy-is-safe beguilers, clean-coal con men, corporations-are-people-too lobbyists, prisons-keep-us-safe fearmongers, cell-phones-don't-cause-brain-tumors liars, one-hundred-billion-plastic-bags-a-year-is-not-a-problem ignoramuses, guns-don't-kill-people-people-kill-people misanthropes, a-college-education-is-worth-the-exorbitant-price-you-paysophists, American-health-care-is-the-best-in-the-world extortionists, the-history-of-the-English-speaking-peoples-is-beyond-reproach magniloquents....I now had GMO-seed-is-the-only-way-to-feed-the-world megalomaniacs to add to the list".<br />
<br />
Thank you Mr. Horan for this. I couldn't say it this well, but I think about it every day. All of it. Thank you.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033213229329816867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080720847520027614.post-76330890515176057212013-08-29T12:35:00.000-07:002013-08-29T12:35:24.201-07:00Spicy Garlic Soup from Bountiful HarvestThis recipe is adapted from "The Great Garlic Book" by Chester Aaron. I varied the recipe slightly to suit what I had available in my garden yesterday, August 28, 2013. If you are a garlic lover, then this recipe is for you.<br />
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Ingredients List:<br />
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1 pound of Violet Jasper tomatoes, chopped<br />
1 hot red pepper very finely chopped and seeds removed, unless you REALLY LOVE hot spicy food!<br />
1 teaspoon of ground cumin<br />
4 whole cloves<br />
2 tablespoons of olive oil<br />
1 medium red onion, chopped<br />
20 garlic cloves<br />
3 cups vegetable broth or water<br />
1 organic vegetable stock cube or 1 tablespoon of Liquid Aminos, or Miso paste<br />
handful each of chopped mint and parsley<br />
baguette<br />
shaved parmesan cheese<br />
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In a large stockpot, place the tomatoes, the hot pepper, cumin and cloves, with 4 chopped garlic cloves. Bring to the boil and then cook over medium heat, covered, for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon.<br />
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Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a small frying pan and saute the onions and 6 chopped garlic cloves, until tender but not browned. Add to the tomato mixture in the stockpot.<br />
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In a small saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil and add 10 whole garlic cloves. Boil slowly for 4 minutes. Remove the garlic cloves and continue to cook the cooking liquid to concentrate the flavor.<br />
Add the liquid to the stockpot with the stock cube or flavoring.<br />
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Sprinkle with chopped herbs and serve with toasted baguette and shaved parmesan cheese.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033213229329816867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080720847520027614.post-71833040568445452702013-08-29T10:23:00.003-07:002013-08-29T10:23:49.592-07:00Beautiful Bounty on a Connecticut Homestead, workshop announcement<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwFF9-M0wqDyQZqAlU-XtyzGqvAckRHqwNlgxEgJFKyQJMnDfd71m9ETwtJRt0pAhWZwyYP5Car1E2YHctlUC2EC21eliEbE3CBacWvQsp6wknBvrp5DVAkF2jzxjkGoCN5CwS0huChk/s1600/hgc-panes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwFF9-M0wqDyQZqAlU-XtyzGqvAckRHqwNlgxEgJFKyQJMnDfd71m9ETwtJRt0pAhWZwyYP5Car1E2YHctlUC2EC21eliEbE3CBacWvQsp6wknBvrp5DVAkF2jzxjkGoCN5CwS0huChk/s320/hgc-panes.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Beautiful Bounty on a Connecticut Homestead</b></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">An introduction to site assessment and planning and design for a beautiful and sustainable home site. You will </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">walk through an Edible Forest Garden, Shitaake mushroom growing area, observe rainwater catchments, and other sustainable features on a productive Connecticut homestead.<br /><br />You will learn the basics of:</span></span><br />
<ul style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; list-style-position: inside !important; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-top: 0.3em;">
<li><span style="font-size: small;">soil building</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">composting techniques</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">growing perennial vegetables and herbs</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">growing popular annuals</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />Led by soil scientist and permaculture designer, Cynthia Rabinowitz, the class will be held at The Center for Sustainable Living at 90 Cabbage Lane, in Bethlehem, CT. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Date: Sunday, 15 September 2013</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Time: 2pm to 5pm</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Registration Fee: $30 per person</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Registration Form: downloadable at www.connsoil.com</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: small;">For questions or more information e.mail cynthia@hgconnsoil.com</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033213229329816867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080720847520027614.post-57500661790959049552013-04-08T15:01:00.001-07:002013-04-08T15:01:51.135-07:00Beyond Permaculture: Design for Sustainable Living<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033213229329816867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080720847520027614.post-7528429342290767982013-01-24T14:07:00.003-08:002013-01-24T14:07:32.865-08:00Permaculture for Professionals
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Permaculture For Professionals</span></b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">18
April 2013,</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">10-4pm <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This
program is co-sponsored by The Center for Sustainable Living, Bethlehem, CT.
and The New Morning Natural Food Store, Woodbury, CT. and will be held at the New Morning.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b> </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Registration deadline is 15 April 2013. Please visit <a href="http://www.connsoil.com/">www.connsoil.com</a> for a registration form.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This training is for professional Planners, Architects,
Engineers and Landscape Architects who want to <b><i>understand</i></b> and <b><i>incorporate</i></b>
the principles and techniques of Permaculture Design into their practice.
Permaculture is an interdisciplinary design system that mimics principles of
ecology to meet human needs while increasing the health of the ecosystem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In this training participants will gain knowledge in the
following outcomes:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Understand
permaculture history, ethics, principles and language <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Identify
connections between social, cultural, environmental, and political
challenges <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Recognize
and analyze patterns found in society and the natural world <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Apply
whole systems thinking to problem solving through design <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Observe,
analyze, and assess a site to determine its resources and constraints <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gain
knowledge of a whole systems design process <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Learn
techniques for clean water, soil, food production, buildings, and
economics <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Most importantly we will work together to find leverage
points to incorporate this into the work that you are already doing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Workshop Leaders:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lisa DePiano is a certified permaculture designer/ teacher
and professional planner. She initiated </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><a href="https://bl2prd0811.outlook.com/owa/redir.aspx?C=D_6zPiWa0UCC7RSOMqL8XsZo_ikoxs8IpKkTjj4BS0YhFFjuw8RuUXbsyT62FrEvex8yZZ_jftU.&URL=http%3a%2f%2fissuu.com%2fconwaydesign%2fdocs%2ffeed_northampton_april2010" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Feed Northampton</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, one of the first Food Security
Plans in the country. She runs the Mobile Design Lab, which focuses on
participatory design and planning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033213229329816867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080720847520027614.post-47144639102417517562013-01-14T12:41:00.000-08:002013-03-10T19:29:39.074-07:00Identifying, Understanding and Using Edible and Medicinal Plants<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Identifying, Understanding and Using </strong></span><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Edible and Medicinal Plants</span></strong></div>
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<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Join
herbalist, Alison Birks, MS</span><span style="font-size: small;">, </span><span style="font-size: small;">AHG, CNS,
at the Center for Sustainable Living, </span><span style="font-size: small;">for a hands-on </span><span style="font-size: small;">introduction to
</span><span style="font-size: small;">many useful plants </span><span style="font-size: small;">of
Connecticut. </span><span style="font-size: small;"> Learn about edible and med</span><span style="font-size: small;">icinal plants in your garden and surroundings!</span><span style="font-size: small;">Class
will cover basic herbal knowledge such </span><span style="font-size: small;">as herb lore,
identification, harvesting and </span><span style="font-size: small;">traditional uses.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This
class also includes a </span><span style="font-size: small;">demonstration of the Simpler's Method
of </span><span style="font-size: small;">preparing
medicinal plant extracts.</span></div>
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<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Bring a
notebook with you and wear comfort</span><span style="font-size: small;">able, sturdy shoes. This
class will be held </span><span style="font-size: small;">"rain or shine" so please come prepared
</span><span style="font-size: small;">for the outdoors.</span></div>
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<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Fee:
$35.00 </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> <em><span style="color: red;">PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE CLASS IS SCHEDULED FOR 11 MAY 2013. 10AM-12PM.</span></em></span></div>
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<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Registration Deadline: 9 May 2013. For a Registration Form please visit <a href="http://www.connsoil.com/">www.connsoil.com</a> </span></div>
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<img alt="" src="http://www.hgconnsoil.com/siteimages/echinacea.jpg" style="height: 236px; width: 164px;" /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033213229329816867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080720847520027614.post-85278267919928369612012-12-08T19:00:00.000-08:002012-12-08T19:00:21.537-08:00Chanukah RecipesBecause tonight is the first night of Chanukah, here is my recipe for potato latkes, English style:<br />
<br />
<br />
Take out of your root cellar ONE LARGE ONION and TWO MEDIUM POTATOES (red-skinned is best but any will do).<br />
<br />
Peel and cut the onion into large pieces and place in the bowl of a food processor. Using the metal cutting blade, pulse the processor to chop the onion into pieces that resemble cooked rice, or slightly larger. Be careful not to overprocess because you don't want to have a wet mush. Scrape all the onion into a glass mixing bowl.<br />
<br />
Scrub the potatoes and peel off any blemished skin. Leave the remainder of the skin on and cut the potatoes into eighths. Place in the food processor bowl and pulse as for onions, again being careful not to overprocess. Mix with the onions in the glass bowl.<br />
<br />
The onion and potato should be in small dryish pieces like rice.<br />
<br />
Sprinkle the mixture with one teaspoon of GROUND SEA SALT and a few grinds of BLACK PEPPER, to taste.<br />
<br />
Beat ONE EGG and add to the mixture.<br />
<br />
Add one half cup of MATZO MEAL and mix well.<br />
<br />
Refrigerate for an hour.<br />
<br />
Heat CANOLA OIL in the bottom of a heavy frying pan. With moistened hands, form patties, no more than one half inch thick, with the latke mixture and fry gently in the hot oil, turning to brown both sides. Cook slowly to make sure the insides of the latkes are cooked. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.<br />
<br />
In true English style, serve latkes with MALT VINEGAR and SALT. Don't worry about your blood pressure - it's just once a year! The vinegar is a great antidote to the grease and is why we Brits use it with our fish and chips (chips are fries, btw - not those thin things that come in puffy bags, we call those crisps).<br />
<br />
Latkes are MUCH better this way than sweet with sour cream and applesauce. But you can have them that way, if you insist! <br />
<br />
<br />
Here's my recipe for a wonderful Pumpkin Bisque I make at this time of year:<br />
<br />
Olive Oil<br />
1 small pumpkin, quartered and cooked in the microwave, 2 pieces at a time for about 6 minutes until tender.<br />
1 large Onion, chopped<br />
1 medium to large potato, scrubbed and diced<br />
l large carrot scrubbed and sliced or chopped<br />
l celery stalk and leaves if you have them, chopped<br />
1 tablespoon of minced garlic<br />
1 tablespoon of dried oregano<br />
<br />
(I always have these vegetables and herbs in my winter storage that I've grown. If you are <br />
buying them, please look for organic produce whenever possible)<br />
4 cups water<br />
28 oz can of diced tomatoes (I usually have frozen roasted tomatoes from the summer garden but purchased cans are ok if they are organic)<br />
one half cup Braggs Amino Acids<br />
cumin seeds<br />
turmeric<br />
paprika<br />
salt and pepper<br />
<br />
Heat the olive oil in a soup pot and saute the onion, potato, carrot, celery and garlic for about 5 minutes until the onion is translucent. Sprinkle the herbs and spices over vegetable mixture and stir well. Continue to cook and stir for a few more minutes to release the flavor of the seasonings.<br />
<br />
Add the water, tomatoes, and the Braggs Amino Acids (available in natural food stores). Bring to a boil and add the pumpkin that has been scooped out of the skin. Add about one quarter cup of the pumpkin seeds to the pot, as well. Reduce the heat and simmer for 45 minutes over a low heat, stirring.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, put the remaining pumpkin seeds in an oven-proof baking dish and roast at 350 degrees until they are completely dry and golden brown. Use a metal spatula to loosen from the bottom of the dish and when cool, break apart with your hands and store in a glass jar.<br />
<br />
Allow to cool and then puree in batches in a blender. An immersion blender does not work well for this because the seeds do not get pureed unless processed in a conventional blender.<br />
<br />
Reheat and serve piping hot with a few roasted seeds on the top as a garnish.<br />
<br />
<br />
<em>I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW HOW YOU LIKE THESE RECIPES!</em><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033213229329816867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080720847520027614.post-29896206930438165912012-11-26T13:08:00.000-08:002012-11-26T13:08:50.398-08:00NOFA Winter Gathering<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1gXT2b3iBwC7GeFrZgYjdNSgVXsl7MXmrLFks6sn3FhOJ6a7jQn-yl30oTev_Bl0237rFkz7Dj12I4mTrUq2E8ykiO9lL09aChK_t5slqjUtPFFEPYd6onragQtU9QvDh29TAGkqXUo/s1600/AG_flyerOPT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1gXT2b3iBwC7GeFrZgYjdNSgVXsl7MXmrLFks6sn3FhOJ6a7jQn-yl30oTev_Bl0237rFkz7Dj12I4mTrUq2E8ykiO9lL09aChK_t5slqjUtPFFEPYd6onragQtU9QvDh29TAGkqXUo/s640/AG_flyerOPT.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033213229329816867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2080720847520027614.post-67076226321631717962012-11-11T13:28:00.003-08:002012-11-11T13:28:25.112-08:00Cynthia to speak at Annual Gathering of CT-NOFA, Dec. 5, 2012The Connecticut Chapter of the Northeast Organic Farming Association is holding its Annual Gathering of Organic Land Care Professionals on December 5, 2012. There is an outstanding lineup of speakers at this event and Cynthia is honored to be included on the program to deliver a presentation on Permaculture and its relevance in Organic Land Care.<br />
<br />
Cynthia will teach about the fundamentals of permaculture, and some of the specific practices that have application to Organic Land Care.<br />
<br />
Please visit the CT-NOFA website for more information and to register for this exciting event that features key speakers from all over the Northeast.<br />
<br />
Here is a link to that web page: <a href="http://www.organiclandcare.net/education/annual-gathering">http://www.organiclandcare.net/education/annual-gathering</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033213229329816867noreply@blogger.com1