Home Again--and On To the Next Adventure!

On To the Next Adventure

I’m home—after a month of intense teaching of our two Earth Activist Trainings—one in Bellingham, one in Vermont, followed by a short vacation with my partner and stepdaughter’s family on Martha’s Vineyard.

Now—home to San Francisco with visits up to our land in Sonoma County.  Most things seem to have survived my absence—although I’ve finally conceded defeat around ever actually having a summer garden on the land when I’m not there to take care of it.  None of the many folks I’ve had over the years as caretakers ever seem to truly get it as far as the watering regime goes, in spite of my instructions, and at this point I’m just happy if they keep the trees alive.  Do I sound bitter?  Let’s just say I’m shifting my priorities to devote more time to the urban gardens in Bayview Hunters Point, where the squash vines are pumping out produce and where, this winter, I’ll be training garden coordinators and youth in permaculture, garden management and skill building.

My most immediate new adventure?  Next week I’m taking an exciting course in Aquaponics—the system of integrated fish farms and greenhouses that hold immense promise for urban food production.  Last February I visited Growing Power, http://www.growingpower.org/,  in Milwaukee, which has pioneered the system on a large-scale inner city farm that produces greens and veggies in the middle of a Midwest snowy winter.

Below is the information on the course—if you’re interested, there’s still time to sign up!  If you scroll down, you’ll notice a discount you can get as a friend of Earth Activist Training.  I know the course is pricey—but I’m thinking of it as a good investment in skills and knowledge that can help us with the work we’re doing in the inner city, to provide both real food security and economic opportunities.

I’ll blog about the course, and post some pics.

Next adventure after that?  I’ll be going to Dandelion, the semi-annual gathering of Reclaiming, my extended spiritual network.  We’ll have rituals, meetings, workshops—I’ll be offering a few and taking more!

http://www.dandeliongathering.org/

And then I’ll be off to Europe for a month!  Poland—a Goddess Conference in Spain, workshops in England and Sicily—check out the details on My Schedule.

Now—for some hammock time while I have a chance!

Growing Power greenhouse in Milwaukee

Dear Friend,

Living Mandala and NorCal Aquaponics have a cutting-edge training coming up on new systems of food production for a future of shifting climates and environment stress.

COMMERCIAL AQUAPONICS TRAINING: WITH APPLIED PERMACULTURE DESIGN <http://livingmandala.com>
August 25 – 28, 2010
Ukiah, California

Aquaponics combines Aquaculture with Hydroponics creating one of the most sustainable and productive food systems on the planet.

This training is one of a few Commercial Aquaponics Courses available in the country.

What makes this training especially unique as it will also include business coaching as well as permaculture practices focused on closing loops & creating an even more sustainable, dynamic, & regenerative system.

At a time of global climate change, depletion of resources, pollution of water, huge losses of top soil worldwide, and other threats to the future of our food supply, there has never been a more important time to learn about Aquaponics.

The green market potential for Aquaponics is huge and growing fast! Get in on the solutionary action early by attending this course.

We are offering special discounts to this unique training to the permaculture community, affiliate organizations, and PDC grads.

Please forward this to friends and colleagues.

More info below.

-The Living Mandala Team
COMMERCIAL AQUAPONICS TRAINING: WITH APPLIED PERMACULTUR <http://www.eventbrite.com/event/707627533/Aquaponicstraining/5001344046> E DESIGN:
Food for the Future <http://www.eventbrite.com/event/707627533/Aquaponicstraining/5001344046>

August 25 – 28, 2010

Ukiah, California

For More Information Click Here <http://livingmandala.com/Living_Mandala/Aquaponics_Course.html>
Aquaponics Facts

• Aquaponics uses up to 90% less water than conventional farming does
• Aquaponics is energy efficient: It requires up to 1/3 of the energy other farming systems use.
• Aquaponics can have up to 8 to 10 times more vegetable production in the same amount of time and area than conventional gardens or farms.
• Labor can be reduced as much as 40%, while useful byproducts are created that can be used to farm other crops, trees, soil, water, and energy.
• A permaculture inspired system produces all of the systems needs (water, energy, fish feed, heat, etc.) on-site
• Products of the system include: solar electricity, heat, fish, prawns, vegetables, aquatic plants, algae, snails, worms, fertilizer, even methane gas.

Course Description

Aquaponics is one of the most sustainable and productive farming systems in the world. It combines Aquaculture and Hydroponics to create a truly self-sufficient closed loop system that uses only a fraction of the water, labor, energy, etc. that other methods use. Combining Permaculture Design with Aquaponics creates an even more sustainable, dynamic, productive & regenerative system. In this intensive training you will learn some of the most cutting edge pioneering aquaponics systems and gain a solid foundation from which to create your own Aquaponics System, Farm & thriving Green Business.

Permaculture & Aquaponics

Permaculture and Aquaponics focuses truly sustainable closed-loop systems are created that provide all the needs for the system with in the system itself. Max Meyer’s focus is on aquapionics systems that that produce virtually all of the system’s needs (water, energy, fish, feed, heat, gas, etc.) onsite! Products of the Meyers systems include; Solar electricity, Solar heated air, Solar heated water, fish, prawns, vegetables, fruit, aquatic plants, algae, minnows, snails, worms, dry and liquid fertilizers, even methane gas!

Instructors:

Max Meyers, Hannah Apricot Eckberg, Chris Byrne, and Special Guests

Tuition: Special Discounts for Affiliates & PDC Grads

Regular tuition for this course is $1250. We are offering a special discount of $775 to permaculture design course graduates, and affiliated organizations.

To Register for the PDC Grad Discount Click Here. <http://aquaponicstraining-permies.eventbrite.com>

Earth Activist Promotional Special
Special discount of $375 off course tuition offered to Friends of Earth Activist Training. To register at this special rate enter coupon code: EAT2010

To Register for the Earth Activist Promotional Special Click Here. <http://www.eventbrite.com/event/707627533/Aquaponicstraining/5635347218>

More Information
e-mail:
aquaponics@livingmandala.com
phone: (707) 634-1461
website: www.LivingMandala.com <http://www.LivingMandala.com/>

Heated by compost–Growing Power