Please note: All workshops are subject to change.
Check back as we continue to update our information.
Workshops will cover:
Description: This workshop will cover the philosophy and fundamental practices of Biodynamics, based on the nature wisdom put forth by Rudolph Steiner in 1924. Working with stellar and planetary rhythms will be introduced, enabling the farmer or gardener to achieve marked improvements in: crop storage, vigor, germination etc. Use of the (potentized-homeopathic-herbal) compost preparations will also be described, which elevate the bio-energetic field of the entire farm; this creates produce that nourishes the finer super-sensible parts of the human organism, in addition to the physical body. Other topics will include: cooperation with nature spirits, holistic management of animals, creating a closed, on-farm fertility cycle, associative economics, and developing the soul life.
About the Presenter:Daniel Frey has been a practitioner of Biodynamics for over a decade. He has presented on the subject in the U.S. and the Caribbean.
Description: Basic seed saving and starting a community seed bank.
About the Presenter:
Sara McCamant has taught gardening for over 20 years. She originally ran the Shenoa gardens in Philo and is a member of the Emerald Earth community in Boonville. She currently lives in Sonoma County, where she teaches gardening and seed saving, helped start the West County Community Seed Exchange and promotes people growing their own food through the iGROW Sonoma campaign. She has a monthly blog igrowsonoma.org/blog on food growing on the iGROW igrowsonoma.org website. She also teaches natural paints and plasters.
Contact info: saramc@emeraldearth.org
Description: A Biointensive compost pile is easy to make and uses materials from your kitchen, yard and garden. Understanding the basic principles of the composting process can help you improve the quality and quantity of your cured compost.
About the Presenter: Carol Cox managed the Ecology Action Research Garden in Willits for nearly twenty years. Now she and her neighbors in the middle of Willits are collaborating on a community garden in the empty lot next door.
Contact info: Phone: (707) 456-0738
Email: carolminifarmer@gmail.com
Description: Description: Including some grains in your backyard garden will give you food as well as compost material. Both summer and winter grains are possible in our climate. Amaranth, quinoa and sorghum can look spectacular in your summer garden!
About the Presenter:
Carol Cox
Description: Mark Albert and Pat Schafer will give away 200 cumulative years of discoveries made by our elder group of permaculture explorers in Mendocino County. The fruit and nut trees and the vines that succeed here, as well as the secrets you need to know to make your own plants. Hands-on demonstration of summer
budding, the technique that allows you to graft a tree a now, when you can taste the fruit. No need to wait until winter.
About the Presenters:
Patrick Schafer: 707.895.3722 coolhybrids@wildblue.net
Mark Albert: 707.462.7843 albert@pacific.net
Description: There are innumerable remedies for these common garden pests, but the most certain methods involve trapping. We will demonstrate the methods that work for us, and the little tricks that increase our success.
About the Presenter:
I live next to the World’s Best Neighbors: L&R Farm, on Middle Ridge in Albion. We have wonderful soil – a light sandy loam, perfect for growing almost anything, and also the ideal habitat for gophers and moles! My neighbors taught me the tricks of trapping these destructive pests and I am happy to pass those on.
Contact info: tbray@mcn.org
albionwood.livejournal.com
About the Presenter: Doug is a member of the Mendocino Grain Project which is reintroducing grain production to Mendocino county.
Description: Jan and Flick will talk about their experience building and operating a home greenhouse since 1995.
Contact info: 707.895.2701
Description: This 90 minute program provides an overview of the types of hay best grown here on the North Coast and the merits of each in different types of farm enterprises. We will also discuss a calendar for preparing and planting a new hay field, methods of irrigation and harvest, how to create simple storage solutions when a barn is not available, what weeds to worry about, and more. Samples of various hays will be on display.
About the Presenter: Paige Poulos is a fifth generation Mendocino County resident with a lifelong commitment to the health and vitality of our local farming and ranching community. She and her husband, John Woolley, traded their executive life for a certified organic hay farm in Potter Valley in 2005, devoting themselves to organic and Biodynamic farming practices. This year Paige founded John Woolley Ranch hay sales, with a focus on local and certified organic hay and forages. She’s on a mission: get more land in quality hay production right here where our meat, dairy, equine and other farm animals need it. It’s a calling she plans to pursue for the next 50 years or so…..
WE ARE OUTSIDE: Expect warm weather. There is some shade, but wear a hat and appropriate clothes.
NO DOGS PERMITTED.
BRING YOUR OWN PLACE SETTING: Limit the amount of stuff we send to the landfill and help develop the habit of using our own dishes for take out food as well as potlucks.