Always free and open to the public — donations gratefully accepted.

Anyone interested in permaculture, sustainable design, ecological agriculture, peak oil, relocalization and related topics is encouraged to attend and participate. Bring your questions, ideas, stories, and visions of how permaculture can help us bridge the transition as we co-create sustainable homesteads, communities and livelihoods.

***This month, our meeting will be held on the THIRD Saturday!***

Saturday, September 18, 2010
2:30pm gathering & networking
3:00pm meeting start/presentations

In the yo’garage at Willow Springs
29085 State Highway 49
North San Juan, CA 95960
Site phone: (530) 292-3463
Web: http://willowspringsnsj.org/wp

Seating is limited. Please bring a mat, pillow, or folding chair to sit on.

For Sierra Permaculture Guild information, please contact Paul Racko at (530)613-4181
paul@sierrapermaculture.org

Join the Sierra Permaculture Guild Listserv on Yahoo! Groups
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SierraPermaculture/join

Become a Fan on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sierra-Permaculture-Guild/199464354385

Have you heard about greywater systems, but aren’t sure if they could work for you? Come to Willow Springs to learn about the basics of household greywater systems.  Learn about Art Ludwig’s “Laundry to Landscape” approach, one of the simplest and most cost-effective greywater systems that diverts your washing machine water into the garden.  We’ll also cover the new California code that legalizes home scale greywater systems for laundry, bath, and sinks.

Always free and open to the public — donations gratefully accepted.

Anyone interested in permaculture, sustainable design, ecological agriculture, peak oil, relocalization and related topics is encouraged to attend and participate. Bring your questions, ideas, stories, and visions of how permaculture can help us bridge the transition as we co-create sustainable homesteads, communities and livelihoods.

Saturday, August 14, 2010
2:30pm gathering & networking
3:00pm meeting start/presentations

In the yo’garage at Willow Springs
29085 State Highway 49
North San Juan, CA 95960
Site phone: (530) 292-3463
Web: http://willowspringsnsj.org/wp

Seating is limited. Please bring a mat, pillow, or folding chair to sit on.

For Sierra Permaculture Guild information, please contact Paul Racko at (530)613-4181
paulATsierrapermacultureDOTorg
http://sierrapermaculture.org

Join the Sierra Permaculture Guild Listserv on Yahoo! Groups
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SierraPermaculture/join

Enjoy the summer!

This cooperative Permaculture Design Certification course weaves together the creativity and energy of the participants and trainers in a 14-day exploration of how to design our world to work for all life.

Amongst the breathtaking autumn scenery of the Sierra Nevada foothills of Northern California, we will share our collective insights, wisdom and experience about how to create sustainable, self-reliant communities, low-maintenance foodscapes, healthy homes made from the earth, greywater systems, alternative economic systems and all the many other hallmark techniques of permaculture design.

Innovative Cooperative Model

This course is designed within an innovative cooperative framework which allows us to:

* Share in the work, quickly build community, and learn in a hands-on environment
* Invest in this special site and leave behind artifacts memorializing our time together and what we have learned.
* By sharing the work and its fruits, we have the potential to reduce the costs of this course further. As the number of participants crosses certain thresholds, the economy of scale will reduce everyone’s course fee, so tell your friends! Work trade discounts are available.

The practical sustainable living and cooperative working skills built during course are set in the context of the ethics and principles of permaculture design – the principles of natural systems.

Completion of the 14-day training results in the internationally standardized Permaculture Design Certificate.

Introductory Weekend Permaculture Course

The first two days of this course, October 2&3 will be offered as a stand-alone ‘Introduction to Permaculture course for those with weekend availability only.

The training is appropriate for beginners learning about permaculture for the first time, for experienced designers looking to apply what they have learned before on an inchoate site, for job-seekers looking to invent the new economy, and for those interested in the intersection of spirit, yoga and sustainable living.

An Abbreviated List of Course Topics:
- Ethics, Principles and Methods of Permaculture Design
- Translating Patterns into Designs
- Watershed Stewardship
- Soil Fertility & Earthworks
- Food Forests and Perennial Vegetables
- Diversified Renewable Energy Strategies
- Community Economic Systems
- Natural Building

A Collaboration of Teachers

A diverse array of instructors have been assembled for this unique Permaculture experience. Teachers include: Kevin Bayuk, Sage Mata, Matt Berry, Shawn Berry, Sean Culman, Benjamin Jordan, Sage Mata, Paul Racko, Kevin “Karmendra” Rossy, and Scott Stoller.

The course fee for the autumn 2010 PDC is $1,300 and includes instruction, materials, on-site lodging and meals.

About The Location

Ananda Dhiira is beautifully located in the Sierra Foothills adjacent to the South Yuba River State Park at Bridgeport, a few miles from Grass Valley, California. The 20-acre parcel consists of about 12 acres of sloped oak-woodland, and 8 acres of meadow bisected by a perennial creek.  It is a place of self-discovery where subtle energy flows throughout the land. Ananda Dhiira holds space for  personal and community development. It is a place for you learn, contribute, and leave a lasting impact for future generations.

TOGETHER WE ARE A COMMUNITY OF ABUNDANCE !

Registration is now open. Visit SierraPDC.com today!

Biochar & Wood Gas: Waste Wood for Soil Fertility, Energy Production, Carbon Sequestration & Fire Safety

The Sierra Nevada foothills are abundant with woody biomass that is a potential hazard when located near structures and communities. Rather than treating this resource as a waste, we can easily convert it into energy, soil amendment, and other useful products using simple, low-cost, and time-tested technologies.

In this talk by permaculture designer Paul Racko, you will learn about the many diverse benefits of Biochar/Terra Preta and wood gasification. With the effects of peak oil, climate change, and global economic instability becoming an everyday reality, find out how we can return fertility to our soils, generate energy at home and municipal scales, create fire-safe zones, reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide contributing to global climate change, and create meaningful, productive jobs in our bioregion. Farmers, alternative energy enthusiasts, foresters, homesteaders, welders, public works officials, entrepreneurs and engineers are especially welcome to attend this paradigm-shifting discussion.

Also: Spring Veggie Start swap. Bring your surplus veggie starts to swap or give-away. Share the abundance!

Always free and open to the public — donations gratefully accepted.

Anyone interested in permaculture, sustainable design, ecological agriculture, peak oil, relocalization and related topics is encouraged to attend and participate. Bring your questions, ideas, stories, and visions of how permaculture can help us bridge the transition as we co-create sustainable homesteads, communities and livelihoods.

Saturday, June 12, 2010
2:30pm gathering & networking
3:00pm meeting start/presentations

In the YoGarage at Willow Springs
29085 State Highway 49
North San Juan, CA 95960
Site phone: (530) 292-3463
Web: http://willowspringsnsj.org/wp

Seating is limited. Please bring a mat, pillow, or folding chair to sit on.

For Sierra Permaculture Guild information, please contact Paul Racko at (530)613-4181
paul@sierrapermaculture.org
http://sierrapermaculture.org

Join the Sierra Permaculture Guild Listserv on Yahoo! Groups
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SierraPermaculture/join

May 22, 2010
9:30am – 11:30am
at Peaceful Valley Farm Supply in Grass Valley, CA
$15.00

Permaculture is the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability and resilience of natural ecosystems. It is a harmonious integration of landscape and people — providing their food, energy, shelter, and other material and non-material needs in a sustainable way. In this two-hour class, we will cover the major design principles of permaculture and provide advice on how to apply these sustainable practices to the home landscape. No matter if you live in an urban apartment, suburban tract home, or on a multi-acre ranch, permaculture will help you live a more sustainable lifestyle.

Early registration and prepayment is required one week prior to class.
Please pay with cash or make checks made payable to ‘Paul Racko’.
Go to Peaceful Valley Ferm Supply at 125 Clydesdale Court in Grass Valley to sign up, or call (530)272-4769 ext. 116.
Website: groworganic.com

Paul Racko has been studying and applying permaculture principles for over a decade. He is a certified permaculture designer and offers consulting services though his firm Sierra Permaculture Design. Visit his website at sierrapermaculture.com

For our May meeting, local permaculturalist Tom Wade will discuss ‘Holistic Land Management using Animal Polycultures’. Learn how to use a diverse array of birds and ruminants to eliminate pests, build fertility, provide abundance, and effectively manage small and large lot acreage.

Also: Spring Veggie Start swap. Bring your surplus veggie starts to swap or give-away. Share the abundance!

Always free and open to the public — donations gratefully accepted.

Anyone interested in permaculture, sustainable design, ecological agriculture, peak oil, relocalization and related topics is encouraged to attend and participate. Bring your questions, ideas, stories, and visions of how permaculture can help us bridge the transition as we co-create sustainable homesteads, communities and livelihoods.

Saturday, May 8, 2010
2:30pm gathering & networking
3:00pm meeting start/presentations

In the YoGarage at Willow Springs
29085 State Highway 49
North San Juan, CA 95960
Site phone: (530) 292-3463
Web: http://willowspringsnsj.org/wp

Seating is limited. Please bring a mat, pillow, or folding chair to sit on.

For Sierra Permaculture Guild information, please contact Paul Racko at (530)292-3031 – paul@sierrapermaculture.org – http://sierrapermaculture.org

Saturday, April 3 at 1pm

Come ring in the spring with a fruit tree sheet mulching party at Ananda Dhiira – Center for Spirituality and Wellbeing, located adjacent to the picturesque Yuba River State Park at Bridgeport, near Penn Valley.

Learn about the proper way to fertilize and mulch fruit trees according to permaculture principles, using free/low-cost, easily-obtained, local waste materials. Ananda Dhiira features over 50 mature fruit trees including apple, cherry, peach, nectarine, pear, persimmon, pomegranate, prune, plum, fig, walnut, and olive. Amongst the scenic beauty, learn new techniques for fruit tree care, reconnect with local friends and make new ones, enjoy a cold refreshment, meditate next to the restored creek that flows across the land, and discover all that Ananda Dhiira had to offer.

Ananda Dhiira was awarded “Conservationist of The Year 2007″ for its creek restoration project which is an ongoing effort to restore the ecological balance of the land and to preserve wildlife habitat.  The vision has been extended to create an Eco-Meditation Garden for you and the community.

Ananda Dhiira
19393 Sanctuary Road
Penn Valley, CA 95946
Tel: 530-432-3618
info@anandadhiira.net
http://anandadhiira.net

Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=19393+Sanctuary+rd+penn+valley+ca&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=19393+Sanctuary+Rd,+Penn+Valley,+Nevada,+California+95946&gl=us&ei=qcyrS7PbDoPatgO97cy6DA&ved=0CAcQ8gEwAA&t=h&z=16

For the month of April, we have two exciting speakers lined up!

Local permaculturist Aaron will show us how to build simple, low-cost biogas digesters for home methane production used for cooking
and
Jan Spencer from Eugene, Oregon will present a slideshow on Transition Town initiatives and permaculture sites he’s visited along the west coast from Bellingham, WA to Chico, CA. Please bring photos of what you’re doing at home or work: grass to garden, solar, water, green building, greywater, cooperative projects with others, etc. to share!

Always free and open to the public — donations gratefully accepted.

Anyone interested in permaculture, sustainable design, ecological agriculture, peak oil, relocalization and related topics is encouraged to attend and participate. Bring your questions, ideas, stories, and visions of how permaculture can help us bridge the transition as we co-create sustainable homesteads, communities and livelihoods.

Saturday, April 10, 2010
2:30pm gathering & networking
3:00pm meeting start/presentations

at Willow Springs
29085 State Highway 49
North San Juan, CA 95960
Site phone: (530) 292-3463
Web: http://willowspringsnsj.org/wp

Seating is limited. Please bring a mat, pillow, or folding chair to sit on.

For Sierra Permaculture Guild information, please contact Paul Racko at (530)292-3031 – paul@sierrapermaculture.org – http://sierrapermaculture.org

Seth will cover:
- what to intially get into the ground
- succession planting over the following weeks
- companion plantings
- flower habitat
- how to have extended harvests
- soil amendments and biology
- till vs. no till considerations
- mulching
- compost and vermiculture
- pruning
- gopher elimination
- seed saving
- old fruit tree varieties
- perennial agriculture
- and pest managment.

Seth Rosmarin has been living and farming in the Sierra foothills for ten seasons. His passion lies in the diversity of food, diet and health. Growing, living and learning in a season specific climate has given him an appreciation for the gift of growing food and the knowledge of its potential.

Free and open to the public!

Anyone interested in permaculture, sustainable design, ecological agriculture, peak oil, relocalization and related topics is encouraged to attend and participate. Bring your questions, ideas, stories, and visions of how permaculture can help us bridge through the transition as we co-create sustinable homesteads, communities and livelihoods.

Saturday, March 13, 2009
2:30pm gathering & networking
3:00pm Seth Rosmarin talk on spring garden planning

at Willow Springs
29085 State Highway 49
North San Juan, CA 95960
Site phone: (530) 292-3463
Web: http://willowspringsnsj.org/wp

For Sierra Permaculture Guild information, please contact Paul Racko at (530)292-3031 – paul@sierrapermaculture.org – http://sierrapermaculture.org