~ 2008 Classes ~
Fall & Winter Weekend Permaculture Design Certificate Class
Epworth Camp & Retreat Center ~ High Falls, New York
Permaculture practicums, bioregional research and real-life design projects
Taught by Ethan Roland, Andrew Jones, Kay Cafasso, Rafter Sass, Anya Raskin, and friends
Permaculture Design is a powerful tool for integrating humans sustainably into their landscape. Learn and connect with global network of engaged eco-social designers and sustainability actionists.
The collaborative teaching team for this course includes local gardeners, natural builders, mycologists, landscape designers, community organizers, ecologists, and international development experts. We work together with the participants to co-create a learning community and deliver internationally-recognized certification course.
Natural Building Workshop Series
Epworth Camp and Retreat Center and Green Phoenix Permaculture are pleased to present a series of Natural Building Workshops as we construct a timber frame,straw bale farm house.
STONE FOUNDATION WORKSHOP Sat, Sun, May 16,17 Teachers Ethan Zickler, Stone Mason, Permaculture Designer, Jim Luckner, Structural Engineer, Wilton Duckworth, Architect.
TIMBER FRAME WORKSHOP and HOUSE RAISING Fri, Sat, Sun, July 11,12, 13 and Sat, Sun, July 26, 27. Learn the basics of timber framing while cutting, assembling and raising the frame on the farmhouse.
Our natural building workshops as opportunities to learn, create community and fun, while experiencing the beautiful surroundings of Camp Epworth’s 160 acres. Many of the workshops offer opportunities for children, as well as adults, to participate in the building process. The house will be available for tours in the future and we will share what we learn with others so we can give back to the community.
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What is Permaculture?
Permaculture is a term coined by Bill Mollison (pictured left) and David Holmgren (below) in Australia in the 1970's. It is a combination of the words “Permanent” and “Agriculture” or “Culture”. The focus is on the harmonious efficient synergistic sustainable relationships between human residences, the climate and microclimate you live in, landscape, animals, soil, water and plants. A high diversity of bioregional plant species is encouraged. Caring for the land, people and return of surplus resources is strongly emphasized.
Permaculture concepts are logical practices that cultures all over the world have been utilizing successfully for eons, mimicking naturally stable systems, compiled and designed specifically for each site. These precepts work in all climates and terrains; deserts and rainforests, mountains and valleys. Permaculture can even be used to repair badly damaged land. Permaculture principles can be applied to demolished building sites strewn with rubble, arid deserts or boggy land in urban, suburban or rural settings. Beautiful trees, berries bushes, herbs and vegetables can be grown with an emphasis on conserving water and building soil without the use of toxic pesticides and fertilizers.