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Introduction to Permaculture Saturday June 21st -- 7 p.m. at the Stelle Learning Center 107 Sun Street Stelle, Illinois Join Permaculture Master Dave Blume for an evening introduction to Permaculture. Permaculture is a method of ecosystem design and management that serves to consciously maximize the abundance of an ecosystem. Using Permaculture principles, the designer first observes, then utilizes (and in some cases modifies) the inherent patterns of land, weather, and water flow to optimize their relationship. In such a design any surplus produced is used either for the benefit of the people managing the system or it is returned to the ecosystem to further its enrichment. Permaculture provides sensible methods to rehabilitate degraded and damaged ecosystems, and in their place establish plant systems for our own use on the least amount of land we can use for our existence. In Permaculture design, everything is a resource, nothing is wasted. There is no need for synthetic chemical or fertilizer inputs because the balanced ecosystem eliminates their need. In a higher sense, Permaculture can be viewed as conscious manipulation of an ecosystem to produce a balanced, harmonious relationship between human needs and the needs of nature. During this talk, Dave will explore the possibility of holding a Permaculture Designers Certification course in Stelle. This 16 day course, normally with 50 or more participants, would study the Stelle property and as the course project, provide a design plan created by the participants. About Dave Blume: In 1993 Dave founded the International Institute for Ecological Agriculture (IIEA), which has trained and certified more than 450 participants in its two week residential Permaculture Design Course since 1996. In 1994 he started Our Farm, a community supported agriculture (CSA) experiment which at its peak fed 450 people from two acres, most of which was a terraced 35 degree slope, without industrial technology, and while also hosting over a 9 year period more than 200 live-in interns and apprentices from all over the world. In 1999 Dave began holding Permaculture Design Courses for the Blackfeet Nation of Indigenous Americans in Montana. Dave is a master of balancing the budgets of Permaculture projects. For instance: undoing the $250,000 deficit of the 1600 acre Hidden Villa Farm and Wilderness Preserve. In 1990 Dave worked with the Nauhautl people of central Mexico to develop a system which would use agricultural pollution (coffee pulp) in local rivers as a medium for growing oyster mushrooms. The Nauhautl Cooperative now produces more than 200 kilos of mushrooms daily. Affectionately referred to as "Farmer Dave", Blume has spoken before numerous conferences and groups, and has testified before various agencies on issues related to land and democracy. For more information on Dave and his work visit the website for the International Institute for Ecological Agriculture at http://www.permaculture.com. Suggested Donation—Sliding Scale $5-$15 For map and directions see www.stellecommunity.com Sponsored by Center for Sustainable Community, 123 Crescent Lane, Stelle, Illinois 60919 csc@stelle.net 815-256-2204
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