this blog is on a "blackscreen" to conserve energy. white screens waste watts.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Invasion Biology

While researching for a project i have been been re-reading David Holmgren's writings,
on his web page
I came across this gem- his review of a book "Invasion Biology:Critique of A Pseudoscience "
it makes for really interesting reading.
The shire of Nillumbik seem to be particularly paranoid about the invasion of "environmental weeds”.It was great to read an elaboration of an alternate view.


Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Pesticide company under fire for funding research into bee decline

Pesticide company under fire for funding research into bee decline

from Sunday Herald, 04 October 2009

HoneybeeOne of the world’s biggest pesticide companies, Syngenta, has been accused of a “howling conflict of interest” for funding research into the disappearance of honeybees - a problem which some say it may have helped cause.

Syngenta, based in Basel, Switzerland, last year clocked up £7.3 billion worth of sales in more than 90 countries. Among the products it markets to farmers are insecticides which have been blamed for harming honeybees.

It now also co-funds a £1 million project in the UK,announced last week, to research the decline of the bees. But the company insists that its money will not influence the outcome of the research, and dismisses criticisms of its role as “perverse”.

A film due to open in cinemas this week exposes the global plight of the honeybee, and argues that insecticides are partly to blame. Called ‘Vanishing of the Bees’, it is backed by the £9 billion Co-operative retail group, which has banned suspect chemicals from being used on its fresh fruit and vegetables.

According to beekeepers, honeybee populations in the UK crashed by nearly a third in 2008. The implications are alarming, as bees contribute £200 million a year to the UK economy and pollinate one in every three mouthfuls of food that we eat.

The crash has sometimes been labelled “colony collapse disorder”, and its causes are not well understood. Scientists speculate that a combination of factors may be involved, including disease, mites, weather and modern farming practices.

But some argue that a group of widely-used nicotine-based insecticides known as neonicotinoids could be inflicting neural damage on bees, and contributing to their demise. Syngenta sells two products containing neonicotinoids under the trade names, Actara and Cruiser.

To protect bee populations, the use of some of the suspect insecticides have been banned or restricted in France, Germany, Italy and Slovenia. They can still used, however, in other countries like the UK and the US.

A coalition of environmental groups has launched a campaign for a ban on neonicotinoids in the UK. One of them, the Soil Association, which certifies organic food, criticised Syngenta for funding research into bee decline.

The association’s Scottish director, Hugh Raven, pointed out that the company had already made its position clear by opposing a ban on neonicotinoids. “The taint of commercial interest has undermined this research before it's even started,” he said.

The research project is also supported by the government’s Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). “The BBSRC should think again, and get a co-funder without this howling conflict of interest,” argued Raven.

He was backed by professor Andrew Watterson, head of the Occupational and Environmental Health Research Group at Stirling University. There were “potential conflicts of interest in the project which may affect the credibility of the findings”, he said.

“The public is funding a research project with a manufacturer who profits from producing some of the pesticides that others fear may be factors in the bee decline,” he added. “This may be good for business, but it does not seem the wisest use of public money.”

Graham White, a beekeeper in the Scottish Borders and an environmental author, was scathing about Syngenta’s role. “Putting Syngenta in charge of UK research into the causes of honeybee deaths is arguably the equivalent of putting the tobacco companies in charge of research into lung cancer, or asking the manufacturers of alco-pops to research the causes of teenage binge drinking,” he said.

But the criticisms were angrily rejected by Syngenta’s head of corporate affairs in the UK, Andrew Coker. To suggest that the company’s funding could influence the outcome of the research was “appalling” and “an outrageous slur”, he told the Sunday Herald.

“It seems perverse that we put our money into researching bee health and then get criticised for it. Nobody is sure what is causing bees to decline, so this is the right thing to do.”

BBSRC’s Director of Innovation and Skills, Dr Celia Caulcott, also defended the research. “The use of insecticides in agriculture is just one possible reason for the problems bees are facing,” she said.

“The most important thing to do right now is to understand exactly what is happening and then translate that knowledge into actions to address the decline. We are pleased that Syngenta is on board with us to work towards achieving this aim as quickly as possible.”

Caulcott added: “Results from the research carried out under this funding award will go through the normal process of independent review and publication to ensure quality and impartiality before they are likely to impact on farming practice.”

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Biodynamics Field Day with the Master himself

Field Day with Alex Podolinsky:

The Bio-dynamic Agricultural Association of Australia invites farmers to a Field Day to be held at Andrew and Ben Fawcett's farm, "Power Hill" at 929 Lawrence/Glengower Road, Campbelltown on Monday April 26th 2010, from 9:30 - 12 noon.

After a basic introduction to Bio-dynamics from Alex Podolinsky there will be opportunity to meet bio-dynamic broad acre grain & sheep farmers, beef & dairy farmers, vignerons, orchardists, olive & berry growers, egg producers, market gardeners, etc.

Powlett Hill is situated between Smeaton and Campbelltown on the Midland Highway. Vic Road Map 58 G/H 5/6

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Heaps of photos on the fundamentals of erosion and sediment control

Some great pics here.

http://www.austieca.com.au/Portals/0/ESC%20fundam%201%20hour%20-%20screen.pdf

Leaking farm dams info if ya interested

Leaking Farm Dams information and how to avoid it
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/164038/leaking-dams.pdf

Sodic Soils and their association with soil dispersion and tunnel erosion problems

http://www.usq.edu.au/users/raine/index_files/Raine&Loch_WhatIsASodicSoil_2003.pdf

Dispersive soils and their Management

http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/Attachments/SWEN-7SU6DZ/$FILE/DPIW_DSM_Guidelines_April2009.pdf

Examples of erosion and sediment control management plan strategies that may help you get going....

Ashton Coal
http://www.ashtoncoal.com.au/documents/632930695836728642.pdf
Liddell coal
http://www.liddellcoal.com.au/doc/R02_V2_FINAL_ESCP.pdf

A few erosion control problems and strategies

Gully Erosion
www.dpi.vic.gov.au/DPI/nreninf.nsf/9e58661e880ba9e44a256c640023eb2e/b761ba058379d648ca256e78002977e0/$FILE/LC0093.pdf
Trickle Flow Pipes
www.dpi.vic.gov.au/DPI/nreninf.nsf/9e58661e880ba9e44a256c640023eb2e/cdbe90619d8b930dca2571380017c331/$FILE/LC0426.pdf
Landslips
www.dpi.vic.gov.au/DPI/nreninf.nsf/9e58661e880ba9e44a256c640023eb2e/d4c85f7a89b4adf2ca256e720024c1b7/$FILE/LC0095.pdf

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Extreme composting

You may recall our visit to the Aquaponics guy last year .
One of the things he spoke of is -composting with the Black Soldier Fly
Here is a link to a two part podcast on about
composting with the Black Soldier Fly .Episode 78 and 79.
It is on Agroinnovations by Frank Aragona - http://agroinnovations.com/

foggyforge

Extreme Composting

You may recall our visit to the Aquaphonics- guy in Diamond Creek ,he spoke of composting with the The Black Soldier Fly .
Here is a two part podcast on Agroinovations discussing composting with the
The Black Soldier Fly .Episode 78 and 79.
http://agroinnovations.com/
as usual you will have to cut and paste the link, or just do a search
on Agroinnovations,or Frank Aragona
foggyforge

Monday, February 1, 2010

plan erosion meeting with Dave Corwal

Hey all

Rosemarie and I had the meeting with Dave Corwal today. Here is what we came away with

Septic system: All used water from the hospitality Centre first goes into about four tanks (that are in the utility area to the left of the main entrance) to be first treated, then put onto the site in a series of underground pipes below the two tanks. These pipes take up an area approximately 20m x 45m(L). There are approximately four rows of pipes.

The septic system for the residence is between the vegi garden and the big water tank.

Tanks
Overflow: none of the tanks overflow is connected to the dam, all overflow goes onto the ground.
Dave mentioned something about the council not allowing them to connect overflow to dam because they were collecting water from the carpark and all the toxins would pollute the creek.

Two little tanks 10,000litres
Big tank 30,000litres

Wine Shed:the roof is not connected to any tank. All water that is collected first runs into a box drain then over the ground.

Dam: Current capacity at approximately 8ML
Dave says if they were to enlarge it, 20ML would be great but doesn't believe Council would allow it.

Grapes: are watered by mains water, no data exists on how much water they recieve p.a.

Varieties that exist are, Cabernet, Shiraz, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Verduzo.

Hospitality Centre: all water that centre uses is mains water.
All water collected from roof goes into tank closest to centre.

Residence: uses big tank water, and has a mains water back.
All water collected from roof goes into big water tank.

Liana

Monday, January 18, 2010

ADVERTISING POTENTIAL FOR PETTYS ORCHARD FESTIVAL

ADVERTISING POTENTIAL FOR-PETTYS ORCHARD FESTIVAL

- VEGETABLE BASED INK PRINTERS.

- GREEN PAPER PRINTERS.

- MYSPACE.COM

- FACEBOOK.COM

- GUMTREE.COM.AU

- ORGANIC HEALTH SHOPS.

- ECO FRIENDLY SHOPS

- GO TO AND RESEARCH OTHER FESTIVALS=Sustainable living festival,Ceres,

- START A WEBSITE = keep things current and update regularly.

- ADVERTISE ON OTHER WEBSITES

- DEVELOP YOUR OWN EMAIL LIST

- TOURISM= Organise a tour for community groups, old people homes, schools, etc

- ADVERTISE THROUGH GUEST SPEAKERS WEBSITES.

- ADVERTISE IN SCHOOL NEWSLETTERS

- POSTERS IN CAFES, LIBRARIES, NOTICE BOARDS

- VIRAL EMAILS 2 WEEKS PRIOR AND 2 DAYS BEFORE THE FESTIVAL.

- GYMS,SELF-HELP CLASSES NOTICE BOARDS (MEDITATION,YOGA).

- SPORTS CLUBS, BIKE RIDE CLUBS, WALKING AND HIKING CLUBS

- PERMABLITZ FOR VOLUNTEERS ON THE DAY

- ORGANIC FARMERS, LOCAL GROWERS.

- AT TAFE COLLAGES, UNIVERSITIES,

- LOCAL NETWORK ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS CALENDERS

- ENVIRONMENTAL MAGAZINES, BETTERLIVING MAGAZINES, GARDENING MAGAZINES, LOCAL NEWSPAPER HARDCOPY AND ONLINE.

- LOCAL RADIO STATIONS, TV PROGRAMS (CHANNEL 31, SBS).

- LOCAL NURSERIES, CERTIFIED NURSERIES (Bulleen Art and Garden).

- Hand out flyers at other festivals-(Sustainable living festival would be perfect).


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  • Great website into event planning and many links for organising etc
http://www.planetfriendly.net/promote.html


  • Festival planning

http://festivalsandevents.com/resources/festival-planning/internet-promotion.shtml



Hope this info helps all.

Good luck, more add-ons and updates to come.


Mark Rigney.






Sunday, January 17, 2010

swipers gully map

Hey evryone me again. Sorry about the last post, the mapping report hasn't worked.
dont know how to fix it so i'll just tell you how to find it.

Go to land.vic.gov.au
Select "Planning Maps Online" (on the right of screen)
Select "i agree"
Type in "25 eltham yarra-glen road kangaroo ground"(all into their appropriate boxes)
Select "search"
And then get report

Hope it works

Liana

Sunday, January 10, 2010

plan erosion stuff and Petty's

Hello everyone

Don't know if everyone has the map report that i'm posting but just in case i'll post it anyway cos it's pretty useful

http://services.land.vic.gov.au/maps/download/25-Eltham-Yarra-Glen-Road-Kangaroo-Ground-Planning-Property-Report.pdf


And the Manningham events planning guide is the one I showed everyone at school

http://www.manningham.vic.gov.au/maccwr/_assets/main/lib90049/events%20&%20festivals%20infokit%20may%2009.pdf

Liana

Petty's assignment apple festivals

Nappanee Apple Festival
Nappanee, Indiana, USA
September 16 - September 19, 2010

Description:
The world's largest 7 foot baked apple pie comes out of the oven just in time to begin the Festival on Friday. We serve approximately 700 pieces of pie. Many travel across the United States to savor their annual piece of this pie. Activities this year include, great entertainment on two stages,120 craft vendors, 60 commercial vendors, carnival rides, televised parade with signature military aircraft fly-over, teen dance, queen contest, apple baking, garden tractor pull, pedal pull contest, car show, apple peeling, bike ride, road run, pie-eating contest, cheerleading competition, tractor pull, and a circus and thrill show. In the spirit of the celebration, you will find creates of fresh apples dotting the downtown sidewalks and more than 30 food vendors including many local non-profit organizations serving all your favorites. There will be plenty of your favorite apple products like Apple Pie, Apple Fritters, Apple Dumplings, Apple Turnovers, Apple Bread, Apple Cider and Apple Butter to enjoy during the festival or to take home to enjoy later. We invite you to experience a truly unique hometown festival that will leave you marking your calendar to return for next year's festival.



Lisbon Area Chamber of Commerce 2009
© Lisbon Area Chamber of Commerce, 2009. All rights reserved.
2009 Little Mr. Applebud/Little Miss Appleblossom
Application
Must be a Columbiana County Resident
Please print clearly or type
Contestant Name__________________________
_______________________________
Date of Birth____________________________________________________________
Mark Category of Competition ______Miss Appleblossom_____________Mr Applebud
Contestant’s address_______________________________________________________
City___________________________________________________Zip Code__________
Area Code & Phone Number________________________________________________
Area Code & Cell Phone____________________________________________________
E Mail__________________________________________________________________
Parent’s Names___________________________________________________________
I have read and agree to the terms of the Little Mr. Applebud/Little Appleblossom
Parent’s Contract.
Parent’s Signature_________________________________________________________
Mail complete application with a copy (not original) of birth or hospital certificate.
Lisbon Area Chamber of Commerce
40 N. Park Ave.
Lisbon, Oh 44432
(330) 424-1803
Fax (330) 424-9003
Lisbon Area Chamber of Commerce 2009
© Lisbon Area Chamber of Commerce, 2009. All rights reserved.
2009 Little Mr. Applebud/Little Miss Appleblossom Parents’ Contract
1. Contestants must live in Columbiana County.
2. Contestants must be between the age of four (4) and nine (9) on September 15th
of the current year.
3. Full co-operation is expected at all times from the contestants, parents, all family
members and anyone acting on the contestant’s behalf.
4. Parents/family members need to be aware for the guidelines in the contract and
abide by them.
5. It is the parent/family member’s responsibility to obtain permission from area
businesses to place their collection cans. The collection cans can be placed from
July 1st to September 11th. It is the responsibility of the parent/family member to
collect, count, and obtain a money order/Cashier’s check for monies collected.
The money order/cashiers check must be returned to the Chamber of Commerce
office, 40 N. Park Ave., Lisbon, by September 11th at 2:00 p.m. No contestant
may have more than five cans in any one village/city. One penny equals one vote.
6. The winners will be asked to participate in the annual parade on Saturday
morning. A parent or guardian is allowed to join them.
Prizes Include:
• Appleblossom Tiara & Sash
• Applebud Crown & Sash
• Trophy or Ribbon
7. Parents must be willing to assist with driving during the parade. All drivers must
be 18, provide a copy of a valid driver’s license & auto insurance to the Chamber
Office.
8. Parents of contestants give their consent for their child’s photos to be used in
publicity of the Johnny Appleseed festival.
9. Any actions or statements that are detrimental to the Johnny Appleseed Festival
made by family or anyone acting on the royalty member’s behalf will not be
tolerated and will result in loss of title.
10. The judgment of the Chamber of Commerce is final in any and all conflicts
involving the program.
11. This contract is not all inclusive. Decisions of the Lisbon Area Chamber of
Commerce are final.
12. I have read and understand all the rules of the Johnny Appleseed Festival Little
Mr Applebud/Little Miss Appleblossom. I understand that if anyone acting on
my child’s behalf does not abide by these rules, my child will loose his/her titles.
I agree to the duties of the parent;
Print Contestant’s Name_____________________________________________
Print Parent’s Name_________________________________________________
Parent Signature____________________________________________________
Date________


J Appleseed fest. schedule:


8:00 a.m. 5K Run – sponsored by Morning Journal & Chamber

10:00 – lining up of parade at McKinley School

11:00 a.m. Grand Parade – chr, Lori Sweeney & Charlie Senanefes

12:00 p.m. Grand stand presentations – intro Queen & Appleblossom & Bud – art winners

1:00 to 5:00 – Car Cruise at Valu King/IGA parking lot – sponsored by Steel Trolley –“Flashpoint” band will perform.

1:00 p.m. – Kids Games ( Community action)

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Jacobi Classsic Rock & Folk on Grandstand

2:00 p.m. – 2:45 – Trinity Playhouse players – “A Broadway Musical Revue”

3:00 – 7:00 p.m spinning demonstration on village green near gazebo & Quaker City Carvers , Dennis Regling – the Balloon Man, local Artist – Joe Morenz demonstrating

3:00 – 4:00 – Bettie Lee Dancers

4:00 – 5:00 Country Classic Dancers

4:30 - Pie baking contest – on Gazebo

5:00 p.m. – music by DJ Chip Highley

5:30 -8:00 Borderline – Country western band

6:30p.m. movie Madagascar 2 being shown at the Lisbon Methodist Church

8:00 – 11:00 “Rumors” – classic rock & roll band

11:00 p.m. festival closes
Sunday, Sept 20th

11:00 – church service by Rains of Grace - Grandstand

12:00 – 1:00 –Hired Hands - Sponsored by Home Delivery Healthcare of Lisbon

12:00 – 3:00 p.m. entertainment at the Trinity Playhouse by Stage Left Players

1:00 – 2:00 Mike Palm on grandstand

2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Lisbon Community Chorus on grandstand – sponsored by Mills Insurance

3:00 – Lisbon Grange Apple Ice Cream Eating contest on grandstand

3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Biker’s Cruise – at the Valu King/IGA parking lot

4:00 – Ducky Race sponsored by Steel Trolley located on Jefferson St.

3:15 to 5:30 p.m. “The Nobody’s “– Lisbon’s hometown band on Grandstand

5:30 to 8:00 p.m.” Tribute” - classic rock band on the Grandstand


8:00 a.m. 5K Run – sponsored by Morning Journal & Chamber

10:00 – lining up of parade at McKinley School

11:00 a.m. Grand Parade – chr, Lori Sweeney & Charlie Senanefes

12:00 p.m. Grand stand presentations – intro Queen & Appleblossom & Bud – art winners

1:00 to 5:00 – Car Cruise at Valu King/IGA parking lot – sponsored by Steel Trolley –“Flashpoint” band will perform.

1:00 p.m. – Kids Games ( Community action)

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Jacobi Classsic Rock & Folk on Grandstand

2:00 p.m. – 2:45 – Trinity Playhouse players – “A Broadway Musical Revue”

3:00 – 7:00 p.m spinning demonstration on village green near gazebo & Quaker City Carvers , Dennis Regling – the Balloon Man, local Artist – Joe Morenz demonstrating

3:00 – 4:00 – Bettie Lee Dancers

4:00 – 5:00 Country Classic Dancers

4:30 - Pie baking contest – on Gazebo

5:00 p.m. – music by DJ Chip Highley

5:30 -8:00 Borderline – Country western band

6:30p.m. movie Madagascar 2 being shown at the Lisbon Methodist Church

8:00 – 11:00 “Rumors” – classic rock & roll band

A family event for all ages, the UBC Apple Festival celebrates one of British Columbia's favourite fruits. All are welcome to attend, from children learning about the diversity of apples to those who remember tasting heritage apples in their youth.

Every year, between 11,500 and 13,500 kilograms (25,000 and 30,000 lbs) of apples are sold to a hungry public. Over 60 varieties of heritage, new and "tried and true" varieties are available, grown both conventionally and organically. These include the heritage apple 'Grimes Golden' and 'Ambrosia', recently discovered in Cawston, British Columbia.
Waiting in line to taste apples

Also available for sale are many varieties of apple trees grafted onto dwarfing root stock, perfect for the home garden or patio.

One of the most popular activities at the Apple Festival is apple tasting. For $3.00, curious eventgoers can taste up to 60 varieties of new and heritage apples grown in British Columbia. Learn the history of those varieties from the Friends of the Garden's "published in-house" Apple Booklet.

The Vancouver Island-based BC Fruit Testers Association mounts a display of the nearly 200 apple varieties still grown in British Columbia. Members of the association are on-hand to give demonstrations of grafting and cider-pressing. Try to stump them with apple varieties from your garden, as they are also available to identify apples (hint: bring along six apples from your unidentified tree). Nearby, Master Gardeners discuss apple-related diseases and pest management. Or, at any time of the year, you can visit UBC Botanical Garden's online Fruit Trees discussion forum!

A new children's area is in place for 2008: the Johnny Appleseed Orchard, featuring six activity stations. Kids (and adults!) also enjoy the apple pie, hot apple cider and other delectable treats available.

The Food Fair showcases tasty treats, while the Shop in the Garden features apple-related merchandise. Craft vendors, UBC Herbarium merchandise and UBC Farm produce are also available on-site.

Buskers provide musical entertainment throughout the day.
Finish off the day by taking home a purchase of jugs of British Columbian organic apple juice.


Photography Contest (Open to the public--amateurs or professionals may compete)

Best Apple Picture Photography Contest
Submit a framed, ready- to- hang 8" X 10" picture of an apple, apples, orchard, tree, trees, etc.

Baby Appleseed Contest announcement
1:00 PM

Live Auction
1:30 PM


The announcement and coronation of the winners will be held at the Berkeley County Youth Fairgrounds.

Live auction for the top ten apple pies. At the MSAHF booth in front of the Dining Hall.
Apple Eating Contest
1:30 PM Kids, can you eat an apple in less than 2 minutes? Remember, no hands! Cash prizes, trophies, & ribbons for the winners. Awards sponsored by Fallon Nationwide Insurance Agency Inc . No entry fee!



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Apple Festival
accommodations
click to see more of this unique adult accommodation on Salt Spring Island
Spindrift Oceanfront Cottages is your adult nature sanctuary for Apple Festival week-end. Six cottages on six acres of natural preserved oceanfront featuring the island's only white sand beaches. Wildlife appreciation and privacy are encouraged in this unique setting.
click for website

Who?
Natural food lovers like YOU!

What?
An apple tasting extravaganza of the best selection, tastiest and most wholesome apples anywhere!

When?
Sunday October 4, 2009 9am-5pm.

Where?
Participants choose to visit those orchards that interest them, based on a map showing locations & descriptions of each.

Suggested starting location is Fulford Hall at Salt Spring's south end.

Why?
Because Salt Spring has a fascinating apple-growing heritage, is the home of a new apple Organic Apple Coop, and is the Organic Gardening Capital of Canada.

Tickets?
$10 each, students $5, kids under 12, free.

Tickets available ONLY on Festival day at Fulford hall and outside the Ganges tourist info centre.

Admission includes a map of Salt Spring showing locations of host farms descriptions of each. Participants choose locations they wish to visit and will be challenged to see everything within the hours of between 9-5.



Salt Spring Island's 11th Annual Apple Festival

Sunday Oct 4, 2009
Celebrating Heritage Apples: Travel Back in Time

This is your chance to visit Apple Heaven while still on earth! Become a Salt Spring Island Apple Connoisseur for a day.

Where else do you have over 350 different apple varieties being grown organically? Salt Spring's apple history dates back to 1860. Explore our incredible island, the Organic Gardening Capital of Canada.

Heritage apples refer to any apple variety that was growing before 1900. These apple varieties were all chance seedlings and as such grew without any HUMAN INTERVENTION. They are then GIFTS OF MOTHER NATURE.


click to see
Apple Festival Highlights from 2008

More apple Festival highlights



Display of HUNDREDS of apples all grown organically on Salt Spring Island



Tasting of more than 100 apple varieties at just one farm (Apple Luscious). Most others had tasting of their own varieties



At least 12 labeled varieties of apple pies baked by the Pie Ladies



Theatrical performances by Johnny Appleseed, Theodore Trage, the Queen and Captain Apple



A rich history of apples going back to 1860



Educational information on organic apple growing



Apple identification services



Orchard bee and honey bee experts available



Apple art by local artists



Read about Apple Festival 2006 on the Island Tides news site.

Salt Springers are very proud of their apples and the incredible collections we amass at Fulford Hall for every Apple Festival is a sight to take your breath away. The scent of apples when you enter the room will take your soul on a journey. Last year, we had 262 varieties all grown organically on Salt Spring Island, all arranged alphabetically and all having detailed labels.

The task of setting up the collection is performed the night before by a team of about 30 island volunteers, ranging in age from children to senior citizens, who consider this one of the highlights of their year.

click to enlarge Pink Pearmain red-fleshed apple from the Salt Spring Island apple festival
click to enlarge red-fleshed apples from the Salt Spring Island apple festival
click to enlarge Fulford Hall during the Salt Spring Island apple festival
click to enlarge Fulford Hall during the Salt Spring Island apple festival
Salt Spring Apple Festival 2006





photo by Ron Watts
want more?

read about Salt Spring apples in the Vancouver Sun »

click to see photos of
Festival 2007 by noofoto.com »


They love their apples and they are delighted to show island visitors our apple diversity. Note that at Apple Festival 2006, there were 296 varieties, but with a very cold, wet spring in 2007, some varieties did not produce a crop. We are hoping in 2008 to break the 300 variety barrier for the first time.

This festival is farm based, connecting you to the organic farmers on Salt Spring. They are your best guarantee of food quality and good health.

click to enlarge photos of Apple Festival 2006
Salt Spring Island Apple Festival 2006 Salt Spring Island Apple Festival 2006 Salt Spring Island Apple Festival 2006
Salt Spring Island Apple Festival 2006 Salt Spring Island Apple Festival 2006 Salt Spring Island Apple Festival 2006

photos by Ron Watts
Salt Spring Island
among the first area in BC to grow apples (1860)
now grows over 350 varieties organic apples
home to the Salt Spring Island Organic Apple Coop
is the Organic Gardening Capital of Canada

Proceeds go to:


- development of a juicing facility on Salt Spring



- annual $500 bursary given to someone on Salt Spring, to support practical
learning in the field of organic agriculture.



- supporting the education of a third world child


- Up to $100 going towards thanking in the best possible manner, a local
who has made Salt Spring a better place to live.







Captain Apple- A new Superhero


Johnny Appleseed


Those interested in becoming involved in this festival can contact Harry Burton at 653-2007 or by email


Salt Spring Island Apple Festival
Theme: Celebrating Red-Fleshed Apples - THE APPLES OF THE FUTURE
Growing over 350 varieties of apples organically
Sunday, Sept 28, 2008 from 9 to 5
Starting Point: Fulford Hall
A chance to visit Apple Heaven while still on earth!
http://www.saltspringmarket.com/apples/
Salt Spring Island BC, Canada


Winter Red Flesh (crab) on left and Hidden Rose on right

Winter Red Flesh (crab) on left and Hidden Rose on right

Red-fleshed apples are truly the apple of the future. We grow 23 varieties at Apple Luscious Organic Orchard on Salt Spring Island and they are great to eat. The excitement of biting into the apples, the great taste and the novelty is amazing. You never have to encourage a child to eat them. Kids love them. Not only that, but the red colour is an indication that the fruit has extra antioxidants, in the form of anthocyanins, that are great health benefit. I predict that red-fleshed apples will become the apples of the future, in the same way that red grapefruit has displaced white grapefruit as the common type. They taste even better than they look. The first reaction to biting into the red flesh is always “WOW”.

The most prolific, most dynamic, most creative and least know apple breeder in North America was Albert Etter, a self-taught genius of horticulture who lived in Ettersberg, Northern California until his death in 1950. His greatest and most lasting horticultural achievement was with apples, to which he shifted focus in the late 1920’s. For his grafting, he was fortunate to obtain scionwood for Surprise, a bright rosy pink-fleshed heritage apple variety from the remote wilds of Turkestan. Although not highly rated in The Fruit and Fruit Trees of North America (1869), which was an eastern US publication, Surprise grew much better in the California climate, and it became the basis for Albert’s red-fleshed apple breeding program. Fortunately, Etter was not inclined to put much faith in the advice of “Eastern” experts growing apples in less favourable conditions. He loved to show how well most apple grew in the hills of Ettersberg. His intuition paid off. He was also unique in that he used unlikely breeding parents using localized, wild apple breeds and often including some crab apple breeds.

Pink Pearmain apple – one of Albert Etters great apple breeding successes

Etter claimed to have created at least 30 red-fleshed apple varieties, most probably open-pollinated seedlings of Surprise. He had a vision. Etter was delighted with the great taste and beautifully red coloured flesh of his apples and told his neighbours that someday his red-fleshed varieties would “grace the menus of San Francisco’s most elegant hotel”. I believe that he will be proven correct, exactly the same way as the red-fleshed grapefruit have become so popular today.

However since the mindset of the 1940’s was not leaning towards change, it became difficult to introduce new varieties. Albert gave scionwood for 40 of his best apple varieties to California Nursery Company (CNC) with the hope of introducing the best to the public. Unfortunately, only the Pink Pearl (a red-fleshed variety) was really in any way successful, and is still available to this day, even though Etter did not claim it to be his best variety. CNC has discontinued or lost the 39 other varieties. So most of Etters varieties were neglected after his death and heading for extinction.

Fortunately, Ram Fishman, of Green Mantle Nursery in Etterberg, California, has taken on the task of rediscovering as many of Albert Etters apple varieties as possible. He has catalogued at least 15 red-fleshed varieties. With his family, Ram would track down any red-fleshed apple trees they could find, attempting to differentiate, catalogue and preserve by propagating, any red fleshed apple trees they found. This was no easy task since the varieties were not only scattered throughout their local area of Ettersberg, but appear to have been growing in parts of Oregon, where Etter had colleagues who probably shared his scionwood. In addition, Ram had the difficult task of trying to match the Albert Etter given variety names such as “Hoover Redflesh”, to the currently discovered red-flesh variety. Quite a challenge.

To Ram Fishman we owe a great deal of thanks. Not only has he revived these varieties, probably with little financial reward, but in some cases, he has saved these varieties from extinction. Rubiyat (a red-fleshed variety), for instance, was a decrepit fragment of a tree when Ram discovered it and fortunately, his first attempt at grafting succeeded, for by the following year, the original tree had been, in Ram’s words “bulldozed over by some pesky cows”.



The best way to connect with red-fleshed apples is to connect with red-fleshed apples is to attend The Salt Spring Island Apple Festival on Sunday, Sept 28, 2008.

We have a very unique, diverse, exciting organic Apple Festival. The 700 or so happy people who attended in 2007 are our best advertising. They were delighted. They all became Salt Spring Island apple connoisseurs. Where else do you have over 350 different apple varieties being grown organically and for good taste?

Can you imagine a 92-year-old woman, with a walker, becoming as enthused as a teenager when she discovered we had the old Gravenstein apples she had known as a kid. She climbed up the 2 stairs to our selling area on her own. WOW. Her words were, “You have made my day”.

So the following are Apple Festival highlights from 2007

• The display of 262 apples all grown organically on Salt Spring Island.

• Tasting of 105 apple varieties at just one farm (Apple Luscious). Most others have tasting of their own varieties.

• At least 12 labelled varieties of apple pies baked by the Pie Ladies.

• 15 farms open to the public.

• Theatrical performances by Johnny Appleseed, Theodore Trage, the Queen and Captain Apple

• A rich history of apples going back to 1860.

• At least 23 varieties of red-fleshed apples.

• An on-site narration by Naidine Sims tracing her black history on Salt Spring back to 1860

• Tours of most farms.

• Educational information on organic apple growing.

• Apple identification services.

• Orchard bee and honey bee experts available.

• Apple art by local artists.

Salt Springers are very proud of their apples and the incredible collections we amass at Fulford Hall for every Apple Festival is a sight that takes your breath away. The scent of of apples when you enter the room will take your soul on a journey. Last year, we had 262 varieties all grown organically on Salt Spring Island, all arranged alphabetically and all having detailed labels. The task of setting up the collection is performed the night before by a team of about 30 island volunteers, ranging in age from children to senior citizens, who consider this one of the highlights of their year. They love their apples and they are delighted to show island visitors our apple diversity. Note that at Apple Festival 2006, there were 296 varieties, but with a very cold, wet spring in 2007, some varieties did not produce a crop. We are hoping in 2008 to break the 300 variety barrier for the first time.

Collecton of 262 Apple Varieties at Fulford Hall in 2007

Details of Apple Collection

This Apple Festival is farm based, connecting you to your LOCAL ORGANIC farmers on Salt Spring. They are your best guarantee of food quality and good health.

Contact info:

Harry Burton

- 250-653-2007

- burtonh@saltspring.com

- http://www.saltspringmarket.com/apples/



Burlington Old Fashioned Apple Harvest Festival
Burlington, West Virginia
Admission to the two-day event is free of charge, as is the live country, bluegrass, and southern gospel music performed on-stage throughout the weekend. The festival's signature attraction, Burlington's Famous Apple Butter, made the old-fashioned-way--outdoors in open-air kettles--is the world's best tasting apple butter!

Take a stroll beneath the towering walnut trees; listen to the sounds of the meandering brook; browse the 3-acre flea market; visit the country-style "shopping mall" and wander leisurely through huge tents filled with unique, handmade items. The "food court" features yummy apple delights, country ham sandwiches, funnel cakes, and many other country fair goodies!
Antique autos and tractors, the intricate stitching and beautiful color schemes lovingly combined into the many heritage quilts on display, a rousing parade, a toe-tappin', fiddle/banjo/mandolin contest, games, pony rides and a variety of fun for the whole family!

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Happy Christmas & A Productive New Year

Gday Class

Merry Christmas! Cecilie & I have been enjoying working on the Pettys Orchard project over the past few weeks. Peter Combe has been confirmed to perform with Tim Tim the Clown to MC the event. He will amaze & delight the audience, alongside presentations by Vasili (Vasili's Garden SBS), Adam Donaldson (Snake Gully Cider), Peter Allen (Pete the Permie) & Jim Sansom (Blackhill Apiaries - Macedon Ranges). Will post information soon re our research. If everyone else could post what they have found onto the blog, that would be great as your info may be useful to us soon. The posters are almost ready & we anticipate getting fliers done too. It has been a great experience & the next step for me is to organise the market folks who will be bringing organic tasty delights for the day. Hope you are all enjoying the holidays. I am currently sipping a glass of the Macedon Ranges finest & awaiting my friends' arrival for a delicious meal. If anyone is keen to get together & share a meal over the holidays please say g'day.

Cheerio
Meggs

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

A webpage and a booklist

Here is a link to Toby Hemenway's page .It has lots of great Permaculture content. Including a great book list> http://patternliteracy.com/
(you will have to cut and paste the address)

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Green Wedge Information - re Erosion Project

hi all

this is from the municipal association victoria website in releation to green wedge areas.
hope it is of some use

cheerio
meggs

(can't tranfer direct link for some reason...)
www.mav.asn.au/
it is in the Land Use Planning section - Green Wedges & Open Space

www.dse.vic.gov.au
it is in the Department of Planning & Community Development - Green Wedge Mangement Plans...

I will email a copy of the guidelines to you all though I don't have Padgett's email sorry...

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Converting a chest freezer to a fridge

Hi,All.
Here is a link to a page that has information on how to convert a chest freezer to a chest fridge that uses very little energy.This site has lots of other interesting stuff.

http://mtbest.net/chest_fridge.html
regards,Bela

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Homemade Rabbit Trap

Hi All,

Have been researching rabbit traps as we have a lot here on the vineyard that are competing for the vegies in the garden. Combined with two hungry dogs this trap could help solve two problems! Thought I might share it - it may come in handy for you one day.


Cheerio
Meggs

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Carbon Offsetting

Carbon Offsetting – Is it Cheating?

Posted using ShareThis


WORLDS GREENEST HOMES- TV SHOW THIS THURSDAY

Watch this show if you can, im looking forward to the series running every thursday...

Architect and designer Emmanuel Belliveau presents this 13-part series that takes us on a whirlwind global tour of beautiful homes that are also eco-friendly.

6:05pm Thursday, 23 Jul 2009
www.abc.net.au/tv/guide/netw/200907/programs/ZX0051A001D23072009T180700.htm



Sunday, July 19, 2009

STATE OF DESIGN FESTIVAL THROUGHOUT THIS MONTH

STATE OF DESIGN- Is a festival running from now to the 25th July in Melbourne city. There are various events, some free.

Features art, architecture, environmental, design, talks, etc.

www.stateofdesign.com.au/events/dates/2009-7-20

This guy would be good for us all to see if you got the cash and time:
GARBAGE WARRIOR-www.stateofdesign.com.au/events/design-for-everyone/michael-reynolds

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Keyline Design Course coming up

Hi Folks

Just thought I should share something exciting I found just now...

http://www.milkwoodpermaculture.com.au/courses/courses/keyline-design-course-richmond-jan-10.html

14-16 January 2010 - Richmond, NSW
Held near Yeomans' original Keyline Designed properties, where it all began... with Darren Doherty, the world's most respected Keyline educator.The Keyline System of farming is currently at the forefront of carbon farming techniques in the USA and beyond. An essential course for anyone aiming to understand landscape hydrology and manage land sustainably.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Reverend Billy & and The Church of No Shopping

Hi All,

This is something to ponder over the holidays. Thought you may like it. Only in America eh!.

http://www.revbilly.com/

Hope you are enjoying yourselves! I am. Out on my bike.

Meggs

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Sepp Holzer's Open Letter

Sepp Holzer's open letter to the scientific and economic community is found here:

http://www.krameterhof.at/en/

I've put all this on facebook, but am doubling up here for my non-facebook colleagues!

Iconic farm in Austria

"By growing up insulated from Nature and the creatures co-existing with us, we lose the natural relationship to our environment. Growing up in symbiosis with plants, animals and humans, however, enables an experience of meaningful belonging and sharpens the task and ability to act as a thoughtful individual, the task of mastering the challenge of Directing rather than Fighting. By observing the life all around us, our environment, do we discover that Nature is perfect already and that Creation has considered everyone; that everything is in relationship one with the other and that there is nothing to improve." Sepp Holzer

Have a look at this man's farm at these links:

http://www.krameterhof.at/en/index.php?id=holzersche_permakultur

http://kjpermaculture.blogspot.com/2007/02/sepp-holzer-krameterhof.html masses of interesting links on this site also

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw7mQZHfFVE

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Podcasts

Hi,All.
Today ,Virginia recommended a podcast, here is a link to it:

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/backgroundbriefing/stories/2009/2592909.htm

and Paul Gilding's webpage-Let's not go shopping http://paulgilding.com/



I like to recommend one myself tooday.Have you heard of James Lovelock?
He is the one that proposed the Gaia hypothesis

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/foraradio/stories/2009/2600053.htm

Monday, June 15, 2009

Ground source heat pump

Here is a link to a few pages that explains how a groundsource heatpump works.
This is the system that i was talking about today.Using water from a well as a source of heath/coolth

http://www.google.com.au/search?q=groundsource+heat+pump&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a

Bela

Sunday, June 14, 2009

How to make a great drawing board

Hi All

I just found this great plan for making a drawing board.

http://www.sampletheweb.com/2005/01/26/how-to-make-your-own-drawing-board-for-use-with-an-easel/

Keyline Article

Here is a link to a Keyline article i found really interesting:
"Soil, Water & Carbon for Every Farm’ – Building Soils, Harvesting Rainwater, Storing Carbon"
A tall order ?Read all about it here:
http://permaculture.org.au/2009/03/16/keyline-design-mark-iv/#more-1177
It is free for download,see link at end of article.
foggyforge

How to design fire breaks

For some more info on creating fire breaks go to:

http://www.webphotos.com.au/viewarticle.aspx?page=designfirebreak

Sunday, June 7, 2009

sheds

Hello everyone
Hope your designs are coming along nicely, can't say mine is:( :)
Found this when I was browsing the net. It's this really long blog about sheds. I thinks it's cute. Check out the 2nd last pic.

Liana

http://www.shedworking.co.uk/2008_11_01_archive.html

Monday, June 1, 2009

CSIRO sacks soil scientist

Hello all,
Australian Story, 1st of June 09 was about a soil scientist with a mission who got himself sacked for going against the pro GM management of the CSIRO and is going his own way, educating farmers about soil health. Read the article below. It opened my eyes to how my taxes are being used to prop up GM research via the CSIRO, whilst funding into research of sustainable farming practices is being denied. I wrote a comment in support of Maarten Stapper on that site. Felt it's the least I could do, and also took the opportunity to draw attention to Permaculture. If Bela knows of any way for you guys to see that ABC show again, you'd all probably enjoy it.
Rosemarie

http://www.celsias.com/article/public-resources-for-private-profit/
Hello,

This is a great movie about a post" Peak Oil" farm in England. I really enjoyed watching this.

http://www.viddler.com/explore/PermaScience/videos/4/

Rosemarie

Gaviotas Community

Hello all,
I found this inspirational story about a community in Colombia. Have a look at both the links. Well worth it.

http://www.context.org/ICLIB/IC42/Colombia.htm


http://www.friendsofgaviotas.org/Home.html


Rosemarie

Friday, May 29, 2009

Mark is still alive

Yes, after a few rough days of Flu, im back!!!

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

tongue twisters from today

Betty Botter bought some butter, but she said this butter’s bitter. If I put it in my batter, it will make my butter bitter. But a bit of better butter will make my batter better. So she bought a bit of better butter, better than her bitter butter. Twas Betty Botter bought a bit of better butter.

She sells sea shells by the sea shore.

The big black bug bled black blood.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Seven principles for garden and landscape design

Hi All,

I just found this and thought it may be of use to others in the class.

Design, like most activities, has principles which can be ignored - at your peril.

1. "Consult the Genius of the Place' is the first law of landscape planning and design. She helps those who work on site, gets cross with those who deny her existence, and has some views on style. In areas of high landscape quality, whether urban or rural, she often prefers a conservation approach, which makes new development similar to its surroundings. In areas of low landscape quality, she usually prefers an innovative approach, which creates a contrast between new development and its surroundings.
2. Planners and designers should make places that are good from as many points of view as possible: social, functional, artistic, spiritual, economic, hydrological, ecological, climatological, and others too. Use can be combined with beauty, pleasure with profit, work with contemplation. The garden can be the planner's crucible. Do not allow the specialist to grab even one petal from the six-lobed flower of life.
3. Work with your clients. But remember that plans and designs have many clients with divergent interests: those who pay your fees; users; builders; the wider community; the natural world. Landscape planners and designers must look beyond the narrow technical limits and tight geographical boundaries that constrain most of the built environment professions.
4. Precede good design with good planning. To work otherwise is to design castles upon sand. Sometimes, good planning occurs by accident. More often, it takes longer than design.
5. Design space before mass. Buildings, trees, shrubs, walls and mounds are mere packaging. They contain space.
6. Use materials of only the best quality. They may be the cheapest materials. Water, grass and water-washed gravel, for example, are of the first quality. Precast concrete slabs are a third-rate material. Sometimes, however, money must be spent with generosity. At the end of a long career, Thomas Mawson reflected that clients always appreciate quality and soon forget expense. If you try to save them money, they forget what you have done and always resent the inferior quality.
7. Learn from the work of painters, sculptors, architects, poets, musicians, philosophers, novelists and others. These interests can come together in what Jellicoe has suggested may be the most comprehensive of the arts. The principles of art and design are wide and deep.
For the above principles, thanks are due to: Alexander Pope, Humphry Repton, Patrick Geddes, Paul Klee, Christopher Tunnard, Arnold Weddle, Siegfried Gideon and Geoffrey Jellicoe.

source: http://www.gardenvisit.com/history_theory/garden_landscape_design_articles/design_methods/seven_principles_landscape_design

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Darebin Tip

For those of your who were left wondering where the tip is and when it is open - as I was - here is the info in case you are wanting to head over there to score a few treasures like Kati.


Outlook Market
The Outlook Market is a shop run by Outlook Environmental which sells recycled goods. Items sold in the shop include:
Furniture
Timber
Bricks and building material
Clothes
Toys and Games
Tools
Collectables and bric-a-brac
Books
Household items

Location and Hours
Darebin Resource Recovery Centre Kurnai Avenue (off Henty Street), ReservoirMelway Map Reference: 18 C6Opening Hours8am to 3.30pm, 7 days a week (except Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day)

Build your own goat cart

Hi Ya'll!

When you are all permies living off the land somewhere, you may like to consider creating your own simple goat cart. You can race or just cruise around, or move things from place to place...

http://www.bundarra.com/How_to_build_a_goat_cart.pdf

Happy carting! :-)

Saturday, May 16, 2009

more book information

hi again

i have just found this site also
it is cheaper & has a good selection of books you may find yourself looking for for your collections

http://www.booksandcollectibles.com.au/bsearch.php3?restrict2=157&type=ALL

Barossa Vintage Books SA

bye!

Great book for budding designers

Hi All,

I have just found a treasure on my best friend's bookshelf. It belongs to her partner who has been a landscape designer for years. The title is "Landscape Graphics - From concept sketch to presentation rendering" by Grant W. Reid (ASLA).

If you are interested in obtaining a copy, as I have just done (on order in the post!) you can find it on this great website Biblioz which is the best place to look for out of print books or hard to find items. The postage is expensive as many of the items have to come from OS.

http://www.biblioz.com/search.php

There is also these ones there that folks may like to check out:
  • Color Drawing: A Marker/Colored-pencil Approach for Architects, Landscape... By: Michael E. Doyle
  • Book ID: 2235007649 - (stocked in U.S.A.)
  • Buy this book for AUD$11.40 (approx. USD$8.39)
  • * Approx. Price incl. shipping: AUD$30.88 incl. GST (approx. USD$20.66) Delivered to: Australia
  • Description: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. Used - Acceptable. Former Library book.1st. ACCEPTABLE with noticeable wear...
************************************************************************************************
Prairie Landscape Desgin Guide
Author: Virginia Yakimovich-Parenteau
Pbl: Border City Graphics, Lloydminster AB, 1990
Price: AUD$40.11 (approx. USD$29.53)

...Lloydminster AB: Border City Graphics, 1990. Original Wraps. As New/No Jacket. complete garden design kit- pages at the back include the graph paper and the cutouts of trees, perennials, etc to layout your garden pictorially. No names, no damage. Excellent value. " easy to use, very visual - one of the mso\\ost helpful guides I've come across" " adaptable to any home and yard. 4to - over 9" - 12" tall.
Other Information
Condition: As New
Binding: paperback
Dust Jacket: No
Jacket Condition: No Jacket
**************************************************************************************************
FreeHand Graphics: For Architects, Landscape Architects, and Interior Designers: A Problem-Solving Approach
Author: Sutherland, Martha
Pbl: Design Press, 1991
Price: AUD$44.27 (approx. USD$32.59)

...Normal shelf wear to cover, corners and edges. No apparent markings throughout. Tightly bound. Grear reading copy! Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 160 p. Audience: General/trade. Good. No dust jacket as issued.
Other Information
Condition: Good. No dust jacket as issued.
Binding: Trade paperback
ISBN: 9780830634804
************************************************************************************************
  • Residential Landscapes: Graphics, Planning, and Design By: Pierceall, Gregory M
  • Book ID: 2237743446 - (stocked in U.S.A.)
  • Buy this book for AUD$46.03 (approx. USD$33.89)
  • * Approx. Price incl. shipping: AUD$67.31 incl. GST (approx. USD$45.05) Delivered to: Australia
  • Description: Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, U.S.A.: Reston Pub Co, 1984 Clean, bright and tight. Minor shelfwear, primarily... more
Have a great weekend! See you tomorrow. Meggs

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Still making compost

Compost making 13/05/09

Compost & Garden

Compost Making and garden planting at Swipers Gully today...


A Green New Deal for Victoria

you guys may be interested in checking out this new blog from Friends of the Earth

http://greennewdeal.wordpress.com/

Saturday, May 9, 2009

waste NOT want NOT


i just went to the darebin tip,
its fucken ace man, serously, all this stuff people will chuck out.
me and my housemate spent 8 dollars (thats 4 each) and got
  • 2 bags (one big backpack, one handbag)
  • a wormfarm (not fully in tact, but the peices are use able)
  • a silver cloud tree sapling. .is sapling hte right word?? baby tree?
  • a suitcase that holds audio tapes(our stereo only plays tapes and radio..)
  • a saucepan with pretty pictures on the outside
  • a big porcelan bowl
  • a giant magic eye painting WOOHOOOO trippy man
  • like, 20 tapes, including, maddonna, aretha franklin, indigo girls, culture club, tracey chapman, roxette, jackson 5, lou reed, billy bragg, eurythmics, sinead o conner, tom waits
  • lots of storage jars
  • a little bin to use for compost
  • a red leather purse
  • an etcher sketcher thing to leave notes like EAT THE LEFTOVERS PLZ
andmore stuff. i cant be bothered, does anyone even read this blog anyway??
like, yeah. the point is, ALL this shit, ppl just threw in the bin, the fucken bin man, not even the op shop.
there was SO MUCH amazing building materials and garden stuff there, i was like amazed and excited, and i was looking at all these tins of rainbow paint and i met another person going thru them and it was a woman who runs the school garden at thornbury primary school.
its a really great garden there, i went there with meggs.
they use rope for there keyhole garden. so ace!!

anyway the point is, WASTE NOT WANT NOT----(produce no waste)
we can get almost everything from the rubbish bin!!!

xxxxxoxoxoxo

Thursday, May 7, 2009

new Podcast's

New podcast at http://www.pdcastsusworldradio.libsyn.com/ with Warren Brush.
There is also other stuff about his work. http://www.permaculture.org.au/author/Warren%20Brush -I found it very inspiring!
Bela

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Monday, May 4, 2009

Reducing our energy consumption

Just seen an interesting programe-http://www.abc.net.au/tv/fora/stories/2009/05/01/2556373.htm
The Longnow foundation has other interesting speakers- like this-http://www.abc.net.au/tv/fora/stories/2009/04/17/2546038.htm
Dimitry Orlov on the collapse of the USA

Riparian Zone- Ninks Rd ,St Andrews

Hi, All.
Found the email i sent Virginia last week with all the notes.Possibly over 100 pages in 5-6 pdf 's
Tried to post to studywiz (maybe Virginia could do it -i re-sent the lot to her)Have tried again to night to post it to this blog-no success.I can post it to all of you inividually ,so you could include it in your reports.Please let me know your preference.
regards,Bela

Saturday, May 2, 2009

check out this amazing permaculture collective from texas

http://www.rhizomecollective.org/node/7

sooo coool!!!!!!

xoxoxoxo

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Hello all,
Here's a site which might illustrate David's principle of using edge. Also one to file away in the memory banks for designing later on, in case you encounter limitations similar to this lady's!

Enjoy the weekend,
Rosemarie

http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/072508/nei_309624417.shtml

Monday, April 27, 2009

huh??

why do we only have 6 followers of our blog? I think we have Rosemarie, Liana, Mark, Mark, Mark, Bela, Meggs, Cecilie, Kati as part of our class - which is 9 people, plus Virginia & Pete as our trainers... that means that we are missing 6 people from this blog!