MAT

I had my interview today for Graduate School. I think it went quite well, and I will know by the middle of March! Wish me luck, internet.

So, sign up for this website immediately, it's like Facebook for Permaculturists.

It is a great way to get involved with people who care about things like peak oil, climate change, community building, local foods and economies, and such. Just check out the groups, there is a little of everything.

I started a discussion just today about a slice of my vision.
Art in a Post-Oil World.

Food Fight

Another film that I'd love to see:

Watch the Trailer

Transition Rogers Park is hosting an event on April 14th.

Study in Homemade Tempera

This video was part of my application for grad school :/

If that isn't working, here's the link.

Guerilla Gardening

Ok, apparently Yes, people are doing this.

Isn't it great? It feels like no one is doing anything... but the minute you start researching how to do something, you find people are way ahead of you.

Webinar

The start of an 18 part YouTube series that is just fantastic.

The Case for Permaculture
Thank you, Bill and Becky Wilson.

I wish I could afford to take a certification course.

And see to me, this is another problem. The money thing. Say, Fred cannot afford to go to permaculture school, because Fred is broke. And he can't get a permaculture garden started on his apartment balcony, because he's broke. But what if Fred is just as passionate about permaculture as Bill Wilson? What are his resources? This is a problem for Fred if he lives in Lakeview or if he lives in Englewood.

At least Growing Home has an Urban Agriculture plot in Englewood. (I applied to work there- please hire me.)

Or here's another option... Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, please sponsor me through one of your design courses, or work with me to find someone who can afford to sponsor me, so that I can take this knowledge to low income communities. There are so many resources down there... talk about converting the "waste" of the industrial system into bounty.

Not to mention that people with passion from better communities can come and learn, too. Create a free learning-and-doing permaculure community. We put our brains together, I bet we can gather enough resources to get some things done.

What about guerilla planting? Anyone doing this? I'm talking about sprouting fruit and nut trees and planting them across low-income communities or in vacant lots around the city. Or scattering seeds of food-bearing plants in niches where they might prosper.

I'd love to see low income neighborhoods bursting with urban vertical gardens. Tomato plants hanging from every balcony. So much food could be grown in these communities... where organic produce is a fantasy.

But I'm broke. What happened to apprenticeship? I'll sleep on the floor. I'll clean your house. Just feed me and teach me.

...I sound like a zealot. Creepy.

Ingredients

Look!

I've found another promising documentary, though this trailer isn't quite as emotional as the FRESH trailer :)

The film is called Ingredients, and it talks about small, diversified family farms.

Here's to you, Mrs. Donaldson

Here is a great interview on a show I've only just started watching but that so far, seems good. It is called Peak Moment and the guest is Bill Wilson, head of Midwest permaculture. I am going to hear him speak soon!
The Heart of Permaculture

Here is another interview from that show that I quite like.
How Do I Invite You to Grow Food?

This one features a woman's rousing success in her own backyard
How Much Food Can I Grow Around My House?

And here is a man who teaches people how to garden on renter's lots, if you're a mobile type.
An Experiment in Backyard Sustainability