Join us for our Midwest Permaculture Convergence to learn from leaders and connect with community members from across our region to build our Permaculture future! Details and Registration are below….
Event Schedule: (Tentative)
Friday
6 pm - Arrival/Set Up Camp
7:30 pm - Campfire/Music
7:00-8:00pm Introduction to Permaculture by TBD
Saturday
7:00-9:00am - Check in
7:00 - 8:30 am Coffee/Bagels
7:00 am Morning Yoga
8:30 am Welcome/Introduction -
9:00 am – 10:00 am Workshop 1
Daniel Halsey – Empowering Communities Through International Permaculture Projects
Dale Hendricks – John Hershey, Friend of the Trees & Modern Day Food Forest Pioneer
10:15 am- 11:15am Workshop 2
Nate Engel – Michigan’s Dept. of Ag.’s Regenerative Farming & Food Processing Resources & Braden Trauth – Permaganic Authenticated, the World’s 1stRegenerative Farm Certification
Kelly Clark – An educational Model based on Permaculture Principles – the Chagrin Valley Learning Collective
11:30 am- 12:45pm Workshop 3
Doug Crouch – Orchard Gardens: A Permaculture Alley Cropping Systems
Amy Stross – Permaculture Design for the Home Landscape
12:30 - 1:30pm Lunch -
Visit Dan Halsey’s United Designers Roadhouse Systems Tour!
1:30 pm – 2 pm Community Circle
2:00 – 3:00 pm Workshop 4
Daniel Halsey – Plant Systems and Databases for Sustainable Agriculture
Bryce Ruddock – Plants for Naturalized Woodland Settings and self sowing vegetable gardens
3:15 – 4:15 pm Workshop 5
Mark Cohen – Reflections from the Regenerative Front
Nathan Wright - Plants Used By the Anishinabek of the Great Lakes
4:30 – 5:30 pm Workshop 6
Lisa Helm – Soil Microbiology, regenerative Soil life & Organic Matter including Compost Tea, Keyline Plows, cover crops and Biochar
Daniel Halsey - Careers in Permaculture
5:30 – 7:00 pm Dinner
7:00 pm Closing Circle
7:30 pm - 10 pm Campfire/Music
Sunday
7:00 am Morning Yoga
7:30 - 9 am Coffee/Bagels
9 am - 10:00 am Workshop 1
Graham Towerton – A 10 year Permaculture property makeover
Julian Ruck – Urban Gardening/Community Action – Changing Municipal Policies
10:15-11:15am Workshop 2
Kelly Clark – Bioregional Learning Centers - Place Based & Indigenous Wisdom & Practice efforts in our region
11:15-11:30am - Break
11:30 am - 12:30 pm Bioregional Collaboration Brainstorming Panel – Facilitated by Sabrena Schweyer
Speaker Line Up:
Amy Stross: Amy is the author of the award-winning book, The Suburban Micro-Farm: Modern Solutions for Busy People. She writes about growing food-producing home landscapes and permaculture gardens on her website, TenthAcreFarm.com.
Amy will be speaking about how to apply permaculture design to a home landscape so that it is eye-catching, low-maintenance, and productive while also working with nature to improve biodiversity. Specific plant recommendations will focus on USDA growing zones 4-7.
Dan Halsey: Daniel designs and consults for developing ecologically supported homestead systems, ecosystem restoration, and intentional communities. Bringing site-specific solutions based on local resources, site conditions, and improved cultural practices. The majority of his designs are farms, homesteads, watershed, and village systems supplying perennial harvests to support the community. Always raising the carrying capacity of the land. He is Co-Founder of United Designers International (https://www.uniteddesigners.org) and Co-Author of Integrated Forest Gardening & Natural Capital Plant Database (https://permacultureplantdata.com)
Dan will be heading up 3 talks listed below as well as hosting a physical demonstration about growing in Geodesic domes and sharing about his Tiny Home System. Read below to learn more
1. Explore Exciting Careers in Permaculture
Join us for an inspiring presentation on "Careers in Permaculture" at GRLPI’s Midwest Permaculture Convergence! Whether you're a seasoned practitioner, a curious enthusiast, or someone looking to make a career change, this session is for you.
During this presentation, you'll learn about the diverse opportunities available in the field of Permaculture, including employment, entrepreneurship, and social impact initiatives. Discover how you can turn your passion for sustainable living into a fulfilling career that makes a positive difference in the world.
2. Empowering Communities Through International Permaculture Projects
Join us for an enlightening presentation on "International Permaculture Projects". Discover how Permaculture principles are being applied around the globe to empower communities, nurture sustainability, and address environmental and social challenges.
During this session, you'll hear inspiring stories and case studies of successful international Permaculture initiatives. Learn about the principles of adaptability, collaboration, and sustainability that guide these projects, and explore opportunities for getting involved and making a difference.
Come be part of the global Permaculture movement and learn how you can contribute to positive change on a global scale.
3. Exploring Plant Systems and Databases for Sustainable Agriculture
Join us for an informative presentation on "Plant Systems and Databases" at GRLPI’s Midwest Permaculture Convergence! Dive into the world of plant ecology and discover how plant systems and databases can enhance your understanding of sustainable agriculture and ecosystem management.
During this session, you'll explore the principles of plant guilds, polycultures, and food forests, and learn how to leverage plant databases to inform design decisions and species selection. Gain practical insights and tips for integrating plant systems into your Permaculture projects and land management plans.
Don't miss this opportunity to deepen your knowledge of plant ecology and learn valuable tools for sustainable agriculture.
4. Geodesic Dome Greenhouses (ongoing demo and casual discussion)
Built at the event & another fabricated. One will be for sale as well. Dan will be presenting on season extension, site specific solutions, climate adaptation, and dome strategies. The Dome is 24’ diameter, 14 feet tall.
5. Tiny Home System: UD Roadhouse Systems Tour (ongoing with tour times)
Since 2020 Dan has been traveling full time in his 30’ RV. It’s solar, off grid, with a compost toilet, adapted to full time living, deep cold protected systems, … A Remote working home on wheels. He will be sharing about how the systems work.
Doug Crouch: Treeyo Permaculture - Petersburg, KY - https://treeyopermaculture.com
Doug Crouch has taught Permaculture around the world, including Asia, Europe and South America and has landed locally back at his family farm in Northern Kentucky where he has been implementing a full Permaculture Plan for the 60 acres over the last 15 years.
He will speaking about Orchard Gardens: a Permaculture Alley Cropping System, a system he has been refining over the years of his work.
Lisa Helm: Dayton Urban Grown - Dayton, OH - Facebook.com/DaytonUrbanGrown
Lisa Helm has been a volunteer grassroots organizer around Sustainability since 2008, founding Garden Station, where she organized a Sustainable Living Workshop series of over 60 free classes/year, and EarthFest that attracted as many as 5000 attendees.
In 2016 Lisa built Dayton Urban Grown incubator and training farm where she has used regenerative techniques to bring the Soil Organic Matter to over 13% and grows market produce year-round, generating as much as $20K/year worth of produce on just 1/10 of an acre. She has also been a speaker for organic farming conferences in multiple states and online. An avid student, Lisa has studied with numerous experts in regenerative farming, permaculture and natural building and is currently studying agroforestry with an interest in blending Regenerative Market Gardening and alley cropping with linear food forests.
She will be speaking about basic soil microbiology, what it does for plants and our bodies, and talking about different methods of regenerating soil life and organic matter; including aerobic compost tea, keyline plow, diverse cover crops, and charged biochar.
Nathan Wright - Nathan Wright, also known by his spiritual name Spiritman from the Sun or Giizus Su Win en eh, is an Indigenous Herbalist and descendant of medicine people from both sides of his family. His ancestral knowledge of plant medicine has been passed down through generations and he continues this legacy by ethically wild harvesting and preparing medicines using traditional methods.
As the owner of the Herbal Lodge, a Native American and veteran-owned company, Nathan focuses on creating natural and organic pain relief and medicinal tea products using wild-harvested herbs and mushrooms. He is dedicated to revitalizing lost Anishinabek medicines and traditions, while also incorporating modern techniques for the benefit of his community.
Nathan is not only an Indigenous Herbalist but also a certified mushroom expert. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience in both fields. His teachings about Indigenous Treaty Rights and the need to protect our lands and waters for harvesting herbal medicines have been featured in the film Troubled Water, which can be found on popular streaming networks.
Currently residing in Petoskey, Michigan, Nathan shares his wisdom with others through various online videos covering Anishinabek culture, healthy lifestyles, cold water experiences, and herbal teachings. He has also taught plant-related classes at libraries, universities, and other institutions throughout Michigan.
Join Nathan on a journey through the Great Lakes region with "Plants Used By the Anishinabek of the Great Lakes," an immersive class that uncovers the incredible world of plants in Anishinabek culture. Learn about their deep-rooted connection to nature and discover the healing powers of traditional plant-based remedies. Delve into how this knowledge is being preserved and integrated into modern-day practices for a healthier and more sustainable future.
This class is perfect for nature lovers, wild foragers, plant enthusiasts, herbalists, and anyone interested in the fascinating relationship between humans and plants. So why wait? Sign up now and embark on a journey of knowledge, tradition, and connection with "Plants Used By the Anishinabek of the Great Lakes." We will have some wild herbal teas to sample! So don't hesitate – join us today!
You can learn more at: http://www.herballodge.com/
Bryce Ruddock - Formerly of Midwest Permaculture, who was their plant guy for a decade and Co-Author of Integrated Forest Gardening with Dan Halsey and Wayne Weiseman. Bryce has been practicing permaculture since 1984. He was a graduate of Midwest Permaculture PDC in 2008. He earned a joint teaching certification from Permaculture Institute USA and Cascadia Permaculture Institute in 2010. He has assisted with a four day, for credit, Permaculture course at the Purdue University School of Sustainability in June 2009 with Midwest Permaculture. Bryce was known as Midwest Permaculture's official " Plant Guy" from 2010 until 2020 and assisted with the plant guilds portions of PDC classes for Midwest Permaculture and the Madison Permaculture Guild (2010 through 2016). He taught courses independently both in Milwaukee and Ozaukee/Washington Counties in Wisconsin for OZPERM (Ozaukee Permaculture) from 2012 through 2014.
Authored for Milwaukee's Victory Garden Initiative a short manual on which rootstocks to use for fruit trees (2011) and authored the Plant Guilds e Booklet (2013) available totally free from Midwest Permaculture and Co author of Integrated Forest Gardening (2014).
He assisted with design work for Midwest Permaculture on projects in WV, IL (multiple sites) , OH, WI (multiple sites), and especially a long term design process for Heal the Planet Farm in the Missouri Ozarks from 2014 through 2018. One of the highlights for that site was the design of a ten acre propagation orchard for woody species to be used at the 3,000 acre ranch.
Former plant species ethnobotanical researcher for the Natural Capital Plant Database, 2016 through 2022. Some of the work was directly in conjunction with restoration projects in India and Portugal for United Designers. He’s currently involved in a long term design and consultation project for ecological restoration of eastern woodland forest, oak savanna, and prairie projects at the Bridget Center in Kewauskum, Wisconsin.
Bryce’s talk will cover a suggested list of plants to grow in a naturalized woodland setting; plus vegetable gardens mixed with self sowing annuals and biennials. Both native and non native species will be spoken of.
Dale Hendricks - Dale has been growing and propagating plants professionally since 1975 when he joined Green Leaf Enterprises in Lancaster, Pa. In 2009 he founded Green Light Plants, LLC. To consult on carbon friendly and regenerative landscapes; growing native, woodland and permaculture plants regeneratively, organically and joyfully.
He has been honored with the American Horticulture Society’s Individual Commercial award and the Perennial Plant Association’s Young Professional award and much to his surprise, in November, 2015 the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society presented him with their award of merit. He has taught plant propagation at Longwood Gardens and lectures widely. He served on the founding board of the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia and as co-chair from 2004-2007. He also served on the founding Steering Committee with the Native Plants in the Landscape Conference at Millersville University in Pennsylvania.
He has been a permaculture and biochar advocate and practitioner since ’09 and has presented many workshops and demonstrations in the east and Mid-Atlantic States since that time. In the last few years he has assisted and taught biochar production as a soil building and clean cooking strategy in Costa Rica and Jamaica. He makes biochar while cooking and gardening and implements it in his compost, soil building, horticultural and household endeavors.
Dale lives in Landenberg, southern Chester County, Pa with his family where he gardens, propagates plants, and works on rewilding- growing the productivity, diversity, capacity and resilience of the land.
Dale’s Talk: John Hershey, Friend of the Trees: Mr Hershey was a devout Quaker who had a vision of farms that built and protected soils and water, which included trees shrubs, vines, birds and berries. He was growing and selecting superior and improved trees for higher nutritive value and long season productivity with happy farm animals and healthier farmers in mind. He practiced what he preached by demonstrating this at his Downingtown farms and Nursery from 1923 to 1967. He demonstrated the practice by planting a great diversity of tree crops that rained food down for most all of the growing season. Sadly when he died the properties were developed. In the talk we’ll look at the many trees that remain and our beginning efforts to preserve their improved genetics and hopefully the trees themselves. The work and life giving vision of this pioneer still have a lot to teach us. More info: https://www.phillymag.com/articles/2018/07/07/downingtown-food-forest-urban-farming/ And more links, plant info: https://www.shelterwoodplants.com/blog/2018/10/17/exploring-americas-oldest-food-forest
Nate Engle: Nate, the Director of Community Engagement for the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) will be sharing about how MDARD has recently reorganized and is leaning in like never before promoting regenerative agriculture, conservation service delivery improvements, farm-to-family investments, and expanding access and opportunity to non-traditional actors in the food processing and farming space in Michigan.
Braden Trauth: Co-Founder of the Cincinnati Permaculture Institute and Permaganic Authenticated, the World’s First Regenerative/Permaculture Farming Certification approved by the USPTO hosted by GRLPI- Braden will be talking about Regenerative Agriculture and Permaganic Authenticated and the process of having your farm certified by them. https://cincinnatipermacultureinstitute.org
Kelly Clark:
Kelly was formally educated in physics and had a career in classroom teaching before turning her attention to the practice and promulgation of permaculture. She founded Kelly’s Working Well Farm, in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, in 2012. The farm has provided Kelly with a space where she and others can learn and experiment in a wide range of areas from growing food and fiber regeneratively to developing educational models for kids and adults. Other projects and initiatives that Kelly is involved with are Reeds and Roots Skillshare, and Northeast Ohio Earth Restoration. She is always up for new ideas and collaborations!
The Chagrin Valley Learning Collective(CVLC): An educational model based on Permaculture Principles
CVLC founder, Kelly Clark, will discuss this exciting educational model. The CVLC starts with the premise that all children come into the world with the desire and ability to learn everything necessary for them to become self-actualized members of society. By incorporating elements such as governance by consent (sociocracy), prosocial communication and conflict resolution, and unlimited free play, into the context of a permaculture farm, the CVLC allows participants to direct their own learning within a supportive community.
Bringing Bioregional Learning to the Great Rivers and Lakes
Kelly and other representatives from the Bioregional Learning Journey of the Design School for Regenerating Earth will present the concept of Bioregional Learning Centers (BLC’s), an idea first proposed by systems thinker Donella Meadows. BLC’s have the potential to weave together the many existing initiatives around place-based and indigenous wisdom and practice, regenerating local ecosystems from the soil on up and relocalizing the economy including food systems. Attendees will learn about efforts currently underway to create BLC’s in our bioregion and how they can contribute to this movement.
Mark Cohen - Reflections from the Regenerative Front
Mark will be talking about building capacity from micro (our personal nervous system/microbiome) to the macro (connecting bioregional orgs) and sharing his decades of experience working in the Permaculture and Organic field. He was co-founder the intentional community in Athens, OH The Farr. He was also part of a large sustainable Cacao Farm in Belize where he resided for many years and produced Cacao for Green & Blacks.
Julian Ruck - Julian is an award-winning, celebrated community activist who has conceived of and managed successful projects in numerous US cities (big and small) over the course of the past 15 years.
A lifelong songwriter, 6-time world record breaker, accomplished natural builder, urban gardener, and educator, Julian has made a point to live of life of singular purpose and vision…namely, to leave this world a better place than he found it.”
Julian will be speaking about Urban Gardening/Community Action. For four years he’s been growing and giving away free food from urban gardens I own and/or manage in Port Huron…even against the city’s wishes. He had to sue the city to keep doing what they’re doing…which led to a resolution WITH the city, to continue their permaculture urban gardening efforts on CITY-owned property instead. A real uphill battle…and a success story!
Graham Towerton - Graham will be speaking about his 10-Year Permaculture Property Makeover in Adrian, MI.
The development of an initial 2.3 acre property from grain/dairy/pasture to permaculture from 2014 to 2024, with the new expansion of an additional 4.7 acres acquired in 2023. Graham Towerton is a PDC certified permaculture consultant managing his own farm in Adrian, MI. Graham's permaculture journey started in 1983 in Australia and continues now after a 34-year career deviation into chemical engineering. Graham will show the before and now pictures for his property including several food forests, chickens and new permaculture market gardens.
Graham Towerton is a 34-year retired chemical engineer, now embarking on a 34+ year career in permaculture as a farmer, designer, educator and landscaper. After learning about permaculture in the early 1980's in Queensland, Australia, on his parents' family farm; permaculture has been a life long journey of self-education and practice until gaining his certification from Geoff Lawton's Discover Permaculture in 2021. He has completed over 60 property designs and over 200 individual consultations over the last 2.5 years as a former contract permaculture consultant for Food Forest Abundance. He is the owner of Permaculture Adventures of Michigan, co-founder of The Permaculture Hub, and Chief Operations Officer for Permaculture Canada. Graham and his family own an 1850's brick farmhouse and former dairy on 7 acres in Adrian, Michigan which has been converted to permaculture practices since 2014 and will soon become a permaculture market garden and training center.
Panel Discussions with leaders in the region. Details to come soon
Community Connection Sessions & Open Mic talks
Silent Auction
Accommodations:
Housing: Camping at Heart Valley Springs is included with your ticket - Registration at the bottom. There are minimal options through AirBnB and other outlets in the region. Here’s a link to Heart Valley Springs Campground: https://heartvalleysprings.com/reservations/
Food: We missed the attendance goals for a food truck so we are planning on bringing in a lunch from a local restaurant for Lunch on Saturday. We are planning on a Potluck for dinner Saturday. We will also have some snacks, tea and bakery items for breakfast and throughout the event due to limiting food vending rules.
Tickets Prices:
$85 - 1 night camping - Saturday anytime to Sunday 11am
$100 - 2 nights camping - Friday - 6pm to Sunday at 11am
Late Registration Fee - After June 1st - Tickets prices increase by $23
GRLPI Membership Discounts
$15 off for General Membership
$20 off for Professional Membership & Permaganic Authenticated Farms
To Register For Membership Click Here: https://www.greatriversandlakes.org/membership
Tickets/Registration Link:
Registration is now open through our EventBrite Page: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-midwest-permaculture-convergence-tickets-843591172907?aff=oddtdtcreator