Edmonton Permaculture Guild

Homesteading for Homeschoolers
2016-05-27 | Alberta
Homesteading in an environmentally responsible way, learning by doing, practicing and repetition, we will be starting our day in the barnyard at 9:30 am with feeding, watering, training of the cow Vicky, her calf Bonny and the goats, chickens, Turkeys and ducks. After a potluck lunch, eaten outside if possible, we will create and learn in the afternoon, ending at 3:00 pm, with the following schedule in mind:
May 27 Sourdough in the Cob Oven and Final work on the wattle fence made of Saskatoon and willow branches.
Cost is $25 each, if you want to take it in as a drop in. (one week notice required) Class size will be capped at 20 people, adults or children. Siblings under age 5 pay half price, but may have supervised “free” time, during the afternoon activity. If however, only one child under 5 comes or the sibling still wants to participate in the afternoon activity, AND they want to make a basket, for example (with parents help), they would pay the full price.
A deposit of $10 per class, will be required to hold your place. It can be E transferred or mailed. Use the contact form on this website to inquire further 🙂

Food Garden Explosion Permablitz
2016-05-22 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Edmonton)
Check out the Facebook event.
We are creating a food growing explosion on our acreage this spring!
Please join us as we install a large no-till garden by sheet mulching in our yard and a giant hugelkultur raised bed next to our chicken coop. If you don’t know what either of those things are, here is your chance to find out! Here’s the deal: we show and teach the permaculture projects we’re installing, plus provide snacks and lunch (and a good time!), and you provide muscle power to help us boost our food production to the next level of abundance.
Here’s how the day looks:
9-9:30am: you show up!
9:30-10am: we all limber up with some yoga to keep our bodies happy and well as we work.
10am: get to know each other, no till gardening seminar (with plenty of “this is where we screwed up when we tried this the first time or five”)
10:30am-noon: get the work party started!
noon-1pm: lunch
1-2:30pm: learn the hugelkultur principles, keep the awesome moving
2:30-3pm: afternoon iced tea break (and other refreshment)
3-5pm: other seminar(s) TBA, wrap up a job well done
Optional: stay for potluck supper and bonfire celebration (if you aren’t sick of us by then ;))
We can only productively put to use about fifteen-twenty people; please RSVP to get directions and make sure we don’t have people with nothing to do… Please contact Megan at megan.is.silly [at] gmail.com to RSVP. Also, please bring any wheelbarrows, shovels, hand saws you can… And work gloves and weather appropriate gear!
PLEASE NOTE: As part of building the hugelkultur bed, there will be at least one chainsaw in operation, and large(ish) chunks of trees being moved. Please bring your safety awareness!

Permaculture Food Forestry Course
2016-05-21
Food forestry is an ancient approach to creating multi-tiered perennial food gardens that are patterned after natural forest eco-systems. With carefully selected and placed trees, shrubs, herbaceous perennials, self seeding annuals, mushrooms, and if desired, small livestock such as bees and poultry, these gardens become largely self-sustaining and highly productive, while providing excellent habitat for other beneficial species.
In this workshop you will explore the forest gardening model as a viable alternative for the Alberta climate in both urban and rural settings including the fundamental principles of forest garden design and the great range of possible plant species for our region.
For additional information on either course, please contact jillyc@shaw.ca
To register, visit https://tickets.artsandheritage.ca/mainstore.asp?cid=1478

Introduction to Urban Beekeeping
2016-05-21
Dates: May 21-22, 2016
(May 21 9:00am-5:00pm, May 22 9:00am- 1:00pm)
Course: #560173
Cost: $250
Location: John Janzen Nature Centre

Have you always wanted to step out your back door and see your very own beehive? This one-and-a-half-day course teaches the skills needed to have a successful hive. Topics covered in class include honeybee lifecycle, hive management, honeybee behaviors, bee and hive selection, and City of Edmonton regulations about urban beekeeping. On the second day, you’ll get hands on with a hive learning proper hive set up, how to safely collect honey and deliver medications.

After the course, you’ll have the opportunity to be part of a mentorship community to assist with troubleshooting problems with your hive.

This is an approved course for those interested in becoming an urban beekeeper in the City of Edmonton.

To register, call 311 or visit
edmonton.ca/activities_parks_recreation/
animal-nature-awareness-adult.aspx.
For more information contact Beckie Boutilier, Natural History Program Coordinator, John Janzen Nature Centre, 780-496-2916 or rebekah.boutilier@edmonton.ca

Homesteading for Homeschoolers
2016-05-20
Homesteading in an environmentally responsible way, learning by doing, practicing and repetition, we will be starting our day in the barnyard at 9:30 am with feeding, watering, training of the cow Vicky, her calf Bonny and the goats, chickens, Turkeys and ducks. After a potluck lunch, eaten outside if possible, we will create and learn in the afternoon, ending at 3:00 pm, with the following schedule in mind:
May 20 Cheese! Mozzarella, Ricotta and Chevre
27 Sourdough in the Cob Oven and Final work on the wattle fence made of Saskatoon and willow branches.
Cost is $25 each, if you want to take it in as a drop in. (one week notice required) Class size will be capped at 20 people, adults or children. Siblings under age 5 pay half price, but may have supervised “free” time, during the afternoon activity. If however, only one child under 5 comes or the sibling still wants to participate in the afternoon activity, AND they want to make a basket, for example (with parents help), they would pay the full price.
A deposit of $10 per class, will be required to hold your place. It can be E transferred or mailed. Use the contact form on this website to inquire further 🙂

Castille Soapmaking
2016-05-14 13:00 - 17:00
Instructor: Amy Beaith.Come and learn with personal care expert Amy Beaith of PLANTiful, the art and science behind castille soapmaking! This is a demonstration style class where you will get to learn about the process and types of ingredients you can use to make beautiful bar soaps. You will get to take home a how-to-guide, recipes, and a handmade soap with you! $75.00.
To register, visit the Devonian Botanic Gardens’ Adult Education website.

Spring Mushrooms
2016-05-14 10:00 - 16:00
Instructor: Mike Schulz. Join expert Mike Schulz as we learn about the mushrooms of spring! Course includes a detailed presentation with an emphasis on delicious edible spring mushrooms that you can easily learn to identify. Hunt down and learn about the elusive morel and other spring fungal delights on a foray through the Garden. $70.00.
To register, visit the Devonian Botanic Gardens’ Adult Education website.

Introduction to Urban Beekeeping
2016-05-14 09:00 - 17:00
Dates: May 14-15, 2016
(May 14 9:00am-5:00pm, May 15 9:00am- 1:00pm)
Course #: 560172
Cost: $250
Location: John Janzen Nature Centre

Have you always wanted to step out your back door and see your very own beehive? This one-and-a-half-day course teaches the skills needed to have a successful hive. Topics covered in class include honeybee lifecycle, hive management, honeybee behaviors, bee and hive selection, and City of Edmonton regulations about urban beekeeping. On the second day, you’ll get hands on with a hive learning proper hive set up, how to safely collect honey and deliver medications.

After the course, you’ll have the opportunity to be part of a mentorship community to assist with troubleshooting problems with your hive.

This is an approved course for those interested in becoming an urban beekeeper in the City of Edmonton.

To register, call 311 or visit
edmonton.ca/activities_parks_recreation/
animal-nature-awareness-adult.aspx.
For more information contact Beckie Boutilier, Natural History Program Coordinator, John Janzen Nature Centre, 780-496-2916 or rebekah.boutilier@edmonton.ca.

Homesteading for Homeschoolers
2016-05-13
Homesteading in an environmentally responsible way, learning by doing, practicing and repetition, we will be starting our day in the barnyard at 9:30 am with feeding, watering, training of the cow Vicky, her calf Bonny and the goats, chickens, Turkeys and ducks. After a potluck lunch, eaten outside if possible, we will create and learn in the afternoon, ending at 3:00 pm, with the following schedule in mind:
May 13 Weaving – Using the wool spun in the weeks before, we shall create a small sampler on a lap loom we will make that morning.
20 Cheese! Mozzarella, Ricotta and Chevre
27 Sourdough in the Cob Oven and Final work on the wattle fence made of Saskatoon and willow branches.
Cost is $25 each, if you want to take it in as a drop in. (one week notice required) Class size will be capped at 20 people, adults or children. Siblings under age 5 pay half price, but may have supervised “free” time, during the afternoon activity. If however, only one child under 5 comes or the sibling still wants to participate in the afternoon activity, AND they want to make a basket, for example (with parents help), they would pay the full price.
A deposit of $10 per class, will be required to hold your place. It can be E transferred or mailed. Use the contact form on this website to inquire further 🙂

Get Growing Day
2016-05-08 12:00 - 15:00
Visit the Facebook event!
This past winter has been very mild and the spring seems to be happening very early this year. The longer days are happening – people are enjoying patio life, getting their yards tidy and you see more people bicycling and walking in the neighbourhoods.
People have started to propagate their seeds to get a head start on the growing season. People have been proudly sharing their tomato and pepper sprouts on Facebook and Twitter – it is an annual renewal of growth and hope of good things to come :).
Earth’s General Store wants people to grow more of their own food. We believe that growing, processing, cooking, and eating food from our own labour, our own land, our own imagination is healthy, nurturing, spiritually and physically connecting to nature, gives us an appreciation of what goes into growing food and saves you money.
We offer an excellent selection of certified organic, Non-GMO, heritage, open pollinated, heirloom seeds from a variety of seed houses: Harmonic Seeds (Barrhead, AB) and West Coast Seeds (Lower Mainland, BC).
To kick off the growing season Earth’s General Store is having our Fourth annual gardening day (now called “Get Growing Day”) on Sunday, May 8th. People will have the opportunity to purchase organic seedlings, apple trees, pear trees, fertilizers, soil, and a whole range of other items.
May 8th is also Mother’s Day (and one of our Sunday Savings Sale Day so you can save 15% off in store purchases). What better way to celebrate this day than to work with mother nature to create a bounty to nourish our bodies, or families, and, if done correctly, the planet?

AWARE Health Fair
2016-05-07 11:00 - 16:00
Aware Health Fair is a new event in Edmonton, Alberta. It’s intent is to spread awareness to the general public about personal health, a safe, clean environment and sustainability. This event targets the average person to help them make changes in their lives to better themselves and the planet.
With vendors and organizations from all corners there is something for everyone. With topics such as natural health and healing, renewable energy, safe organic food and non-toxic products for the home, Aware Health Fair can help people achieve their goals of living better.
We have prestigious speakers joining us to talk about different aspects of health and safety. Amazing vendors will be displaying the best of health and sustainable products and services. We will also have organizations from different fields offering informational handouts and displays.
We have giveaways and freebees donated by some wonderful companies in line with our values and have added some bins for the Edmonton Food Bank ready for donations, that our guests can help fill with non-perishable healthy food items.

Check out the Facebook event for more!

Bloomin' Garden Show
2016-05-07 10:00 - 16:00
Celebrate Mother’s Day at Bloomin Garden. Have brunch or lunch, enjoy the music and of course shop! Plants, flower baskets, herbs, gardening info, compost numerous local artisans and great local art. Follow this event page for updates on vendors.

Map and Design Your Sustainable Property
2016-05-07 09:00 - 16:00
3 part course: Saturday, May 7, 9am-4pm; Monday, May 9, 6-9pm; Thursday, May 12, 6-9pm
Due to popular demand, we’re offering this course for a second time this year! Register early to avoid disappointment.

Instructor: Kenton Zerbin. Learn how to turn your property into a beautiful food producing oasis. Using principles of permaculture design, get guidance putting together a design for your property. Students will learn how to survey the land, optimize its potential, and learn easy do-it-yourself mapping and design methods. Walk out with a design for your property ready to start implementing. $115.00 class fee + $20.00 materials fee = $135.00

To register, visit the Devonion Botanic Gardens’ Adult Education site.

Beginner Beekeeper Workshop
2016-05-07 08:30 - 13:30
Offered by Edmonton District Beekeepers Association
Date: May 7, 2016
8:30am to 1:30pm
Cost: $60

Mentoring sessions are included in the cost, and will likely be
on Friday nights and Saturday mornings from May to August.
For more information or to register contact Malcolm Connell at
connellmjm@hotmail.com .

Green Drinks: Made in YEG
2016-05-04 19:00 - 22:00
On May 4th, Green Drinks: Made in YEG features entrepreneurs, artists, and designers to share how they’re making a job out of their art and passion. Have you wanted to spark your start-up? Or maybe bring products into the local market? Meet and greet with those who have experienced the success of local business in YEG. There is no denying that Edmonton’s art scene is flourishing and we want you to help us stoke that fire. Join us for this extra special Green Drinks, the final Green Drinks of the 2015-2016 season: Made in YEG. Get tickets on Eventbrite for you and a friend before they’re gone.

Zero Tillage Gardening
2016-05-04 18:00 - 20:00
Instructor: Thean Pheh. Many things we do in gardening are not necessary; in fact, they do more harm than good. Soil tillage is one of these detrimental annual practices. Soil, its properties and why tillage is detrimental will be explained. Learn how to keep soil in good tilth permanently, to keep your garden productive without tilling every spring or fall. $40.00.
Register at the Devonian Botanic Garden Adult Education website.

Edmonton Resilience Festival
2016-04-29 17:00 - 2016-05-01 18:30
The 2nd annual Edmonton Resilience Festival consists of hands-on practical workshops, guided Conversation Cafés and a fair showcasing the work of community organizations called the Community Connections Fair. We will also have family and kid friendly indoor and outdoor activities and film screenings.
A collaboration between The Local Good and the Edmonton Permaculture Guild.
For all the wonderful details and tickets, check the website!

Homesteading for Homeschoolers
2016-04-29
Homesteading in an environmentally responsible way, learning by doing, practicing and repetition, we will be starting our day in the barnyard at 9:30 am with feeding, watering, training of the cow Vicky, her calf Bonny and the goats, chickens, Turkeys and ducks. After a potluck lunch, eaten outside if possible, we will create and learn in the afternoon, ending at 3:00 pm, with the following schedule in mind:
April 29 Goat Hoof Care and Wool Spinning – bring your spindles if you have one! If not, we can fashion one from a knitting needle and an apple!
May 13 Weaving – Using the wool spun in the weeks before, we shall create a small sampler on a lap loom we will make that morning.
20 Cheese! Mozzarella, Ricotta and Chevre
27 Sourdough in the Cob Oven and Final work on the wattle fence made of Saskatoon and willow branches.
Cost is $25 each, if you want to take it in as a drop in. (one week notice required) Class size will be capped at 20 people, adults or children. Siblings under age 5 pay half price, but may have supervised “free” time, during the afternoon activity. If however, only one child under 5 comes or the sibling still wants to participate in the afternoon activity, AND they want to make a basket, for example (with parents help), they would pay the full price.
A deposit of $10 per class, will be required to hold your place. It can be E transferred or mailed. Use the contact form below to inquire further ?
An adult is required for each child under 4 and one : three for children over 5. The way I see it is if lots of adults come too then the message of self sufficiency and sustainability will be better reinforced at home as well. Be the Change!!!
Visit Good Note Community Farm website for details.

Create a Green, Water Efficient Garden & Property
2016-04-28 19:00 - 21:00
Learn how to design water efficiency and resiliency for your home and garden, saving you money, work, and making your property lush and healthy. In this 2 hour program, we will cover techniques for capturing rainwater, storing it and using it effectively.
Kenton Zerbin ‘filters’ his considerable knowledge on water capture through to us so we can apply it to our home and landscape.

Donations are gratefully accepted to provide an honorarium to our speaker (60% of donations collected) and fund our Food Forest project running May long weekend. $10 -$30 is our suggested donation.
Check out Eventbrite for details!

Grow Your Own Window Box; Edible Plants and Herbs
2016-04-27 18:30 - 21:00
Two evenings:
April 27 – 6:30-9pm
May 25 – 6-8:30pm
Instructor: DBG Horticulturist Justine Jenkins-Crumb. Learn to grow and sow your own edible flowers and culinary herbs, suitable for the home garden. Take home a 21″ window box full of plants. With two classes one month apart you will be able to have guidance over different stages of your window box. $85.00.
Register at the Devonian Botanic Gardens’ Adult Education website.

Groundbreaking Food Gardening
2016-04-25 18:30 - 21:00
Join Niki Jabbour, author of the award winning The Year Round Vegetable Gardener and the recently released Groundbreaking Food Gardens, for a dynamic talk that showcases just how easy it is to grow more food. She’ll share techniques, designs, and plenty of inspiration for gardens that supply a long season of homegrown edibles and demonstrate that food gardens can be just as beautiful as any ornamental space. Featured gardens include a year-round vegetable garden, a gourmet potted patio, a pollinator plot, a shady potager, and even a cocktail garden!
For more details and tickets, check the Edmonton Horticultural Society website.

Green Energy Futures Mixer
2016-04-25 17:00 - 20:00
Mark your calendar! You are invited to join us for our 4th Green Energy Futures mixer, a simple, unstructured event that brings people from the renewable energy, green building, government, media and other fields together in a relaxed, agenda-free evening of networking and great conversation.
No presentations. We will have snacks and a cash bar and entertainment in the beautiful LaRonde Resturant in the Chateau Lacombe Hotel in Edmonton.
For more info, check Eventbrite.

Edmonton Earth Day
2016-04-24 12:00 - 15:00
In 2016, Earth Day Canada is #Rooting4Trees! The goal worldwide is to plant 7.8 billion trees – one for every person on the planet, but you can do your part in your own yard or neighbourhood.
Across the country, the hope is to plant 25,000 legacy
trees that will demonstrate Canada’s collective commitment to reducing climate change.
Join us on Sunday, April 24th on 104 Street for our EARTH DAY FESTIVAL from noon to 3pm!
Bring your camera and we’ll frame you in our brand new Edmonton Earth Day Festival backdrop!
Here is a list of organisations that will likely be having a presence at the event:
* GarbaGanza will teach you and your kids that garbage can be glorious.
* Live music with Paula E. Kirman
* Edmonton Bicycle Commuters’ Society
* Greenpeace Edmonton
* City of Edmonton Waste Management (compost and recycling)
* Edmonton Permaculture Guild
* Amnesty International
* City of Edmonton – “How We Green”
* Voice for Animals
* Commuter Challenge
* Earth’s General Store
* City of Edmonton Walk
Check the Facebook event for more!

Tool Use and Maintenance for Women
2016-04-23 12:00 - 17:00
Have you been wanting to gain the skills you need to further your independence and live a more sustainable life, but haven’t had the opportunity?

If yes, join us for a tool skill building workshop where you can level up your tool skills in a safe space for women and non-gender conforming individuals.
During this one day workshop we will cover basic tool use, body mechanics and tool maintenance for several commonly used tools around the homestead. We will also cover how these tools can be used to develop permaculture sites and practices that include ecological food production, sustainable construction and basic earth works.
Tickets will be available online soon! Please bring work gloves and sturdy boots if you have them.
Light snacks provided.
Car pooling available from Edmonton and will be posted on this page. If you can carpool, please post as well! 🙂
Directions available upon registration.
Tickets:
$25 each (available online or as onsite donation)
$5 for ACIL members (onsite donation)
Check the Facebook event for tickets and info!

Budding and Grafting
2016-04-23 11:00 - 15:00
Instructor: Thean Pheh. This course focuses on up-to-date and new techniques to propagate and regenerate a favorite ornamental tree or multiple-graft fruit trees. Lots of hands-on classroom practice will make clear the various skills involved in budding and grafting. Free woody plant material will be available for practice.$60.00.
Register at the Devonian Botanic Gardens Adult Education website.

Just Eat It Film Screening
2016-04-22 18:30 - 21:00
Did you know that Canadians waste $31 billion of food every year and that 47% of that is wasted in the home.
The Food Justice Team at Trinity is excited to be hosting a screening of Just Eat It http://www.foodwastemovie.com. Join us for the screening, some smoothies from gleaned vegetables and fruits, samples of preserves from rescued fruit from Edmonton backyards, and conversation. Together we will explore the story of our food waste and how we might make changes to our own eating habits for the sake of the environment and food security.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Film Screening at 7:00 p.m.

Post Screening Question and Answer to follow – Representatives from Earth’s General Store, Master Composter Recyclers, and Avid Food Waste Individuals.

There is no charge for this event but if you are able please consider making a donation. You can make a donation when you register online or at the door the night of the screening. All proceeds will be used to support the work of the Food Justice Team at Trinity United: Community garden beds, film screenings, cooking classes.
Thank you to Jasper Place Revitalization, The City of Edmonton – Waste Management & The Master Composter Recycler Program (http://www.edmonton.ca/programs_services/garbage_waste/master-composter-recycler-course.aspx), Food4Good (http://food4good.ca), Fruits of Sherbrooke (http://www.fruitsofsherbrooke.ca) and The Organic Box (https://www.theorganicbox.ca. Their support has made it possible for us to host this screening.
Sign up for free tickets and get details at Eventbrite.

Homesteading for Homeschoolers
2016-04-22
Homesteading in an environmentally responsible way, learning by doing, practicing and repetition, we will be starting our day in the barnyard at 9:30 am with feeding, watering, training of the cow Vicky, her calf Bonny and the goats, chickens, Turkeys and ducks. After a potluck lunch, eaten outside if possible, we will create and learn in the afternoon, ending at 3:00 pm, with the following schedule in mind:
April 22 Coiled Basketry – Using a large needle and abundant backyard cattails, we will learn the coiling technique.
29 Goat Hoof Care and Wool Spinning – bring your spindles if you have one! If not, we can fashion one from a knitting needle and an apple!
May 13 Weaving – Using the wool spun in the weeks before, we shall create a small sampler on a lap loom we will make that morning.
20 Cheese! Mozzarella, Ricotta and Chevre
27 Sourdough in the Cob Oven and Final work on the wattle fence made of Saskatoon and willow branches.
Cost is $25 each, if you want to take it in as a drop in. (one week notice required) Class size will be capped at 20 people, adults or children. Siblings under age 5 pay half price, but may have supervised “free” time, during the afternoon activity. If however, only one child under 5 comes or the sibling still wants to participate in the afternoon activity, AND they want to make a basket, for example (with parents help), they would pay the full price.
A deposit of $10 per class, will be required to hold your place. It can be E transferred or mailed. Use the contact form below to inquire further 🙂
An adult is required for each child under 4 and one : three for children over 5. The way I see it is if lots of adults come too then the message of self sufficiency and sustainability will be better reinforced at home as well. Be the Change!!!
Visit Good Note Community Farm website for details.

Backyard Composting Free Workshop
2016-04-21 18:30 - 20:00
This class will give you enough information so that you can go home and start composting right away!
A slide show will be presented with details on what compost is, the advantages of composting, types of composters, the compost recipe, how to compost, compost problems, how to use compost, grasscycling, and resources available in Edmonton. Make your garden food MORE nutritious with your compost!
Please register at the Planet Organic cash registers or by phoning them at 780-433-6807. Also, please share this event on your Facebook page and also “Invite” your friends who may be interested so that word gets around.
You may also sign up with Vibrant Health Network for my Composting Workshop at my home on Sunday, May at 1:00 pm if you want hands on experience in building a “hot pile”.
Check out the Facebook event for details!

From Earthship to Greenship
2016-04-20 18:30 - 21:30
Hola hola hola allies in Earthships! Laryssa is back from Uruguay and ready to spread the wisdom far and wide…..
This inspiration mash-up evening is about 3 things:
1) Una Escuela Sustentable, the Earthship school build and Academy session I did in Uruguay
~ photo explosion showcasing 6 weeks of construction
2) The Greenship
~ YEG’s next Earthship inspired greenhouse build; find out design plans, construction timeline, workshop and involvement opportunities — ground breaking in May!
3) YOU! Turns out building this kind of thing attracts the raddest people. Come out and meet one another, the web of tire pounders in this city 😉

6:30-7 Welcome!
7-8:30 Photo explosion, about, open discussion
8:30+ celebrate the awesome
Open invite to those interested.
Check out the Facebook event for details!
