Western Canada Permaculture Convergence

Welcome to our 2012 Convergence site. You have probably noticed that we have chosen to broaden our focus to include all of Western Canada.
This seems like a brazen step into the promotion of Permaculture here in western Canada. The time has come to extend the conversation across the provinces and beyond.
Our site for this years' convergence will enable us to bring together 150 people at one site.
We will spend 3 days nestled in the foothills of southern Alberta, resting on the border of Kananskis country. 

Last month (November, 2011)  we headed out to the convergence site with Rob and Michelle Avis of Verge Permaculture. We walked the area and discussed the logistics of the event including visioning for Convergence and beyond.

Our goal is to bring you weekly posts with updated information, articles and profiles relating to the events planned.
At this point we know we will have:
*Amazing local food
* Friday night dance and pizza party
* 30 minute market
* Several key speakers
* Hands on learning workshops
* Creek swimming
* Inspirational camping
* Saturday morning field trip to the famous Millarville Farmer's Market
In May 2012, we will be hosting hands on workshops at the Convergence site.
Workshops planned so far are as follows:
*Rocket mass heaters
* Cob oven building
* Large natural structures
* Composting toilets
All money raised from the above workshops will fund our bank of speakers and convergence hard costs. 
There will be camping and communal food at the workshops.
We will announce the dates in early Jan.2012.
Registration for the Convergence will open Feb.1, 2012.
To keep abreast of news for Convergence 2012, please subscribe.

New Blog For The 2012 Alberta Permaculture Convergence!

Its that time of year to start hole up in a warm corner and start all of that paper/computer work you put aside whilst slinging soil all summer! Which is why we are setting up the new Alberta Permaculture Convergence 2012 blog!


Please Click Here To Go To The ABCONVERGENCE2012 Blog

Look forward to see you all in Black Diamond next year!

Article for local Alix newspaper, The Chautauqua

Leading up to the Convergence, the local newspaper covered our event - they have asked us for a follow-up article.  This is what we've submitted:




The goal of the 2011 Alberta Permaculture Convergence was to be a weekend gathering for the permaculture community to meet, share knowledge and experience and inspire each other.  We hoped to facilitate the connecting of our community for continued collaboration in the months to come - and we feel we were able to do that for the over 55 people who joined us for August 26-28.


On Friday, just after 2pm, the first participants began pulling up to the Ripley Schoolhouse on Range Road 222, just north of T.H.E. Country Cocoon - home of Connie Barritt.  Participants pitched tents, laid out food for the potluck supper, and lent a hand in setting up the compost toilets that were to be used all weekend.  For many of the people who drove out from Calgary and Edmonton - the silence and fresh of the country was one of the draws for the weekend.  


Saturday was greeted by the sound of a crowd gathered in the schoolyard - waking up and stretching to the Laughter Yoga exercises led by Holly Minor.  As a day focussed on learning - participants were able to choose between sessions on raising chickens, holistic management, water conservation, and more.  They were also treated to a two hour talk by Dr. Doug Weatherbee on the Soil Food Web.  After supper, many enjoyed the hot showers provided by the newly built rocket mass heater stove and then a large campfire under a clear sky.


On Sunday morning more conversations were held - this time topics included exploring ways to get more people on the land and also on planning the next Convergence.  It looks like the Alberta permaculture community may have at least two options to meet next year - a spring session in Rocky Mountain House and then a similar late-summer Convergence hosted by the Black Diamond community.


After lunch - long good-byes and 'see-you-again's' were said - while some people took advantage of Gail Hughes' knowledge by joining her on a walk of the Native Prairie.


It was an inspiring weekend for the 55+ people who gathered and all commented that it was nice to see people from across Alberta and from the ages of 6 months to 65+ enjoying being together.  As the hosts from this year - we look forward to visiting Rocky Mountain House and Black Diamond next year.  


It's been years since the Ripley Schoolhouse has been so full, but we anticipate it won't be such a long wait until next time.


Find out more about the Convergence at http://abconvergence2011.blogspot.com/ and about Permaculture at http://permacultureprinciples.com/

Final Agenda

Now that the Convergence is over - we can post a final agenda :)  We made some changes in timing as the days went on... and we were open to adding new topics as the group grew together and conversations needed to happen.  We're posting this here to capture what did happen and to give an idea to those who were not able to join us:

General Agenda and Flow

Saturday

8:15-8:45 Laughter Yoga with Holly Minor

9-10 Farm Tour - a walk around the main quarter section of the farm with Connie and Vance

10:00-11:30 - Connecting and Converging - getting to know each other better

11:30-1pm - Workshop Breakouts - Round 1

Introduction to Holistic Management - a goal-setting and decision-making framework that has developed around sustainably managing grasslands and pasture. Hosted by Andrew Paul

Chickens in your Backyard - as big or small as that yard might be. Hosted by Vance Barritt and Lynne Ings

Home-scale water conservation, collecting and distributing Hosted by Jeff and Juli Gilles

1pm - Lunch

2pm - 4pm - Doug Weatherbee, Keynote from the "Soil Doctor" on the Soil Food Web and working within it

4:30 - 6:30pm - Workshop Breakouts - Round 1

Permaculture on a larger/farm-size scale - what does bio-intensive look like when the space doesn't force you to be intensive? what would you do with 2-3 quarter sections of land? Hosted by Vance Barritt

Building a quick and easy rocket mass heater to heat water for the showers.  Hosted by Rob Avis

Vermicomposting - Mark and Pat Allen

Homemade Ice Cream making - one for the kids of every age :)  Hosted by Connie Barritt

7pm - supper, campfire and time to hang out (bring your musical instruments, poetry, unique talents and any things else to entertain yourself and others!)

Sunday

8:15-8:45 Laughter Yoga with Holly Minor

9:00 - Community Conversations:  

Round 1 - 

Growing in Urban spaces: lawns into gardens, vertical gardening, and beyond... Hosted by Rob

Land Access - Hosted by Vance Barritt

Input to Indonesia project - Hosted by Andrew Paul

Round 2 - 

Convergence 2012 planning - Hosted by Rob Avis

Earthships and Green Building - Hosted by Duncan Kinney

Solar Greenhouses - Hosted by Holly Minor

11:00 - Converging and Closing

1pm - Lunch

2-4pm - Native Prairie Walk  with local naturalist Gail Hughes

Additional Information for Participants

This information has gone out by email to registered participants and we're uploading it here to try to keep communication in one place as well as transparency on what is happening.

Hi all - in a week we'll all be together for the Convergence, we are hoping the weather holds!

This message has just two new requests:

- please bring a folding chair or chair, mat, etc of some sort that you can use for sitting outside.  We have enough chairs indoors but don't have enough for everyone for outside.

- if you didn't mark down in registration that your accomodation plan, we are assuming that you are pitching a tent.  If you are not and are bringing a campervan or RV, please let us know so we can properly plan the space.

And one ammendment - some of you may have received an agenda that said we were providing Sunday supper but no mention of Saturday.  That was a typo:  Saturday supper is provided, but not Sunday.

I've copied the previous message below so all the information is in one place and again, don't hesitate to be in touch if you have any questions or concerns.

Brenda

on behalf of the hosting team.

Dear all - we hope you are looking forward to the Convergence as much as we are.  We have an average of 2 registration a day coming in which means we should have a lovely sized crowd to learn with.

This email is provide a bit of an update on the weekend and to confirm some key details with you.  If you have any questions or concerns, please be in touch with us.

Location:

The hosting location is THE County Cocoon - home and farm of Connie Barritt.  However, we are fortunate that across the road is a one-room-school-turned-community-hall - Ripley School - which we have decided to use as the base for the weekend.  This is where those wanting to camp where they can have a fire and cook food will be located, where the showers and toilets will be set up, where the keynote and group sessions will be held, meals served, and more.  The directions to this remain the same as we've given for THE Country Cocoon - if you follow those, we know you won't miss us at the school.

Location: http://abconvergence2011.blogspot.com/2011/02/location.html - we are located in the countryside and your GPS may have a hard time finding us so we suggest that you make sure you know where you are going before you leave home.

Camping:

Most of you have requested to be near somewhere you can have a fire or cook food so we will have you camping around the schoolhouse.  However - if you would prefer to be away from people and more out in nature, you are welcome to camp on the conservation area of the farm however no fires or devices with heat are allowed in there (jetboils, etc)... unless conditions change and it is wet enough that we feel it is safe.

We are setting up solar showers at the school site and they should be able to accommodate 3-4 people showering at the same time (in separate stalls) if we all respect each other and don't take too long of showers.

Agenda:

We won't copy it here because it can be found and is updated as we go here: http://abconvergence2011.blogspot.com/2011/07/emergingupdated-agenda.html

We do want to reaffirm the principles we've used in designing:

a) everyone has something to teach and everyone has something to learn

b) whoever come are the right people 

c) the law of two feet - nothing is mandatory, be where you need to be, the schedule is to guide us but no one is policing you on where you have to be and at what time

We asked in registration questions that allowed us to get a sense of what people are looking to learn more about, what conversations are starting to bubble up and who might be the right people to host or lead these areas.  From there - we've asked a few people to step in and host workshops on the Saturday and more of this are likely to be planned as we get closer. 

The weekend is low-tech so there won't be much opportunity to show presentations or to print out materials.  We ask that if you have information you will want to distribute that you print it before hand (in a way that uses little paper, please) or bring along a computer and USB stick and gather/share information that way.

Friday:

- You are welcome to start to arrive from 2pm onwards.  We will be ready to direct you to camping spots and whatever else you need.

- For those of you coming for the composting workshop/set-up, please be at the Ripley School to start at 3pm.

- Supper this evening will be a potluck, you can warm items in the kitchen at the school or over the campfire, barbeque, etc.  

Saturday - Sunday:

- those of you coming for Saturday only, feel free to join us from 8am on.

- lunch is provided on Saturday and Sunday; supper will be provided on Saturday

- we will be providing eggs if you would like to have these for breakfast however are leaving breakfasts to be self-catering so please bring what you need.  There will be a fridge set-up for participants to store anything that needs to be kept cool.

- Sunday afternoon we have confirmed a local naturalist to join us for a native prairie walk however if you need to leave earlier, we understand.

Other:

- Dogs and other pets are welcome but need to be kept close to their owners as the site is not far off a fairly busy road.  Also we would like to make sure they don't chase the chickens as that will mean less eggs for breakfast.

- If you are interested, bring along a cage and take home a live chicken.  We have broiler/fryer chickens on the pasture that will be close to ready if you would like to go home with one.  We also anticipate having some already in the freezer if you would rather transport them home that way. 

Again - don't hesitate to be in touch with us if you need anything or have more questions/concerns.

We're looking forward to hosting you in a few weeks  - 

Connie, Vance and Brenda

Native Prairie Walk confirmed for Sunday

We have just confirmed that local naturalist Gail Hughes will join us for a walk on the Native Prairie. (weather permitting).  With estimates that only 2% of our native prairie still is intact, we wanted to end the evening connecting to the land that sustains us.  We've asked Gail to join us to help in identifying plants along the way and deepen that connection through knowledge.

Emerging/Updated Agenda

We are pleased to be able to bring you an update on the agenda.

We are organising this gathering around the principles:

a) everyone has something to teach and everyone has something to learn

b) whoever come are the right people 

c) the law of two feet - nothing is mandatory, be where you need to be, the schedule is to guide us but no one is policing you on where you have to be and at what time

Thus we asked in registration questions that allowed us to get a sense of what people are looking to learn more about, what conversations are starting to bubble up and who might be the right people to host or lead these areas.  From there - we've asked a few people to step in and host workshops on the Saturday and more of this are likely to be planned as we get closer.  

Therefore - this is an update to the agenda but not the final one (there is not likely to BE a final agenda until the event is over...)

Friday:

2pm onwards - Arrival and settling in: we invite you from 2pm onwards to join us, find a place to settle in and begin to make yourself at home

3pm -  Composting toilet workshops and set up:  those interested are welcome to join us in setting up the toilets for the weekend as well as to share, discuss and learn about different models of toilets that can be used in different kinds of situations and levels of permanence or need.

7pm- Potluck Supper: we'd ask everyone who will be coming in time to eat, to bring something to share with the group.  We do have a BBQ and other cooking facilities (stove, oven, grill) that can be used.  We also have *some* refrigeration space available to keep things cool.

Saturday:

Breakfast - is a do it yourself-er although we will provide coffee, tea, water and eggs.  

8:15-8:45 Laughter Yoga with Holly Minor

9-10 Farm Tour - a walk around the main quarter section (or two) of the farm

10:00-11:30 - Connecting and Converging - getting to know each other better

11:30-1pm Doug Weatherbee, Keynote from the "Soil Doctor" on the Soil Food Web and working within it

1pm - Lunch

1:30 - Breakout into different workshop topics, there will likely be two rounds of 3 parallel workshops, each around 2 hours each.  Topics right now:

Introduction to Holistic Management - a goal-setting and decision-making framework that has developed around sustainably managing grasslands and pasture. Hosted by Andrew Paul

Chickens in your Backyard - as big or small as that yard might be

Permaculture on a larger/farm-size scale - what does bio-intensive look like when the space doesn't force you to be intensive? what would you do with 2-3 quarter sections of land? Hosted by Vance Barritt

Home-scale water conservation, collecting and distributing Hosted by Jeff and Juli Gilles

Growing in Urban spaces: lawns into gardens, vertical gardening, and beyond... Hosted by Rob and Michelle Avis

Homemade Ice Cream making - one for the kids of every age :)  Hosted by Connie Barritt

7pm - supper, campfire and time to hang out (bring your musical instruments, poetry, unique talents and any things else to entertain yourself and others!)

Sunday

Breakfast - is a do it yourself-er although we will provide coffee, tea, water and eggs.  

8:15-8:45 Laughter Yoga with Holly Minor

9:00 - Community Conversations:  there are already some interesting conversations that are being offered up to be held but we are NOT going to schedule these as conversations are also about what is needing to be talked about at the right time.  We'll host a simple process that allows individuals to put forward conversations they want to host and then allow those conversations to happen.

To give you a look into what's already bubbling in the brains and hearts of the participants signed up, look at these wicked questions:

-  what are creative ways to get more people on the land? 

- how to/can you "build" community? 

- how do we move governments to make meaningful policies toward transition? should more permaculture designers become politicians?

- how do we start conversations about population in ways that are less threatening to people, and that speak to Albertan's (and other less-populated regions)?

11:00 - Converging and Closing

1pm - Lunch


2-4pm - Native Prairie Walk  with local naturalist Gail Hughes

Departures - as you desire. :)

As we've said - the agenda will emerge and shape to the community and we're very excited to see what happens!

Updated fees and making the event accessible

Hi everyone - if you've looked really closely... you'll see we have edited the fee structure to be $100 for the weekend.  However this means we need to cap the attendance at 50 people otherwise our logistics change and the costs would go up.

We really don't want finances (or transportation out to our place to be a barrier for participation) - so if you really want to come out but are running into challenges - let us know and we'll see what we can arrange to get you here.  The important thing for us is that the community comes together and connections deepened so we'll do our best to find balance in making sure the event is a success from all angles.

Thanks

Starting to shape the agenda

With registrations rolling in - we are starting to get a better sense of the agenda.  We are planning workshops and conversations to happen based on what the people who come want to learn and what knowledge resides in the group that shows up so really, the agenda will evolve and form as we come closer to the date and will only be final (likely) over the weekend itself. 


THAT SAID.... here's some things we see happening:


-  Compost toilet making:  those interested should arrive by 2pm on Friday afternoon as we'll make the toilets for the weekend as well as discuss and share various models and options for toilets.
-  The Soil Doctor! We'll kick off Saturday with a keynote presentation to the whole group from Doug Weatherbee, Certified Soil Foodweb Advisor
-  Raising and working with Chickens: there's much interest from the registered participants and we've got lots of chickens around (layers and broilers) so this is a sure-fire topic for the weekend.
- We're thinking to run an introduction to permaculture session (2-3 hours) for those who are 'new' so don't be shy if this is your first taste of permaculture.  
- We're also looking into having an introduction to holistic management, as this has been suggested by some registered participants.


And there will be much more - don't worry - we just wanted to let you know what's starting to bubble up.


We've had lots of rain and some sun these last few days so the garden is growing well - which we look forward to sharing with you as well.

Sights and views from around THE Country Cocoon

Spring is slipping into summer and we've been busy working away getting the gardens in, trees planted (we had 6200 to put in the ground!) and animals cared for.  August feels far away however we know it will be very soon you'll all be here with us and the farm will be transformed into more of a fair/festival of ideas for the weekend.  We've posted some photos of the farm and surrounding fields to give you an idea of what we are up to and the beauty that surrounds us while we work.  You can find the full album here: https://picasaweb.google.com/brenda.schroeder/PermacultureConvergence

Looking forward,

Connie, Vance and Brenda

KEYNOTE JUST CONFIRMED: The Soil Doctor will be 'in'

Great news everyone! We've confirmed that Doug Weatherbee, the 'Soil Doctor', will be attending our Convergence and we are arranging to have him give a keynote presentation to the whole group as part of Saturday's agenda.

Doug Weatherbee, M.A., is a 2011 Certified Soil Foodweb Advisor and owner of SoilDoctor.org. Consulting with small, medium and large scale farms and ranches Doug uses an applied soil microbiological (eco) systems approach to regenerate the fertility of degraded soils.

- www.soildoctor.org

Registration now open!

Registration is now open for the Alberta Permaculture Convergence 2011 via Eventbrite.  Please click here to go to the registration page.
There are two types of fees (children 12 and under are free):
Weekend fee - $100.00 per adult
Saturday only fee - $80.00 per adult

FEE INCLUDES:

- camping site on the farm with composting toilets and solar showers available

- catered lunches on Saturday and Sunday and supper on Saturday night

(it does not include breakfasts however we are working to provide cooking facilities for people)

Saturday only fee includes lunch and supper of that day.

Children 12 and under do not need to pay fee.

Payment by cheque is available - select "Other Payment Options" at the end of the registration process.

If you have any questions or comments, please email us at abconvergence2011 @ gmail.com


Registration can be found at http://abconvergence2011.eventbrite.com/

Purpose and shaping the agenda

The intention behind this convergence is to provide a space for the permaculture community to meet, share knowledge and experience, and inspire each other.

We are in the initial planning stages and see an agenda that allows for you to offer up your own knowledge and experience for the benefit of others and to call conversations in areas that you would like to learn more about.  In the coming months we will communicate more with you about getting your input, ideas and initiative.

Right now we see a basic flow of the weekend working as such:

August 26 - Friday

For those who would like to come out early - we will offer a hands-on workshops on building compost toilets, actually building toilets to be used for the weekend, as well as other topics.

This day/evening will be quite relaxed and chilled out - allowing everyone to settle in and begin to informally connect.  We may look to have an opening keynote this evening rather than on Saturday morning.

August 27 - Saturday

A day full of workshops and conversations on topics that come from within the community's interests and expertise.  We are considering opening with a keynote presentation.

The day will wrap up with buffet-style banquet and allow for us to share our musical skills and continue conversations in an informal setting.

August 28 - Sunday

The morning will allow for more workshops and conversations to be hosted.  We see us coming together for a closing around noon - allowing for people to be on their way home from 1:30pm onwards.  

For those interested - we are planning to arrange a walk across some native prairie pasture with some local naturalist groups.  

Accomodation

The site of the convergence is on a working farm therefore we have plenty of space to host you.
We will be setting up areas to allow you to bring in tents, camper vans, etc.  and hope you can make yourself comfortable on our land.  If you have any concerns - do not hesitate to contact us at abconvergence2011 AT gmail.com
We will be providing more details and pictures of the site once we get closer to the event.

Your Hosts

Connie Barritt has been operating a custom-grazing cattle operation using Holistic Management practices for over 20 years. Connie is an active host of WWOOFers and took her Permaculture Design Certificate with Verge Permaculture in August 2010.

Vance Barritt returned to the farm in June 2010.  He took his Permaculture Design Certificate with Pacific Permaculture in July 2010 and a Holistic Management course in spring 2011.









Together - Connie and Vance are continuing to look at ways to improve their farm and environment and they are looking forward to hosting you, your ideas and inspiration.

Brenda Schroeder was introduced to permaculture during her recently completed MSc in Holistic Science - writing her thesis on Ecological Resilience and Farming Systems. Her studies brought her home to east-central Alberta and into a new partnership with Vance. She completed her Holistic Management course in spring 2011.

Location

We are holding the 2011 Convergence at T.H.E. Country Cocoon.  This is the farm and B&B of Connie Barritt, located between Alix and Buffalo Lake, Alberta.  The farm is located 1.6km east and 1km north of the junction of Secondary Highway 601 and Highway 21, on RangeRoad 222. More details on getting here will be posted closer to the event however you can find us on the map here.