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/
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