Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Convergence Theme and Entertainment Announced!

Thirty days away, and the excitement for Convergence is starting to build!

                                          Register now!
One month from now, you’ll be just arriving at Rancho Relaxo, re-connecting with old classmates, co-workers, and friends while meeting new people who are completely on fire about Permaculture! 
In our family, the arts play an important role in our lives.  We have a family band (The Garden Variety Rockstars) where each person plays an instrument or sings, and we perform at various events around the community.  In fact, we like live outdoor music so much that for the past nine years we have hosted large outdoor concerts every year, and this year we hosted our first live music wedding!
Also, since 'creative expression' is a need according to Maslow, we try to apply an artistic touch to all of the projects we are working on around the farm.  Our goal is not just to display ideas, but to inspire more creativity.  
In terms of culture, we are making an effort to connect with the local First Nations people.  The First Nations could be considered long lost advisors to the sustainability movement, and it turns out that we have a lot of common ground with them, including the need for good food, good company, and a strong connection with the natural world.
Therefore, the theme of this years' Convergence is “Arts & Culture”! The Arts in general are a big part of the Permaculture movement and we want that to be strongly represented at this years’ event.
A local First Nations Elder Theresa Strawberry has agreed to speak at the Opening Ceremony on Friday, blessing the event and sharing some wisdom from a people who understand living off the land.  The First Nations like to plan for seven generations in the future, which is a sharp contrast to Western Culture where we plan for seven minutes into the future.  Adopting thinking patterns for the longer term is a key element in sustainability.  Many native elders use story-telling to convey a message that relates to our connection with the land, as well as a connection with each other.  Forming these connections are of the utmost importance in working towards a healthy community and society.
We’ve asked  Kym Chi from Giggling Chi Tree to host a small gallery space for artists to display their artwork, including a space for hanging pieces.  She will also be leading some nature inspired or nature based art activities as well as giving ideas on how to integrate more art into Permaculture.  There will only be room for a few artists’ work to be displayed, therefore this space will be given on a first come, first serve basis.  There will also be time for artists to connect with other artists and discuss their passion.  Check out Kym's new video here.
Have you heard?  
Western Australian permaculture troubadour Charlie Mgee is coming to deliver a combined electro-swing dance floor set and permaculture song-writing workshop!  Turns out he’s going to be in the neighbourhood and thought he’d swing by for a few days and see what the Alberta Permaculture scene looks like.


Check out Charlie Mgee’s hilarious new music video 'Yield'.
Following Charlie’s set, there will be an open mic for all to get their groove on.  Get your one or two songs ready, bring your instrument, and try rocking out on a real outdoor stage!   As the night matures, often the gathering shifts over to the outdoor fire pit.  A nice big circle of people has been known to attract acoustic guitars, so keep an eye out.
That's all for now, but we'll have a new post every week to build the energy!

J2

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Menu & Workshop Announcements for Convergence!



Will the Fourth Alberta Permaculture Convergence
Inspire, Inform, and Empower You and Your Community?

Of Course!....And That’s Just the Beginning of the Impact This Event Will Have!




When you get a group of passionate permaculture people together for an ad-hoc convergence -- and each of them suddenly realizes I’m not swimming alone against the mainstream current - endless possibilities open up! Ideas start flying, friendships form, needs meet skills, investors meet start-ups...

That was what happened at the first, second and third Alberta Permaculture Convergence...and we knew this was just the beginning.........

So you will not want to miss our fourth annual Convergence (whether you’re an Albertan or not!). It’s scheduled August 23th-25th, 2013 at Rancho Relaxo: five acres of paradise just minutes outside of Rocky Mountain House, displaying some of the best mountain views and most pristine vistas that Alberta has to offer.


Why Attend the Fourth Alberta Convergence?

For starters, it takes all the best features of our previous Convergences to a new level….

·                You’ll meet likeminded folks who share your values, your priorities, and your passionate love of the Earth...
·                You’ll learn nitty-gritty skills that will serve you whether you’re camping in the wilderness or rebuilding after a major disaster...
·                You’ll swap tips, resources and practical know-how to create a living knowledge base for your community...
·                You’ll be inspired by stories from fellow permies across the social spectrum...
·                You’ll see your children creating supportive friendships in a safe, kid-friendly environment...
·                You’ll feast on healthy, delicious local food.


And best of all….
·                You’ll spend three full days of fun and permaculture....(and nothing but fun and permaculture!) as you get back to the land and create community in a vibrant tent city set in a breathtaking landscape!

That’s right – you can swing, have a barefoot nature walk, listen to live music, and interact with nature in the pristine foothills of the Canadian Rockies…


Every permaculture gathering should be a full-immersion experience of the glories of nature – and Rancho Relaxo is the perfect place to do just that! Boasting three thousand square feet of raised garden beds, as well as the initial stages of two perennial food forests with fifty fruit trees, displaying the twentyfive species of fruit we can grow in this climate, Rancho Relaxo will be sure to fulfill every craving you have to experience the beauty of a permaculture enriched nature experience.




You’d think a stunning location like this would have a lodging price to match....but no!

You see, both the Convergence planners and the stewards of Rancho Relaxo have a long-range vision...and your budget benefits, too!

Full week-end camping is just $215 per person ($145 for children 12 and under), and includes:

·       Camping site on the Ranch with composting toilets available
·        Participation in all workshops on all days.
·       Friday night will be a potluck so please bring a dish to share with your new friends. 


Menu – Locally sourced, of course.
  • The talented Creative Cuisine Catering will be catering Saturdays lunch with:
Bannock - local First Nations traditional bread
Fresh Bread served with local butter and jam
Traditional Lasagna – made with homemade pasta, sauce and local beef
Vegetarian Lasagna made with Spinach Pasta
Polenta cakes served with Vegan friendly sauce
Caesar salad, Garden Salad
Dessert

And Saturday's Supper with:
Fresh Dinner Rolls
Tomato, Beet and Basil Salad (Vegan) over greens
Roasted Vegetable Curry (Vegan) over quinoa
Quinoa and Ricotta Stuffed Zucchini
Pit Roasted Pig!!! Served with an Apple Chutney and Hot Pepper Jelly
Baked Potato with all the fixings
Dessert

Creative Cuisine Catering will be returning Sunday to serve us Lunch:
Watermelon and Ricotta Salad
Apple Cole Slaw
Cabbage, Leek and Pepper Pie (Vegan)
Veggie Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Yam Fries with roasted garlic aioli
Pulled pork Sandwich
Dessert

Oh wow!! Our mouths are watering in anticipation! This amazing, local, food will give us all the energy we need to have an amazing weekend!

A non-camping pass is only $165 per person on Saturday (children $140) and $140 on Sunday (children $130), and includes:
·                Access to the site on Saturday or Sunday and participation in all workshops on that day.
·                Catered lunches on Saturday or Sunday and supper on Saturday night.

*Children 2 and under may attend free of charge, but please let us know if you’re bringing children so we can include them in our meal plans.

Be warned - space is very limited!
Register NOW to lock in your spot before it’s too late!


What Sort of Workshops Will Be Offered? We’re Glad You Asked!

We will be going for the UNworkshop learning experience this year. How fun! We will be setting up discussion stations around our ranch to explore different topics and you will be able to experience each workshop for as little or as much time as you need in a self-led learning experience!!

That`s right! You will be practicing all the skills we have to offer in the learning style most commonly appreciated by people young and old: hands-on and self-led!

Some of the topics we will be exploring are:

·      Humanure Compost:  Is human feedback into the soil essential to the evolution of healthy food?

·      Solar Electricity:  Is it sustainable, and can we rely on it?

·      Food Forest vs Annual Gardens:  A new type of early retirement?

·      Off-Grid Log Cabins:  Fresh ideas for cozy, efficient, sustainable homes.

·      Solar Air Heating:  The most efficient, simplest, form of solar panel.

·      Hugelkulture Crop Circles:  Turning swamp land into garden paradise




But wait!! There’s MORE!!
Have you heard?  Western Australian permaculture troubadour, Charlie Mgee is coming to deliver a combined electro-swing dance floor set and permaculture workshop, The Permaculture Ukulele Show is a unique new experiment in ‘ecological edutainment’ with the aim of pounding the principles of permaculture deep into your consciousness in the form of a serious dose of electro-swing-ukulele-awesomesauce!!!

WOW!! That IS going to be awesome!
Check out Charlie Mgee’s music at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSTFfKHJg4Y



And the Impact of This Convergence Won’t End on August 25th...

Of course you expect that any Convergence would have a long-term impact as participants bring new information and ideas back to their communities. But the planners for the Alberta Convergences have a bigger vision...
·                to establish a cohesive community of permaculture practitioners...
·                to wake up the Severely Normal Albertan to permaculture options...
·                to thrill our mainstream society with sustainable, practical, low-tech permaculture solutions...
·                and, over time, to leave a lasting legacy of functional permaculture sites from one end of the province to the other!
                      


The Bottom Line - the Real Reason to Come to This Year’s Convergence...

We’ve all felt it - the sense that we’re alone, struggling to live sustainably in a culture that’s determined to destroy the environment we all depend on for our lives. It isn’t easy!

It’s events like this, however, that can give you hope - meeting others who share your values, exchanging ideas and perceptions and inspirations and resources and tips....



…and building a community...a legacy of knowledge, creative connection, and real-life examples...a small and growing groundswell of change where you live and across the province.
We don’t know about you, but that’s what keeps us going despite all the odds and obstacles! And that’s why we’ll be taking in the mountain air at Rancho Relaxo this year….and hoping to see you!

Don’t wait. Spaces are limited, and are filling up already!

Whether you come out on your own, or bring your whole family out, we can promise that the 2013 Convergence will deepen your understanding, broaden your connections, and replenish your energy for the planet-saving permaculture work you do!

Looking forward to seeing you there – bring your guitar!


The Gillies Family & the Crew