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Eric

This class has been pushing me by questioning personal boundaries, as well as helping me to put my attention on nature and design. It seems this course has come in perfect time for me. Recently I have read some of Tom Brown Jr.'s writings. This has opened up a desire to connect more thoroughly with nature and OBSERVE which is being expanded upon this block. Simple observation is such a powerful tool that resonates so closely with permaculture.

Studying ideas, beliefs, and implementations from visionary thinkers such as Bill Mollison, Buckminister Fuller, Andy Goldsworthy etc. has been inspiring. It seems as though more, and more what "makes me come alive" is presenting itself.

Permaculture article -

http://www.permaculture-magazine.co.uk/articles/articles_54.html

Ru Litherland describes how to integrate edible flowers into a productive garden

I really enjoy this idea of combining use with beauty. This is what permaculture is all about, with its ideas of order, layers, multi function etc. Edible flowers have been incorporated with intense vegetable production in Hackney East London. Ru Litherland says, "This has been done by prioritizing flowers that can multitask." Edible flowers aside from beauty can attract pollinators, deter pests, supress weeds, fix nitrogen, as well as many more uses. Litherland also goes into describing four practical ways to incorporate edible flowers into into the vegetable garden. These include: 1)Permanent beds 2)Annual strips 3)Random Self Assemblies 4)Vegetable Flowers. Overall this is a nice article that has very practical suggestions.

My Accomplishments:

1. Compost project (worms and box to S.L. wing with Alex) 2. Collected compost form Anapurna. 3. Raincatchment group - Barrels in greenhouse, switch gutter etc.. 4. came to greenhouse early and created beds, planted etc.. 5. Created this blog 6. Ten plant assignment (hard copy) 7. Bioneers 8. Permaculture Magazine Edible Flower Article 9. Worked overtime with Brad 10. Organized food, helped gather, carry and returned supplies for trip 11. Drip irrigation, Campus Greenhouse with Brian

Bioneers- Good Music, Good Fun, Good People, Good Motives

This was a great experience. I found the opening comments from Nina Simons was absolutely amazing. The plenary speakers were very inspiring some more speakers that gave me the chills were Van Jones, John Abrams, Eve Ensler, and Wallace J. Nichols. The break out session I found most useful was the local economy food network breakout. I spoke with one of Grinell's local farmers and he was a very sharp, young, witty individual who was inspiring for me. Aside from putting so much attention on saving the world we had some fun too. The banquet at the church the first evening was a delicious assortment of local foods that was really very good. We had a huge slumber party where there was (I believe) two other universities camping out in the church. The next night students from Knox University cooked the food we brought while we meditated in the church (amazing). When we finished meditating the food was ready and we took it to the coffee shop across the street and ate as we listened to jug band rock the house. The last day we started off at Alden Lake picking up litter and testing water. I hadn't yet done my program so I ventured into nature and meditated. We went and listened to some more great speakers. Nina Simons gave another spine chilling talk and the whole way back the Sun beamed through the clouds with a divine beauty as Emily and I listened to G-Love.