2014 Northeast Permaculture Convergence

Although "culture" is in the word permaculture, this powerful resource is often overlooked and underutilized in our movement. By deepening our understanding of and relationship to culture, we can strengthen our connection to ourselves, build authentic relationships across differences, and create the conditions for lasting ecological and social transformation.

In this workshop, we will use participatory tools and techniques including listening exchanges,Theatre of the Oppressed, Story Circles and Sociometric Mapping to explore themes of loss of culture, (de)colonization, liberation, healing and transformation.

*Please bring an object that represents your culture

An introduction to labyrinths as sacred space in permaculture design. Sometimes confused with mazes, labyrinths have a clear though meandering path to the center and out again and can provide a meditative experience with physical and psychological health benefits. After a brief history of labyrinths and an overview of design considerations, participants will create a temporary labyrinth and then walk the new perennials labyrinth in the pear orchard.

In this session we will discuss beauty as a means to inform, enhance, and inspire harmonious functioning in permaculture design. The principles discussed can be applied to the backyard gardener and homesteader, large scale farming operations, public garden design, building projects... Creating beauty in what we do is a way to feed and nourish our body and soul, as well as those around us, it allows us the opportunity to better serve our families, communities and the land we live and work on. This session will include a discussion on working with the spirits of the land, plants, animals, and buildings we work with. Basic and simple tools for anyone interested in working in harmony with these spirits, that require no previous experience will be explained and discussed as it applies practically to our work. Come to learn, share experience, and enjoy an enriching and enlivening exchange.

Urban Permaculture: The Middle East, Europe, the UK, North America, and Central America Join international Permaculture teacher and Designer, Jillian Hovey, as she shows examples of permaculture coming to life in Tel Aviv, Hamburg, The Hague, London, Cardiff, Toronto, Detroit, Chicago, Vancouver, The Bay Area, and San Jose, Costa Rica. Come and be inspired!

Let's talk about building from a permaculture perspective. This class will overview various materials, traditional and modern, used to create sustainable buildings. We'll compare the strengths and weaknesses of each material based on ecological awareness, design and practicality for our temperate climate. 

Permablitzing is urban/suburban "barn raising" that combines hard work, experiential education, celebration, food, and community-building to do the physical work of transformation and resilience-building. We'll talk about the Resilience Hub's experience organizing a season of blitzes, several hosts and participants will share their stories, and attendees will come away with energy, inspiration, and practical organizing tools to put their own permablitzes into action!  This session will be a balance of panel story-telling, practical organizing tool-sharing, and Q+A.