Did you know that Sonoma has a new seed company this year? The Sustainable Seed Company in Monte Rio is taking orders and has a fantastic selection of heirloom vegetable, herb, grain, flower and cover crop seeds and supplies.
Sustainable Seed Company was founded by Farmer John, who’s also known for founding the online community [...]

It was a surprise to me that there are so many good alternatives to federal currency. Here’s a roundup of links that can introduce you to concepts like bartering, local currencies, and LETSystems, many of them from excellent Wikipedia pages:

Barter: simply trading goods or services without the use of money. Interesting point about [...]

Personally using herbs for healing, wellness, and crafts is an skill that our culture has nearly lost altogether. Fortunately, there are places to get this education and mentorship. Near Forestville, you’ll find The California School of Herbal Studies.

From their web site:
Founded in 1978 by Rosemary Gladstar, and led today by School Directors [...]

Hawaii, a paradise for travelers, faces serious challenges with its food and ecosystems. Here’s an excellent introduction to Hawaii as a permaculture location, with Bill Mollison and Geoff Lawton:

If you’re inclined to enjoy a little bit of paradise yourself, consider using that trip to support permaculture in Hawii. Regenerative Design Institute is offering [...]

Are you interested in finding work as a caretaker, exchanging your time and permaculture work for a place to live?
Try The Caretaker Gazette, published both online and in print. The Caretaker Gazette has been around for over 25 years; the listings range from short-term house sitting gigs to paid positions at resorts and lodges…even [...]

If you’re starting seeds this spring, you might want to try using a “soil blocker” to create blocks of soil for your plant starts. Avoid plastic or other non-renewable sources and minimize plant shock!
Making a Soil Blocker – More DIY How To Projects
There’s also the option of using newspapers to make pots. This [...]

Dustin Zuckerman founded and staffs the Santa Rosa Tool Lending Library, a non-profit that offers you the use of over 200 hand and power tools for landscaping and home repair, free of charge.
Becoming a member is as easy as getting a library card at any regular public library. The web site offers an extensive [...]

What’s better than a good soak in a hot tub? How about doing it without electricity?
A number of off-the-shelf options are out there. Snorkel wood-fired tubs are beautiful and feature underwater stoves to heat the water. A great choice, if you can afford it.
You can also buy a Chofu heater. These [...]