In a continuing series based on questions we fielded (or promised to look up and post here) at Maker Faire, here’s some basics: what is permaculture, and how you can learn more about it by connecting with a guild or taking a course. Still to come this week/weekend: where to buy worms for composting, [...]

The Ecology Center in Berkeley is a great community resource for east bay folks…and maybe worth a visit for the rest of us.
The Ecology Center facilitates urban lifestyles consistent with the goals of ecological sustainability, social equity, and economic development. We seek to make these goals accessible by providing people with the information they need, [...]

I’ve heard a lot of great things about the Women’s Herbal Symposium, a gathering of up to four hundred women that takes place three times a year near Laytonville, CA.
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Three times a year women from many backgrounds of life gather together in great celebration for four full days of inspiring Herbal and Sustainability [...]

Common Ground Organic Garden Supply and Education Center is on my must-visit list for the peninsula. I’ll bet their demonstration garden is fantastic!
Check out these great classes and events, plant starts, and seeds by packet or teaspoon. And their web site includes helpful information like vegetable planting companions and a planting calendar.
Common Ground [...]

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 [...]

Starhawk has posted some great videos, including this one of Sebastopol permie Erik Ohlsen of Permaculture Artisans. Starhawk and Ohlsen are also teachers for Earth Activist Training. Here, Erik walks through an extensive permaculture site he designed and talks about its elements and the design process.
Find more videos like this [...]

If you live anywhere in Sonoma County, you’ve probably seen the flyer for Daily Acts sustainability tours. These great local tours provide a way to see permaculture principles in action. We were delighted to see so many great things happening in our town during the Water Savvy Stars of Sebastopol tour.
The founding permie [...]

Rob Hopkins at Transition Culture posted a review of this instructional video from Geoff Lawton.
Where this film really comes alive is the point when Geoff leaves the classroom and heads outdoors to introduce us to food forests at a range of stages. We see those just being started, as ground is sown with [...]