CROSSVILLE —
What is permaculture? Permaculture means learning from nature. The aim is to make our lives more sustainable and more productive while reducing the work and energy required. Nature is used as the model for designing houses, gardens, farms, woodlands, towns and villages.
What is the Shalom Center? The Shalom Center for Continuing Education is a nonprofit educational center whose purpose is to provide opportunities for holistic education in areas of social, economic, cultural, ecological, ethical and theological importance on behalf of shalom (wholeness, health and peace).
These two concepts certainly seem to mesh well. Nancy Seaberg, with Earthway Permaculture, a design and consultation service based in Livingston, KY, will conduct Permaculture Workshops March 1 and 2 in Pleasant Hill. The workshops will be held in Adshead Hall of Fletcher House on the Uplands Village campus.
On Friday a potluck supper will be held at 5:30 p.m. Anyone may come, bringing a dish to share and their own table service. At 6:30 p.m. Seaberg will begin by answering the question “What is Permaculture?” This will be a discussion of the basics of permaculture and permaculture principles, including a definition of some of the common terms, such as zones, sectors and guilds and why permacultrue is a good idea.
Last month, Seaberg toured the Pleasant Hill area to learn about its residents and better tailor her program for their needs. Local farmer Dave Myers of the Red Barn Gardens in Crossville discussed his farming methods and the challenges faced here on the Plateau. Ruth Peeples explained the community garden in Pleasant Hill. Frank Meisamer showed Seaberg many old photos of the types of farming once used for the Pleasant Hill Academy and the Uplands General Hospital.
On Saturday morning, March 2, Seaberg will discuss how and why permaculture might be implemented in this area. That program will take place from 9 a.m. to noon with a break. She will further expound on designing for sustainability, including natural building, landscaping, energy use and the importance of community. She will touch on water in the landscape, gardening the permaculture way and the importance of animals in permaculture.
Seaberg has been an educator and consultant for more than 30 years, working first in Michigan and then in Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri and Kentucky. Her recent work included involvement with the Appalachia-Science in the Public Interest through their Mary E. Fritsch Nature Center. In 2011 she worked with the grant administrator at Berea College to bring Grow Appalachia to that county. Additionally, she gives educational presentations at Great Salt Petre Cave.
The Pleasant Hill workshops will focus on “The Permaculture Way,” showing how to consciously design a lifestyle, which is low in environmental impact and highly productive. Consider the following assessments from the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization:
•Of the four percent of the 250,000 to 300,000 known edible plant species, only 150-200 are used by humans. And just three plants — rice, corn and wheat — contribute nearly 60 percent of calories and protein obtained by humans from plants.
•Since the 1900s, more than 90 percent of crop varieties have disappeared from farm fields as farmers worldwide have abandoned their multiple local varieties for genetically uniform, high-yielding varieties. Thirty percent of livestock breeds are at risk of extinction; six breeds are lost each month.
•Today, 75 percent of the world’s food is generated from only 12 plants and five animal species.
Permaculture is a way of diversifying and localizing the food supply as well as a more sustainable way of living, in general. These workshops are free and open to the public. For information or directions, contact Gail Ford (277-5534) or Jerry Ziegle (248-3165).
Lifestyles
Related Photos
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Nancy Seaberg, a consultant with Earthway Permaculture, will lead 3 workshop sessions for the Shalom Center in Pleasant Hill on March 1 and 2.
PLEASANT HILL RAMBLINGS: Seaberg to share local benefits of permaculture
- Lifestyles
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PLATEAU GARDENING: Watch for rhododendron borers and carpenter bees
Inspect rhododendron shrubs showing wilted or dead branches. In early February I noticed one of the main stems on a rhododendron by my driveway had broken off. Thinking a photo might make a good illustration for an article on pruning to remove damaged limbs, I took a picture with my digital camera. However, when enhancing the image, two oval holes with the longer part aligned lengthwise on the stem caught my eye. One was right at the break, the other further down. Those holes looked like borer damage.
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Veterans a big part of Fair Park
The week before Veterans Day, Fair Park Senior Center interviewed some of the folks at Fair Park Senior Center who had served the country in the service. Over 70 men stated they had served and one woman. Giving up a lot to serve, sharing that common bond, only they can understand. No matter which branch or which war, they all share a deep passion for this country.
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PLEASANT HILL RAMBLINGS: Neilson in concert May 31
The award-winning folk singer Tom Neilson will be bringing his message of “Music for Social Change” to Pleasant Hill, on Friday, May 31, at 7 p.m. in the Pleasant Hill Community Church, UCC.
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Events planned at Cumberland Mtn. State Park
Cumberland Mountain State Park has several special programs planned. All programs are considered PG-13, which means parental guidance is recommended.
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Lots of choices promised for Roan Mtn. hike
The Plateau Chapter of the Tennessee Trails Association holds a leaderless hike every Wednesday morning. These are typically five to seven miles in length. For additional information, contact Bill Harris at 484-9152 or visit the Plateau Chapter Blog at http://ttaplateauchapter.blogspot.com.
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AROUND THE TOWN: Welcome summer with a few good books
The unofficial start to summer begins this weekend with the Memorial Day Holiday. Although summer does not officially begin until June, for most of us, this first warm weather holiday is the preview of about three months of boating, fishing, camping, vacationing, picnics, family reunions and cook outs.
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Schatz named May artist of the month at PCAC
Jessica Schatz, the artist of the month at the Plateau Creative Arts Center, has been an artist for as long as she can remember. She also remains busy as an interior designer, specializing in staging and new construction, and is also a pet portrait photographer. In addition, she donates her photography services, photographing homeless pets in order to help them find homes.
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Folksinger to perform May 31 in Pleasant Hill
The award-winning folk singer Tom Neilson will be bringing his message of “Music for Social Change” to Pleasant Hill, on Friday, May 31, at 7 p.m. in the Pleasant Hill Community Church, UCC. The Shalom Center for Continuing Education, a non-profit educational center is sponsoring this appearance of the nationally well-known artist.
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127 Seniors plan for annual picnic
On May 17, the members of the 127 South Senior Center had an enjoyable time socializing and playing bingo, dominos and billiards. Numbers were called by John Bohrman, with the prizes furnished by Dr. M. Stewart Galloway, M.D.
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Pleasant Hill Ramblings: Pleasant Hill Elementary honors volunteers
Mary Ann Kotus-Huff, principal of Pleasant Hill Elementary School (PHS), recently welcomed volunteers to the annual Volunteer Tea. It was held in the gaily decorated new all-purpose room of the new annex. Volunteers were treated to sandwiches, fruit, cheese and crackers and cupcakes.
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