S. Jones

This sounds amazing! Do you have some pictures of the property and house?

Film submissions are now open!

Instructions and guidelines are posted here:

http://www.reelwaterfilmfest.org/submit-a-film

Thank you in advance for any and all help in advancing our noble cause.

Hello all,

I'm working on staff for the "Reel Water Film Festval" as the website and social media manager. This will be our 2nd year for the festival and we're looking to improve and expand the festival on many levels. The mission of the Reel Water Film Festival is to educate our community about local and global water issues through the use of film, expert presentations and networking with environmental and humanitarian organizations. The Festival examines everything from local watershed stewardship, storm water management, healthy fisheries, the impact of climate change, new technologies to improve access to clean water, and more.

We received a lot of great film submissions last year (over 60 submission from 9 different countries) that covered a variety of water related topics, but one thing majorly lacking was permaculture videos! This is an open call to filmmakers: I would love to see some entertaining and/or informative video/films submitted that highlight permaculture's positive impact and solutions to our local and global water problems.

Film submissions open up on March 5th, 2013 and the festival is on June 15th, 2013 in Bethesda MD. All information can be found at www.reelwaterfilmfest.org.

If you know of any filmmakers or films that you would like me to reach out to, post them here or contact me at "spencer(at)reelwaterfilmfest.org"

Thanks!

Ok, I think I'll give it a go. My other compost pile is seemingly inactive and I think I might have started it too late in the year to get any aerobic activity started. I'll post pics and my progress for the new pile as I go along.

Cheers

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone has tried putting a compost pile under or near their dryer exhaust vents? It would seem to keep the pile warmer than any other spot in the yard.

Has anyone tried this and had success? Any drawbacks (fire!)?

Lemme know what you think...

Thank you everyone for the recent feedback and advice! I went away for the weekend, thinking this thread had been pretty much exhausted only to come back this morning to find a lively, continued discussion. Many thanks for this, as I appreciate the discussion over the merits and failings of an MBA program as well as alternate options for me to consider.

I suppose part of the underlying reason why I began this initial post was because I've found something that truly interests me in a theoretical and practical way. From what I've read about permaculture, the theory and practicality of it as an overarching whole-systems design process is intellectually stimulating and at the same time shows amazing, tangible results.

With all of that being said: I am in a relatively unique situation. My only real criteria (financially speaking) for doing a program is I don't want to go out of pocket (this still leaves a wide variety of options on the table, as the Post-9/11 GI Bill still offers great benefits). I already got a BA financed by non-dischargeable student loans. While I enjoyed my time in college as much as the next person and learned a lot, if I could do it all over again, I would have done things differently. I would have done everything in my power to avoid student loans because it really does create debt slaves out of an entire generation and (IMO) leads and pressures people into career fields that they aren't suited for and/or that perpetuates the failings of our current economic system (EX: Student A gets loaded up in debt, can't find a job, moves in with parents, then, since the job market is saturated with BA applicants, decides to go get an MBA ((more debt)) to "get ahead of the curve" only to be trapped and corralled into a large soul-crushing corporation so that their student loan notes can be paid off).

I'm trying to avoid the above example at all costs. With that being said, I also want to keep my options open and I'm not ready to completely write off an MBA as a waste of an endeavor. This post has veered off track a bit I'm afraid but I guess in a round about way I'm saying that I would probably NOT consider doing just any old MBA program. It would have to be one of these newfangled "Green MBA"- sustainability infused programs.

Or, it could be one of the other options that you all have suggested! Thank you all again...

Thank you all again for the great suggestions and warm welcome to the forum!

It appears I have my homework cut out for me in regards to researching and checking out all of the great ideas you all have brought forth.

Right now, it appears that I have 3 'broad' options:

-Landscape Architecture/Design oriented route

-B.S. route in Soil/Plant Studies, micro biology, geography, hydrology, ecology, forestry, agronomy, or Ag (With a Permaculture focus/slant inherent in the curriculum- the possibilities are limitless here)

- MBA route: My reasoning for including the MBA route is: as some people have mentioned, having a solid grasp on the ins and outs of business could set me up for running a successful Permaculture business in the future. Has anyone heard any PRO's/CON's to these semi-new "Green MBA" programs that have a sustainability component imbedded within their business curricula?

Alex Ames wrote:

Tyler Ludens wrote:A profession such as Landscape Architecture could really benefit from a permaculture basis.

The whole area of landscaping with edible plants seems undeveloped. There are a great many attractive
edible plants that can go right into flower beds without anybody thinking they are out of place.

Good idea. I'll definitely start taking a look into Landscape Arch. programs.

Keep the great ideas coming!

Tyler Ludens wrote:Don't completely rule out the possibility that some permaculture training might be covered by the GI Bill. Here's a course offered by Oregon State University: http://www.beaverstatepermaculture.com/events/osu-online-permaculture-course If I were you I'd give them a call and see if they know if it's covered. They might be able to advise you of in-person courses that are covered.

Here's another university with permaculture curriculum: http://www.csustan.edu/AGStudies/Permaculture_conc.htm

Another: http://www.indiana.edu/~llc/academics/permaculture.shtml

Yet more: http://www.umasspermaculture.com/

http://www.bastyr.edu/academics/areas-study/certificate-holistic-landscape-design

These are great links. Thank you very much!

Hello,

This is my first post (although I've been lurking for a month or so). I'm in my late 20's and currently serving active duty in the military. I have roughly 2 more years on my contract and I don't plan on reenlisting. Furthermore, my current job doesn't transition that well into the private sector.
Within the past 3 months I've developed a keen interest in the concepts, nuances and potential of all things Permaculture. I feel like I’ve finally found something that really interests me and fits in nicely with my values and worldview.
My dilemma is this:

I’m going to need to reinvent myself once out of the military and I would love for it to be something related to Permaculture (rather than a bland MBA type path). I already possess a BA and will still have my GI Bill to go back to school with. UNFORTUNATELY, PDC’s and most Permaculture type educational opportunities are not eligible under the GI Bill.

Does anyone have any ideas for me-- Programs in mainstream schools perhaps closely linked with Permaculture principles?
Any and all help is greatly appreciated as I begin to plan for this new (exciting) phase in my life!
Thank you