Hi all PDCers for 2017. Getting ready here and want to make sure that I am truly prepared for this experience. I am shipping some stuff cause I am flying from TN. My questions: 1. what is the best workbook style for the PDC course - just a school notebook? for our notes? 2. Noticed in the PDC 2016 group shot, most people were not wearing boots which have been suggested several times to wear. Sooo...? 3. Other than gloves and the "recommended" boots, notebook and enthusiasm, are there any other sundries we should bring? I read the list and will be bringing that which is listed on the "list". Appreciate any repeating you need to do for these questions. Just want to be prepared. Many thanks. Looking forward to meeting everyone. Natalie
Thanks for all the new information today via email. I will need a ride from the airport on Saturday May 27 at 6:30pm. You said that I could pay to have someone drive me in. Wanted to get this up early in case other were arriving about the same time. I will be sending a box of stuff and thanks for that info in how to do it. I will mark it how since I will be staying in the house in a bunk?
Thank you for your thoughts. I have thought of a swale, but think the amount of frontage on the front yard to the road and the hill across would get washed away also as there is a gouge in the front yard where it runs hard. I am going back tomorrow to get pictures so I will post. Thank you for the thoughts. Not sure if an emotion can be terrifiedadly excited, but that is how I feel.
Hello All and help. I think I have found my land here in middle TN. Since I have NOT come to the PDC in May yet, I have questions I need to ask in order to know whether to make an offer on the land I am considering. Need to make the offer tomorrow. Hot buyers market here.
The land is level 2.25 acres. Great house on it. two out buildings that meet my criteria. active well. city water. an amazing fast moving creek on the side of the property. Good open south facing for everything that I have dreamed of.
Missing are trees except on the perimeter, but I think over the years it will be ok.
Here is the issue: across the way in this very rural spot is a hill and you can see that the water runs hard off of it and a house over on the hill has a steep drive. You can see that the TN rains run down their driveway at amazing speeds - all the evidence is there - ruts, gravel moved. The land where I am looking is wet to soggy. I have a spot for a pond and can see the line where the water is coming from two spots on the hills across from the property.
There is NO evidence of the house, and two outbuildings with solid concrete floors being hurt by the water - house is 1971, all brick.
The weather is not getting better and when it rains here in TN, it is like God's last rain. Can I mitigate this issue from my learning and design at PDC.
Yes I am scared. It is just me. I have no training, yet, in dealing with water.
Thanks. Hopefully I have given you enough information. Natalie
Thanks for all the good information. I am wondering the brand of "good boots" you would suggest. Tim suggested wearing good boots and am wondering if you have a recommendation. I also am sending some stuff ahead of time so looking forward to that information when the time warrants.
I have the same dream about the sunflowers. The land I am looking at is mostly flat so I was going to do berms with sun flowers the first year. The finch's go crazy for the seeds still on the flower. Fun to watch. Do you just let the flowers filled with seed fall to the ground or do you break them up and spread? When you grow for your birds, do you deseed the flower or just cut the flower head for the birds? Thanks.
Hey Paul, thanks for the housing info. One bunk, in the house, all mine. I have registered. Excited to be able to come. Looking forward to the rest of the details. The invited instructions look like a terrific group. Thanks for putting this all together. My best, Natalie
Hi Tim, I have all the books and will be ready that way. Excited to come to that part of the country. Wanted to do this PDC it seems like forever. You are a bonus. I do not have land yet, but am hoping this year. Have done a PDC before and want to update my brain and learn at the "learning land". Thanks so much. Natalie
Hi ya Paul, would like to sign up for the PDC but did not get an answer from you about the housing in your home. Said I would share, but then no pricing or details.
Just need to know the housing details and I am in.
Yes, I would like to know what he would like us to prepare before coming; any particular reading; what materials we need for doing all the design work during his PDC. Thanks.
Hi Paul, I look forward to getting all the information you will be sending. I prefer to stay in your home for several reasons and the bunk room sounds great to me. Let me know the pricing when you have time.
You mentioned at least two years ago about having a room in your home. Is that still available to rent?
If not, do you have a recommendation for the motel to use? How far is it to your place from Missoula? Do you have a spot for a rental car to sit on your property? Does Verizon work at your place?
Hi, thanks for all the great info on ticks. I am currently living in a rental property - small house, brand new garden - and have ticks almost every time I go outside. Not a chance to have any fowl here. Am wondering if anything else can be used. I don't like chemicals and I know this group does not also, but I am tired of them. My pup and I do a full exam each time we come in and even at that, I ended up with a couple attaching to me. Totally love being a part of this group. Someday I will have my land and then will be so far ahead with knowledge from what I have learned here.
Hello everyone. Great comments here and really opening up with your honestly.
I have not started homesteading because I want to partner with someone. Male or female. I travel for work as a consultant and business/life coach. You can't leave if you are the only one there. So not having a partner has kept me buying land and starting.
I live in middle TN a bit south of Nashville and would surely enjoy a conversation with anyone who would like to have the discussion of doing a homestead together. I have the training, energy, motivation and heart.
Evan, I got my PDC last August in the NC mountains. Our group was 15 plus staff and we did some serious work and learned what we needed to learn by "building and developing" the land. If I were an Ant and had 20 PDC permies working my land, I would be delighted also. So wish I could be there. Love the narratives and the pictures. Be well. Natalie
Hi, I agree with Elle. If Evan were the focus of the facebook, it would attract lots of people. I own a small business and use social media and FB all the time. it takes time and everyone loves the graphics and pictures that I post. They get the most likes and shares. You want people to like what is on the FB page and then share it. You can also join other FB groups and share the graphics and pictures with those groups. It is easy and hard at the same time. Just got to make it part of the daily to do list.
Being a five time author, nothing is a fun as your first book.
I am wondering if you want to know about an error on page 7? Between items 15 and 16. I think the language is out of place based on the formatting of the rest of your book.
Hello Kate, yes with your challenges and the winter you had, you two should be really proud of the work you have gotten done. I lived in NH (Merrimack) for many years and had my kids there too. Currently I live in Beechgrove, TN. I do distance energy healing and would be pleased to make your acquaintance and see if there is anything I can do to help with your issues. check out EFTforWomen.com I am not selling anything. The site was developed because of my issues and my abilities over the years to bring that healing to other seekers and certainly permies!! Blessings. Love the pictures and the posts. Thanks, Natalie
Evan, I laughed out loud when I saw your jar of seeds all nicely mixed together. The outcome of their germination is worth an eBook at least. You are getting lots done. Such fun to "watch" you grow.
Love love love seeing what you are doing. How is the solar device working that your parents sent you? Would you describe more as I am unfamiliar with it. Blessings, Natalie
So...I would like to come to the July super week and hang with and contribute to the process of the place, but with no food or a place to stay, then it does not seem feasible to me.
I am not sure of the cost to "guarantee" a bunk, but Evan stated it would be exorbitant. I guess I am missing the point of coming, contributing, learning and taking the learnings back to where I can then "learn" others.
I am looking forward to following the narrative of how it all goes.
Evan, thanks so much for the info...you are going to be a terrific ant.
Evan, I totally agree with Preston - staying well is top priority. Let me know if there is anything that I can do for you from TN. I will be following - admiring from afar - and sending positive energy to you.
Hi Evan, I will be coming out in July. You are the person who will be answering the logistics questions for the super weeks, so let me know your email and I will ask my questions. Glad you are there. You will be a local guru by the time I get there. Best of luck. Enjoy your journey. Thanks, Natalie Manor
I am coming in July. Just priced the ticket and it is almost $700.00. Whoa. Glad to be coming though. I have some questions about logistics so do I get in touch with Evan directly? Many thanks.
So excited you will be having "super weeks". I am a learner, no land, wanting to spend time at your location. For those of us who have not been there, what are the fees, how do you guarantee a bunk, and what projects do you think a new PDC grad (middle aged) and Master Gardener would be a good fit? Can't believe I might really get to come!!! Looking at June unless the Permies week allows newbies. My best, Natalie
My impression of the March conference is that it is an informational and grounding event where newbies, like me, and oldbies, like those that activitely post on premies, come together to share information and levels of knowledge. I see you Paul as a "benchmark" brand for what permaculture is and where it is going. You might consider answering the following questions in preparing your keynote address:
1. What is working in the permaculture world?
2. What is not working?
3. What needs to change now?
4. What are the next steps that need to be taken?
People cannot hold all the information that you provide in the majority of the speaking you do. Even permies need your leadership and grounding - clearing what is important and what activities/projects have the priority now. I would be very clear about the outcomes that you want from your keynote. Once you have determined the outcomes you want from your presentation, you will produce an ease and focus to take with your next steps.
When you speak easily about what you love about the commitment that you have made to the permaculture movement, you are powerful and profound.
The very best speakers provide 3 main points. No more, no less. they use the 3 points as a way of moving the information along throughout the keynote. That does not mean you cannot provide some of your best or most spectacular stories, as long as they embed the message and the outcome you want to produce. People need to be guided to the conclusion and where you want them to take action.
You can and should position yourself as an expert; committed and someone who has taken massive action to ensure this permaculture movement is roaring along.
If you would like help with preparing your keynote, I would be pleased to support you.
A titile to consider: Wheaton's Permaculture Story, Actions and Challenges OR Permaculture - Wheaton's Actions You Can Take Now.
This is my first post. Thank you for reading my ideas. My best, Natalie (5 time book author, keynoter, blogger, conference speaker and newbie permie)
