Samantha Lewis

Hello Catie!

I have been keeping root veggies in tubs of dirt on my porch this winter.   I have them tucked close to the house and cover them with a blanket.  It has been keeping them fresh and above freezing.   If it was super cold I would probably cover them with straw to give more insulation.  

I keep greens and celery on the top shelves with their stems in a dish of water and a bag over the leaves.  That way they stay fresh for days.  

Good luck!

Rajesh Kumar wrote:Hi Paul, I was hoping if I could discuss something privately, Do you have an Email or a way to contact you?

Hello Rajesh!

I can help you!  Are you interested in coming to this event?

You can send email to   b u n k s at permies.com

Thanks!

Bea Cates wrote:Yes, I want to do this!

I have a few questions:

1. Other than the $300 lodging fee, are there other fees for room/board/participation?
2. Is the tipi still available?
2.a. If yes, where would I sign up?
2.b. Is the stove in the tipi hot enough to boil water?
3. If I drive in, can I park the car somewhere?
3.a. If yes, how far would that be from the tipi?
4. Do I need to (or should I or may I) bring tools like a saw, axe, etc?
5. How cold is it likely to be?

Please advise. Thanks!

Hello Bea!  
It would be lovely to have you come out!

The Tipi is available!   You can cook and boil water on top of the rocket mass heater in there.   You can park up by the tipi so all you stuff is easily accessible.  

We will be warming up for spring.  The nights are in the 30's and the days are 40-50 degrees.

You can bring tools if you want,  we also have tools here.   You will want work gloves and comfortable boots

I made sheep hide rugs two years ago and they are still doing great.  
I used rams hides and I sheared them a couple months before harvest.   I used a pickling technique to tan them.   They are much more flexible than rawhide, are easy to hand wash and they dry quickly.  I mostly just shake them off and beat them outside when they get dusty.   It is such a luxury to step on soft wool with bare feet!

tuffy monteverdi wrote:
Finnsheep are a super interesting breed!
Is their wool double-coated like the other Northern Shorttail breeds?
(Meaning having both that soft undercoat and the more course, resistant outer coat…)

Thanks

Hello Tuffy!

Finnsheep in general do not have the double coat.  Most of mine just have one thick layer of soft lovely wool.   I do have one ewe with the special extra coat and two of her children have carried forward the trait.  All of them are weather resistant.  They can be out in the rain or snow they just shake it off and are dry inside.

If you want to buy the "Skills to Inherit Property (SKIP)" book, you can do that here:
https://permies.com/wiki/160690/physical-copy-SKIP-book

Some people really enjoy the ebook because they can have it on their phone as they are out in the field doing projects, it is full of hot links that take them to the page here on permies where they can quickly check the minimum requirements and be sure they are gathering the necessary pictures.  



You don't have to buy anything though.  The SKIP program is totally free.  All you need is an account here on permies and start submitting badge bits!

If you have any questions you can ask them here:
https://permies.com/t/210060/skills-inherit-property/BB-clarification-thread


If you want to breeze though the program, be sure to read the requirements for each project and clearly show you have completed the badge bit by including all necessary pictures or video.  

I watched an interview with Bill Mollison where he was asked how he would explain permaculture to a child.  He said "Probably the simplest thing you could say is an attempt to build a good place to live."



Sometimes I call it advanced organic gardening.    If that sparks some interest, I keep going with skills of making my own stuff, observing nature and designing systems to make self sufficiency easy and delightful.


I love latin.  The word explains itself.   I don't usually say that permaculture is permanent culture though, until I have some level of buy-in from the person.   Saying permanent culture brings up the reality that our current culture may not be permanent.    


I really try to listen to what the person's interests are and define permaculture for them as it relates to something they care about.  

I started making salt cured meats this year.   My cellar is full of prosciutto and many other salt cured cuts.  

This is a really fast way to preserve meat, there is no need for a freezer, canner, electricity or plastic wrap.  

 The bone in cuts are ready to use.   Just like you might use bouillon cubes to make an instant broth.  Throw in any veggies and you have a quick, hearty soup.   The meat falls off the bone and is salty and delicious.  A very different flavor than regular cooked meat.  

The thin sliced prosciutto and biltong is perfect for a quick charcuterie board feast or to top a fresh salad.   No need for refrigeration, I can take it on the road or as a high energy snack for a hike.

Hello Jeff!
Welcome to permies!

Good for you for getting started early!   They look pretty ok to me so far.   Short days can be a real problem though and I have not had great luck trying to cheat the system.  
I have used mirrors to boost light.  
Is there a way to put a mirror behind them so you can shine the sun back on them?  

Hello JP!

April is a great time to come to Wheaton Labs!    We will be working on lots of great projects and planting the gardens.

https://wheaton-labs.com/bootcamp/