2018 brown and purple schmoozaroo at allerton abbey

Maybe we will have an annual brown and purple schmoozaroo.  

Permaculture people love to come together.   There is so much to talk about.  And it is so rare to meet other permies.  And the best permie places to go are the places where there are lots and lots of other permies.  

Further, sometimes you go to a permaculture event and ... it is not what you thought.   You were sure it would be your style, and it turned out to be a powerful turn off.  We've talked a bit in the past about purple permaculture vs. brown permaculture.  So you go to an event and it is way too purple, or maybe it isn't purple enough for your tastes.   So we want this gathering to very clearly state that it is open to purple and brown and whatever that color is that is in-between.  

Also, this event is entirely free to everybody that has been here before or has paid the gapper fee.   For those of you that don't fit into that bucket, the gapper fee is $100 for the first person and $20 for each person after that.  Details here.

May 15 to June 23 near Missoula, Montana.  Come for a few days or come for a few weeks.  Come for the whole thing if you want.  



I am hopeful that some folks will announce some ad hoc demonstrations or micro courses.  Maybe some other folks will ask for some ad hoc demonstrations or micro courses.  

Everybody will get a chance to cook with our many cooking contraptions.  

Some folks might like to spend a day or two in the boot camp.   Other folks might enjoy watching the clouds pass.  Some folks might want to dabble here and there in some of the things going on.  




The peasant PDC will be going on May 22 to June 21.   We ask that schmoozers not interrupt the class stuff, but I think it would be cool for schmoozers to witness the final presentations and talent night.  

Maybe some schmoozers will have what it takes to teach a tiny piece of the PDC.   Maybe some will have the skills to lead a hands on segment.   All of the schmoozers are welcome to join the PDC students for the hands on parts.   I am told there will be round wood work, junk pole fence, cob stuff, some basic carpentry, hugelkultur building and planting ...

The focus of the schmoozaroo will be at allerton abbey - which is where a lot of the PDC hands on stuff will be.  The PDC class stuff will be at cooper cabin.

Everybody is on their own for food.  Not much else you can do for a free event.   But there will be a fair bit of wildcrafting being done for the PDC and you are welcome to get in on that.  I have already heard that some people will bring some fun food.    





Lots of space for tents.  

Land whales are okay, but no generators please.

There will be a little bit of solar power for charging phones and the like.  





If you wanna come out:

- post in this thread what days you wanna come out and we will work out the details from there.

- surely there are questions.  We have never done an event like this before, so my guess is that there are a lot of bits and bobs to hammer out still.

- do you have suggestions?

- do you wanna encourage folks with a certain interest to be here on certain dates?

- do you wanna teach something or demonstrate something?

This sounds fun!  I had a great time when Cassie and John and I drove out from the Portland area and stayed for the staff retreat, or whatever it was called.  I'm looking at the weekend of June 8-10, maybe leave work early on Friday the 8th, then take off Monday and Tuesday, so we'd get there Friday night, have Saturday and Sunday and Monday and then travel back on Tuesday the 12th.  The only issue I can see is that I would be missing the last days of my younger daughter's school year - I don't know if I need to be around to push her to finish projects and such.

I would greatly prefer to share the trip with others.  In fact, my family has nothing but 100% electric vehicles, and mine, an e-Golf, has just 120 miles of range so that would necessitate multiple stops.  My husband's car is a Chevy Bolt, it has 240 miles of range and has already been to Wheaton Labs. You just have to arrange meals and rest stops around charging stations. Still, if someone had a regular gasoline car, I'd gladly help out with gas money!  I have tents enough to share, so don't let that stop you.  My new favorite way to sleep outdoors is in a tent hammock, but I think I'd still want a tent to hold stuff and for changing clothes.

Anyway, if you live near Portland, or can get to Portland Oregon, maybe we can share the trip!

Oh man. Perfect timing! I will be able to go. I hope to be able to come for the entire event or at least the first two weeks. Can't wait to see everybody there.

Spiffy!  All the bits and bobs are coming together!

If anybody thinks that they MIGHT attend, please say so here!

Sounds like a great time!  I'll be driving cross country between projects in the east and ones in the west, sometime mid to late June.  If the dates coincide I will certainly be stopping in to enjoy in the festivities!

Purple is the theory/talking about it and brown is the doing?

My wife and I would love to find some times to come out and schmooz! most evenings and weekends would be open, since we are also in the Missoula area! If there are others that need rides to/from the site, we could probably help arrange something as well!

Looking forward to this!!!

Jerry McIntire wrote:Purple is the theory/talking about it and brown is the doing?

https://permies.com/t/11370/purple-permaculture-brown-permaculture

I have met some purple folks that hate brown events and I have met some brown folks that hate purple events.   Both of those people will hate this event.   This is for all the folks that don't mind there being some purple stuff going on and some brown stuff going on.  And this is especially for the folks that like purple stuff and brown stuff.  

Would people who purchased a SEPPER package be able to redeem it during this time?

Lina Joana wrote:Would people who purchased a SEPPER package be able to redeem it during this time?

Yes!

The last one with Julia and Cassie was fun and interesting.  My kids have greater needs now, and so does my mom.  It doesn't look like I can justify it at this point, but I think it's a great idea.
John S
PDX OR

I'm still sorting out my work schedule for that time frame but I am definitely interested in coming down. Perhaps a dowsing demonstration or two for folks who are interested. That time of year might even be a good time for some spring wildcrafting and wild edibles gathering.

I am thinking of coming for twoish weeks. I just have to see how it fits with my schedule.

I will be there May 15th - May 20th! I am excited to meet everybody. Bring any designs/business ideas you have. I am happy to go over them with you.

Two of us are hoping to come for a few days end of May. Sorry, I don't know exact date because May is for shrooming, so will be going with the fungi flow.

What a wonderful idea, Paul! I am hoping to be there for a few days starting May 15, depending on evolving family plans. I'll be in town for Connor's graduation from UMT.

Lori and I are planning to attend the Schmoozaroo June 21-23.

So excited to see you all!

I particularly want to draw your attention to a little ad-hoc workshop we are calling the Rocket Off-Grid Kitchen Build.  This will be Thurs 5/17 through Sat 5/19.
Details here: https://permies.com/t/84297/permaculture-projects/Grid-Rocket-Kitchen-Build

The Off-Grid Rocket Kitchen Build stacks the functions of hanging out with us, preparing nice facilities for the PPDC and guests, and documenting some of our favorite off-grid tech in a lovely setting for future handbooks and video.  This workshop is FREE, but it will be limited to 6 highly functional people.  

Go here for the Off Grid Rocket Kitchen Build May 17-19



Please let me know right away if you want to share your talents with the PPDC during class time.
 You can PM me, or email me (see my profile for email address), or whatever works for you.

There are some specific topics that I'm still looking for guest speakers, particularly those with local knowledge or hands-on experience from a variety of perspectives.  
This includes not just farm skills, but sustainable business, self-care and people-care, and other niches in the web of resilient life.


We hope also to be somewhat available to hang out outside of class time, especially Ernie.  
Although you might get roped into Ernie's latest appropriate tech prototyping projects.  
(He's branching out from rocket development now that our book's done, to work on some designs he had on the back burner such as wind power and regenerative harvest systems.)

Thanks, and we look forward to seeing you!

Yours,
Ernie and Erica

Looks like I may be able to come around last weekend of May/1st of June...its a solid maybe at this point.  Since I would be flying, what is the hammock situation like?

Okie dokie, we're planning to arrive June 13th afternoon and depart June 16th ... been looking forward to this for a long time!  In addition to schmoozing with awesome folks, renewing old friendships and forging new, I will also be gathering information/material for an article on the Labs for the PRI news site.  Sheila will bring a slide show on what we've been up to here (semi-arid shrub-steppe) if there's any interest/time, and we're both excited to talk all things Permaculture!  

Zach Weiss wrote:Sounds like a great time!  I'll be driving cross country between projects in the east and ones in the west, sometime mid to late June.  If the dates coincide I will certainly be stopping in to enjoy in the festivities!

Zach, we would love to see you!

I am the new Rental and Event Manager.  
If you can email me your tentative schedule once it is closer to the event I can help make your arrive and stay as enjoyable as possible!

If I can be of service lining up rental accommodations (cabin, teepee, tent) for you please let me know!

And if you may be interested in speaking or teaching a lesson of the PDC we would appreciate the help and I will work with you to get that worked out.

email me at: cerice@richsoil.com

Thanks, I am looking forward to your visit!

Anthony Cooley wrote:My wife and I would love to find some times to come out and schmooz! most evenings and weekends would be open, since we are also in the Missoula area! If there are others that need rides to/from the site, we could probably help arrange something as well!

Looking forward to this!!!

This is awesome!  Were you at the Earth Day MUD event?  I enjoyed it very much!

I am the new Wheaton Labs Rental and Event Manager.  
Please shoot me an email a week or so in advance when is a great time for your visit. I will see to it that you have an enjoyable visit!

If I can be of service lining up rental accommodations (cabin, teepee, tent) for you please let me know!

And if you may be interested in speaking, or teaching a lesson of the PDC, we would appreciate the help and I will work with you to get that worked out.

email me at: cerice@richsoil.com

- C. E. Rice

Lina Joana wrote:Would people who purchased a SEPPER package be able to redeem it during this time?

Hello Lina Joana,
I am the new Wheaton Labs Rental and Event Manager.  
You can coordinate your visit with me.  Just shoot me an email and I will work to make your stay enjoyable!

The sooner, the better, so that I can line up your accommodations (cabin, teepee, tent)!

And if you may be interested in speaking, or teaching a lesson of the PDC, we would appreciate the help and I will work with you to get that worked out.

email me at: cerice@richsoil.com

- C. E. Rice

Bill Erickson wrote:I'm still sorting out my work schedule for that time frame but I am definitely interested in coming down. Perhaps a dowsing demonstration or two for folks who are interested. That time of year might even be a good time for some spring wildcrafting and wild edibles gathering.

Bill, we are definitely interested in having you!

I am the new Rental and Event Manager.
If you think you will be coming you can email me so we can plan accordingly!

If I can be of service lining up rental accommodations (cabin, teepee, tent) for you please let me know!

And if you are interested in speaking or teaching a lesson in dowsing for the PDC we would appreciate the help and I will work with you to get that worked out.

email me at: cerice@richsoil.com

Thanks, I look forward to meeting you!
C.E. Rice

Alexandre Fona wrote:I am thinking of coming for twoish weeks. I just have to see how it fits with my schedule.

I am the new Rental and Event Manager, let me know if there is anything I can do to help set this up for you!!

Hope to see you here!

- C.E. Rice
cerice@richsoil.com

Estar Holmes wrote:Two of us are hoping to come for a few days end of May. Sorry, I don't know exact date because May is for shrooming, so will be going with the fungi flow.

Hopefully you are having lots of luck shrooming! There has been a tiny bit of that done here at Wheaton Labs this past week.

Let me know if I can be of service to setup your visit!  Thanks

Shawn Mills wrote:Looks like I may be able to come around last weekend of May/1st of June...its a solid maybe at this point.  Since I would be flying, what is the hammock situation like?

I was just talking to Ernie about repairing our busted cotton hammock with some new hemp cord, we are bringing the cord to get it up and working.
So if you literally want to sleep in a hammock, there will be at least one option.  They used to sell pretty fabric hammocks at the Missoula Saturday markets, too.

Nights are a little cool, so you may prefer a sleeping bag and tent.

-Erica

Ride Share?  I'm headed to the kitchen-build pre-schmoozaro, traveling from Portland to the lab on May 15th or 16th, and departing on May 20th.  Or if you're not good with dates that's arriving right at the very start, and if you want to depart with me ... well, you're doing the schmooze thing all wrong but you can come anyway.  I'll note that my wife Julia will probably be at the schmoozefest June 8-12 (?) and has multiple seats to share to/from Portland.

Yes!  I have a gas burner now, a big old Volvo station wagon, to drive out to Montana from Portland on June 8th, and drive back on June 12th.  So, if you can get to the Hollywood MAX stop in Portland, and you are a nice person, you could ride out with me for this.

If you are up for a 4 week stay, and you can get ready to leave by Tuesday, you could go out with Eliot and come back with me.  Eliot is driving a big Ford pickup truck, so if there is some person nearby with a cool thing they want to give to Paul to help the empire, we could maybe haul that.

I wish you all a great schmoozeroo! Connor's graduated from UMT yesterday and we are off to Big Fork and then Helena to fish and camp for the week. Sorry I'll miss it.

It begins!  People are starting to arrive!  

Willowonka is headed up to the lab ...  although the skids are way too small, which has led to some problems.   It should take about 15 minutes to load it onto the trailer, but it has now been three people working on it for five hours and it still isn't on the trailer.

Paul when you say to small do you mean to narrow for the trailer or not the right size for the structure?

The skids are way too short.  And a bit too small.  And .... I would have placed them a little further apart.

So as we are moving willowonka, we are very worried about it tipping.   At the same time, the skids are so short and such small skids, that when we started to pull it, the end of the skid popped off.  

So the whole structure just needs a bigger footprint (so tipping is no longer being worried about) and we need those holes to be stronger.  

What about pulling it from the rear, hooking up a chain and running the winch cable under the poo factory? It wouldn’t help with the tipping, but might help with the shear strength of the skids.

We did a bit of that.  And the tractor gave a bit of a nudge.   All set now.

The canning kitchen structure has been moved up to the lab and is getting kitcheny.   Today was the first day of the peasant pdc.  Nice start!


A full tour will start at 9:30 am Sunday, May 27 - meet in the classroom at basecamp (the door is in the back of the shop at the lowest part of the property - folks can park in "arrakis" which is behind the shop/classroom).  

I am thinking that we start the tour at 9:30 and do the basecamp tour.  And then we can all mozey up to the lab and maybe there can be a collective lunch with the peasant pdc students and whoever happens to be around.  Sunday is a day off, so a lot of people might be off doing something.  Sunday is also a day for people that have workee jobs to come to the schmoozaroo - so there might be more people here.   So this lunch thing is entirely ad hoc - i have no predictions on what all will happen with this.  

When folks are ready (1pm?) we will start the second half of the tour up at the lab.  

I'll lead the tour.  

If you wanna come to the tour, speak up in this thread and mention what you wanna do at lunch time.  Maybe something with a rocket cook stove?  Maybe something with the rocket oven?

Here is the copy and paste of a few of the tour bits:

I kinda wanna start this document and flesh it out as I remember stuff.  And maybe add pictures and links and stuff.


the lab:

Allerton Abbey (wofati 0.7)



rocket heater (no mass) in allerton abbey

chateau de poo

tipi with a rocket mass heater



the bee hut



Cooper Cabin (wofati 0.



rocket mass heater in cooper cabin



rocket wood cook stove in cooper cabin


solar voltswagon - solar trailer with 750 watts of panels



solar leviathan - solar trailer with 3000 watts of panels



electric sawmill with the leviathan



lemon tree site



10x10 wofati


Ant Village (the bear den, evan's wofati, kai's cob house, jim's
oehler structure, evan and kai's fencing and gates)


the johnson air well


basecamp:

hugelkultur and berms


junkpole fence, gates and rock jacks



haybox cooker



matt walker's rocket mass heater smoker



Sepp Holzer's grain



rocket mass heater in the fisher price house



rocket mass heater in the office



the lightbulb test still going on


the electric tractor


the red cabin with the "minnie mouse" rocket mass heater



the berm shed (1200 square feet of covered space for $92 in materials)



the rocket kiln in the berm shed

the pee palace - heating water with compost

rocket water heater

the shower shack



willow bank and serviceberry terrace

the batch box rocket mass heater in the shopitorium

the rollie shelves in the shopitorium

the love shack with the super simple solar system



two different styles of food dehydrator



couch balcony



willowonka

the easy bake coffin

the chest fridge


----

This might be a good time to point out that this tour and all of the schmoozaroo is free to everybody that has been here before.   If you have never been here before and you wish to be here for the schmoozaroo, you need to pay "the gapper fee" which is $100 for the first person and $20 for each person after that.



If you are into bitcoin: 177pNU2a9iCpUXQwXX9EbtA2UwZpgeqcMT

Once we receive payment, we will contact you to start sorting out the particulars.

Paul, can you clarify for everyone?

Looks like the second half of the tour starts on Sunday, May 27th.

But it isnt clear about the 9:30AM "first half" of the tour.  Is this refering to the one we did today? Or is that 9:30AM on Sunday? Thanks!!