Missoula and Bitterroot Permaculture

Hey all-

Spring. Busy bee season for us humans. Especially those looking to restore, build, and regenerate resilient and bountiful bioregional living systems.

I live in the Bitterroot Valley and am looking to connect with more (all?) people practicing permaculture in the area. If you know of people/properties/projects in the area, or you are one of those, please reply and I'd love to connect. Small to large, home to business, I want to hear from all.

Thanks in advance. Looking forward to meeting more permaculturists in the area to start working together toward a better future.

Justin

Hi Justin!

You know you're super close to Wheaton Labs right?

There are a number of Summer events happening and there is always the bootcamp!

Learn Permaculture - Bootcamp

Permaculture Technology Jamboree!

PDC for scientists and engineers

There will be local Permie instructors at the PTJ! I'm sure there would be a number of local folk attending at well.

Hey Ashley. I do know about Wheaton Labs. It looks like a great place to visit, but between my job and other responsibilities I don't have the money for the jamboree, boot camp, etc. and definitely don't have the chunks of time. Have property myself, so would love to tour and talk and get ideas, but am looking to connect more individually with people outside of a course structure. Like saying, "hey, mind if I bring over some stuff to make sandwiches and chat about what we could do to help our area by improving our communities?" Or, "Ashley, I have no clue how to start asparagus, could I come over, help out in your garden, and see what you're doing?" If life slows down and my finances can go to the boot camp or jamboree, definitely an opportunity I'd like to take.

There is also Garden City Harvest - I know it's not a single person but perhaps getting to know this community you may be able to find the folks you're looking for?

Justin Mikkola wrote:Hey Ashley. I do know about Wheaton Labs. It looks like a great place to visit, but between my job and other responsibilities I don't have the money for the jamboree, boot camp, etc. and definitely don't have the chunks of time. Have property myself, so would love to tour and talk and get ideas, but am looking to connect more individually with people outside of a course structure. Like saying, "hey, mind if I bring over some stuff to make sandwiches and chat about what we could do to help our area by improving our communities?" Or, "Ashley, I have no clue how to start asparagus, could I come over, help out in your garden, and see what you're doing?" If life slows down and my finances can go to the boot camp or jamboree, definitely an opportunity I'd like to take.

It's easy to forget sometimes that people are a huge part of Permaculture, that it's gardening and--MORE. I know you said it would be hard to make a visit to Wheaton Labs happen, but I want to urge you to pause just a second to think about how very very important knowing local Permaculturists is. They are so rare. Making human connections is a huge part of ecological and economic restoration, so I hope you can design some way of meeting the folks there and getting involved with some what's going on at Wheaton Labs. I'm sure everybody would benefit from the connection!  You're so lucky to be in that area--best wishes for your projects and efforts!

Thanks Rachel. I feel the urge to connect, which is why I'm reaching out. But with the bounty of resources online and lack of funds available in my bank account for non-day to day things, signing up for Wheaton Lab courses doesn't make sense for me right now. I hope to meet some of the local permaculturists, for sure, but can't spend money to do so at the moment. You're right in that we live in a lucky area, so maybe I'm being greedy by also hoping to be lucky enough to meet permaculture people without paying for their courses. Thought I'd put the feelers out anyway.

Hi Justin,
I live in Dixon, which is northwest of Missoula on the way to Hot Springs.  I'm part of the Inland Northwest Permaculture Guild.  Most of the Guild members are in Washington and Idaho- along with a fellow in Missoula and a couple folks in Hot Springs I think we're the furthest east members. You might want to check out our permaculture convergence happening in september in Clark Fork Idaho.  I think it's only 35$ to participate and it's over the course of a three day weekend and it's a great opportunity to meet more folks in the area, even if some of them are in the next state over.  We haven't put up the details on the guild website yet but they should be up in a month or so.  In the meantime, I come into missoula about once per week and we could meet up if you'd like to connect.  

Thanks, Leonie! Would love to connect in Missoula and then plan a time to potentially check out what you have going on in Dixon. I'll message with my info to get us started. First hearing about the INW Permaculture Guild, so will check that out as well.