2013 Inland NW Permaculture Convergence

We are in the initial planning stages for a four-state gathering of dedicated Permaculturists somewhere between Coeur d'Alene and Sandpoint sometime in September.

This is not a "conference" but a convergence of core folks and those that want meet other like-minded neighbors, tell what you've been up to, and to join resources to plan and host a BIG Permaculture/Alternative Building/Alternative lifestyle "fair" type EVENT in 2014 for everyone in the greater Idaho/Montana/Oregon/Washington inland region.

One key piece of this exciting puzzle is how to reliably and effectively disseminate current information to the greater group? Working here (in this forum) would be great, but the question becomes how to "train" hundreds of folk to regularly visit? We have two limited email listservers but I know how limited they are. Facebook a possibility? A new, comprehensive listserver? How do we identify folks from the entire region?

Pithy questions. Any ideas/preferences are appreciated.
Thanks!
Will Kearns - Ritzville
Columbia Basin Permaculture

News from Michael Pilarski! Our Inland NW Permaculture Convergence is a GO for the weekend of September 13-15, 2013!!

GOOD NEWS! We have found the venue for the 2013 INPC
Inland Northwest Permaculture Convergence
September 13-15

The 2013 INPC will be held at the MiVoden Retreat Center on Hayden Lake, Idaho. The camp is a 35-minute drive north of I-90. Will Kearns and Sheila Grace visited several camps recently on INPC’S behalf and MiVoden was the best choice. MiVoden is a summer camp facility which has many attributes for our event. They have a large commercial kitchen which we can staff and bring in our own food. There is a large, beautiful dining room with a breathtaking view of the lake which can hold everyone at once, plus another huge room adjacent to it for plenary sessions. There is ample space for tenting and for RVs. There are small cabins for people who wish indoor accommodations. The camp is right on the Hayden Lake with a sandy beach, canoes, etc. The water in mid-September is still warm. There's also a great outdoor stage/ gathering area, a heated indoor pool area, a hot tub, rooms with digital presentation capabilities. If you’d like to look at some photos go to: http://www.mivoden.com/retreats/facilities

They are into growing food and we all feel that it is a good fit to have the INPC at MiVoden. We will give them some permaculture ideas to think about.

This year’s INPC will be different than INPC I and II, which were held respectively at the Spokane Falls Community College in Spokane and the University of Montana Conference Center in Missoula. One big change in 2013 is that everyone will be able to stay on site so that there is more time for interaction. The rural camp is close to nature and we get to go swimming, take plant walks, etc.

Another change is the emphasis is switching from conference to convergence. The first two INPCs were conferences that focused on education, workshops and presentations for permaculturists and the general permies. The 3rd INPC will be a convergence of people who are already into permaculture and there will be more information on movement building such as permaculture education, permaculture consulting, networking, how to set up and run local groups, etc. There will also be how-to workshops with practical information. We would love to see people do demonstrations and hands-on activities. The convergence is for people who have completed permaculture design courses as well as people who are excited about permaculture. Permaculture people from around the Inland Northwest are invited. Idaho, Montana, eastern Washington, eastern Oregon, and southern interior British Columbia.

Let’s share information, collaborate, synthecize, synergize and have fun!

Our next step is to pull together a team of people to organize this year’s INPC. We will need some on-the-ground people in the Couer d’Alene/Hayden Lake area but team members can be from around the region. Would you like to be on the team?

Contact: Michael Pilarski
PO Box 165
Hot Springs, Montana 59845
406-741-5809
friendsofthetrees@yahoo.com

Hi Bill,
Would you be interested in having blacksmithing demonstrations and/or classes at the Convergence this year? My partner is an artist and a blacksmith. We are planning on coming to the convergence and if there was interest Peter could bring forges and equipment for hands on classes.
Sue

Oooh! Oooh! I want to come! Do you need someone to talk about aquaponics? VERY COOL! Thanks to those putting this on - missing Sepp Holzer was like a knife in the heart, this will help heal the wound!

Thank you Sue and Claire for your offers! I've forwarded them along to Michael Pilarski (the Director of Events) to see how they will fit into the agenda.

= )

It's official: Toby Hemenway will be conducting a Food Forest workshop in Spokane on Friday September 13!

Then Toby will be our INWPC Keynote Speaker and attend the convergence at Camp MiVoden over the weekend!!

Wow.

= )

"Breaking news" on Toby's workshop:

Thanks to support from the Spokane Conservation District, and the generosity of the NW Museum of Arts and Culture, we will be able host Toby's presentation in the large theater at the museum! Toby will be in Spokane September 13 to present from about 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM about food forest and the home-scale forest garden. The NW MAC is associated with the Smithsonian and will be the perfect venue to host Mr. Hemenway.

Afterwards, we will whisk Toby away to the Inland NW Permaculture Convergence at Hayden Lake, ID, where he will be our keynote speaker and join us for the weekend. You are welcome to join us for both of these Permaculture Events.
(I'll post registration information, etc as it comes up on the web)

Registration, sponsorship, and "getting the word out" has begun! We're looking for volunteers to help out in a variety of positions ... if you've got a talent or interest, please let me know or contact Michael Pilarski (via the website INWPC Overview

To register:
INWPC 2013 Registration Page

To Sponsor:
INWPC 2013 Registration Page

To help get the word out, here's the poster:

Michael Pilarski has a video describing our upcoming Inland NW Permaculture Convergence! Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qP8YSTx-GFo&feature=youtu.be