East to West

As rosy fingers light up hearts and lift our souls, we are ringing the bells for SPRING here in Virginia! It has been fairly intoxicating to watch as this windswept week of warm sun lured arms and limbs out of hiding...beautiful.
Rebirth, renewal, and fresh spirits abound as we make ready to head West for Wintergrass. We are pretty thrilled about it...good times. (www.wintergrass.com)

Meanwhile, check out all the agricultural activity (growing grass included) inviting investigation on THIS side of the Mississippi - or to be a bit more specific, in our beautiful State of Virginia!

  Adrienne teams up with 106.1 The Corner in Charlottesville, VA  
 as a regular guest on the morning show - she who shall bring tidings of Agricultural Happenings, along with other enlightening and informative tidbits. Much planned with the folks here - so please do stay tuned!
http://www.1061thecorner.com/


UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS

Virginia Biological Farming Conference and Trade Show

February 27 & 28, 2009 

Sheraton Richmond West Hotel
Richmond, VA

Conference schedule:    http://www.vabf.org/conf2009.php
 
FEB 13-APR 5 : PERMACULTURE COURSE

• 5 week course that lays the foundation for understanding and working with natural systems to design sustainable environments that produce food, shelter, and energy.
• covers themes such as: ecological systems understanding, organic food production, natural soil improvement, watershed restoration, water conservation and management, edible forest gardening, native medicinal plants, natural habitat restoration, healthy buildings and human settlements, and much more.
• The course will be held over five weekends. For more information visit The Blue Ridge Permaculture website www.blueridgepermaculture.net/.

FEB 14, 20 & 28: APPLE TREE PRUNING, APPLE GRAFTING AND PLANTING THE HOME APPLE ORCHARD WORKSHOPS at Vintage Virginia Apples in North Garden. For more information or to register, visit www.vintagevirginiaapples.com or call 434-297-2326. 
 

MARCH 7: HOSTING THE SMALL FARM DREAM: IS IT RIGHT FOR YOU?

• PEC is hosting a seminar "Hosting the Small Farm Dream: Is it Right for You? on March 7th
• It will provide

an introduction to farm partnerships for landowners who would like to have someone farm their land Register online by March 5th at www.buylocalvirginia.org or email Melissa Wiley mwiley@pecva.org or call her at 434-977-2033. Guest Speakers include, among others, Joel Salatin

Hosting the Small Farm Dream: Is it Right for You 

Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) is hosting a seminar "Hosting the Small Farm Dream: Is it Right for You? This seminar is an introduction to farm partnerships for landowners and will explore the potential for profit on your land. Participants will learn about farmer-landowner partnership options, review local case studies, discuss pros & cons, and consider next steps. Registration is $17 and includes lunch, or $10 for registration only. Please register online by March 5th. For questions, please email Melissa Wiley, PEC's Director of Special Projects, or call 434-977-2033.

Guest Speakers: 
Joel Salatin and John Sproul, Polyface Farm 
Ramona and Collins Huff, Gryffon's Aerie 
Radell Schrock, Sweet Season's Farm and CSA