APROVECHO Annual News from Aprovecho 2016/2017
Letter from Our Stewardship Director THE NFA AT A GLANCE Greetings Aprovecho community, 2016 NEWS Exciting and important things are happening at Aprovecho - incubating We welcomed new people to our team! sustainable businesses with a commercial kitchen and expanding youth Stewardship Director, Steve Braun programs. For which, I invite your support and collaboration. Household Steward, Abby Colehour Appropriate Technology Program Director, Mike Hat eld First, allow me to introduce myself and highlight some accomplishments Appropriate Technology Program Assistant, Bradley Tshirgi of 2016. Aprovecho shi ed its governance model to a traditional Sustainable Livelihood Director, Heather Greene non-pro t structure with board of directors and director, replacing a steering committee. I was hired as director in Spring 2016 bringing a strong connection to the growing environmental education movement in We have new o erings and programs! Oregon. Oregon is a leader in the national movement to develop ‘envi- ◆ Field Mouse Academy ronmental literacy’ having, among many successes, just secured funding ◆ Call for research proposals to secure Outdoor School for All. Yay! Aprovecho lls a critical niche in ◆ 2nd-Year Internships this larger context. Our programs teach skills necessary for jobs, home- ◆ Campus and classroom rental steading, farming, and resilience all connected to sustainability for young ◆ Business Incubators: Farm and more adults. In 2016, our Permaculture Design Course was at full capacity hosting 18 students. Our Appropriate Technology course built a biodi- gester to generate energy from organic material. Our Natural Building 2017 PROGRAMS Courses hosted over 15 students and built a beautiful timber-framed PERMACULTURE DESIGN CERTIFICATE: May 18th - 29th natural home on a local homestead. APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY: May 1st - 26th NATURAL BUILDING SEMESTER: Aprovecho is growing and there are new programs and projects ahead. In ◆ Part I - Sustainable Shelter Series, June 4th - July 22nd, 2017 2017 we will develop our commercial kitchen and with it grow three asso- ◆ Part II - Practicum, July 30th - September 23rd ciated programs: PERMACULTURE SEMESTER: ◆ A food-based incubator program supporting advanced students and ◆ Permaculture Design Certi cate, August 8th - September 16th local residents by providing a shared kitchen space, associated federal ◆ Practicum Water & Forestry Systems, September 24 - November 11 grant program (Individual Development Account) and business devel- 2ND-YEAR INTERNSHIPS: opment course ◆ Land Systems, March - November ◆ Further K-12 programming to provide on-site eld trips and suppor- ◆ Natural Building, March - November ing homeschool populations ◆ Non-Pro t and Business Management, September - March ◆ Expand our Community Education programs to include in-depth food- FIELD MOUSE ACADEMY: a term each season based courses SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ◆ Spring, March 15th, 22nd, 29th, April 5th, 12th Developing the commercial kitchen and associated programs is only one ◆ Late Summer, July 24th, 31st, August 7th, 14th, 21st e ort of several in a multi-year trajectory as Aprovecho furthers and COMMUNITY EDUCATION WORKSHOPS deepens its impact on the region. We educate our students and communi- ◆ Winter, January - March ty providing skills in sustainable living and working. ese skills involve ◆ Fall, October - December thoughtful land management, building, technologies, and business prac- tices. We connect people to the outdoors, their community, food, tech- OUR BOARD nologies, and buildings. Chair - Nadia Raze Secretary & Treasurer - Jude Hobbs I have extreme gratitude to the multitudes of people that have been Mike Hat eld involved with Aprovecho over the last 40+ years. I am truly inspired. Steve Clarke Your work and support made way for the exciting things ahead. Stay and STAFF get in touch as we all do our part in this larger e ort - call it local, envi- Steve Braun, Stewardship Director; Abby ronmental, sustainability, ecological or land-based. Colehour, Household Steward; Bradley Tshirgi, Buildings Steward and Appropriate Technology Program Assistant; Sincerely, Maryam Mathieu, Oce Manager; Chris Foraker, Natural Building Steve Braun Program Director and Bookeeper; Abel Kloster, Permaculture Design Program Director; Mike Hat eld, Appropriate Technology Program Director; and Sara Tamler, Natural Building Program Assistant. THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS! Elizabeth Swanson, Land Systems; Nick Mullanix, Land Systens; Juan Andres De Risio, Building; Maggie Knapp, Garden Incubator and Community Education; Kirstin Rea, Garden Incubator Co-Director and Fundraising and Events Intern; Justin Watt, Land & Buildings volunteer and Garden Incubator Co-Director; and McKenzie Anderson, Garden Incubator. We’re Growing! Please Support Our Commercial Kitchen e upcoming year will see a big push to raise the funds to install a commerical kitchen on our campus. is will enable us to increase our student capacity by at least 400% within the rst year of installation. It will also provide an impact on the local community by enabling us to teach sustainable food preparation and preservation techniques, as well as by providing the infrastructure for a land-based business incubator for our students and greater Cottage Grove residents. is program, along with our other other Business Incubators and IDA Matching Grant will provide a model for local economic growth and resil- iency that can be implemented around the country. Please contact us to contribute to the campaign. ank you! e upcoming year will see a big push to raise the funds to install a commerical kitchen on our campus. is will enable us to increase our student capacity by at least 400% within the rst year of installation. It will also provide an impact on the local community by enabling us to teach sustainable food preparation and preservation techniques, as well as by providing the infrastructure for a land-based business incubator for our students and greater Cottage Grove residents. is program, along with our other other Business Incubators and IDA Matching Grant will provide a model for local economic growth and resil- iency that can be implemented around the country. Please contact us to contribute to the campaign. ank you!
A LOOK BACK AT 2016 Natural Building Alumni: From the Classroom to the Construction Site
Major changes were made this year, and Aprovecho has been thriving and growing ever since. e whole team and campus is excit- ed about the new strength and direction we have harnessed with the evolution in our programming and organizational model. We Welcomed New and Amazing People to Our Team!
Director: Dr. Steve Braun Sustainable Business Development Program Director: A er a decade with the Steering Committee Heather Greene model of governance, the Board and Steering We are so lucky to welcome Heather Greene to our Committee decided that a Stewardship Direc- team as the Sustainable Livelihood Director. In the tor model would work to more e ectively short time she’s been with us, she’s demonstrated her meet Aprovecho’s needs. We sent the call far deep and broad knowledge of the legal, nancial, and and wide and were blessed to bring on board entrepreneurial aspects of new business develop- Steve Braun. Steve is an environmental scien- ment, non-pro t management, and more. Heather is tist and educator, having worked in school a scholar activist, currently completing her MS in leadership from the classroom to the state Food Systems and Society at Marylhurst University. level. Steve earned a doctorate in Earth, Envi- With a long history of participation in sustainability ronment and Society, a Master’s Degree in and social change movements, her focus the last two Special Education and Bachelors in Environ- decades has been on the creation of socially-minded, environmentally-con- mental and Resource Management. He has worked on several grant teams scious businesses. She believes that if we all engage in a global holistic imagina- including those funded by the Environmental Protection Agency, the tion that a future of world health and community prosperity is possible. Her United States Forest Service and the Gray Family Foundation. He former- experience as a mother of 4, educator, student, artist and entrepreneur, have ly served on the Oregon Environmental Literacy Program Council and is brought her to Aprovecho with a broad spectrum of skills and a great enthusi- also the Director for the Lane County STEM Hub. He has authored publi- asm for teaching and growing a resilient, connected community. cations in the Green Teacher and Environmental Education Research. He earned his Permaculture Design Certi cate in 2002, is an amateur herbal- ist, brewer, and outdoor recreation enthusiast. He lives locally with his partner Amanda and daughter Oriah. New O erings Household Steward: Abby Colehour Business Incubator: Farm and More We reluctantly watched Rosie Kirincic is year brought the a new facet to our educational programs: the Business transition from the role as our Household Incubator. We leased out our garden and aquaponics greenhouses for students Steward to pursue entrepreneurship as the and local residents to begin developing the skills, products, network, brand, and owner of Crescent Moon Yoga in down- clients they need to incubate their own land-based business. is program will town Cottage Grove, and we welcomed continue to grow in 2017 with new opportunities for land-based incubator proj- Abby Colehour to our team. As hard as ects, as well as our Commerical Kitchen Campaign to incubate value-added Rosie is to replace, Abby, a joy to work with farm product businesses. and be fed by, has brilliantly stepped into Field Mouse Academy role as Household Steward. Abby took the Heather Greene has more interesting and exciting news! Aprovecho is host to a Permaculture Design course in 2015 and new innovative, environmental exploration homeschool enrichment and pre-K became smitten with the human and plant to grade 12 indoor/outdoor program. Elemental Exploration Education (EEE) systems in the Aprovecho community. She o ers homeschooled youth an opportunity to socialize, empower, and mobilize thinks she is greatly fortunate as the House- to create the change that they want to see in the world. Classes help orient the hold Steward to have the opportunity to support local food producers and participants in place and space, allowing for exploration and interpersonal provide healthy food to the inspiring folks at Aprovecho. As a “mas- communication, collaboration and a deep recognition of connection, the ter-generalist” in training, she dabbles in gardening, botany, woodwork- elements necessary for sustainable growth and world health. Creative examina- ing, building, sewing, fermentation, basketry, hide-tanning, music, herbal- tion through the lens of science, geography, sustainability and community make ism, and other things. Her life mission is be excellent at keeping herself this program unique. Aprovecho’s new PreK to 12 programs o er an opportuni- healthy, to nd a place in the world where she ows simply with the natural ty for young people to reconnect, observe, explore, innovate, and participate in and human landscape, and to inspire others to do the same. practical, positive, transformative social change. Aprovecho is currently hosting 4-9 year old explorers in e Field Mouse Academy. Classes are o ered season- Appropriate Technology Program Director: ally, in 5-6 week courses, more classes to come! Check out our current o erings on Facebook or at aprovecho.net. Mike Hat eld Our longtime friend and team member, Mike 2nd-Year Internship Hat eld, donned a new cap here at We now proudly o er 2nd-year track of guided educational internships with a Aprovecho as our Appropriate Technology monthly stipend and the opportunity live and work in our campus community program director, and it couldn’t be more for highly motivated students who have proved themselves to be hard-working, appropriate. Mike’s many, many years in his self-managing, and committed to their eld and personal growth. e intern- role as both a Board member here at this ships include two 9-month Land Systems and two 9-month Building Systems Aprovecho and as a team member at the tracks from March to November and two 7-month Non-Pro t & Small Business Aprovecho Stove Lab, providing cutting edge Development and Management program from September to March. Please see our website for more information and how to apply. appropriate technology to the world in the form of highly ecient wood stoves, makes him a great choice for this new role. Bradley Tschirgi, com- Call for Research Proposals munity member, Buildings Maintenance Steward, and human powered We’ll be developing our research o erings over 2017 and beyond. Interested in machines enthusiast, will be assisting him. research about social and ecological systems? Contact us with a brief descrip- tion of your project. If it sounds like a good t, we will invite you to send a more formal, yet brief, proposal for consideration. Financial awards may be available for exemplary research projects with the potential opportunity to live on campus as a community member. Email us at [email protected] with “Research Proposal” in the subject line. ank you! Natural Building Alumni: From the Classroom to the Construction Site
Peacemaking doesn’t mean passivity. It is the act of interrupting injustice without mirroring injustice, the act of disarming evil without destroying the evildoer, the act of nding a third way that is neither ght nor ight, but the careful arduous pursuit of reconciliation and justice.
~ Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals
is year, 2015 Natural Building Alumna, Alicia Ginsburg and 2014 alumna, Sara Tamler, founded DirtChic, a natural building collective aiming to make natural and sustainable building accessible to all. is summer, DirtChic will donate their design, skill, and management to build a model “100-Mile Home” in the Emerald Village Eugene residential community for the home- less of Eugene, Oregon.
e 100-Mile Home will be one of 22 new homes at Emerald Village Eugene (EVE). Each tiny house at EVE will be built from a unique design donated by local architects. DirtChic Builders has designed the 100-Mile Home to be the only home in the village using natural building techniques, sourcing most of its resources from within a 100-mile radius. e development will involve For many, the election and the courage and sacri ce of those who are taking a stand at Standing Rock took center stage, and both will leave an local community members, students, builders, and future EVE residents in immeasurable impact on the world to come. e two events could not the design and construction process. EVE is also unique, because it is a have been more polarizing. How the world will settle itself into new self-sustaining housing cooperative in which residents will acquire an ‘equity’ patterns from the great shi s and upheavals we witnessed in 2016 remains share. to be seen, but one thing you can count on is leadership from Aprove- chians. e DirtChic founders, Alicia and Sara, are excited to have the opportunity to build a natural home at EVE. Our hope is that the 100-Mile Home will be a Aprovecho is proud to witness and support our Natural Building program working example of how urban micro-homes can be built a ordably with alumni put their building and community skills to use in designing, build- natural, reused, and local materials. With versatility and replicability in mind, ing, fundraising, and delivering sustainable shelters and resources to the our design meets code and is easily relatable to conventional builders, while camps at Standing Rock. also incorporating a straw-clay wall system, natural plasters, an earthen oor, a living roof, non-toxic seals and nishes, and as many recycled materials as John Hutton, a Natural Building program Alum, worked with Shelter for we can gather. the Storm to design and build three winterized homes at Standing Rock, and they brought with them hundreds of pounds of organic food, a crew EVE is a project developed by SquareOne Villages (SOV), a non-pro t organi- of experienced carpenters, and a team of heartfelt people to stand in zation that creates self-managed communities of cost-e ective tiny homes for solidarity with rst nation tribes in peace and prayer. ey constructed people in need of housing. Alicia is also on their management team. For more three 150 square foot insulated shelters, complete with solar arrays and information, please contact Alicia Ginsburg at [email protected]. wood stoves, donated all the materials for a third mobile home, and distributed high quality winter gear and large quantities of food.
Eric Spiegel, a Natural Building program Alum, worked with a team of six natural builders to support the brave water protectors. Eric said:
We're focusing on straw bale structures and rocket mass heaters, but ultimately we'll be humbly observing and listen- ing before we decide how we can best be of service to the movement in this way.
Permaculture Design alum, Chris Gutschenritter, traveled to Standing Rock with an armada of provisions, and Natural Building alum, Ian Stabler, donated a hand-built and cra ed tipi.
ree more amazing Aprovecho Natural Building alumni, Sara Tamler, Emily Sessoms, and Juan Andres DiRisio, have been planning to make the trip to Standing Rock to o er food, supplies, and their natural building skills as part of a busload full of seasoned Paci c Northwest activists, orga- nized by Jessica Campbell of the Rural Organizing Project. ey’re on stand-by to see if their support is needed.
Aprovecho is so proud that our students are not only helping to build a more sustainable world and culture, but also being active in standing with the protectors of water and life. We’re proud to have helped equip them with the skills they are using to build the world our hearts know is possi- ble, while protecting the one we have now. Major changes were made this year, and Aprovecho has been thriving and growing ever since. e whole team and campus is excit- ed about the new strength and direction we have harnessed with the evolution in our programming and organizational model. We Welcomed New and Amazing People to Our Team!
Sustainable Business Development Program Director: A er a decade with the Steering Committee Heather Greene model of governance, the Board and Steering We are so lucky to welcome Heather Greene to our Committee decided that a Stewardship Direc- team as the Sustainable Livelihood Director. In the tor model would work to more e ectively short time she’s been with us, she’s demonstrated her meet Aprovecho’s needs. We sent the call far deep and broad knowledge of the legal, nancial, and and wide and were blessed to bring on board entrepreneurial aspects of new business develop- Steve Braun. Steve is an environmental scien- ment, non-pro t management, and more. Heather is tist and educator, having worked in school a scholar activist, currently completing her MS in leadership from the classroom to the state Food Systems and Society at Marylhurst University. level. Steve earned a doctorate in Earth, Envi- With a long history of participation in sustainability ronment and Society, a Master’s Degree in and social change movements, her focus the last two Special Education and Bachelors in Environ- mental and Resource Management. He has worked on several grant teams including those funded by the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Forest Service and the Gray Family Foundation. He former- ly served on the Oregon Environmental Literacy Program Council and is also the Director for the Lane County STEM Hub. He has authored publi- cations in the Green Teacher and Environmental Education Research. He earned his Permaculture Design Certi cate in 2002, is an amateur herbal- ist, brewer, and outdoor recreation enthusiast. He lives locally with his partner Amanda and daughter Oriah.
Household Steward: Abby Colehour We reluctantly watched Rosie Kirincic transition from the role as our Household Steward to pursue entrepreneurship as the owner of Crescent Moon Yoga in down- town Cottage Grove, and we welcomed Abby Colehour to our team. As hard as Rosie is to replace, Abby, a joy to work with and be fed by, has brilliantly stepped into role as Household Steward. Abby took the Permaculture Design course in 2015 and became smitten with the human and plant systems in the Aprovecho community. She thinks she is greatly fortunate as the House- hold Steward to have the opportunity to support local food producers and provide healthy food to the inspiring folks at Aprovecho. As a “mas- ter-generalist” in training, she dabbles in gardening, botany, woodwork- ing, building, sewing, fermentation, basketry, hide-tanning, music, herbal- ism, and other things. Her life mission is be excellent at keeping herself healthy, to nd a place in the world where she ows simply with the natural and human landscape, and to inspire others to do the same.
Appropriate Technology Program Director: Mike Hat eld Our longtime friend and team member, Mike Hat eld, donned a new cap here at Aprovecho as our Appropriate Technology program director, and it couldn’t be more appropriate. Mike’s many, many years in his role as both a Board member here at this Aprovecho and as a team member at the Aprovecho Stove Lab, providing cutting edge appropriate technology to the world in the form of highly ecient wood stoves, makes him a great choice for this new role. Bradley Tschirgi, com- munity member, Buildings Maintenance Steward, and human powered machines enthusiast, will be assisting him.
2017 Programs: Residential and Workshops
We o er two kinds of programs at Aprovecho: We are all here to contribute our gi s toward something greater than ourselves, and will 1. Residential community-based immersive, where students live, learn, work, never be content unless we are. and play together on our 40 acre permaculture-based campus for the weeks or months during their program, and ~Charles Eisenstein 2. Workshops, where area and Paci c Northwest residents can come to campus for a day or weekend to bene t from our teachers and resources in order to learn the skills necessary for a transition toward a more sustainable culture and to create abundance and resilience in their own lives and liveli- hoods. Community Education Workshops
Aprovecho provides a unique and very special place to learn sustainability We o er community education workshops to enrich and empower area skills and develop sustainable livelihood. Many students leave a er their residents who may not be able to participate in our residential programming. immersive program saying that they learned as much in the community life e workshops are designed to o er the skills & knowledge people need for at Aprovecho, living and learning closely with people and learning about their journey toward sustainable living. themselves and new ways of living, as they did in the classroom. Schedule for WINTER 2017 THIS YEAR KINDLE CASCADIA WILL BE All Workshops Held on Sundays
HOSTED HERE AT APROVECHO! January 15th Felting January 22nd Herbal Medicine January 29th Permaculture Hedgerows RENT OUR CLASSROOMS OR CAMPUS January 29th Sustainable Animal Husbandry February 5th Rocket Stoves/ARC Lab FOR YOUR WORKSHOP OR RETREAT February 5th Intro to Biodynamic Farming February 12th Living Food & Nutrition Rentals are an exciting new way that we can o er our resources and February 26th Backyard Beekeeping campus to people developing their vision for building a sustainable February 26th Prenatal and Postnatal Nutrition future. We have classrooms, garden space for workshops and retreats, a March 5th Orchard Management shop, and wooded areas that may be used on a per-hour or per-day basis March 12th Green Woodworking & Cra sman Philosophy for individuals, groups, and organizations to host workshops, retreats, March 19th Permaculture Design for Disaster classes, children’s outdoor enrichment programs, and more. ere are March 26th Natural Plasters and Finishes currently two classrooms for daily rentals, and for multi-day workshops Herbalism Retreat - February 18th and 19th and retreats, renters have access to camp grounds, kitchen, the tool shop, managed and wild forest, dormitories, and more.
December 8, 2016, I (or more exactly Aprovecho) received a standing ovation in recognition for being the primary stove designers of the stove from which their successfully design was built. If you are interested in seeing information about this project check out www.proyectomirador.org. Given the length and breadth of Aprovecho’s appropriate technology work today it is easy to forget about the important history of Aprovecho and improved cookstoves in the developing world.
Close to half of the world population still cooks on inecient and polluting wood-burning stoves. e World Health Organization estimates that the inhala- tion of wood smoke kills 4 million women and children per year. Add to this the e ects on deforesta- tion and global warming and the need for improved stoves has never been greater. Aprovecho started in the late 1970s with a small scale appropriate technology project designing a wood burning cookstove for Gua- temala a er the country had a devastating earthquake. Using locally found mate- APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY rials a handful of well-meaning artisans designed a multi pot mud stove with a May 1st to May 26th chimney that could be locally made. Unfortunately this stove was designed with wonderful intentions but misguided design principles and no tools of evaluation e Appropriate Technology Series is a four-week course designed to empower and in actuality it was found to use more fuel than the traditional stove. But failure students with the ability to implement simple, energy-saving technologies in is sometimes the best rst step in scienti c discovery. Aprovecho realized this in the home, on the farm or in the eld. From solar cookers to methane digesters; the early 1980’s and decided to dedicate itself to the rst principles of stove design rocket stoves to o -grid electrical systems, this four-week course delves into the and a er more than a decade of research developed the Rocket Stove that has now science of sustainability while teaching the practical skills necessary for apply- been replicated in the millions in hundreds of projects over the Americas, Africa, ing these technologies in the real world. is course will also be appropriate for and Asia. those exploring new, green vocations in sustainability. By working with profes- sionals in the eld, students will be exposed to potential career pathways in is March Aprovecho will run a 4-week AT program that will dig deep into the appropriate technology and beyond. Take the series as a whole or choose work of stove design and testing as well as cover a wide range of other subjects. week-by-week depending on your interest. For more information contact Aprovecho for a detailed Syllabus.
Message from Mike Hat eld, Appropriate Technology Program Director. Regards, Notes from the eld and looking forward to the future of the AT program: Mike Hat eld As I write this I am returning from an amazing trip consulting on a stove proj- Appropriate Technology Program Director ect in Honduras that has installed more than 130,000 stoves and is just getting started. At the annual holiday celebration in Santa Barbara Honduras on Natural Building and Green Design
Build a tiny home using local, sustainable, and green materials!
Aprovecho’s Natural Building Program is a design/build school o ering educational opportunities in the design and construction of energy ecient PART II: Natural Building Practicum structures using sustainable materials. Trainings are o ered both for the July 30th – September 23rd, 2017 do-it-yourself home-builder as well as students pursuing a career as a design- er/builder. Class topics cover all components of home construction as well as e Natural Building Practicum (NBP) is phase two of the Natural Building skills associated with dra ing, design and business development. Whether Semester. e NBP is an eight week program focused on three primary learning you are just starting out in natural building or already have experience in the objectives: construction eld, there are many diverse educational opportunities o ered throughout the year. ◆ Build con dence through experience with natural building and design tech- niques learned during the Shelter Series You can participate in either just Part I: Sustainable Shelter Series or take both ◆ Provide Sustainable Livelihood training helping students interested in pursuing Part I and Part II as the Natural Building Semester. Find out more and register a career as a designer/builder understand the basics of starting and marketing a online aprovecho.net. business ◆ Develop design/build leadership abilities through student determined PART I: e Sustainable Shelter Series design/build projects June 4th – July 22nd, 2017 Student Design/Build Projects During the Natural Building Semester each student is expected to design and e Sustainable Shelter Series is a seven-week course designed to empower build a project using skills and techniques learned earlier in the semester during participants with the ability to build and/or renovate their own home using the Sustainable Shelter Series. Design/build projects are an important part of simple techniques and locally-sourced, non-toxic materials. During this Aprovecho’s educational model based on the belief that only through practice course we will start from the ground and move up teaching the art/science of does one acquire the knowledge of a new skill or technique. By taking the leader- natural building and green design. ship role in a project’s design and implementation students are able to witness the entirety of the building process while gaining con dence through experience in You can take this course as a whole or choose week-by-week speci c skill areas chosen by themselves. depending on your interests and schedule. e design/build process includes guidance and practice in the areas of: e course is taught by a team of Paci c Northwest natural builders with years ◆ design of experience in the eld whose teaching emphasis is direct, hands-on ◆ dra ing and modeling involvement for the students complimented by classroom/theory time when ◆ developing timelines and budgets appropriate. Primary instruction areas are centered around the construction ◆ material acquisition and processing of a 200 sq . model home. See photos on our website from previous years ◆ client communication program! ◆ crew leadership ◆ and a variety of natural building techniques Week 1: Foundations - Stone, Concrete, and Beyond Week 2: Working with Wood, Part 1 - Timber Framing Week 3: Working with Wood, Part 2 - Light Framing Techniques for the Natural Home Week 4: Inside Insulation - From Strawbale to Straw Clay Week 5: Round Pole Framing and Roof Systems Week 6: Natural Plasters and Finishes - e Cra of Lime and Clay Week 7: As Clear As Mud - Earthen Floor Systems
Ask about our interest-free financing options! Permaculture Design
hours of classroom and hands on time. Students will leave this program prepared to not only manage aspects of sustainable systems, but able to put all aspects together into an integrated whole.
At the end of this course you will have experience with: ◆ Building with natural materials including mixing and applying natural plasters, natural insulation techniques, and construction with cob ◆ Designing and installing forest gardens and planting and tending trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants ◆ Planning a garden for four seasons of food yields ◆ Building a compost pile and brewing compost tea ◆ Utilizing hand tools like levels and compass to establish base maps and plan water harvesting earthworks ◆ Finding and maximizing the use of water as it moves through the land. ◆ Constructing swales, ponds, and greywater systems for increasing the avail ability of water in your landscape ◆ Working with indoor and outdoor aquatic food systems including sh and aquatic plants ◆ Canning, fermenting, drying and storing food What Is Permaculture? ◆ Building a solar hot water shower ◆ Designing rocket stoves and rocket mass heaters ◆ Selecting and falling trees with hand tools Permaculture is a whole-systems method of design that organizes strategies ◆ Restoring eroded stream channels and techniques from agriculture, appropriate technology, natural building, ◆ And putting it all together into a Permaculture master plan! economics, and other disciplines into a pattern of mutually supportive relationships that helps us create sustainable places to live. PART II: Permaculture Practicum in Water Aprovecho’s Permaculture programs are the longest-running programs of their kind in the Paci c Northwest. Our emphasis is on hands-on application and Forestry Systems of design and establishment of whole systems based farms, forests, home- September 24th to November 11th steads, and businesses. Classes occur within the context of our 40-acre educa- tional land-trust, a thirty year-old model of community-scale Permaculture, and the surrounding neighborhood of sister farms and homesteads within is course is designed for farmers, landowners, contractors, and students seek- the Hazelton valley. Many of the best teachers from around the Paci c North- ing to deepen their on-the-ground experience in planning and implementing west comprise the teaching team for our courses. regenerative forestry and water systems in the context holistic homestead and farm-scale projects.
PART I: e Permaculture Design e practicum has four core educational elements: ◆ Water harvesting Certi cate (PDC) Course ◆ Sustainable timber-based forest management August 8th to September 16th ◆ Agroforestry and perennial food systems ◆ Assessment, survey, and design
Projects will include: Join us for 6 weeks of empowering and practical solutions at Aprovecho, a site ◆ Construction of ponds and other earthworks renowned for over 30 years of work in Permaculture and sustainable develop- ◆ Land survey and map making ment while learning from an assemblage of many of the best teachers ◆ Forest surveying and tree falling throughout the Paci c Northwest. Teachers for this course include Jude ◆ Indoor and outdoor aquaculture systems Hobbs, Marisha Auerbach, Rick Valley, Andrew Millison, Tao Orion, Chris ◆ Keyline system survey and implementation Foraker, Abel Kloster, and Mike Hat eld. ◆ Forest gardening ◆ Greywater system construction Aprovecho’s Sustainable Living Skills Immersion is the oldest program of its ◆ Woodland and stream restoration kind in the Northwest and includes hands on training in appropriate technol- ◆ Rainwater harvesting ogy, sustainable forestry, natural building, water harvesting, sustainable agriculture, and Permaculture.
e Permaculture Design curriculum is woven throughout the program, leaving students with a framework for integrating the learned strategies and techniques into cohesive designs for sustainable human settlement. e internationally recognized certi cate in Permaculture Design is presented at the end of the program. While a typical Permaculture Design Course runs for two weeks, and contains 40 hours of instruction, this course contains 200+ New and Extended Programs
2nd-Year Track: Internships
e upcoming year will o er an exciting new opportunity for students to develop and strengthen their skills from the previous year or from previous We sense that ‘normal’ isn’t coming study and work either at Aprovecho or in other permaculture or natural build- ing programs. For the second year student, we’ll be o ering a variety of educa- back, that we are being born into a tional internships. ese currently include: ◆ Two 9-month Land Internships: From March to November interns will new normal: a new kind of society, develop their skills in permaculture-based land management systems under a new relationship to the earth, a the guidance of Abel Kloster. ◆ Two 9-month Building Internships: From March to November, interns will new experience of being human. develop their skills in natural building and structural maintenance with Chris Foraker. ◆ Two 7-month Non-Pro t and Small Business Management Internships: From September to March, interns will learn the skills necessary to organize, ~Charles Eisenstein fundraise, market, and manage a non-pro t or small business.
Field Mouse Academy Oered Each Season
Elemental Exploration Education (EEE) o ers homeschooled youth an opportunity to socialize, empower and mobilize to create the change that they want to see in the world. Classes help orient the participants in place and space, allowing for exploration and interpersonal communication, collabora- tion and a deep recognition of connection, the elements necessary for sustain- able growth and world health. Creative examination through the lens of science, geography, sustainability and community make this program unique. Aprovecho’s new PreK to 12 programs o ers an opportunity for young people to reconnect, observe, explore, innovate and participate in practical, positive, transformative social change. Currently hosting 4-9 year old explorers in e Field Mouse Academy. Classes are o ered seasonally, in 5-6 week courses, more classes to come! Check out our current o erings on Facebook or at Aprovecho.net.
Get Involved with Aprovecho! Collaboration, Research Proposals, Outreach, Rentals, and Incubator
Teamwork makes the dream work!
We rmly believe that a beautiful future of harmony between humankind and nature involves a commitment to working together. We invite you to get involved in the greater Aprovecho community so that we can support each other in our goals and projects. Here are a few ways that we can work together:
Collaborate: If you have a sustainability-based business, contact us! We’ll add you to our list of professionals and consultants we can send consultancy inquiries Sustainable Livelihood Workshops and Grant and develop apprenticeship programs with our graduates. Please contact Steve Spring - March 15th, 22nd, 29th, April 5th, and 12th Braun at [email protected] for details and to get started. Late Summer - July 24th, 31st, August 7th, 14th, and 21st Research Proposals: Have a subject or idea you would like to research? If you have a passion or deep interest in anything ranging from mycology to natural Creating a new livelihood or improving an existing business is challenging, ceiling insulation to watershed restoration to forest management systems or creating a business plan that sustains not only you and your needs, but also anything else in the realm of sustainable living, come visit and/or send a proposal aligns with your desire to contribute to the greater good, is daunting. is to us to develop your project here at Aprovecho. course o ers sustainability focused, aspiring entrepreneurs a belt of evaluative tools, to identify, organize, plan and implement viable business strategies. Outreach: Help us spread the word about Aprovecho’s programs and o erings. rough the lens of sustainability, business ideas will be transformed into We need people around the country to post yers about our residential programs living, growing, tangible plans. Entrepreneurs will discuss the many aspects of and share with your online networks and in local and regional sustainability-re- socio- environmental business structures, while exploring and utilizing the lated journals, magazines and forums. Join our outreach team! Please contact most innovative approaches and resources available to discover individualized Maryam Mathieu at [email protected]. paths to sustainable success. Aprovecho IDA Recipients must attend. Rentals: If you have a skill or organization that is aligned with our mission and People, Planet, Pro t would like to rent a space to teach a workshop or host a retreat, contact us! Business Incubator: If you want to develop a business through our Sustain- able Business Development program, contact us! We’ll see how we can make it work for you through subsidized living, resources, grant funding, and skill-build- ing workshops. Contact Heather Greene at [email protected]. New Direction Sustainable Livelihood and Local Economic Resilience
With new leadership and a renewed enthusiasm, Aprovecho is trans- forming! Aprovecho is not only growing its programs and o erings, but IDA Grant and Business Incubator developing sustainable livelihood support for students and the commu- nity to create a model for local success. We’re o ering a spectrum of models for resilience and ethical prosperity through our business and We o er the Sustainable Business Development Program to help people devel- incubator programs. We now o er new opportunities for research, op a career path based on the sustainable principles we teach at Aprovecho. e increased and improved community education, environmentally focused Sustainable Business Development program includes access to the Oregon IDA homeschool enrichment programs and space for the greater community 3:1 matching grant to start a small business or fund further education, the to utilize for events that support our mission of equity, equality and Sustainable Business Development Workshop to help you develop a viable sustainability. business plan, and o ers community support in developing a livelihood based on the principles of sustainability. First, a message from our new Sustainable Business What is an IDA grant? Development Director: Individual Development Accounts, or IDAs, are matched savings accounts that build the nancial management skills of qualifying Oregonians with lower Hello greater Aprovecho Community! incomes while they save towards a de ned goal. IDAs build pathways to pros- perity and create models of economic success in Oregon communities. Over a My name is Heather Greene, and I am so very happy to intro- period of 6 months to 3 years, grantees save money to pursue either an educa- duce myself to you as the new Sustainable Business Develop- tional path or a business plan, and with every $1 dollar they save, $3 will be ment and Federal IDA Matching Grant Savings Program granted to them, up to a total matching grant of $9,000. Director at Aprovecho. I am an Oregon native, proud rural resident, and I come to Aprovecho with a background in Farm Incubator Model sustainable business practices and an interdisciplinary educa- e goal of this program is to provide low-cost land access to farmers seeking a tional background that has o ered me a global perspective on start in the farm economy of the Southern Willamette Valley while enriching the systems that have brought us to the undeniable conversa- the fresh produce supply within our local area and in the Aprovecho kitchen. tion of resilience. Aprovecho wishes to support the growth of small farm businesses by providing not only land and tool access but business training and support through our I see an opportunity to create new models of prosperity and Sustainable Business Development program. As part of the farm incubator equality, that contribute to a future of sustenance and abun- program, participants are eligible for a 3:1 matching grant of up to $9,000, dance for all. It begins with a conversation about goals and which they can use towards the start-up costs of their business. expectations and, as we move into the New Year, I am working to create a roadmap to success for those that want to create e Incubator programs at Aprovecho provide infrastructure and support for sustainable, equitable futures that illustrate work beyond participants to build skills, industry connections, consumer relationships and theory, to provide for people planet, and then pro t. brand recognition through the operation of a small business. Aprovecho provides this investment in physical and human capital for free to participants, A commercial kitchen at Aprovecho is an asset to the commu- and the community is strengthened by this process. Important programs based on an intersection between participants’ skills, passions, and commitment to nity, as well as beginning farmers, producers and potential contributing to the community happen with the Business Incubator programs. sustainable business entrepreneurs. is is the time to support such endeavors; a robust program that incorporates education, Additionally, the Farm Incubator is teaching middle-school students about experience and targeted business planning to inform the sustainable food growing methods and farm-to-table culinary skills, as well as beginning, existing or exiting participants, o ers a safeguard to distributing its abundance of produce to community schools. ese programs local food production, contributes to continued involvement in and more programs like them need a commercial kitchen to be able to safely nurturing sustainable agriculture, vernacular skills, and insures and legally market and distribute produce and value-added garden products to a future of community success, equity and social equality. the region.
Classes will be o ered for 5 weeks in the spring and again in the fall: Additional o erings will be advertised, base price $75 -sliding scale. e Sustainable Business Development class is mandatory to participate in an Aprovecho IDA, please see schedule for more information.
Warm Regards,
Heather Greene Sustainable Business Development Director
Commercial Kitchen & Incubator Campaign is is an exciting new project for 2017. We’ve been fundraising and applying for grants to install a commercial kitchen on campus that will enable us to serve several critically import- ant functions from serving 400% more students, to incubating small, land-based business- es, to teaching critically important sustainable food preparation and preservation skills, as well as providing a model for “seeding” local economic development and resilience in the form of cottage industry. Commercial Kitchen Campaign
Aprovecho has remained strong and steady through the years through the generous support of our donors and alumni, and we hope to continue this tradition with new ways of giving and supporting our common mission to grow and build the world our hearts know is possible. Everything helps. Anything you can give, whether in the form of money, materials, or sharing our mission and programs with your network, makes an impact.
We have a new campaign planned for 2017. We’ll be fundraising for and installing a Commercial Kitchen in our Community Meeting Hall in order to: ◆ Greatly expand our reach and o erings potential to larger numbers of students, e ectively increasing our residential, rental, and workshop capacity 400% or more, ◆ Provide training to residential and workshop students in sustainable food preparation and preservation practices, ◆ Small-business incubation for students and area residents, and, ◆ Developing a model for “seeding” local economic growth and resilience through small-business incubation and entrepreneurship. A commercial kitchen space is critical infrastructure for extending the reach of our community outreach and em- Aprovecho has been a long-time contributor to local economic and social powerment services. development. We provide classes and workshops on organic gardening, forest and land management, natural building techniques, water and resource security, and alternative energy technologies. Our organization has been an important source of skill training and local economic develop- We o er the small-business grant and incubator, as well as the Farm incubator, ment in the Willamette Valley for over 35 years, and we are poised to which includes the Garden, Aquaponics, and can include incubators in the man- increase our o erings and broaden our scope of programs to reach more aged forest and shop area, and the commercial kitchen enables us to grow not only people of greater demographic diversity. Our educational reach is also not our business incubator reach and impact, but also dramatically increases our limited to our campus. capacity to open our campus to more students and programs.
Currently, Aprovecho residents maintain productive partnerships with An important aspect of the Commercial Kitchen Campaign is to be a local Cottage Grove schools and farms, educating students and the community economic stimulator and model for other communities to do the same. As the about sustainable livelihoods and farm-to-table-based diet and nutrition. incubator-subsidized startups mature, they will generate new economic activity We also host tours and a broad range of community workshops on our and opportunities for employment in our area. is growth fosters a setting for the campus which teach Cottage Grove and regional residents sustainable creation of more local jobs linked to sustainable livelihoods for Cottage Grove gardening, building, nutrition, and technology skills. Empowering the residents. As these incubated businesses grow into maturity, their capacity to community and the next generation with the skills to live ecologically create community employment opportunities grows in step. Expanding the legiti- responsible lives is fundamental to Aprovecho’s mission. macy and educational potency of these and all our programs is critical to ensuring their longevity and ecacy. A commercial kitchen is critical to this goal. Our present food preparation facilities have proven too small for e ective demonstrations and un t for preparing large meals on a regular basis. A We wish to make what we teach available to all, no matter their nancial situation. commercial kitchen is a critical infrastructure component that will allow us e expected increase in revenue stemming from a commercial kitchen space will to expand our capacity at this critical juncture in our development to host allow the nancial exibility to continue to subsidize tuition cost for high-need and feed temporary visitors and students, as well as accept more long-term students. residents. It would also provide us the opportunity to teach food prepara- tion and safety classes, demonstrate food-saving and preservation tech- A commercial kitchen will generate new revenues, new potential for housing niques. It would also provide a place to incubate small, land-based business residents and accommodating visitors, and a new scope of opportunities in liveli- to legally process farm and garden products for sale in our local and hood, health, and sustainability education for residents of Cottage Grove and Lane surrounding community. It is our hope that capacity building on site will County from school age to retirement. allow us to expand the availability and scope of program o erings on campus and throughout Cottage Grove. We will be launching our Commercial Kitchen Campaign Kickstarter in February 2017.
You can support this e ort through a nancial donation in the form of check or online donation through our website or Kickstarter (launching in February). We’ll send you a receipt for your taxes and records. You can also support us through donations in new or gently-used goods and materials. CAMPUS AND PROGRAMS COMMERCIAL KITCHEN
Our needs for 2017 include: ◆ Video camcorder with tripod ◆ Gas tank ◆ Movie Projector ◆ Water heater ◆ Window Curtains and blinds ◆ Toilet, hardware and sink ◆ Gravel ◆ Electric and plumbing consultation ◆ Aquaponics system supplies ◆ Two-tier oven ◆ Garden tools ◆ Prep surfaces and work tables ◆ Shop & forestry tools ◆ Standing mixer ◆ Woodworking tools ◆ Hot food warmer ◆ Faswall ◆ Refrigerator ◆ Straw bales ◆ Freezer ◆ Natural plasters and pigments ◆ Walk-in cooler ◆ Wood for wood stoves ◆ 3-bay sanitizing sink ◆ Round poles ◆ Handwashing and mop sinks ◆ Timbers for timber framing ◆ 30 qt. food processor ◆ Cement bags ◆ 30 qt. mixer ◆ Rebar ◆ Commercial blenders and juicers ◆ Lumber ◆ Chemical storage containers ◆ Up-to-date computer technology ◆ Garbage containers/cans ◆ Event Supplies (folding tables, ◆ Kitchen utensils/implements (including, folding chairs, pop-up canopies) thermometers, sheet pans, pots, bowls, etc.) ◆ Labor/expertise from contractors, plumber, electrician 2016
It was another amazing year of learning and loving each other and the world and protecting and nurturing the beauty in the world and in our communities. Thank you to all of our donors and supporters who make our work possible! PHOTO ALBUM
2016/2017 News from Aprovecho designed by Maryam Mathieu (jMaryamMathieu.com) VALUED AT: $______&MATERIALS:GOODS ______DONATION AMOUNT: $ ______PHONE: ______EMAIL: ______CITY: ______STATE: ______ZIP:______ADDRESS: ______NAME: ______page “Supporting Aprovecho” on our website at aprovecho.net. taxes and records. To donate by credit card, go please to the address listed to we right, the so can you send areceipt for your To donate, out ll card this and it send with your check to our Aprovecho! Yes, Iwouldliketodonate ank you! MAIL TO: PHONE: (541)942-8198 EMAIL: [email protected] MAIL: 80574Hazelton Rd., Cottage Grove, OR 97424 Contact Us!
APROVECHO News from Aprovecho 2016/2017 THE BUSY-NESS EDITION