Edible Forest Gardens Course, Woodbine Ecology Center, Sedalia Colorado (June 2012)
Course Date: June 1 — 7, 2012
About Edible Forest Gardens: Edible forest gardens mimic the structures and functions of natural ecosystems while producing food and other products, with an emphasis on low-maintenance perennial crops. These gardens (and larger-scale operations) can provide critical ecosystem services while meeting human needs. Design and plant selection help provide fertility, control of weeds and pests, and more. This 6-day residential course will emphasize the design process, with hands-on design work for all participants. Participants will also learn the art and science of habitat mimicry, polyculture assembly, plant demonstration forest garden and observe and maintain plantings from previous courses.
A special focus of this course will be eco-cultural restoration of indigenous management of native useful plants and landscapes. Course materials include a "palette" of useful species for the Front Range as well as Western Slope, including many underutilized useful native plants. Those who already have a Permaculture Design Certificate can choose to take this class as an Advanced Permaculture Design Course and gain an Advanced Design Certificate.
Learn more about this edible forest gardens course. Register here for the course.
Eric Toensmeier (see also) has studied and practiced permaculture since 1990. He has spent much of his adult life exploring edible and useful plants of the world and their use in perennial agroecosystems. He is the author of Perennial Vegetables and co-author of Edible Forest Gardens with Dave Jacke. Both books have received multiple awards. He is currently working on a publication for Woodbine on indigenous management of native plants and landscapes of the Rocky Mountain and Prairie regions.