November Permaculture Design Course at The Panya Project, Chiang Mai, Thailand Teacher: Chris Shanks Dates: November 5 - 20, 2007 Costs: $750 (registration before October 1) $950 (registration after October 1) This 16-day Permaculture Design Course will be focused on regenerative design for all climates. Taught by Chris Shanks, the course aims to give a well rounded education of all aspect of permaculture theory and practice. Participants will come away from the course motivated and excited to design and implement using permaculture principals and ethics. The Panya Project, nestled up against the 5th largest national park in Thailand, hopes to be an active member of the national and international sustainabilty movement. Set on 25 rai (10 acres, 4 hectares) of what used to be a monocrop mango plantation, the project is actively regenerating the land through a heavily planted tropical edible food forest. The community at Panya hopes to continually get closer and closer to full sustainability, while at the same time expanding their own knowledge, wisdom and joy through the process. We are excited to host this course, learn from the broad experience of Chris Shanks, expanding our own knowledge of natural systems as well as providing the space and opportunity for others to learn as well. Come and join us in learning about what we believe is one of the most powerful methods for regenerating the health and abundance that is natural to this planet. Learn how to design and implement interactive systems that use natural forces and natural systems as their guide. Now is the time to act! Lets actively create the world we want! Come join us!! Chris Shanks has practiced permaculture in the Americas and beyond for almost ten years. Chris works as the co-Director and farm manager of Project Bona Fide, Isla Ometpe, Nicaragua(www.projectbonafide.com). Bona Fide is a 46 acre permaculture farm that was started in 2002. The farm is an educational center and community anchor that supports many social and reforestation program. Bona Fide itself has planted its 46 acres with more than 20,000 tree in its reforestation efforts. Bona fide features all manners of sustainable systems, food forests, nurseries, gardens, and natural buildings. Chris also divides his time between the Bahamas and Orcas Island, Washington State. In the Bahamas Chris co-founded the permaculture educational curriculum at the Island School/Cape Eleuthera Institute (www.islandschool.org and www.ceibahamas.org) and has worked on the implementation of the campus master plan for 5 years. On Orcas island Chris has worked closely with the Bullock Family homestead and educational center building capacity in regards to their sustainable systems and educational facilities (www.permacultureportal.com). Chris also works as a permaculture designer in the professional realm where he serves as a project manager, designer, and chief horticulturalist for Whole Systems Design (www.wholesystemsdesign.com). In Nicaragua Chris works as a consultant and project manager with business people dedicated to green development and and eco-tourism. He develops master plans and does site analysis, designs food and water systems as well as gardens and nurseries. He also likes dogs, mangosteens, motorcycles, and durians. Learn more at our website: www.panyaproject.org Contact : Chris Dawkins panyaproject@gmail.com Here is a link that might be useful: Panya Project

Hello Marshall, Brandan and others, Thanks for your interest in Whole Systems Ag and I am glad you enjoyed Dr B's paper. I think it's one of the best I've seen on oaks. Yes, I've visited the Santa Barbara museum many times when my family was living in Thousand Oaks. The botanic garden was a particularly nice attraction because, at the time, I was doing a lot of work with native plants. I checked out the PGI and that looks like a kind of Jungian place. I had a big interest in that stripe of psychology at that time too. At present, my work on the farm and with the tasks in front of my nose keep me from the more academic pursuits I once enjoyed. The garden at Pacifica sounds like a wonderful endeavor. Indeed, I'd be delighted if you should come for a visit. I seldom leave the farm so one time is about as good as another. It's easy to find just 6 miles or so north of the San Joaquin River on Highway 41 toward Yosemite. Send me a personal email at daddyoat@netptc.net and I'll return detailed directions.

You might want to add this to the Florida gardening forum as well as let school parents and staff know. https://www.houzz.com/discussions/gardening-in-florida-dsbr0-bd~t_29877

You might want to list this under "The Seed Exchange" or "The Plant Exchange". There is a link for Adopt-A-Newbie where people can adopt you and send you supplies. Seeds are easier to send than plants, even cuttings can cost 3 to 5 dollars. It will also have instructions on how to set up your page so people can send you private messages.