Green Calgary

Permaculture Cuba! An Immersion Experience in Sustainable Urban Agriculture in the Heart of Cuba

For seven weeks in May and June of 2010, ten Canadians will have the opportunity to experience first hand the thriving urban agriculture and permaculture movements in Cuba. Based in the beautiful city of Sancti Spiritus, participants will work hand-in-hand with local leaders and practioners on a variety of fascinating projects producing food in the heart of the urban setting. Grounded in a model of partnership and collaborative learning, the program will include:

Orientations in Canada and Cuba
Workshops and dialogue on a variety of urban agriculture and permaculture themes
Placements in existing permaculture/urban agriculture projects
The opportunity to work with local leaders in the design and implementation of a new project site
Spanish language learning
Immersion in the rich cultural life and natural beauty of the Sancti Spiritus region of Cuba
Optional graduate level credit through the University of Alberta, Faculty of Extension

This project is a partnership of The Urban Farmer, The University of Alberta Faculty of Extension, and the Antonio Nunez Jimenez Foundation for Nature and Man. Space is limited and will be granted on a first come, first served basis.

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May Permablitz with Ravis Sustainable

Where a blitz is a focused application of energy or a concentrated effort to get something done, a Permablitz is a front or back yard makeover where volunteers from the community get together and have fun learning about, designing and implementing permaculture-inspired systems.

We organize Permablitz days in conjunction with our Permaculture Courses. These workshop-style days allow students to get some hands-on experience, try out some of the concepts discussed in class, learn by doing, get ideas for their own homes, meet like-minded people, reduce food miles & water use and beautify underused spaces.

Permablitz projects may be wide and varied:

    build a food garden or edible forest garden

    share knowledge and skills about organic food production

    building swales

    sheet mulching techniques

    cob oven install

    rain water harvesting and design

    gray water install and design

    demonstration of levelling techniques

    guild planting .... and more!

This Permablitz will be held on Saturday May 15th, 2009. While all past students are welcome to join, first priority for attendance is given to the Green Calgary Introduction to Permaculture students from the prior week-end.
Non-students may join the workshop for a small fee.
If you are not part of the May 8 & 9th Introduction Course and would like to attend, please contact Ravis Sustainable.

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Workshop- Outdoor Composting

Compost (or humus) is a valuable soil amendment. It has a high organic matter content and helps return to the soil many properties which are lost over time and with use. During this workshop, learn how to recycle your organic waste, how to overcome composting challenges in Calgary and make great fertilizer.

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Retrofitting the Job Market

Green collar jobs are the way of the future. Learn about the
potential for a green labour market in Calgary‐ one that expands
opportunities for everyone and supports sustainability efforts.

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Workshop- Waste at Home

This presentation examines the problems associated with waste in our municipality. Ideas on waste reduction as well as water and energy savings for residents are explored. An amazing amount of information is shared in a short period of time! Participants in thsi workshop walk away with valuable tips on both how to help the environments and cost savings.

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Workshop- Green Cleaning

Improving indoor air quality and cleaning green

This fun, fact-filled workshop discusses how to improve indoor air quality through a variety of means including choosing green cleaners. It discusses in depth how to evaluate cleaning products to get the one(s) best fitted to protecting your health and the environment. Finally, the workshop illustrates how participants can make their own cleaning products and shows examples of their ingredients.

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Workshop- Vermicomposting

Staff lunch rooms, residents living in condos and apartments, or living in remote areas where outdoor composting is not permitted due to a bear presence can still compost, they just do it indoors!! One form of indoor composting is vermicomposting with red worms, a dark oxygen rich bin, and shredded newspaper. During the Vermicomposting workshop you will learn what vermicomposting is, how it works, how to do it properly, the job and anatomy of red worms, and what can and cannot be put into a vermicompost bin.

» Details

Workshop- Outdoor Composting

Compost (or humus) is a valuable soil amendment. It has a high organic matter content and helps return to the soil many properties which are lost over time and with use. During this workshop, learn how to recycle your organic waste, how to overcome composting challenges in Calgary and make great fertilizer.

» Details

Workshop- Waste at Home

This presentation examines the problems associated with waste in our municipality. Ideas on waste reduction as well as water and energy savings for residents are explored. An amazing amount of information is shared in a short period of time! Participants in thsi workshop walk away with valuable tips on both how to help the environments and cost savings.

» Details

Workshop- Green Cleaning

This fun, fact-filled workshop discusses how to improve indoor air quality through a variety of means including choosing green cleaners. It discusses in depth how to evaluate cleaning products to get the one(s) best fitted to protecting your health and the environment. Finally, the workshop illustrates how participants can make their own cleaning products and shows examples of their ingredients.

» Details