Boston Flora

Tag: Eric Toensmeier

  • Tuesday, January 31, 8:00 am – Landscape Heroes: Carbon, Water, and Biodiversity

    Join Biodiversity for a Livable Climate, the Ecological Landscape Alliance, the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA/Mass), and the Organic Land Care of NOFA/CT at UMass Amherst on Tuesday, January 31st for an in-depth, inspiring conversation on Carbon Sequestration and learn what practical steps you can take to ensure that your interactions with the landscape make positive impacts.

    At this day-long program you will learn from many land care practitioners including land managers, farmers, researchers, and conservationists about what is possible for soil carbon and landscape restoration. From yards to farms to greenways to commons to gardens, how we treat our soils impacts the climate. Click for conference agenda.

    We know soil is alive. In fact, in one tablespoon of healthy soil there are more microorganisms than there are people on this planet. A highly functional, thriving soil has the capacity to store carbon, absorb water like a sponge, and support a thriving landscape. For years we have viewed soil through its physical and chemical properties, and we are beginning to realize the crucial role of biology in soil function and health. Now we are finding that from back yards to farms to greenways to commons to gardens, how we treat our soils has implications for the global climate.

    This day-long program offers practical tips and applications for how you, too, can be part of the climate solution. Whether you are a gardening enthusiast, farmer, conservation/restoration specialist, or landscape professional, there are positive changes that you can make. Whether you work to reduce compaction using biology, actively build soil carbon, increase soil biodiversity and resilience above and below ground, or heal degraded landscapes, you will walk away with practical tips to apply to your own setting. The synergy of many individuals taking small steps can result in big impacts!

    Come learn from experts in the field such as carbon expert and author, rancher and activist Courtney White with his new book Two Percent Solutions for the Planet and Eric Toensmeier with his new book The Carbon Farming Solution. Additional carbon experts include Eric Fleisher, Chip Osborne, Paul Wagner, Bruce Fulford, and Bryan O’Hara. See below for speaker bios and conference schedule.

    Keynote Presentation: “Two Percent Solutions for the Planet”

    The potential for large-scale removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere through plant photosynthesis and related land-based carbon sequestration activities is both large and largely overlooked. Strategies and co-benefits include: enriching soil carbon, no-till farming with perennials, employing climate-friendly livestock practices, conserving natural habitat, restoring degraded watersheds and range lands, increasing biodiversity, and producing local food. In Two Percent Solutions for the Planet, Courtney White profiles fifty different strategies that work together economically and ecologically with the aim of reducing the atmospheric content of CO2 while producing substantial co-benefits for all living things.  $79 registration. See more at: http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/carbon-conference/#sthash.959oO5Th.dpuf

  • Saturday, June 25, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Eco-Tour: Edible Landscape Oasis in Holyoke

    Imagine growing vegetables that require the same amount of care as perennial flowers and shrubs, need no annual tilling or planting, yet thrive and produce abundant and nutritious crops throughout the season – Jonathan Bates (along with Eric Toensmeier) has made it happen!

    Jonathan lives in Holyoke, Massachusetts where the climate is cold, often wet, and seldom enjoys three days of sunshine in a row. It is not an ideal growing climate by any standards. Yet, on a single evening stroll through his small backyard, Jonathan can collect a full meal for his household. Using permaculture and polyculture techniques, Jonathan has transformed what was once a construction dirt lot into a veritable farmers market of organically grown fruits, nuts, and vegetables.

    Like any well-designed polyculture, Jonathan Bates and Eric Toensmeier have packed a lot of productivity into their one-tenth of an acre urban farm. After a few years as colleague plantsmen, Jonathan and Eric set out to create a multi-storied, forest garden on this winter-challenged, urban lot. More than 11-years, and a lot of hard work later, Jonathan invites us to tour his urban oasis to witness the successful food production and to learn how it was achieved by overcoming the challenges of a tiny urban lot, the shade of mature Norway Maples, nutrient-deficient soil, heavy compaction, clay, lead, and urban prejudice against chickens.

    Jonathan has a rich background in permaculture. Throughout this tour Jonathan will describe such permaculture features as thoughtful planning (nearly a year’s worth went into this project before planting was started), careful soil management, well-researched plant selection and placement, informed resource use/reuse, and ongoing evaluation and readjustments as needed. And for a reality check, Jonathan will also share stories of the setbacks and design failures along the way.

    Paradise Lot: Two Plant Geeks, One-Tenth of an Acre and the Making of an Edible Garden Oasis in the City is the book that describes the inspiration and creation of this edible oasis.

    Registrations are limited – this tour will sell out quickly.

    Jonathan Bates has been learning, thinking and teaching ecologically for two decades. He’s co-created dozens of thriving farms and gardens in the Connecticut River Valley. He co-founded and is a board member of the Apios Institute, a teacher at the Yestermorrow Design/Build School, and is a farmer with Nuestras Raices, Inc. Additionally he is a co-founder, and coordinator/design teacher with Permaculture FEAST. Jonathan loves sharing his passion for life with friends and family, and working with folks to better the world we live in.

    $23 for ELA members, $33 for nonmembers. See more at: http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/eco-tour-edible-landscape-oasis-permaculture-in-practice/#sthash.5b31HMWS.dpuf

  • Friday, July 19, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – The Edible Landscape Oasis

    Imagine growing vegetables that require the same amount of care as perennial flowers and shrubs, need no annual tilling or planting, yet thrive and produce abundant and nutritious crops throughout the season – Eric Toensmeier has made it happen.  Eric lives in Holyoke, Massachusetts, where the climate is cold, often wet, and seldom enjoys three days of sunshine in a row.  It is not an ideal growing climate by any standards.  Yet, on a single evening stroll through his small backyard, Eric can collect a full meal for his household.  Using permaculture and polyculture techniques, Eric has transformed what was once a construction dirt lot into a veritable farmers market of organically grown fruits, nuts, and vegetables.

    Like any well-designed polyculture, Eric and partner Jonathan Bates have packed a lot of productivity into their one-tenth of an acre urban farm.  After a few years as colleague plantsmen, Eric and Jonathan set out to create a multi-storied forest garden on this winter-challenged, urban lot.  More than eight years and a lot of hard work later, Eric invites you to tour his oasis to witness the successful food production and to learn how it was achieved by overcoming the challenges of a tiny urban lot, the shade of mature Norway maples, nutrient-deficient soil, heavy compaction, clay, lead, and urban prejudice against chickents.

    Eric has a rich background in permaculture, having authored Perennial Vegetables and co-authored the two volume set Edible Forest Gardens.  Throughout this tour, sponsored by the Ecological Landscaping Association, Eric will describe such features as thoughtful planning, plant selection and placement, and will also share stories of setbacks and design failures along the way.  $20 ELA members, $25 non-members.  Call 617-436-5838, or register online at https://www.eventville.com/catalog/eventregistration1.asp?eventid=1010448.

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  • Friday, August 12 – Sunday, August 14 – NOFA 2011 Summer Conference

    Join the Northeast Organic Farming Association on Friday, August 12 through Sunday August 14 on the campus of UMass/Amherst, and attend over 200 workshops on organic gardening, farming, food politics, permaculture, homesteading, landscaping, draft-animal power, alternative energy, livestock, cooking, and more! Hundreds of vendors and exhibitors will be on hand, along with live entertainment, childrens and teen conferences, country fair and farmers market, plus silent auction. This year NOFA is proud to feature the Northeast Animal-Power Field Days. Spend the weekend or come for the day. Activities for all ages.

    Sponsored by: Whole Foods, Stonyfield Farm, Farm Family, Jeff Clements Law Office, Greenleaf Foundation, Vermont Compost, Franklin Community Cooperative, Boston Organics, Groton Wellness, Neighboring Food Coop Association, Bejo Seeds, Chelsea Green Publishing, Northeast Animal-Power Field Days, River Valley Market, RMA, UMass Amherst, North County Organics, and Harris Seeds. Keynote speakers will be Eric Toensmeier, a perennial edibles expert (pictured below, courtesy of www.gazettenet.com,) and Dr. Ignacio Chapela of University of California/Berkeley, a GMO activist. Register now at www.nofasummerconference.org, email info@nofasummerconference.org, or call 413-230-7835.