Willow Way » Permaculture

SW COLORADO Permaculture Design Course

Zia Parker — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:14:20 +0000

A collaboration with
Zia Parker of Willow Way Permaculture
Katrina Blair of Turtle Lake Refuge,
and Zita Xavier of Heartwood CoHousing

based at Heartwood CoHousing in Bayfield, near Durango

WILD FOODS~WILD LIFE~ COMMUNITY

I’m very excited about this collaboration with Katrina and Zita for this Southwest CO PDC. In this 100 hour course, we will cover the 72 hour international curriculum which gives participants the Permaculture Design Certificate. This is an entry-level credential into the world of Permaculture. In addition, we will delve into plant wisdom and community building with the special expertise of this team. Please read on! Zia

Katrina, author of “Local Wild Life–Turtle Lake Refuge recipes for living deep” has been working with local officials on regenerating an abandoned land-fill site, which will be one of our site visits & design exercises. I met her a couple of years ago at the Telluride Mushroom Fest, where she had walked from Durango, living on foraged wild foods only–not an unusual occurence for her.

Zita, a friend for many years, has developed a training method called Deep listening, for connecting with the diverse range of life-forms that surround us. She will also introduce us to Heartwood CoHousing’s successful protocols for achieving concensus in community. A panel of Colorado’s leaders in community building, as well as small group explorations will help deepen understanding of how to achieve the hunger so many feel in our times –the hunger of establishing community relationships for living in harmony with extended family and Pachamama.

Katrina, Zita and I will be joined by members of the Willow Way teaching team and the Durango community at large for a live-ly presentation of the Permaculture Design Course in June/July/August.

Special focus: the benefits of recharging with wild food/wild lands/wild life; skills for listening to the messages of Pachamama, and designing for community.

Dates are:

June 28, 29, 30, July 1; July 26, 27, 28, 29; and August 30, 31, Sept 1 & 2.

To register.

Rodale’s 30 year study on Organic Farming

Zia Parker — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 02:33:37 +0000

CONTACT: Maya Rodale
Rodale Institute
610-683-1483
maya.rodale@rodaleinstitute.org
ORGANIC FARMING IS SUPERIOR TO CONVENTIONAL AGRICULTURE ACCORDING TO 30-YEAR COMPARATIVE STUDY
(Kutztown, PA, September 16, 2011) – Rodale Institute today announces the latest results of the Farming Systems Trial, America’s longest running side-by-side comparison of organic and conventional farming practices. Originally created to study the transition from conventional to organic production, this 30-year study also examined productivity, soil quality, energy and economics.
Key findings show:
- Organic yields match or surpass conventional yields.
- Organic yields outperform conventional yields in years of drought.
- Organic farming systems build rather than deplete soil organic matter, making it a more sustainable system.
- Organic farming uses 45 percent less energy and is more efficient.
- Conventional agricultural systems produce 40 percent more greenhouse gases.
- Organic farming systems are more profitable than conventional farming systems.
After 30 years of a rigorous side-by-side comparison, the Rodale Institute confidently concludes that organic methods are improving the quality of our food, the health of our soils and water, and the conditions of our nation’s rural areas. Organic agriculture creates more jobs, provides a livable income for farmers, and can restore America’s confidence in our farming community and food system.
“America’s farming techniques affect the health of our families, our communities, and our planet. The Farming Systems Trial shows that organic farming is the healthiest and safest way to feed the world, provide much-needed jobs, reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and protect precious natural resources,” says Mark “Coach” Smallwood, Executive Director of Rodale Institute.
“The Farming Systems Trial clearly documents in a replicated, scientific fashion, that many of the current myths are not true. Organic agriculture does not result in the grower
losing money, does not result in lower yields, or more expensive management practices,” says Dr. Elaine Ingham, Chief Scientist at Rodale Institute. “The next step forward is to educate growers, whether they are conventional or organic, in the methods used in the Farming Systems Trial to assure equal or better yields through farming practices that do not harm the environment.”
The trial is slated to continue with a new focus on nutrition and human health. “We have shown that organic can feed the world. Now it is time to take on the matter of feeding the world well,” said Smallwood.
Rodale Institute will celebrate the 30th year of this landmark trial on Friday, September 16th with the first Organic Pioneers Award dinner, honoring Drew and Joan Norman of One Straw Farm, Maurice Small, youth organizer and Dr. Richard Harwood, former Director of the Rodale Research Center and invaluable contributor to the Farming System’s Trial.
For more information on the results, including detailed findings and graphs, please visit www.rodaleinstitute.org/fst.
Rodale Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to pioneering organic farming through research and outreach. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in the fall of 2011, the Institute’s landmark Farming Systems Trial is America’s longest running side-by-side comparison of organic and conventional agriculture. For over sixty-years, the Institute has been committed to researching the best practices for organic farming and sharing findings with farmers and scientists around the world, advocating for policies that support farmers, and educating consumers about how going organic is the healthiest option for people and the planet
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Registration: Boulder or SW CO Permaculture Design Course 2012

Zia Parker — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:42:18 +0000

I am registering for the ___Boulder area PDC.
I am registering for the ___SW CO PDC.

By mail: Print and fill out this registration form, then send the form and registration fee to 6481 N. 63rd St, Longmont, CO 80503, made to Willow Way.

Electronically: Copy and paste this form into an email and send it to ziaparker(at)yahoo(dat)com. Then go to paypal.com and send your registration fee to ziaparker(at)yahoo(dat)com.
Also send an email to ziaparker@yahoo.com to confirm your registration and the location of the course you are choosing.

Name:

Street Address:

Town, State, Zip:

Phone:

Email:

My education & experience related to the Permaculture Design Course: (no experience is required—but we want to know about you in planning the course!)

This course fits for me at this time because:

Dietary Restrictions: (light vegetarian lunches & salads will be provided for classes to be held at Willow Way)

Any thing else you’d like to share?:

More information about the Willow Way Permaculture Design Course is at www.willowwaywellness.com/pc

Workshop at Crawford Bay BC

Zia Parker — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:10:36 +0000

Garden delights!

SWOT Analysis of Crawford Bay School- Permaculture Workshop, August, 2011

Strengths
Community involvement- enthusiasm
Infrastructure in place- energy efficiency
Aesthetics, good climate, remoteness
Close (central) to ferry-access
Strong baseline- pristine
Connection to nature
Sustainability, art, culture
Adult education- multi purpose
Perception of school
Human resources- passionate people
Innocence of children

Weaknesses

Remote
School as centre- red tape
Water limited- wells, rainwater, minerals
Low population
Weak economy
Cost of maintenance
Road pollution
Large initial investment, not replicable in other areas

Opportunities

Summer use of school
Winter garden
Work with Creston and Nelson
Develop a planning team which can be taken to other communities
Leadership- School of the environment- have the right people
Foreign students
Therapy centre
Learn through doing- attract children to hands-on, wood shop,
Alternate school for kids with difficulties
Eco-business incubator
Art/gardening/farm school in summer

Threats

Peak oil, climate change, economic collapse
Declining population
Wild fire
Growing economic threats
Retirement community- gentrification
Resurgence of mining
Predators
Jealousy in school division
Present educational system

Internship application

Zia Parker — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 13:42:07 +0000

Willow Way Permaculture Herb Farm

6481 N 63^rd St

Longmont, CO (near Niwot)

80503

303-530-1415

Contact Information:

Name_________________________________________Date____________________

Address_________________________________________________________________

City_________________________________State_________Zip Code_______________

Phone #______________________________Best Time to Call_____________________

Email___________________________________________________________________

Personal Information:

Gender_______________Age__________

Do you exercise regularly?_______If yes, what do you do?________________________

Are you capable of lifting 50 pounds?_______

Do you have a valid driver’s license?_________In what state?_________

Do you have reliable vehicle?_________(not necessary)

Do you have health insurance?_________

Any dietary restrictions?________Please elaborate:______________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Any allergies?_________Please list:__________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Any other important details about yourself (i.e. special needs, religious practices, etc)

_______________________________________________________________________

Please respond to the following questions. Use extra paper if necessary.

1) How does this internship program fit into your future plans?

2) What are you hoping to gain from your participation in this internship program

3) How did you hear about Willow Way?

Reasons for Applying:

Areas of Interest. Check all that apply.

____ community supported agriculture (CSA’s)

____ ecological restoration

____ education

____ greenhouse production and management

____ marketing & sales

____ pasture management

____ perennial crops

____ permaculture

____ poultry

____ soil fertility

____ vegetable production

____ seed production

____ whole farm systems design

Background:

Please respond to the following. Use extra paper if necessary.

1) What level of education have you completed? List institutions, degrees, and year completed.

2) Briefly description of work experience in the past 5 years (where, for how long, primary duties).

3) What is your gardening/farming experience or training? (Explain in detail: duties performed, skills learned, where you worked, etc.)

4) What other relevant skills do you have? (Carpentry, herbology, languages, etc.)

5) How comfortable are you with the idea of working with farm equipment or power tools? Please elaborate.

6) What are your biggest challenges in the work environment?

7) Do you prefer working alone, with others, or both? Please explain. Do you prefer to take charge and direct others, receive direction, or a mix of both? Please explain.

8) Please list any social or community activities that you are or have been involved in?

9) What community living experience do you have?

10) Are you able to visit and interview?

11) When are you able to start working?

12) Do you need to be finished working by a certain date?

13) Please list three personal references. Include name, phone number, relationship and length of relationship.

Please send a photo of yourself if possible.

Email completed applications to: ziaparker@yahoo.com

Wake Up!!! song by Earth Guardians

Zia Parker — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 20:20:55 +0000

Wake up!!

Yellow Dock

Zia Parker — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 16:47:22 +0000

Yellow Dock, Rumex crispus

Brief

Alterative, anti-inflammatory, antiscorbutic, aperient, antiseptic, astringent, blood tonic, cholagogue, depurative, diuretic, laxative, tonic

Parts Used
Roots

Medicinal Properties

Though introduced from Europe, yellow dock root was widely used by the Native Americans. This herb was included in the US Pharmacopoeia from 1863-1905. It clears toxincs, moves stagnation, promotes bowel cleansing and bile flow, reduces inflammation, and inhibits the growth of E. coli and staph. Yellow dock helps to free up iron stored in the liver, thus making it more available to the rest of the body. As a tea, it aids in the digestion of fatty foods.

Yellow dock is used in the treatment of acne, anemia, appetite loss, arsenic poisoning, arthritis, boils, cn cer, catarrh, constipation, dermatitis, eczema, glandular tumors, indigestion, jaundice, leprosy, liver congestion, lumbago, lymph node enlargement, malabsorbtion, psoriasis, rheumatism, scrofula, sore throat, and syphilis. It also is used to encourage convalescence.

Topically, yellow dock can be used as a poultice to soothe stings from nettle plants and as a poultice or salve to treat athlete’s foot, boils, eczema, hives, itchy skin, ringworm, scabies, skin infection, swellings, ucers, and wounds. It can be prepared as a tooth powder to treat gingivitis or a gargle to treat laryngitis. It also can be made into a douche or bolus to treat vaginitis.

Edible Uses
The leaves and peled stems are nutritive. Eat them in spring and late fall. The young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked as a pot-herb. Older leaves need to be soaked or cooked in two changes of water to remove bitterness. The leaves have a flavor similar to that of rhubarb and can be used in pie. The seeds are used as a grain; they are usually dried, threshed, and ground into flour. They can also be roasted and used as a coffee substitute.

Constituents
Calcium, iron, magnesium, sulfur, anthraquinones, glycosides (nepodin, emodin, chrysophanol), quercitrin, mucilage, tannins, resins, oxalates

Contraindications
Yellow dock leaves are high in exalate, which can impair calcium absorption and potentially aggravate kidney stones, arthritis, gout, and hyperacidity. Large amounts of the root or leaves may cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. In rare cases handling the plant may result in contact dermatitis.

The Desktop Guide to Herbal Medicine, Brigitte Mars, 2007

WW PERMACULTURE WORKSHOPS 2011

Zia Parker — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 21:00:59 +0000

Vervain

Zia Parker — Mon, 23 May 2011 02:45:02 +0000

Vervain, Verbena, Wild Hyssop

Vervain, Verbena, blue hyssop, wild hyssop
Verbena hastata

Brief

Many herbalists consider vervain to be one of the most useful of medicinal plants to keep on hand. It is recommended for treating over thirty complaints. It is astringent, diaphoretic, antispasmodic. It is useful for treating fevers, ulcers, pleurisy, colds, respiratory inflammation. It is sedative and promotes a feeling of well being. It can calm nausea & vomiting. Used externally it helps heal deep sprains and bruises.

Medicinal Properties

Native Americans used vervain to treat fever, gastrointestinal problems and urinary infections. They also ground the seeds into flour for food.

During the Revolutionary War military doctors used it to relieve pain, treat bronchial problems and to induce vomiting. Since that time it has been used to treat fever, colds, cough, menstrual irregularities, inflammation, arthritis, headaches, toothaches, intestinal worms, bruises, depression, seizures, dental cavities and gum disease.

To make a vervain tea use 2 teaspoons of dried herb per cup of boiling water and steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Drink up to 3 cups per day. It will taste bitter but the flavor can be improved by sweetening it with honey and lemon or by mixing it with other herbs.

To apply vervain externally an infusion can be applied onto the skin by soaking a cloth in the infusion and applying it to the area to be treated or a paste can be made by mixing the herb with flour and water and applied onto the skin.

Parts Used

Leaves, flowers, roots, seeds

Contraindications

Use a lower strength of the herb when treating children or the elderly and increase the dose if necessary. Because vervain may depress the heart rate anyone with a history of heart disease should not use it. It also may cause problems for people with asthma because of its effect on bronchial constriction. Because it stimulates the intestines it may aggravate chronic intestinal problems such as colitis. Pregnant women should avoid it as it may have a stimulating effect on the uterus. Those who experience unpleasant effects such as stomach distress should stop using it.

Lore

Ancient Egyptians had a myth that vervain first grew out of the tears of the Goddess Isis as she grieved for her murdered brother/husband. A Christian myth is that vervain was pressed to Christ’s wounds to staunch his bleeding when he was on the cross. The Druids of England used the herb in spells and ceremonies. Hippocrates used vervain to treat fever and the plague. In medieval times it was used to treat kidney stones, acne and dandruff.

Sources Cited

Castleman, Michael. The Healing Herbs, The ultimate Guide to the Curative Power of Nature’s Medicines. Rodale Press, Emmaus, Pennsylvania,1991.

Grieve, M., Mrs. A Modern Herbal. Dover Publications, New York, 1971.

Kirk, Donald R. Wild Eidble Plants of Western North America. Naturegraph Publishers, Happy Camp, CA, 1970.

Kloss, Jethro. Back to Eden. Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, WI, 1939.

Moore, Michael. Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West. Museum of New Mexico Press, Santa Fe, NM, 1979.

Peterson, Lee Allen. Edible Wild Plants. Peterson Field Guides, Houghton Mifflin Co. Boston, 1977.

Echinacea Purpura

Zia Parker — Mon, 23 May 2011 02:40:34 +0000

Echinacea Purpurea

Purple Coneflower
Echinacea Purpurea, Echinacea Angustifolia

Brief

Antibacterial, antiviral, immunostimulating, antiseptic, antifungal, antinflammatory

Medicinal Properties

Several species of Echinacea are native to the American Great Plains. They were the most widely used medicinal plants used by Native Americans. Scientific studies have shown that Echinacea boosts immunity by increasing the body’s production of T-cells and by boosting white blood cells’ abilities to destroy germs. Echinacea is useful for use in treating infections of the respiratory and urinary tract systems. It is commonly used to prevent and treat colds and flu as well as vaginal yeast infections. It is used in treating progressive systemic disorders such as tuberculosis, leucosis, connective tissue disease and multiple sclerosis. German researchers have successfully used it to treat rheumatoid arthritis. The herb helps with arthritis by lubricating the joints and by decreasing inflammation. It also may be useful to treat cancer but has not been adequately tested for cancer treatment. Applied topically Echinacea helps heal wounds and boils including those that have gone septic.

To make Echinacea tea boil 2 teaspoons of Echinacea root per cup of water and drink up to 3 cups per day. In a tincture take 1 teaspoon up to 3 times a day.

Parts Used

Roots

Contraindications

Echinacea is generally recognized as safe for short term use, but as with any herb some people may experience allergic reactions. Some people report that their mouth tingles after ingesting it but this is generally temporary and not harmful.

Lore

Echinacea was at the heart of the battle between the American Medical Association and alternative healers in the early 20th Century. Since it had been used to help heal snake bites, blood poisoning and many ailments it was a common ingredient in many popular patent medicines and was called “snake oil” by both the physicians who wanted to outlaw alternative & patent medicines and by those who were making and selling the formulas. Due to the AMA’s campaign efforts, use of the herb waned after WWI until it was rediscovered in the 1970s.

Sources Cited

Castleman, Michael. The Healing Herbs, The ultimate Guide to the Curative Power of Nature’s Medicines. Rodale Press, Emmaus, Pennsylvania,1991.

Grieve, M., Mrs. A Modern Herbal. Dover Publications, New York, 1971.

Lucas, Richard M. Miracle Medicine Herbs. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1991.

Trivieri, Larry, Jr and John W. Anderson, editors. Alternative Medicine, The Definitive Guide. Celestial Arts, Berkeley CA, 2002.