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Monday, June 20, 2011

Joanna Macy and Larry Korn - Permaculture and Regenerative Leadership Certification Program

Hello friends,

We're deeply honored to announce an incredible course with Larry
Korn (www.larrykorn.net) and Joanna Macy (www.joannamacy.net) at
the stunningly beautiful Hidden Villa (www.hiddenvilla.org) --
combining Urban Permaculture Design, Regenerative Leadership and
The Work That Reconnects.

"Common Circle's Permaculture Design course was a genuine heart
and mind opening experience. If you are interested in finding
how you can be part of the life giving earth healing solution
in today's global ecological and social crisis this course
gives you an in depth and extensive overview of what it takes
to make it happen. " - Jessica M, Course Graduate

-- More info @ http://www.commoncircle.com/pdc --

Join an unforgettable program in leadership, permaculture and
sustainable design in California with the world's most renowned
instructors and change your life, your community and your
planet. Not only do Common Circle Education courses offer the
most complete curriculum of any similar course, but the people
who come to the programs make this the most powerful leadership
training offered anywhere.

What: Permaculture Design & Regenerative Leadership Certification
Who: Larry Korn (www.larrykorn.net)
Joanna Macy (www.joannamacy.net)
Where: The incredible Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills, California
see www.hiddenvilla.org to get a sense of the
incredible retreat site where we hold these life-
changing programs!
When: October 23 - November 4th

-- Sign up before July 16th and bring a friend FREE! --
-- or come by yourself and take $1000 off tuition --
-- Payment plans as low as $200/month available! --

-- More info @ http://www.commoncircle.com/pdc --

During the workshop, we will talk about:

* Smart nature-inspired design principles
* Rainwater catchment and storage
* Greywater - smart water re-use with plant filters
* Food forests & garden design for food abundance
* Eco-psychology and Regenerative Leadership
* Intentional community design and dynamics
* Bio-remediation and toxic waste cleanup
* Natural building design - cob, strawbale and more
* Soil biology and regeneration
* Sustainable transportation and fuels
* Green business and sustainable economics
* Natural patterns and principles
* Everything you ever wanted to know about plants and soil!

"My experience in the course was invaluable. I find myself with a
new permaculture lens that I can put on at will, and see the world
around me in a way that I feel leads to making more conscious
decisions and living better in harmony with the earth."
- Deborah F., Course Graduate

This course will combine critical design skills with leadership,
nature connection, and most importantly an urban focus, building
and exceeding upon the internationally-recognized Permaculture
Design Certification curriculum. Our programs offer by far the
most complete curriculum of any similar course -- with a huge
focus on leadership, personal growth and community design as well
as green business.

You'll learn how to create sustainable, thriving human systems,
from green houses and organic gardens, to local micro-economies
and communities, using sustainable design principles that are
applicable to every human system, from businesses, communities,
and cities to personal relationships.

"The experiences I have had and people I have met through
Common Circle has been life changing. On these trips, a
community is created and everyone's individuality is honored,
welcomed and celebrated as you work together each day to
prepare meals, confront issues large and small and discover
how each and every one of us can be the change that we wish
to see in the world." - Marlee F, Course Graduate

Because of our unique focus on Urban and Suburban solutions,
our courses are radically different from most other programs,
teaching permaculture as a design science rooted in nature.
With most of the world's population in cities, we must
meet people where they live with real sustainable solutions.

-- Sign up before July 16th and bring a friend FREE! --
-- or come by yourself and take $1000 off tuition --
-- Payment plans as low as $200/month available! --

-- More info @ http://www.commoncircle.com/pdc --

Starting by learning the lessons from nature with some of the
world's most renowned organic farming experts, we will then look
at how to apply what we learned from the soil and the water to
building sustainable, lasting institutions.

Common Circle Education is the nation's ecological design and
sustainable living school with courses in Oregon, Hawaii and
California; our instructors are some of the most well-known
leaders in sustainability, organics and permaculture design.

We hope you will be able to join us for this incredible,
life-changing experiential course!

Much gratitude,


Vladislav for Common Circle Education
commoncircle.com

--
common circle education
14525 sw millikan way, suite 17760, beaverton, or 97005

FoodCorps Announces AmeriCorps Grant in Service of Healthier Children

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 20, 2011

Contact:  Colleen Matts, C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

matts@msu.edu, 517.432.0310

FoodCorps Announces AmeriCorps Grant in Service of Healthier Children
MSU's Mott Group to Host Six FoodCorps Members

NEW YORK CITY – The Corporation for National and Community Service has awarded FoodCorps $625,000 to support 50 AmeriCorps members serving at 42 sites in 10 states to increase vulnerable children's knowledge of, engagement with, and access to healthy food. The first class of members will serve in Arizona, Arkansas, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Oregon. Working under the direction of Michigan's partner organization, the C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems (Mott Group) at Michigan State University, Michigan's six FoodCorps members will conduct nutrition education, build and tend school gardens, and expand farm to cafeteria sourcing of healthy food at the Michigan Land Use Institute, YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, Food System Economic Partnership, and the Crim Fitness Foundation.

 

"We are eager to host the first cohort of Michigan FoodCorps members. After training in late August, the six members will report to their service sites in both urban and rural areas to dig in and get started," said Colleen Matts, FoodCorps Supervisor with the Mott Group. "The work of Michigan's FoodCorps members will contribute directly to meeting some of the goals of the Michigan Good Food Charter. Building partnerships with local organizations and community members will be critical to the success of our members."

 

This inaugural year as an AmeriCorps grantee will allow FoodCorps to apply a model of national service proven effective by Teach for America, City Year and Habitat for Humanity to the pressing problems of healthy food access, childhood obesity and diet-related disease. "Service through AmeriCorps is an essential part of the solution to many of the social challenges facing our nation," said Curt Ellis, executive director of FoodCorps. "The program will at once serve families in need, improving access to healthy, affordable school meals, while also serving its AmeriCorps members: training a cadre of young leaders for careers in public health, food, and agriculture."

 

The current year's AmeriCorps grant cycle was highly competitive. Organizations requested nearly twice the number of grant dollars and AmeriCorps positions that could be funded. "I congratulate this year's grantees for rising to the top in a highly competitive year," said John Gomperts, Director of AmeriCorps. "These organizations will increase their reach and impact on meeting local needs through the infusion of dedicated AmeriCorps members." Nationally, AmeriCorps engages 80,000 Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service to meet critical needs. Its members serve through more than 14,000 nonprofit and faith-based organizations in rural and urban communities throughout the nation. 

 

 

ABOUT FOODCORPS:

FoodCorps is a nonprofit national service organization that seeks to reverse childhood obesity by increasing vulnerable children's knowledge of, engagement with, and access to healthy food. The centerpiece of our work is an AmeriCorps public service program that recruits young leaders for a year of service in high-obesity, limited-resource communities of need. Service members build and tend school gardens, conduct hands-on nutrition education, and facilitate Farm to School programming that brings high quality local food into public schools. The program serves vulnerable children, improving access to healthy, affordable school meals, and trains a cadre of leaders for careers in food and agriculture. FoodCorps is made possible by the generous support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Corporation for National and Community Service (AmeriCorps), the Woodcock Foundation, the Claneil Foundation, the Wallace Genetic Foundation, and anonymous private donors. www.foodcorps.org .

 

ABOUT AMERICORPS

AmeriCorps is a national service program administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service that engages Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service to meet critical needs. Members tutor and mentor youth, expand health services, build affordable housing, run after-school programs, support veterans, help communities respond to disasters, and recruit and train volunteers. Interested individuals can learn about available opportunities and apply online by visiting AmeriCorps.gov.

 

ABOUT THE C.S. MOTT GROUP FOR SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS

The C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems at Michigan State University engages communities in applied research and outreach to promote sustainable food systems with a goal to improve the access and availability of locally-produced food. www.mottgroup.msu.edu . The group led development of the Michigan Good Food Charter, with information available at www.michiganfood.org .

 




--

Valerie L. George

C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation & Resource Studies

Michigan State University

309 Natural Resources

East Lansing, MI 48824

Office 517.432.0306

Cell 530.524.0388

georgeva@msu.edu



Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Re: FWD: Food Bank looking for produce

My apologies for the attachement being lost in the previous forward.
It is now attached.

Quoting stilljek@msu.edu:

> FYI
>
> --
> Jekeia Murphy
> Academic Specialist
> CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems
> Michigan State University
> 309 Natural Resources bldg.
> East Lansing, MI 48824
> P: 517-432-0308
> F: 517-353-3834
> stilljek@msu.edu
>
> From: "Bell, Randy" <bellr@ANR.MSU.EDU>
> Reply-To: "Bell, Randy" <bellr@ANR.MSU.EDU>
> Date: Mon, 13 Jun 2011 13:08:21 +0000
> To: <MIDMICHIGANFOOD@LIST.MSU.EDU>
> Subject: [MIDMICHIGANFOOD] FW: Food Bank looking for produce
>
>
> From: Kim Harkness [mailto:kim@greaterlansingfoodbank.org]
> Sent: Friday, June 10, 2011 2:24 PM
> To: Kim Harkness
> Cc: Terry Link
> Subject: Food Bank looking for produce
>
> Hello,
>
> The Greater Lansing Food Bank (GLFB) is looking for fresh produce to
> assist us in our mission of feeding those in need in our communities.
>
> This year we have access to some monies to help with making some
> purchases of produce from local producers.
>
> Attached is a letter that outlines our need, what we are looking
> for, the criteria and contact information for this program.
>
> Please review and share with local producers.
>
> I look forward to working with our local growers in providing food
> for our families in our communities.
>
> Kim Harkness
> Food Sourcing Manager
> Greater Lansing & Mid-Michigan Food Bank
>
> office at 919 Filley
> Lansing, MI 48906
> 517-853-7813
>
> www.greaterlansingfoodbank.org
> www.midmichiganfoodbank.org
>

FWD: Food Bank looking for produce

FYI

--
Jekeia Murphy
Academic Specialist
CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems
Michigan State University
309 Natural Resources bldg.
East Lansing, MI 48824
P: 517-432-0308
F: 517-353-3834
stilljek@msu.edu

From: "Bell, Randy" <bellr@ANR.MSU.EDU>
Reply-To: "Bell, Randy" <bellr@ANR.MSU.EDU>
Date: Mon, 13 Jun 2011 13:08:21 +0000
To: <MIDMICHIGANFOOD@LIST.MSU.EDU>
Subject: [MIDMICHIGANFOOD] FW: Food Bank looking for produce


From: Kim Harkness [mailto:kim@greaterlansingfoodbank.org]
Sent: Friday, June 10, 2011 2:24 PM
To: Kim Harkness
Cc: Terry Link
Subject: Food Bank looking for produce

Hello,

The Greater Lansing Food Bank (GLFB) is looking for fresh produce to
assist us in our mission of feeding those in need in our communities.

This year we have access to some monies to help with making some
purchases of produce from local producers.

Attached is a letter that outlines our need, what we are looking for,
the criteria and contact information for this program.

Please review and share with local producers.

I look forward to working with our local growers in providing food for
our families in our communities.

Kim Harkness
Food Sourcing Manager
Greater Lansing & Mid-Michigan Food Bank

office at 919 Filley
Lansing, MI 48906
517-853-7813

www.greaterlansingfoodbank.org
www.midmichiganfoodbank.org

Friday, June 10, 2011

Michigan Farm to School News

Greetings,

Here are the latest Farm to School news bites!

 

NEWS

 

Last week, the USDA replaced the food pyramid with “MyPlate” to promote proper nutrition and healthier eating. Click here to check out the USDA MyPlate website, and click here for the Washington Post article.

 

Early this week FoodCorps announced an AmeriCorps grant to support 50 members to work on farm to school, school garden and nutrition education at schools. Six of those members will serve in Michigan! Read an interview of Debra Eschmeyer of FoodCorps by The Faster Times.

 

Check out the first issue of Harvest Foodservice Journal for free here - http://harvestfoodservice.com/.  This national publication focuses on sustainable food in food service, and the first issue features farm to school. You can

 

The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy in Minnesota conducted a farm to school survey of food producers. Producers who responded indicated that they received fair prices for their products from schools. Learn about the survey results from MPR and IATP.

 

 

OPPORTUNITIES

 

Chefs and schools can work together through the Chefs Move to Schools initiative, part of the First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Campaign. Now participating Chefs Move to Schools partners can receive free cookware kits! Learn more about this initiative at http://www.letsmove.gov/chefs-move-schools. Partners that are already participating can apply for cookware kits through Share Our Strength here.

 

The Department of Horticulture and the Student Organic Farm at MSU are seeking a Hoophouse Outreach Assistant. See the attached job description for details. If interested, please send CVs or resumes to Adam Montri at admontri@msu.edu by June 23rd, 2011.

 

 

EVENTS

 

32nd Annual Ag Expo at MSU

July 19-21, 2011

Learn more at the event website - http://www.agexpo.msu.edu/agexpo/home.

 

 

SAVE THE DATE!

2011 COMMUNITY SCHOOL GARDENER NETWORKING MEETING: CONVENING TO SHARE OUR STRENGTH

Saturday, November 5th, 2011

Location: Detroit (venue to TBD)

 

What is it?  The Community School Gardener Networking Meeting is grass-roots organized summit of school and community gardeners from across Michigan.  The event includes workshop sessions, presentations from school and community gardeners, and opportunities to exchange information with other gardeners.  The event is a great way to network, learn, get empowered and inspired.

 

If you would like to participate in the PLANNING of this year’s event, please contact Michelle Jackson at smallvillefarms@gmail.com or Anne Scott at scottann@msu.edu or 517.353.0751

 

If you would like to PRESENT OR OFFER A WORKSHOP at this year’s event, please contact Anne Scott scottann@msu.edu (517) 353-0751 for more information.  

 

 

Best,

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

303 Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

 

 

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Regenerative Leadership, Sustainable Design and Sub/Urban Permaculture Training

[BRING A FRIEND FOR FREE! SEE DETAILS BELOW!]

Hello friends,

Join an unforgettable program in leadership, permaculture and
sustainable design in Oregon with the world's most renowned
instructors and change your life, your community and your
planet. Not only do Common Circle Education courses offer the
most complete curriculum of any similar program, but the people
who come to the programs make this the most powerful training
offered anywhere.

Gain cutting-edge skills in nature-inspired sustainable design
that's applicable virtually anywhere design is used -- from green
businesses to your own back yard. Visit ecovillages, organic
farms, the nation's first biofuel station (ever seen a gas station
with solar panels and a green roof selling kombucha? ;), while
spending two weeks with some of the most inspiring people around!

Course: Suburban Permaculture Design & Leadership Certificate
Dates: July 9 - 24th [Eugene, Oregon]
Dates: October 23 - November 4 [San Francisco Bay Area, CA]

-- Sign up before June 25th and bring a friend FREE! --
-- or come by yourself and take 25% off tuition --
-- Payment plans as low as $200/month available! --

-- More info @ http://www.commoncircle.com/pdc --

During the workshop, we will talk about:

* Smart nature-inspired design principles
* Rainwater catchment and storage
* Greywater - smart water re-use with plant filters
* Food forests & garden design for food abundance
* Eco-psychology and Regenerative Leadership
* Intentional community design and dynamics
* Bio-remediation and toxic waste cleanup
* Natural building design - cob, strawbale and more
* Soil biology and regeneration
* Sustainable transportation and fuels
* Green business and sustainable economics
* Natural patterns and principles
* Everything you ever wanted to know about plants and soil!

"My experience in the course was invaluable. I find myself with a
new permaculture lens that I can put on at will, and see the world
around me in a way that I feel leads to making more conscious
decisions and living better in harmony with the earth."
- Deborah F., Course Graduate

This course will combine critical design skills with leadership,
nature connection, and most importantly an urban focus, building
and exceeding upon the internationally-recognized Permaculture
Design Certification curriculum. Our programs offer by far the
most complete curriculum of any similar course -- with a huge
focus on leadership, personal growth and community design as well
as green business.

You'll learn how to create sustainable, thriving human systems,
from green houses and organic gardens, to local micro-economies
and communities, using sustainable design principles that are
applicable to every human system, from businesses, communities,
and cities to personal relationships.

Because of our unique focus on Urban and Suburban solutions,
our courses are radically different from most other programs,
teaching permaculture as a design science rooted in nature.
With most of the world's population in cities, we must
meet people where they live with real sustainable solutions.

-- Sign up before June 25th and bring a friend FREE! --
-- or come by yourself and take 25% off tuition --
-- Payment plans as low as $200/month available! --

-- More info @ http://www.commoncircle.com/pdc --

Starting by learning the lessons from nature with some of the
world's most renowned organic farming experts, we will then look
at how to apply what we learned from the soil and the water to
building sustainable, lasting institutions.

Common Circle Education is the nation's ecological design and
sustainable living school with courses in Oregon, Hawaii and
California; our instructors are some of the most well-known
leaders in sustainability, organics and permaculture design.

We hope you will be able to join us for this incredible,
life-changing experiential course!

Much gratitude,


Vladislav for Common Circle Education
commoncircle.com

--
common circle education
14525 sw millikan way, suite 17760, beaverton, or 97005

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

[Corrected] FREE Introduction to Permaculture Training Call w/ Larry Korn and Vladislav Davidzon

[My pet dinosaur ate the correct link for this call -- resulting in
a flood of mail telling me about it -- my apologies the updated
link is http://commoncircle.com/marketer/link.php?M=6340953&N=99&L=28&F=T]

Hello friends,

I want to invite you to a FREE conference call next Saturday with
renowned soil biologist and permaculture instructor Larry Korn
(www.larrykorn.net) and myself. We're going to be giving a talk
on the power of permaculture design, our trainings and spending
much time answering questions (so come prepared to ask them!)

If you're thinking about joining us for one of our upcoming
trainings, this is a great opportunity to engage with the program
co-facilitators and to learn the basics about permaculture and
our trainings.

When: Wednesday, June 8th @ 6PM Pacific
Where: Conference call
Cost: FREE [Space is limited - please sign up early]
Sign up to get access to the call and recording of the call:
--> http://commoncircle.com/marketer/link.php?M=6340953&N=99&L=28&F=T

Larry Korn is an educator, consultant, editor and author in the
fields of permaculture, natural farming, sustainable landscaping
and local food production. Larry is the primary instructor for
Common Circle Education Oregon Permaculture Design and Regenerative
Leadership Trainings.

After completing his BA degree in Asian Studies at University of
California Berkeley, Larry traveled to Japan to see first hand
what life was like in Asia. He lived and worked on communes and
traditional farms in the Japanese countryside. Among other rural
farms, Larry spent several years with Masanobu Fukuoka, a farmer
and philosopher, on Shikoku Island. Mr. Fukuoka developed a
special no-till way of farming to demonstrate the practical value
of his spiritual principles. Larry returned to the United States
and helped translate and edit Mr. Fukuoka's book, The One-Straw
Revolution, which was published by Rodale Press in 1978.

Vladislav Davidzon is a social entrepreneur with well over a decade
of experience launching innovative social change brands challenging
the very boundaries of sustainable design and permaculture. Having
studied with some of the world's most renowned instructors,
including Bill Mollison, Marshall Rosenberg, Starhawk and Joanna
Macy, Vladislav integrates a diverse range of incredible teachings
into his work designing and facilitating the Common Circle
Education trainings.

When: Wednesday, June 8th @ 6PM Pacific
Where: Conference call
Cost: FREE [Space is limited - please sign up early]
Sign up to get access to the call and recording of the call:
--> http://commoncircle.com/marketer/link.php?M=6340953&N=99&L=28&F=T

We hope you will be able to join us for this call!

Much gratitude,

Vladislav Davidzon, Founder/CEO

--
Common Circle Education
1-800-376-3775 // www.commoncircle.com
14525 SW Millikan Way, Suite 17760, Beaverton, OR 97005
Love us on Facebook:
http://commoncircle.com/marketer/link.php?M=6340953&N=99&L=29&F=T