PINE SUPPORTS SUB-REGIONAL CONVERGENCE EVENTS IN 2015
For the last ten years, the Northeast region has had a regional Permaculture Convergence. From meeting with David Holmgren in 2005, to yearly convergences in New York, Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, each summer is punctuated by this PINE-sponsored event. The 10th Convergence was hosted in 2014 by Maine and the Resilience Hub at the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) fairgrounds this past summer. (see photo below)
The convergence has been an event to bring together active permaculture practitioners from around the region to celebrate their achievements, share experiences and skills, provide solidarity in the challenges we face, and provide a chance to bring exposure of permaculture and the amazing network to the event location. It’s a place for newcomers to dip into the chaos and camaraderie of the permaculture network.
The regional convergence is a challenge to host. Traditionally, each year a team of volunteers comes together and hosts the event in their area. More recently a paid staff model was developed. The event has grown from 40 people in 2005, to over 100 in Ithaca, NY in 2007, and ballooning over the last several years to 300 – 400 attendees. Tours of nearby projects, hands-on activities, forums to discuss issues on farming, education and organizing, informational presentations, keynote speakers, panels, excellent music, and a hurricane last year have all made for great events, touching many people and strengthening the movement.
This summer will be the first year since the event began that the Northeast will not have a northeast regional convergence. We are recognizing the cycles of network organizing and the challenges faced by organizing such a big event. It seems like a good time to take a step back, look at what the regional convergence has been, what it might be, and do some open, strategic thinking. We are designers, after all. And the problems with our successes are really just opportunities.
There are several aspects to this coming year we want to specifically call attention to:
- PINE (Permaculture Institute of the Northeast) will host some convergence planning sessions this fall at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY. For those who feel called to participate, please be in touch. Email: info@thepine.org
- Participate or develop in a “sub-regional” convergence or event for your local community. The events we know of are below. Go to an event, help organize one in your area. Let us know you are doing it! Email steve@fingerlakespermaculture.org with info.
- Think about hosting a regional event in the coming years. Do you have a location that can support 300-600 people? Can you facilitate a team to carry out the necessary logistics? Hosting can be highly rewarding, but also takes a significant amount of work. Recently, budgets have been developed to make this an event where some staff can be paid. While this is a summer event, planning and organizing begins the winter prior (9 months before!). We are hoping to receive proposals for 2016, 2017, and 2018 and will be issuing an application form for this in the spring of 2015. Email info@thepine.org if you are considering applying.
Together we can continue to gather, share, and develop a robust and resilient network. Join the conversation!
2015 SUB-REGIONAL EVENTS IN THE NORTHEAST
(updated as of 3/25/14)
March 14th , 11am-4pm – Permaculture Resources of Pennsylvania invites you to
A Permaculture Gathering! – The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Come network, share, & learn with the regional permaculture community. We held our first gathering in Lancaster on November 1st, 2014. Sixty permaculturists from Eastern Pennsylvania gathered to discuss the possibility of forming a regional organization to support the permaculture movement. Let’s meet again to continue building this community! Email susq.pc@gmail.com to RSVP.
Event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/589069707895588
June 26 – 28 – Rockaway 4th Annual Community Health Festival and Transition Convergence – NYC
The Mid-Atlantic Transition Hub and Transition NYC are joining Battalion Pentecostal Assembly and Community Service of Far Rockaway to jointly produce the event, which will aim to enhance community food security and knowledge of how to creatively and constructively manage waterfronts throughout the Rockaways.
Besides a wide range of health exhibitors, there will be presentations on an array of resilient responses: gardening, healthy food preparation and preservation; energy efficient buildings; capturing and filtering water, natural remediation of flooded and polluted soils; and much more.
See more about the Festival here.
We have also asked residents and community leaders to offer locations on which permaculture, gardening, resilient community design and art projects can be installed this spring, at no charge to the residents, to be showcased at the Festival in June. So far, residents have submitted information and photos for four sites and we expect more. Click here for links to pages about them.
August 21 – 23 – Finger Lakes Permaculture Tours and Regional Convergence
This weekend event showcases the beautiful Finger Lakes Region and the burgeoning practice of permaculture evidence in sites, systems, and people who farm, garden, teach, and live there. Come learn about the principles and practices of permaculture and see active sites on a wide range of scales, from urban gardens to large acre farms. Connect and network with others who are interested in living more sustainably, and walk away with ideas for your own property.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
8/21 FLPCI Alumni Day and camping (at Cayuta Sun Farm)
8/22 Permaculture Tours (at various sites in the Finger Lakes)
8/23 Finger Lakes Permaculture Convergence (at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County)
More details to be announced. Email info@fingerlakespermaculture.org
August 22 – NH Permaculture Day – Inheritance Farm Chichester, NH
https://www.facebook.com/inheritancefarmnh
September 27 – Acorn Festival – Guilford, VT
We are a one-day, family-friendly event that will serve over 30 workshops, demonstrations and children’s activities to both inspire and educate the Southern Vermont community (and beyond) in the ways of the Earth. Attendees will have opportunities to learn everything from hide-tanning, to herbal medicine, to primitive food preparation and more. And not just that – there will be some great music.
October 3 – 4th Annual PermaFest & Skillshare – Brooklyn, NY
Annual Permaculture festival and skillshare at the Old Stone House, a community garden and education site in Washington Park (336 3rd St. Brooklyn, NY 11215). This is a family-friendly event featuring local and regional educators, hands-on workshops, demonstrations, talks and local goods.
