Instructors\: Brock Dolman and Kendall Dunnigan

Guest Instructors (may include)\: Benjamin Fahrer\, Dougo Gosling\, Michelle Vesser\, Dave Henson\, Adam Wolpert\, Kate Lundquist\, Carol Nieukirk\, Jim Coleman\, Chas Moore\, Janine Bjö\;rnson\, Tamara Wilder\, Matt Every\, Erik Ohlsen

Cost\: $1500/$1400 if registered two weeks in advance (residential course). Some partial work exchange opportunities are available for this course\; see below for more details. \; For registration information\, click here. \;

Click here to see a video about our Permaculture Design Course at OAEC.

Whether you currently own property or dream of it\, this two-week intensive course will immerse you in information\, ideas and inspiration for how to design sustainable\, regenerative systems in balance with your home ecosystem. You will learn the ethics\, principles and practice of &ldquo\;permanent culture\,&rdquo\; by exploring topics such as organic gardening\, mulching\, natural building techniques\, forest farming\, water retention and regeneration\, erosion control\, community processes\, and much more. Using a combination of lecture\, discussion\, hands-on activities at OAEC&rsquo\;s 80-acre site\, visits to local permaculture examples\, and a group design project\, you will have the chance to integrate and apply the concepts of permaculture during almost 100 hours of course time. Upon completion of the course\, participants receive a Certificate of Permaculture Design.

In 2009\, OAEC enters its second decade and fifteenth year as a permaculture school\, the most established and longest continually operating school of its kind in California. We celebrate having offered 30 courses to well over 500 students\, and consistently hear feedback from graduates that OAEC's design course is a &ldquo\;life-changing&rdquo\; experience.

For a more detailed description of our facilities\, including information on what to bring\, visit our Participant's Information page. \; \;

Work Exchange\: A limited number of work exchange positions are available. We award these positions to course registrants based on demonstrated financial need. Participants receive a $250 reduction in course fees in exchange for 20 hours working in our kitchen or doing other course-related support tasks. If you would like to be considered for a work exchange position\, check the "\;Work Exchange"\; box on your registration form. Include a brief letter describing your situation\, along with your $100 course deposit. If you are not chosen for one of the positions and cannot pay the standard course fee\, your deposit will be fully refunded.

Sample Syllabus for the Permaculture Design Two-Week Intensive

To learn more about OAEC\, Permaculture and their other excellent programs\, visit their website!

$\\"\\"$ Renowned American environmentalist and writer Bill McKibben will tell about the first global-scale climate change movement\, the 350.org campaign\, as well as the significance of the number 350 and the upcoming International Day of Climate Action on October 24th. This event is hosted by Sonoma Country Day School in partnership with the Climate Protection Campaign\, Post Carbon Institute\, Sierra Club Sonoma County\, Peace and Justice Center of Sonoma County\, and the Network for Spiritual Progressives of Sonoma County. A reception and book signing will follow the presentation. McKibben says that "\;350 is the most important number in the world"\; - the number that leading scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide measured in "\;parts per million"\; in our atmosphere. "\;If we can make this number known across the planet\, that mere fact will exert some real pressure on negotiators. We need people to understand that 350 marks either success or failure for these climate negotiations."\; With carbon dioxide levels already exceeding 350 parts per million\, Bill McKibben\, the Paul Revere of our time\, is traveling the world to awaken people to the dire threat of global warming. In this special appearance\, he'll explain how Sonoma County can join thousands of others to send its own unique message through a countywide day of climate actions on October 24. "\;Our hope is for a powerful and unified call to action- a call that is global\, scientific\, and specific."\;

Jackson Theater at Sonoma County Day School
4400 Day School Place (off of Aviation Blvd.)
Santa Rosa\, CA \;

\;
Come celebrate the bounty of the season whilst supporting the Sonoma County Herb Exchange*

Live Music featuring\:
Sol Horizon &bull\; Goathouse &bull\; Johnny Downer (From Freepeoples) and Friend &bull\; Mr. December &bull\; Love Choir

Featuring Classes beginning at 3pm\:
Laguna Farm Tour &bull\; Essential Oil Distillation Demonstration &bull\; Herbs &\; Supplements for Healthy Digestion &bull\; Herb Walk &bull\; Herbal Beer Making &bull\; Essential Oils for First Aid &bull\; Harvesting and Using Seaweeds &bull\; Food Fermentation Workshop

Local Brews\, Herbal Teas\, International Cuisine &\; Edible Delicacies for Purchase\, Herbal Vendors of Plants\, Books\, Cosmetics\, Cordials\, &\; Herb Products. Admission Donation $10\, Children 12 and under FREE

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SET-UP/CLEAN- UP\, ETC! Please call 824-1447
Work Exchange Positions Available &ndash\; Call 824-1447
Want to be a Vendor? Call Terri at 664-0768

*The Sonoma County Herb Exchange is a local clearinghouse dedicated to providing the highest quality locally-grown herbs to our community while connecting herb growers with medicine makers in Sonoma county and beyond.

Location\:
Laguna Farm\, 1720 Cooper Road\, Sebastopol
Music begins at 3\:30