Learn. Plant. Thrive.
Paradise Permaculture Institute’s 2nd Annual Seed Extravaganza sponsored by Planet Natural and Cashman Nursery will be held Saturday, January 30th, from 1-4:30pm at Elk River Books & Wheatgrass Saloon located at 120 N Main in Livingston.
Bring your own seeds if you have them, and envelopes or containers to collect them at the Seed Swap! Recycled junk mail envelopes work well. Paradise Permaculture Institute is pleased to present two excellent speakers at its 2nd Annual event. Thinking about saving seeds but don’t know where to start? From fruit harvest to extraction and storage of seeds, you’ll cover more basics than last year. Adjunct Assistant Professor in Horticulture at MSU, Cheryl Moore-Gough brings new topics this year, including “Talks” on Growing Plants for Seed and Harvesting and Cleaning Seed and Seed Storage. Master gardner Michele Evans of Ecology Action will provide hands-on experience with seeds, practical information for growing seed and bring real growing examples. This event is $30 per person. Register at their website or by calling 406-222-9999. 2015 was a busy year for Paradise Permaculture with: 33 classes to date and 12 different instructors from three counties; their first annual Seed Extravaganza; a series of plant walks led by herb specialist Bev Axelsen to identify native medicinal plants first-hand; development of a permaculture demonstration site; Paradise Transition Gardens, a new program to help homeowners transition from undeveloped yards to permaculture food gardens; and developing moveable wooden planter boxes to bring herbs and edibles to the sidewalks of Livingston.
Their immediate goal in 2016 is to purchase and set up a Rolling High Tunnel this spring to grow more effectively and efficiently by extending the season on both ends. This will be an important educational tool for PPI to share knowledge with farmers, gardeners, and students. PPI plans to create a propagation environment (natives, medicinal, herbs, vegetables, less commonly known varieties high in nutritional value, edible trees, small trees, shrubs, ground cover, vines) to use in its classes and transition gardens, and plan to work with other local nurseries. Community educational opportunities will include learning how to grow the plants, save the seeds, and use them in recipes, teas, tinctures, salves, and more.
Paradise Permaculture Institute of Livingston demonstrates how to work with nature to co-create abundant foodscapes and sacred spaces. Learn at paradisepermaculture.com/. •
