attending the Florida Permaculture Convergence?

[Rebeca Siplak]

Hello friends,

 

Happy New Year! I wish you all the best in your pursuits this coming year.

 

Is anyone on this list considering attending the first-ever Florida Permaculture Convergence January 11 thru 13?

 

See the site here:  http://www.flpermacultureconvergence.com/index.html

 

It would be great to know if we will see any of your beautiful selves there next weekend! Please let me know.

 

All my best,

Rebeca

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[Amanda]

Hi Rebeca,
Curious to hear/see how this went, and how you and Paul felt coming away from this.  From my back seat, I am ever more optimistic.

Love,
Amanda

[Rebeca Siplak]

Hi Amanda,

 

Good to hear from you and get an update about what you are working on. You are an inspiration!

 

The Convergence was very well attended and we had a very good time. We only paid $40 each to camp out on site and brought our own food. There was tons of food and a sweet biochar kitchen to warm up food. Lots of food sharing went on during the entire event and I felt very well fed. : )

 

On Saturday morning, we all got to hear from regional break-out groups about what types of permaculture events are happening in each area. The groups were NW, NE, Central (Gainesville area), Orlando area, Indian River County area, Tampa/St. Petersburg area, SW, and SE. We were all super - jazzed to hear about our endeavors and I think I felt universal inspiration among the crowd (180 at its height, I believe).

 

A plant swap Saturday late afternoon was exceptional. We brought home lots of great stuff that we are now wintering over in pots that we bring inside during cold nights.

 

Sunday morning we had a group discussion about What Next for Floida. Lots of ideas were presented and we broke into interest groups. Paul and I facilitated a group discussion about community building using permaculture principles in the area. There were also discussions on creating a platform within which to share videos/youtube/movies about our work; a group of educators/teachers and how to promote their offerings throughout the state, among others.

 

If you want to join the listserv, click on the following link:

http://flpermacultureconvergence.com/mailman/listinfo/listserv_flpermacultureconvergence.com

http://flpermacultureconvergence.com/mailman/listinfo/listserv_flpermacultureconvergence.com

 

Thanks for asking, Amanda

 

Love,

Rebeca

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Rebeca Siplak

Garden Specialist- Garden Education and Outreach

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
(850) 591-1006

The Holland Building
600 S Calhoun Street, Suite 120
Tallahassee, FL 32399

www.FreshFromFlorida.com

[Paul Beich]

I would only add to Rebeca's report that it was amazingly inspiring to be with permaculturists from all over Florida.  A regional gathering for north Florida is also a good idea.  But I think while permaculture is so young in our part of the world, there's good reason to get together with people from a wider geographic area, like Florida.

And at $40 for two days, the Convergence was an amazing bargain.

, Paul

[Anna Lee]

Yeah, I think it is a good price at $40, but it was only offered at $40 at the last minute...this offer was sent on January 10 (the convergence was the 11th).  It had been $60, which could still be considered to be not a big expense by some. 

 

There are other expenses to travel, however, such as the cost of gasoline in dollars and in fossile fuel use, having to get off from work, if one has a job, to go off and back, for some the cost of child care arrangements, and there is housing if you are not able to camp or walk any distance, which for some of us with disabilities is a factor. 

 

If you are traveling a short distance all these expenses are reduced or even eliminated..especially the time traveling. 

 

Plus you are communing with people that you are more likely to keep in closer touch with or work projects with than, say, someone from Miami if you live in Tallahassee.

 

Given all that, getting together to learn from each other and inspire each other is always good.  An all Florida permaculture convergence is a good thing, just not something that everyone can easily attend. 

 

Anna Lee

[Amanda]

Rebeca, thank you for the update -- it's great to hear from you.  It sounds like the Convergence was pure goodness! 
Thank you also for the links -- will try to join this list serve, and am so grateful for the sharing.  I hope to see you in person some day and find out what you're doing and how your plans are shaping up.

On Wednesday, January 2, 2013 1:52:28 PM UTC-5, Edible Landscapes - Rebeca wrote: