Saturday, March 19, 2011

TPPGTA SPRING CONFERENCE 2011 - MEET THE COMMUNITY, MEET THE HUB

THE PERMACULTURE PROJECT GTA
SPRING CONFERENCE 2011

‘MEET THE COMMUNITY, MEET THE HUB’

APRIL 9 & 10 2011
TORONTO, ONTARIO
$70 registration


This Conference brings together individuals, businesses, community groups and community based organizations to discuss the current permaculture movement in Toronto and the GTA. Our aim is to strengthen our hub as well as our ties to other permaculture communities. This global hub to hub network system will be looked at in depth during the conference as this ideology is the very essence of the Permaculture Project GTA.



Using a project review model we will come together for 2 days in Toronto to critically analyze and assess the re-envisioning of our future!

We will be sharing information through workshops and presentations, community group meet and greets, as well as providing an arena for attendee project information and idea sharing. There will be opportunity as well for community building exercises such as seed sharing and a large group mural of a dream city scope.

Included in the registration fee:
FOOD| WORKSHOPS| PRESENTATIONS| CONCERTS|MEET AND GREET|CHILD CARE*| SUPPLIES FOR GROUP ACTIVITIES|



Join us as we take a critical look at Toronto's Permaculture movement. We have invited large organizations, grassroots collectives, project coordinators, community animators, as well as representatives from organizations with sustainable mandate such as wellness, health, and arts communities, and fellow permaculturists.


Come make permaculture magic!










Spring conference submissions guidelines:

Organizations and community groups
• Outline for 5 - 10min presentation or 20min - 45min workshop and a detailed materials list.

Individual or group workshop/presentation/service or product display
• individual or group bio and detailed description of intended participation


Volunteers

• desired area of volunteer participation. Options include but are not limited to: kitchen, guest services, workshops.



Additional information to include in your application:

1.A letter of intent
2. Reason why you would like to attend the conference
3. Reason why you would like to connect with the hub
4. Tell us about any current projects you have going or if you want to set up a blitz.
*5. It is very important to indicate in your application if you will be requiring child care, as if we do not receive any applications indicating that this is required, it will not be provided.

We are also accepting applications for attendees who wish to barter by means of skills exchanged ei: volunteering before the conference to help with conference preparation and project development. There is also opportunity to be involved before the conference as a labor volunteer helping with a PermaBlitz, a program that transforms spaces by means of permaculture re-design.


Our conference space is wheelchair accessible as well as a safe space for spectrum communities.




Send your email to tppgta@gmail.com

Sunday, March 6, 2011

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Position: Member Farmers
Organization: Fresh City Farms http://www.freshcityfarms.com/
Location: Toronto, Ontario

Not Just Any Old Summer Job: Become an Urban Farmer!

Fresh City was founded to empower young people to farm in urban front and back yards. We believe in the transformative power of urban farming to educate the public on food issues and to expand the market for local and organically produced food.

About the Fresh City Member Farmer Program:

We provide materials such seeds and compost, shared access to high-cost tools, hands-on workshops, the assistance of an experienced organic farmer and access to a market for your produce. You farm yards in your neighborhood and work alongside your fellow member farmers a few hours a week with Fresh City.

Fresh City has designed a member farmer program that will keep startup expenses to no more than a few hundred dollars, respective to the amount of land you want to farm. Even this small investment can be reduced if you already have access to basic gardening tools and harvesting boxes. Our system is designed so that you will not need access to a car.

What you'll learn...
You will learn how to grow quality food. You will meet people who are passionate about food and changing the world. The hard physical work will get you in great shape. You will learn what it means to be a farmer and to run your own business. You will join the burgeoning movement to reform our food production system.

How much do I have to work?
This will largely depend on how much land you want to farm and how intensively you want to farm it. The minimum you can expect to work is about 12 hours per week. Some backyard farmers with many yards work as much as 60 hours per week at the height of the growing season.

How much can I earn?
Earning potential depends on several factors including skill, how much you work, soil quality, what you grow and weather conditions. Urban farmers have reported earning anywhere between $0.75 to $3.50 per square foot farmed. Because Fresh City sells directly to customers, we can buy your produce at prices significantly higher than wholesale. In addition to selling produce to Fresh City Farms, you will also have the opportunity to earn commissions on the sale of produce and organic products ranging from maple syrup to soup. In this way, you can help friends and family spend their food dollars in a way that is better for the environment, society and helps you earn a living.

The application process:

If you're interested in our program and are passionate about food, possess an entrepreneurial spirit, and have experience gardening or farming, please submit a cover letter and resume to Abra Snider, General Manager at abra@freshcityfarms.com .

Please address the following questions in your cover letter:

1. Why are you interested in farming?
2. What crops have you grow and/or what crops are you excited to try growing?
3. What are three characteristics that exemplify your entrepreneurial spirit?

Thank you!
The Fresh City Farms Team

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sustainable Food Jobs, Internships & Volunteering
GoodWork Canada http://goodworkcanada.ca/gw.php?theme=food
PlanetVolunteer Canada http://planetfriendly.net/volunteer/vol.php?theme=food
CRAFT (Ontario) http://www.craftontario.ca/
FarmLink (Ontario) http://farmlink.net/
SOIL (Canada) http://www.soilapprenticeships.org/

When applying, please indicate that you saw this posting at GoodWorkCanada.ca.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

MEET UPS

http://www.meetup.com/GTAPERMIE/

The Conference is around the corner

Do you want to get involved this year?
As we continue to build the Hub in the GTA, we recognize the importance of gathering and sharing energy. Taking time out for ourselves and sharing space with those in the same pursuit of balance and sustainability. Volunteer or Present its up to you.

Tell us if you would like to do any of the following: (pick any that apply)
  1. Host a Workshop
  2. Assist a Workshop or lecture
  3. Give a presentation or lecture
  4. Vendor of organic or handmade product/service
  5. Volunteer in the Kitchen (Training Provided)
  6. Volunteer at the Check in
  7. Volunteer for Front of House (Training Provided)
  8. Document the event (Equipment and Training Provided)

If you have an idea for the conference or The Permaculture Project GTA let us know! To participate please connect with Toyin Coker, Director of The Permaculture Project GTA Via the TPPGTA Gmail.

EMAIL : tppgta@gmail.com

Share your Projects

Hey TPP Members!

Send in your stories~!! Tell us what you have been up to and what is going on in your area. We would love to hear the Project our members have on the go. If you are interested in being featured on the blog then you got a spot to let everyone know what your working on.
Send in pictures and a simple explanation of what we are looking at to tppgta@gmail.com.

Positivity is Power, Toyin

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT MEETING AT CITY HALL JAN 29 3- 5PM

The Permaculture Project GTA is developing a curriculum for a series of workshops to facilitate a shift the skills base in our communities, and would like to consult with Transition Toronto membership and the public on how this curriculum can best serve Torontonians. Join us on Jan 29th at 3pm to decide which skills are most essential and practical, and how they should be shared. This curriculum can only be meaningful if it reflects the collective genius of the community.
MAKE SURE TO BRING NOTEBOOKS AND BRING NOTES TO SHARE!
Time
Saturday, January 29 · 3:00pm - 5:00pm

LocationCity Hall, 100 Queen St. W, Toronto, Committee Room #1


FIND THE MEETING ON FACEBOOK:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=175418969166296