ALMANAC: Thursday  February 17 2011 - Sunrise 6:59 AM Sunset 5:38 PM - Moon 99% Full, Moonrise 5:12 PM. - It will soon be time to order new seeds for starting.  First, test the germination of last year's surplus seeds before ordering new ones. Place ten seeds between damp paper towels. Keep them consistently damp and in a dark place. Check germination rates to determine how many seeds to use for your real planting this year.

1] Education & Release: Practicing Synergy Workshop Series
2] 2011 Community Permaculture Design Open
3] Meet Jason Gallagher, Alchemical's New Fiscal Sponsorship Program Administrator
4] Get Involved by Attending a Potluck Meeting on March 7
5] Current Opportunities with Alchemical

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1] Education & Release: Practicing Synergy Workshop Series

Learn together this spring and summer, creating synergy from thought and hands-on activities. Educating ourselves for self-sufficiency and simple living; and accelerating change for a creative culture that is less reliant on pre-packaged goods, technologies, services and thoughts.  Reskill and rethink what is appropriate and what is possible.  

[Apr 2~ rain barrels]  [Apr 16 ~ build an herb spiral]  [Apr 23 ~ herbal medicine making]  [Apr 30 ~ perennial Permaculture planting]  [May 7 ~ build with Earth]  [June 11 ~ the work that reconnects]  [all sessions will be free to the public]  

Find out more details and learn how to register at:
http://www.alchemicalnursery.org/news/358-education-a-release-series-practicing-synergy.html

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2] 2011 Community Permaculture Design Open

Be part of a crowdsourcing effort to create an urban edible forest garden in the City of Syracuse, NY.  Flex your creative chops, build your design experience, learn through practice, help produce a perennial nutrition and wellness cultural resource.

The Best Design, selected by a panel jury, will receive a $250 cash award and be implemented on the property of the Rahma Free Health Clinic at 3100 South Salina St in Syracuse.  Submissions are due by April 1, 2011, with the Best Design and two Honorable Mentions announced at the Upstate NY Permaculture Gathering in Rochester, NY on Saturday April 9, 2011.

Full details including the creative brief, design criteria, and submission guidelines, are available at: http://www.alchemicalnursery.org/news/359-2011-community-permaculture-design-open-announcement.html

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3] Meet Jason Gallagher, Alchemical's New Fiscal Sponsorship Program Administrator

The Alchemical Nursery is very pleased to announce the hiring of Mr. Jason Gallagher as our Quinta Essentia Fiscal Sponsorship Program Administrator.  An introductory note from Jason:

"Born and raised in Central Illinois, I relocated to Syracuse in June 2009 and have taken courses at the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. Since moving to Syracuse, I have become involved with the Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation (NOON). I received my Masters in English from the University of Nebraska-Omaha where I focused on Theatre and Native American Studies.  I've also lived in Cincinnati, Ohio, where I was an active member in InkTank, which describes itself as "the city's link to writing and literacy initiatives" and is dedicated to writing initiatives for "the homeless, those in recovery, and those suffering the effects of poverty."

Jason will be working on a part-time schedule with office hours on Tuesdays from 3 PM - 6 PM, and Thursdays from 12 noon - 3 PM; and additional availability by appointment.  Fiscal sponsorship facilitates the charitable and artistic endeavors of individuals and groups through Alchemical's nonprofit legal status.  To inquire about sponsorship for your project contact Jason at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or 315.876.9771 and learn more about the program at:
http://www.alchemicalnursery.org/about/urban-ecovillage-projects/fiscal-sponsorship.html

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4] Get Involved by Attending a Potluck Meeting on March 7

You are invited to the next general interest organizing meeting to coordinate participation and organization of upcoming permaculture/homesteading/natural building/organizing/place-making activities and events; and of course to share a meal with each other :>)  this is a potluck, please bring a dish to share.

Everyone is welcome, let's make a super-sized circle.

The Potluck will start at 6pm, and discussion will ensue as soon as everyone has been served.  Formal discussion will end no later than 7:30pm.  For more details and location please visit: http://www.meetup.com/Permaculture-and-Urban-Homesteading/events/16326370/

• Implementing the 2011 Permaculture Design Open
• Organizing the 2011 “Education and Release” Workshop Series
• Creating Permaculture related art images
• Creation of a Slideshow Presentation and Table Display
• Mapping Permaculture, Intentional Community, and Progressive Place Projects
• Website Editor/Authoring
• Drafting an Employee/Volunteer Handbook
• Joining the Board of Directors