15 December 2011

In recognition of the strength of community, the intentionality of purpose, and the commonality of values which embody the Occupy encampments and movement; The Alchemical Nursery extends this statement of solidarity and solicitude to those identifying with the struggle towards,and the goals of, a fairer and juster system, both locally in Syracuse and further afield throughout the world.

07 November 2011

The CTED in Syracuse will be back starting on February 4th!  It's never too early to register, so do it now to ensure the class will be held as scheduled.

DATES & TIMES
Weekend Workshop: February 4 & 5  (10 am - 5 pm)
Thursday evenings: February 9 though April 5  (6 pm - 8:30 pm) 
Full Day Permablitz at the Rahma Edible Forest Garden: Saturday April 14  (10 am - 5 pm)

FEES
$200 - $400 Sliding Scale (Some scholarships are available, apply for a scholarship as part of  your registration application) 

ONLINE
Find the event online at Facebook http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=169415196481284.  But be sure to officially register at the Finger Lakes Permaculture website: http://fingerlakespermaculture.org/ 

16 October 2011

Olusola arrived in Syracuse on August 16th to begin his endeavors in Media Studies at the Syracuse University Newhouse School.  He knew he had come a long way to gain the education needed to continue contributing to his personal mission as a disability activist.  Syracuse University is well known for its media and journalism studies departments so it's no surprise he finds himself here (with thanks from a Ford Foundation Fellowship and the Institute for International Education).  

Of course, Syracuse is also well known for it's snow and cold weather every winter.  And Sola admits, he has never seen or experienced snow before, but he is getting prepared!

16 July 2011

This course offering has been postponed until the late Winter / early Spring of 2012, keep posted here for more details or get in touch to receive more info.

This class gives gardeners, landowners, farmers, and anyone interested in sustainable living, tools to get started on a wide range of projects to improve food production, conserve resources, and save money.  We will meet once a week throughout the Fall to discuss the principles and techniques of permaculture and ecology that help us make better choices for our land, families, and communities.

Presented by Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute, The Alchemical Nursery, and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County

September 10 & 11 (9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.) then Wednesday evenings, September 14 through November 9 (6:00–8:30 p.m.)

04 June 2011

Come see Lindsay speak about the confluence of water and permaculture at the Onondaga Arts Water Festival on Saturday September 17th at the Syracuse Zen Center.

1) You studied Permaculture and earned your PDC during an Earth Activist Training workshop from Starhawk who is known for her global activism and neo-paganism.  Can you explain how activism and spirituality can benefit from an understanding of Permaculture?

The combination of paganism, and activism with permaculture may seem out-of-the-ordinary for many, but I found it to be a natural synergy.  Many peoples consider the earth sacred, in one form or another, whether you’re pagan, Native American, Christian (considering it to be God’s creation), or just a believer in the Gaia Hypothesis.  Many people who may not identify with any of those labels feel that our relationship to the earth has gotten deeply out-of-whack – Permaculture is a beautifully hands-on, accessible, and significant method of actually doing something about it . . .

16 May 2011

Ben Ballerstein is taking to the road this summer to explore cooperative living in collective and campus houses across the USA.  Starting in Syracuse, Ben will be "recording environmental practices implemented at each cooperative, interviewing residents to study how living green affects attitudes and beliefs and how government policies and community conditions help or hinder cooperatives to accomplish their goals. A short film documenting the journey will be produced and shown at the 2011 NASCO Institute. Lastly, a Sustainable Cooperative Guide will be put together based on the efforts documented during the trip".  The Alchemical Nursery would like to invite you to learn more about Ben and the Collective Footprints project.

1) Ben, Tell us who you are in relation to the concept of collective and cooperative living.  What are your primary formative experiences and what makes you tick and continue to push for this type of lifestyle?

I first became familiar with the concept before I ever lived in a cooperative house....

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27 April 2011

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 - POSTPONED]  [june 11 ~ the work that reconnects]  [all sessions will be free to the public] - learn more after the jump.......

12 April 2011

A full crowd was on hand for the announcement of the Community Permaculture Design Open's "Best Design" submission during the 2011 Upstate NY Permaculture Gathering in Rochester on Saturday April 9.  Five complete entries were received in trying to tackle this year's design problem of creating an edible forest snack garden at the Rahma free health clinic at 3100 South Salina St in Syracuse, NY.  The Best Design was selected by a blind jury panel (based upon criteria presented in the Design open Announcement) and belonged to:

30 March 2011

A Seed & Some Prayers: Incorporating New Myth Making, Alchemy & the Sacred in Bill Mollison’s Gaia Manifesto by Willi Paul

After understanding Bill Mollison’s book “ Permaculture  – A Designer’s Manual” from articles and bloggers for many months, I found a copy of the book to critque the section of most interest to me, namely his Preface thru Chapter 1: Permaculture Design Philosophy.

25 February 2011

The Upstate NY Permaculture Gathering is back after its successful inaugural event last March here in Syracuse!  Join in the fun at FoodLink in Rochester on April 9th for an outstanding schedule of regional practitioners, workshops, and updates.  This is a free all-ages event.  Special thanks to Peter Turkow and Rochester Green Living for taking the organizational lead this year.  Full details after the jump ....