Exciting Sustainability Workshops Nov. 1 and Nov. 2, New Haven

by Maria Tupper, the New Haven Bioregional Group

On Nov. 1 and 2 the Bioregional Group, New Haven Land Trust, Food Policy Council, Common Ground, New Haven Farms and other groups from the New Haven community are co-sponsoring workshops by Jonathan Bates, Permaculturist. We are able to offer the event for free because of a grant we received from the New Haven Green Fund.

On Nov. 1, we will be at Barnard School, 170 Derby Avenue, 7- 9 p.m. and Nov. 2 at New Haven Friends Meeting House, 223 East Grand Avenue, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. People can attend one or both events.

In “Edible Forest Gardening: Living Sustainably in the City,” Jonathan Bates, owner of Food Forest Farm and contributing author of “Paradise Lot: Two Plant Geeks, One-Tenth of an Acre, and the Making of an Edible Garden Oasis in the City,” will show you how he transformed a blighted urban yard into an edible paradise. By using permaculture design he’s created both beauty and abundance, meeting human needs while improving ecosystem health.

In “Extending the Season: Backyard Bioshelters for Fruit, Fish and Fun,” Jonathan will show you how to bring the sub-tropics to New England!  He will share his story of building a bioshelter that produces year-round food incor-porating whole ecologies into the design. Well-insulated from the cold, he grows plants like tree collards, figs and citrus. Water supports thriving aquaponics systems with fish, clams, aquatic plants and vegetables. Hardy greens sweeten up during the winter months for delicious March salads. All inside a building made with recycled materials, and powered by the sun.

Jonathan Bates has co-created dozens of thriving farms and gardens in the CT River Valley, is a board member of the Apios Institute, a teacher at the Yestermorrow Design/Build School, a farmer with Nuestras Raices, Inc. and co-founder and instructor with Permaculture FEAST. The Food Forest Farm Website: http://www.foodforestfarm.com.

For more information about these workshops and future New Haven Bioregional Group events, contact Maria Tupper at [email protected].