Permaculture Lecture Series

Kaw Permaculture Collaborative Lecture Series 2009


April 4 Introduction to Permaculture: Theory, Design & Practice 1.5 hr
Lawrence Public Library, 1:00 – 2:30 pm
Introduction to principles, ethics and applications for the urban and rural landscape. This will be first in a series of seven lectures on Permaculture planned for the Spring and Summer. This lecture will be followed by a group discussion of permaculture applications, resources, organizations and community projects. A $5.00 donation is requested for this session only.

April 25 Ecological Principles in Permaculture 2 hrs
Douglas County Extension, Fairgrounds, Lawrence, KS, 1 - 3 pm
Permaculture features multi-faceted groupings and communities of plants, insects, and soil micro-organisms that replicate naturally occurring ecosystems. This lecture will explore the inter-relationships of life forms on the planet and how humans can create sustainable and balanced ecosystems that provide an abundance of food while maintaining species diversity and environmental stability.

May 19 Permaculture Design 2 hrs
Douglas County Extension, Fairgrounds, Lawrence, KS, 7 - 9 pm
Introduction to design principles, planning and implementation of permaculture systems. This lecture will explore natural patterns and living systems so that we can learn to mimic nature in creating sustainable landscapes and food production. We will explore the basic design principles as taught by David Holmgren and Bill Mollison, and will outline the basic steps in planning, assessing land resources, designing and implementing projects including earthworks and swales.

June 16 Cultivation of Sustainable Soils 2 hrs
Douglas County Extension, Fairgrounds, Lawrence, KS, 7 - 9 pm
This presentation will examine living and biologically diverse soils that support abundant life. We will examine basic soil types, their chemistry, nutrient cycling, and dynamics of interaction of life in the soil. We will learn the basics in creating productive soils without the use of petrochemical inputs.

July 14 Food Production: Gardens to Food Forests 2 hrs
Douglas County Extension, Fairgrounds, Lawrence, KS, 7 - 9 pm
This presentation will explore the creation of gardens that rely on organic inputs and methods that involve growing annual and perennial plants in dynamic association to enhance nutrient recycling, soil building and ecosystem health. Emphasis will be given to the development and maintenance of fruit and nut tree food forests.

Aug. 19 Earth Works: Swales, Terraces & Aquatic Systems 2 hrs
Douglas County Extension, Fairgrounds, Lawrence, KS, 7 - 9 pm
A major component of the creation of sustainable human environments is the capture or water in the soil and on the land for irrigation and aquaculture. Construction and control mechanisms will be explored to enhance the positive and mitigate the negative effects of sun, wind and water in terms of erosion and soil building.

Sept. 8 Construction of Energy & Resource Efficient Structures 2 hrs
Douglas County Extension, Fairgrounds, Lawrence, KS, 7 - 9 pm
This lecture will survey the different approaches to the construction of energy efficient structures and the construction of buildings using sustainably produced materials. We will explore the construction of passive solar, burm, cob, chord and Sips structures.

Admission fee for each lecture following the introductory lecture will be $15.00 at the door or by pre-registration. To insure availability of resource materials pre-registration is advised. For more information contact Steve Moring at smoring@grasshoppernet.com (785-863-4102, or Bill Wood, bdwood@ksu.edu (785-843-7058)

For pre-registration please send name and contact information with payment of $15.00 five days before each event to KPC, PO Box 55 Oskaloosa, KS 66066, or contact Bill Wood, Agricultural Research and Extension, Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2110 Harper St., Lawrence, KS 66046