Thursday, August 13, 2009

Lawrence Sustainability Network News, August 12, 2009

Lawrence Sustainability Network

LSN is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to learning how to live lightly and sustainably.

August 12, 2009

Visit our website and join the LSN discussion list at www.lawrencesustainability.net


Community Announcements

ANNOUNCEMENTS INDEX

This week you'll find detailed information on the following events:

Aug. 19: Premature Workshop
Aug. 21: Eco-Parents Activity
Sept 12: Lawrence Energy Conservation Fair
Sept 12: Sustainable Homes Tour

Also below Let's Collaborate on Building Sustainability!:”
LSN Outreach needs YOU! See how you can help with LSN outreach efforts!
Earn a Sustainable Agriculture Entrepreneurship Certificate IN LAWRENCE!

Announcement Details


August 19, Tuesday, 7-9pm: Workshop: Permaculture True Earth Works: Swales, Terrace, Aquatic Systems Lecture #6 in the series
Douglas County Co-op Extension Office, 21st & Harper Ave, Lawrence KS

Steve Moring of the Kaw Permaculture Collaborative (KPC) will describe the collection and dispersal of rainwater as it moves through a site and into the soil. As a major component of creating sustainable human settlements, rainwater irrigation and aquaculture mechanisms can enhance the positive weather effects, and mitigate the negative weather effects on soil erosion and soil building.

Pre-registration is required by contacting Steve prior to 15 August. An admission fee of $15.00 is requested to cover course materials. More info available from Steve Moring at (785)863-4102, smoring@grasshoppernet.com or Bill Wood at (785) 843-7058, bdwood@ksu.edu

KPC is a project of the Sustainability Action Network. If you have missed some or all of these lectures so far, the series will be repeated at Johnson County Community College this fall. For more information go to their website and look for Permaculture: Insuring Amercia's Future (XGR 3000) at <http://www.jccc.edu/home/catalog.php/fall-2009/ceclasses/XGR>

August 21, Friday, 6-8pm: Eco-Parents Activity - We're going to the Lied Center!Lied Center, University of Kansas, Iowa & 15th St.

In celebration of the end of summer (and because we thought it would be fun) instead of having our regular meeting in August, we will host "Eco-Parents Night at the Lied Center!" Actually, it's the Lied's Outdoor Concert and Family Arts Festival on August 21st but the Eco-Parents will be there.

The Family Festival starts at 6:00 pm followed by a free concert by Amanda Shaw, a jazz-blues fiddler from New Orleans, at 7:00. We will have a table at the festival and then all of the group members who want to can sit together for the concert. If you want to join the fun, just come by the table during the festival. Speaking of which, if anyone wants to help man the table (it will be fun, we promise), has a great prize we can give away, or a fun kid-friendly activity please let us know. Before the concert starts we'll claim a spot on the lawn where everyone can sit and enjoy the concert and each others company.

Contact Kim Bellemere at ecoparentslawrence@gmail.com with questions and for more info


September 12, Saturday, 10am-4pm: Lawrence Energy Conservation Fair
Community Building, 115 W 11th Street, Lawrence, KS

Admission to the Fair is free. This event is hosted by the City of Lawrence Waste Reduction & Recycling Division.

Learn how to save energy, money and the environment
at the 9th Annual Lawrence Energy Conservation Fair! Throughout the day you will have opportunities to view energy conservation exhibits and to consult with experts on how their products and services can lower your utility bills and increase energy efficiency. Exhibitors will include area builders, architects, insulators, heating and cooling experts, government agencies, non-profits, and alternatively-fueled vehicle representatives. For more information, call 832-3030 or visitwww.lawrenceks.org/wrr/energyfair.

FREE compact fluorescent bulb (CFL) to the first 300 attendees sponsored by Cottin’s Hardware and Rental.

Walk, Bike or Ride the Bus to the Energy Fair Downtown! The Lawrence Transit System will offer free rides on the “T” all day Saturday, September 12th, providing the experience and benefits of public transportation on all fixed routes. For help planning a route or for more information, visit www.lawrencetransit.org.

September 12, Saturday, 10am-1pm: Sustainable Homes Tour
The tour bus leaves from the Community Building, 115 W 11th Street, Lawrence, KS.

This tour is brought to you by the City of Lawrence Waste Reduction & Recycling Division, the City’s Sustainability Advisory Board and the Heartland Renewable Energy Society.

Tickets for the bus tour will be available for purchase ($10/adult and $2/child under 14) on first come, first serve basis, beginning at 9:30 am on Saturday, September 12th at the Community Building. The tour bus will depart from the Community Building at 10:00 a.m. (morning tour) and 1 p.m. (afternoon tour). For more information, call 832-3030 or visit www.lawrenceks.org/wrr/energyfair.

Be Part of THE SOLUTION: Let's Collaborate!

LSN's Outreach Committee is looking for ideas and organizing events related to vital sustainability topics. In the past, we've had presentations on topics ranging from "The Benefits of Herbs", "Local Food Producers & Suppliers", "Renewable Energy Breakthroughs", and much more. If you have a sustainability topic you'd like to learn about, please contact Rich Wenzel at 917-9344 or altairfour@hotmail.com or Steve Stemmerman at 841-0028.

JCCC’s Sustainable Agriculture Entrepreneurship Certificate in Lawrence!
Course information for fall 2009
HORT 245 - Commercial Crop Production, 3 credit hours
This course is designed to familiarize Market Farmers with the plant materials and production of crops grown in the Market Farming industry. This course will help answer questions about varieties of plants to grow, establishment, growth, harvesting and post-harvesting of crop, varieties of plants to grow. Students will become familiar with different marketing options and good record keeping. 3 hrs. lecture/wk.

The course number for this class is: 85382

This course taught by Stu Shafer is designed to introduce students to Market Farming. In this second year of the Sustainable Agriculture Entrepreneurship Certificate

Dates/times: Mondays 1-3:50, August 31-December 12th at the JCCC in Lawrence location, Lawrence Centennial School 2145 Louisiana Street. JCCC students use the west entrance.

More on this from an article last year: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2008/sep/02/farmers_trying_keep_local_demand/

More about the certificate: http://www.jccc.net/home/catalog.php/fall-2009/careerprograms/VC-SUSTAINAG

Most of the classroom courses for the certificate are offered in Lawrence and the practicum is located at the K-State farm at 35230 W 135th St Olathe, KS 66061.

Here is more information about the practicum:

HORT 272 - Sustainable Agriculture Fall Practicum 2 credit hours

Through practical experience complemented by lectures and discussions, students will gain exposure to a broad range of tasks facing the market farmer during the fall and early winter seasons. This includes production and marketing of summer crops, planning, and production of fall crops in high tunnels and open field, and marketing these fall crops. Topics include production planning, planting, integrated crop management, harvest and postharvest practices, marketing through various channels, tools and equipment, soil fertility management, and record keeping. Practicum activities will integrate with other courses in this market farming certificate program. Students will learn both conventional and organic production techniques. Entrepreneurship will be emphasized throughout. 7 hrs. practicum/wk.

Course number for this class is: 85473

Students need to enroll in both classes at the same time. If you have questions about the Farm to Market Farming class, please call Stu Shafer at 785.691.5006. If you have questions about the Lawrence location, please call Loralee Stevens at 913.469.2750 or the site directly at 785.842.1157. If you would like general JCCC information you can always call 913.469.3803 or find additional courses and the admission application atwww.jccc.edu.

Tuition for JCCC is $84 per credit hour for Kansas residents who live outside Johnson County. Full information about tuition can be found here: http://www.jccc.net/home/depts.php/001310/site/toc_costs/cr_costhour_new


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