Permaculture:
Over the last several months Matthew, Rachel, and I have participated in a 72-hour online Permaculture Design Certification Course through the International Permaculture Education Center to earn our internationally recognized certificates as Permaculture Design Consultants. Permaculture is a whole-systems thinking land management approach following various principles to work with the land rather than against it to help it thrive and flourish in a regenerative manner, ultimately leading to more sustainable land management practices.
We have already begun working with Sam and the greenhouses to plan for 2021 and beyond. We will also be working with the rest of Ecological Services on permaculture design projects along with offering experiences and educational workshops built around permaculture.
Cultivate:
We will be continuing our work and partnerships with Plymouth Schools and Cultivate to help fight childhood weekend hunger in our community. We will also be expanding Cultivate’s reach by working with Sister Connie Bach and the PHJC Volunteer Program by providing 100 meals per week for her “Care for the Homeless” initiative.
Water Quality Testing:
We will be continuing our work and partnership with the Indiana Clean Lakes Program through Indiana University on monitoring the water quality of both Lake Galbraith and Flat Lake. We will be expanding our water quality testing efforts by partnering with my old National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) lab in Charleston, South Carolina by testing and screening for harmful algal blooms in both lakes as well. We will be the first Indiana site registered with NOAA’s Phytoplankton Monitoring Network!
Supporting Local Art: We will be continuing our work in empowering local artists and offer opportunities through our leadership in the Arts and Culture Committee of Marshall County Crossroads.
Upcoming Offerings:
Tai Chi (dates TBD – check our Facebook page and website for updates)
Virtual Empty Bowls fundraiser to benefit the Food Bank of Northern Indiana (March 1-31)
2021 Artist Exhibitors:
Don & Kathy Kegarise - March
Northern Indiana Pastel Society - May
Evie Schwenk - June
Birdie McElroy - August
The Lupkins - September
