Courses

In this course you will learn to:

Michael Philips is author of The Apple Grower, a definitive guide to growing organic apples holistically. Michael's knowledge of fruit trees, orchard management, companion plants, and soil science has helped him to become well spring of information and inspiration for orchardists and backyard gardeners alike.  He integrates the intuitive knowledge of our great-grandparents with the fruits of modern scientific research and innovation. Michael shares his breadth of wisdom woven theough personal stories in a way of amplifying a passion and inspiration for growing fruit trees and 'abetting Nature's way'.  Using the MA Center orchards, Michael will bring participants on an ecological journey that explores how we can create an optimal “forest-edge- ecosystem” perfect for fruit trees. 

• Walking through the orchard season
• Moving beyond organic: The holistic appoach
• Creating a diverse, healthy orchard ecosystem 
• Managing  understory  plants, nutrients, and beneficial microorganisms.
• Using plant medicines and compost teas to boost tree immune resistance
• Evaluating strategies for the existing and new hillside orchards at the MA Center
• On site Apple Harvesting and Juicing

> Learn more and register

October 2-4 at MA Center in Castro Valley, CA

Darren Doherty (Australia) is one of the world's most experienced Permaculture Design professionals and teachers.    A prolific designer, Darren has developed over 1100 properties across 4 continents and has co-taught with Bill Mollison & David Holmgren (the co-originators of Permaculture) and Geoff Lawton.  In this workshop Darren will be bringing his immense experience in water design, pasture regeneration, and species selection to the MA Center to work with participants to create a working design that:

• Rapidly improves soil fertility for the new orchards.
• Connects rainwater catching earthworks across the landscape
• Employs Keyline design strategies for orcahrds, paddocks, and reforestation 
• Uses cow grazing to improve soil health.
• Plants trees within grazing patterns.
• Develop a productive and marketable agroforestry system

> Learn more and register.

The long awaited return of the vegetable oil-powered mobile permaculture design course is upon us. True to Common Vision’s collaborative and dynamic program design, this course will bring to life the 72hour PDC curriculum by weaving together site examples, teachers, and projects from all across Northern California that best demonstrate aspects of sustainable design. This course is currently in development and is slated for late summer or fall of 2010.