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Event
Indigenous Agricultural Practices, with Cuauhtemoc Villa
Native American farming practices and permaculture gardens begin with the soil. Learning how to build the soil ecology to benefit other environmental systems can be rediscovered and utilized by looking into our past agriculture models as well as more modern composting techniques.
Cuauhtemoc Villa is an expert on natural and ancient farming practices, and over the four week series of classes he will guide attendees through hands-on demonstrations of these techniques. He is also an expert in the making and use of bokashi, a fermented, anaerobic form of composting, and you will learn how to make it and apply it to the soil. as well other soil building practices passed down from Native American culture. Teaming with active microbial life, bokashi can supercharge soil (and biochar) with "good" microorganisms, leading to healthier plants and more nutritious and delicious food.
Biochar, a form of charcoal suitable for use in agriculture, has a number of beneficial properties that can also help build soil health and reduce water and nutrient requirements--critical benefits in the ongoing drought we are experiencing. Raymond Baltar, the director of the Sonoma Biochar Initiative, was project manager for the Biochar Citizen Science Garden Project in 2013, and he will be on hand to answer questions about biochar in collaboration with Cuauhtemoc. You will learn about biochar's properties that make it so valuable, how to blend it with bokashi or other compost, and how to apply it in a garden setting.
About the Classes:
Our last class will be held tomorrow, Aug. 8th, from 9 A.M. to 10 A.M., at the beautiful Sonoma Garden Park, which is owned by the City of Sonoma and managed by the Sonoma Ecology Center. Please arrive by 8:50 so we can check you in and we can start the classes right at 9 A.M. The location will be in the Community Garden section of the Park, towards the back.
THis last class will be a review of each of the major topics we covered in previous classes, and we will also be making bokashi together, so if you'd like to take some home bring a small pail.
Classes are free and open to the public, but we do ask that you register so we know how many to expect. There may be some opportunities for hands-on work, so if you'd like to contribute please bring gloves and dress accordingly. Please bring a lawn chair or blanket and a water bottle, and dress in layers. It may start off foggy and end up warm.
About the Experimental Garden Plot:
Through a collaboration between the Sonoma Ecology Center, The Sonoma Biochar Initiative, Whole Foods Market, and EM of California, we will be testing the effects of using biochar and bokashi in a small plot at the Sonoma Garden Park where classes will be held. We will not only be looking for soil and plant health and production differences between sections, we will also be doing soil moisture testing before, during, and after planting to determine what difference, if any, biochar, or biochar and bokashi blends, will make on soil moisture levels.
About Cuauhtemoc Villa:
Mr. Villa promotes sustainable agriculture development through probiotic technology. Microorganisms, being the first inhabitants on earth, play a significant and crucial role in our sustainable ecology. His outreach programs for youth K-12 and adults establishes friendly relationships between people and microbes that ensures soil keepers for future generations.
Cuauhtemoc's ability to apply Tribal Ecological Knowledge (TEK) on a recent Department of Water Resources project helped protect and pass on ancient wisdom while allowing government agencies to discover out-of-the-box solutions for todays problems.
Thank you to our partners on this project:
EM of California
Sonoma Ecology Center
Whole Foods
Sonoma Biochar Initiative
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LocationSonoma Garden Park (View)
19996 7th Street East
Sonoma, CA 95476
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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