Permaculture Design Internship in the Caribbean

In May and June, I will be attending a Permaculture Design Internship with the Urban Farmer and the Antonio Numanez Jimenez Foundation of Nature and Man. Experience in organic gardening with leading world experts in Urban Agriculture will enhance my skills to better support my community in achieving our food sovereignty goals.

I seek to involve myself with active gardeners to help them encourage more people in Lethbridge and area to create meaningful ways to ignite a participatory food system. The opportunities that Urban Agriculture and Permaculture design present for our global community are abundant and inspiring. Capacity for active participation within the components of our food system are vast and span social priorities. Those components include production, distribution and acquisition of nourishing food, onward and beyond to preparation, preservation, consumption and waste.

I am seeking financial support from family, friends and an ever growing network of Urban Agriculture and Permaculture advocates to support me so we can support each other, exponentially! The great potential that food sovereignty has to improve lives and enhance community cohesion and social inclusion inspires a vision for the future of a united collective. A support system that engages with each other and the natural world in meaningful and fulfilling ways will be the result of your contribution.

For more information about how this country is leading the way in Urban Agriculture link to Edible Cities - The Movie and look for the trailer Edible Cities

What is Permaculture?

The Permaculture Design Course (PDC) is an internationally recognized certificate course covering every major topic in Permaculture. I will learn a broad range of topics applicable to life anywhere on this planet, and create designs for real world projects such as food forests, Permaculture-style gardens, natural building, water catchment, and irrigation systems. Because the course is at a place already implementing Permaculture practices, l will see the incredible effects of Permaculture in action.

Permaculture itself is built on a set of Principles derived from the ecological patterns, scientific knowledge, and indigenous wisdom of this planet, and is guided by a set of ethics that guide us toward care for people, care for the earth and conscious consumption.

Major topics of the Permaculture Design Course include the following:

• Philosophies and Ethics underlying Permaculture
• Basic permaculture principles
• Using patterns in nature in Permaculture design Methods
• Applying Permaculture design methodology and strategies to meet your design goals
• Climactic factors and strategies for all major climates
• Trees, forests and forest gardening
• Mimicking forest systems to create an abundance of food, fibre, and fodder
• Water: catchment, usage, importance, and conservation
• Soil structure, minerals, microorganisms, building new soil and preventing erosion
• Working with the soil food web to create a healthy ecosystem and regenerate degraded land
• Earthworks. Shaping the land to help it achieve the goals we are aiming for.
• Aquaculture.
• Natural Building. Building structures with materials available on-location.
• Alternative systems. Community living and other ways of living that work well for both people and the planet.
• Bio-regional organization, community development, alternative economic systems, Permaculture as aid.

The Permaculture Design Course offers a launching-off point to gain inspiration, information and community support to choose a lifestyle that brings greater wholistic success.

Who is Katrina?

Katrina Kellner is a Social Innovator and Urban Agriculture advocate, devoted to cohesive community awareness through local food. Having recognized the food movement as a passion, Katrina has independently researched ways in which our society can support access to more fresh, local food. Katrina currently sits on the Vibrant Lethbridge committee for poverty reduction and social policy, as well the Growing Food Security Council of South West Alberta. This opportunity to learn Permaculture design and Urban Agriculture in Cuba will enable much more active participation within her community.

Find out more about Katrina and her efforts to support a local and just food system at her website, an online resource for indoor cultivation of food. [www.evolveindoor.com]

How will your Funding Dollars be Spent?

I need a total of $4700, but am setting my initial target at $2200, but would sure love to raise more. This money will be spent as follows.

$3500 covers:

• Program orientations and preparations in Canada and in the Caribbean.

• Ground transportation

• Food and accommodation

• Special visa for “Volunteer Co-operation”

• Donation in support of the work of the host organization

• Material costs for a Permaculture installation project

$530.00 covers:

• The Airfare from Toronto and back.

Many thanks to Auntie Betty for covering my flight from Calgary to Toronto and Thanks to Auntie Irene, Rachelle & Nick for their support in getting me back home!

$680.00 covers:

The cost of rewards for this crowd fund platform which include:

• Seeds for your herb garden:

• Mumm's Sprouting Seeds:

• Jack Sprouts Lid Poppin' kits:

• DVD's:

• Books:

• Estimated shipping at $240

And in the event that a generous supporter, in North America, can offer up $1500 or more, I will buy them a three tiered trilife pyramid planter for their support!

Thanks be to We The Trees for providing this platform, specifically designed to support Permaculture Design Cerification, world wide. And Thank you also to the Urban Farmer for his photo support and generous DVD donations!

Your support is graciously received. Our mutual ability to contribute to the collective well being to fulfill our truest human potential has been enhanced.