Actions in Arizona

Hey Seedlings,
Not sure if anyone is reading this. It would be cool to know that someone is out there in cyberlandia. Anyway the famous Ed Mendoza sent me this info on workshops he's going to be doing out on his place in Arizona. I actually won't be able to attend because I'll be doing a reading at the Border Book Festival in Las Cruces NM that Friday and Saturday. If anyone is interested in seeing me perform contact me and bring your families. I promise it'll be PG.

OK, so here's Ed's info:

1. Farm Tour
   Native Seeds /SEARCH
   Patagonia, Arizona
   
   September 8, 2006
   9am to 5pm
   
   Introduction to Seed saving
   Soil Fertility
   Water Management
   Irrigation Systems
   
   For more information contact:
   Ed Mendoza @ 520-315-3441 or 520560-0417
2. 
   Natural Building Systems
   And
   Hands on workshop
   
   September 9, 2006
   9am to 5pm
   @
   
   The Canelo Project
   Elgin Arizona
   
   Registration cost is $50.00 and includes lunch
   For more information contact Ed Mendoza @
   520-315-3441
   or
   520-560-0417
   

FYI: Permaculture in the Bay

Hola Seedlings,
Crazy thing. I was reading the paper yesterday and I noticed a full size article on Indigenous Permaculture. And guess what? It's Guillermo Vasquez (past participant of the TNAFA training program). Small world. In case you haven't heard, the full article "Learning from leaks" is at: http://www.sfbg.com/entry.php?entry_id=1341&catid=4&volume_
id=147&issue_id=240&volume_
num=40&issue_num=45

He's teaching a permaculture course from August 30th-September 13 (20 hours a week). The course is free with a one-year commitment to community work. I'm thinking about checking it out. If you're interested or know anyone in the area who'd be interested contact: www.indigenous-permaculture.org. FYI: Another source for urban permaculture is: www.urbanpermacultureguild.org.

seedout,
Malin aka Nopalita

You germinating yet?

Hola fellow seedlings,

I hope you all reached your communities safe, refreshed, and motivated to create new green spaces. I've been back about a week and all ready the stress of the BIG CITY is rattling my nerves and chocking my spirit. It's easy to lose oneself in the narcissistic pleasures of the fast life and forget about the trees. The good news is that despite all the temptations, I still dream of seeds, chicken tractors, and green pastures. I'm a changed woman. I had a taste of the good life and I can't get it off my lips.

Funny story. On the drive back to San Francisco, I stopped in Sedona, Arizona to have my cards read. I was feeling resistant about returning to the Bay Area. Couldn't I just buy a ranch somewhere and start from scratch? That would be easier than going back to a city of concrete and skyscrapers. Hhowever, the spirits didn't agree. According to the psychic lady, my destiny was awaiting me back in the city. She told that I was going to find a way to blend writing, education, healing, and permaculture. It could be a total lie, but I'm curious enough to give it time to germinate.

So now I'm back home, trying to organize the chaotic creative process of my life. However, I can't go back to my old ways of thinking or living. Now, everywhere I look I see wasted resources and opportunities for green spaces. I'm designing a practical way of living in harmony with nature and the big city.

So, this blog my idea for helping me stay connected with the TNAFA 2006 participants and focused on my tasks. I'd like to see us support one another's projects through emails, hard labor, and/or prayers. In our own ways, we're all answering the earth's call. This commonality bonds us together with tiny invisible threads. I want to encourage you all to take some time and share your thoughts, frustrations, celebrations, and questions with the TNAFA seedling community.

I know keeping in touch is hard. We all have work, obligations, families, and creative pursuits. But building community (as you all know) takes time and effort. I was also thinking that this blog can help Louie and Clayton in their evaluation of the program and provide personal testimonies to use for grants and future projects. We all benefited greatly from the 2006 TNAFA training, now it's up to us to continue the work and spread the seeds. Feel free to share this blog with past and future participants and anyone else who loves weeds.

OK, I'll stop. I'm trying to talk less and work more. Plus, I've two projects to get started on. I'm redesigning my father's backyard and building my mom a pond. I figure I'll practice on my folks first. Home Depot, here I come! Hee hee. I'll put up some photos as soon as I can. Wish you all the very best and may you all walk in beauty.

Malin Alegria Ramirez