News & Views

Co-founder of Permaculture on World Teaching Tour

David Holmgren, who, along with Bill Mollison, founded the worldwide Permaculture movement over thirty years ago, is currently traveling around the world, spreading his ideas about permaculture and sustainability through a variety of lectures and workshops. His tour will also support his recent book Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability which is now in its second printing. After dates in Japan and throughout Europe, Holmgren will be making many stops in North America, including New Hampshire, California, Oregon, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia. For more information about this rare tour by one of Permaculture's most articulate speakers check out his website at www.holmgren.com.au/html/AppearEvents/appearances.html

Organic Seed Alliance to Hold Farmer Field Days

As part of a WSARE funded, farmer-led education project, Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) will be continuing their workshop Series entitled "Producing Organic Vegetable Seed." The project, which has already conducted two spring field day workshops in Washington and Oregon will conduct two summer field days, production manuals, winter workshops and provide mentorship for beginning seed growers. These field days are a great opportunity for experienced growers, those with new interest in seed production, and seed companies interested in organic production. Upcoming workshops will be conducted on July 21st, 2005 at Nash's Organic Produce, Sequim, Washington and on July 27th, 2005 at Bryant Ranch, Shoshone, Idaho. The Washington workshop will focus on spinach seed production and crop improvement, while the Idaho event will focus on organic green bean seed production and crop improvement. Contact OSA www.seedalliance.org for information about these and other upcoming events.

Seeds of Change Catalog Honored by Industry

The 2004 Seeds of Change catalog won a silver award at the 2005 Annual Catalog Awards hosted by "Multichannel Merchant Magazine" (formerly "Catalog Age"). As it has been for the last four years, the catalog was produced by Zizi and Scott Vlaun of Moose Pond Arts and Ecology in Otisfield, Maine. Zizi does the design work while Scott does the photography, copywriting, and copyediting, as well as the merchandising and mailing list management. The awards, considered the industry's most prestigious, are judged by a panel of industry professionals that evaluate entries based on a wide ranging criteria including creativity and performance.