Workshops

Sustainability Symposium — Food, Energy and Forests in Southeastern Kentucky **DEADLINE EXPIRED**

May 14 - 16, 2010



On May 14-16, 2010, Pine Mountain Settlement School will host a Sustainability Symposium designed to bring together specialists, practitioners, educators, and organizers to share their experiences and learn about model projects throughout Southeastern Kentucky. These projects and initiatives build on local knowledge and experience and point to the potential for a healthy and prosperous future. We will celebrate the greatest regional assets: the people, mountains, water, forests, farms and gardens, and clean energy. The participatory, interactive, solutions-oriented, and fun Symposium will include hands-on trainings, workshops, woodland hikes, and garden tours with local and regional experts working on food, energy, and forest issues. The Symposium has been endorsed by the Appalachian Centers at the University of Kentucky, Berea College, Eastern Kentucky University, and Southeast Community College, the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development, Community Farm Alliance, High Road Initiative, and the Harlan County Chapter of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth.

Food Track Overview
This track highlights sustainable production practices, collaborative gardening projects, and steps toward an Eastern Kentucky local food system. It will also include hands-on gardening activities in the Pine Mountain Community Garden and tours of the production gardens.


Session I — Saturday 10:30 — 11:45 a.m.
Introduction to Organic Gardening (Part 1)
Pat Biggerstaff

Session II — Saturday 1:15 — 2:45 p.m.
Introduction to Organic Gardening (Part 2)
Pat Biggerstaff and Randal Pfleger

Session III — Saturday 3:15 — 4:45 p.m.
Practical Steps toward an Eastern Kentucky Local Food System Stacia Carwell, Randal Pfleger, and Wayne Riley

Session IV — Sunday 9:00 — 9:50 a.m.
Farm to Institution Discussion First Steps and Guidelines" And "Gardening at the Harlan County Detention Center
Don van Erden and Curtis Stallard

Session V — Sunday 10:00 — 10:50 a.m.
How to set up a local Farmer's Market and how the Kentucky Department of Agriculture Can Help
Sharon Spencer

Final Track Discussion — Sunday 11:00 — 11:30 a.m.
Next steps for sustainable agriculture and local food systems in Eastern Kentucky.

Energy Track Overview
The Energy Track will emphasize energy efficiency, renewable energy, and state and federal policy affecting energy in Kentucky and Central Appalachia. This Track will include a hands-on energy assessment and tours of mobile alternative energy trailers.

Session I — Saturday 10:30 — 11:45 a.m.
Steps Towards Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in Harlan, Benham, and Lynch, KY
Carl Shoupe, Roy Silver, Linette Hutchison (City of Harlan Fire Chief)

Session II — Saturday 1:15 — 2:45 p.m.
Lessons Learned in Energy Efficiency and Practical, Hands-on Energy Assessment" (In a PMSS building)
Elizabeth Graves and Josh Bills

Session III — Saturday 3:15 — 4:45 p.m.
Building Retro-fits and energy efficiency in Harlan County
Dennis Daniels, Michelle Norman, Carrie Billett, and Stacy Gloss

Session IV — Sunday 9:00 — 9:50 a.m.
Biomass 101 with a focus on Biodiesel
Nathan Hall.

Session V — Sunday 10:00 — 10:50 a.m.
The Kentucky Sustainable Energy Alliance: Development, Network, Policies, and Review of the 2010 Legislative Session
Elizabeth Crowe and Tom Fitzgerald

Final Track Discussion — Sunday 11:00 — 11:30 a.m.
Next steps for Energy Efficiency, Conservation, and Renewables in Eastern Kentucky

Forest Track Overview
The Forest Track will highlight long-term community approaches to forestry, principles of forest management, and reforestation on mined lands. This Track will include a hands-on hike to identify commercially viable non-timber forest products.

Session I — Saturday 10:30 — 11:45 a.m.
Woodland Community Land Trust. Lessons Learned Over Three Decades of Living in and with the Forest in Eastern Tennessee.

Marie Cirillo, Carol Judy, and Michelle Mockbee

Session II — Saturday 1:15 — 2:45 p.m.
Sustainable Forest Management and New Income Options for Forest Landowners
Irene de Luna and Scott Shouse

Session III — Saturday 3:15 — 4:45 p.m.
Pine Mountain Forest Walk. Roots, Leaves, Moss and other Non-Timber Forest Products for Home, Community and Markets
Carol Judy

Session IV — Sunday 9:00 — 9:50 a.m.
Restoring forests on mined lands in Appalachia
Patrick Angel

Session V — Sunday 10:00 — 10:50 a.m.
Non-Timber Forest Products in Eastern Kentucky
Deborah Hill

Final Track Discussion — Sunday 11:00 — 11:30 a.m.
Next steps for sustainable forestry, woods to goods, and non-timber forest products in Eastern Kentucky


Symposium highlights include a Friday keynote address from Justin Maxson on Energy, Agriculture, Forests, Green Jobs, and the future of Eastern Kentucky. The Symposium will close with a panel discussion with Appalachian Center directors from University of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University, Berea College, and Southeast Community College about the role of Appalachian Centers at Kentucky Colleges and Universities for Sustainable Energy, Agriculture, and Forestry as a backbone for prosperity in Eastern Kentucky and Central Appalachia.

Throughout the weekend, we will highlight community-based efforts in eight Southeastern Kentucky counties: Harlan, Leslie, Perry, Letcher, Knott, Bell, Clay, and Knox. We encourage participation from other parts of Appalachia and rural Kentucky to learn and share your perspective and knowledge.
Registration deadline has been extended until May 26.

For more information contact Randal Pfleger at (606)558-3594 or email at rpfleger@pinemountainsettlementschool.com

Rates
WEEKEND RATE
The cost is $150 per personand includes meals from Friday dinner through Sunday lunch, 2 nights lodging and all program. A $50 non-refundable deposit is required.

SATURDAY ONLY RATE
The cost is $40 and includes lunch and workshops.

Lodging
Visitors to Pine Mountain may stay in dormitory or cottage-style housing. Linens are furnished.

All buildings at Pine Mountain are smoke-free. Pets, firearms, drugs and alcohol are not permitted on School property.

Meals
Meals are served in the Laurel House dining room. When possible, the School serves vegetables grown on campus. Vegetarian meals are available upon request.

Advance Deposit
A non-refundable advance deposit of $50.00 is required at the time of registration and will apply to the total cost of your reservations. Lodging is not guaranteed without deposit.

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