Spring Update

Plans to host a Mark Sheppard workshop have been put on hold for this year. The decision to cancel arose not from a lack of interest of potential participants. It has become clear we have plenty of work to do towards our aspirations on the land, helped along by some knowledge gained through experiences and research into permaculture over the last few years:
- expanding the garden space
- developing larger composting systems
- create a topographic map of our land - find/borrow a good laser level and gps and hopefully some knowledgeable help
- researching and sourcing varieties, seeds and seedlings for future plantings
- documenting plant varieties growing here already
- developing facilities here for hosting others - the "Train Station reno - for visitors, WWOOFERs, employees
- expanding my chicken flock - 90 day-old chicks on order! Getting Light Brahma, Australorp, Chantecler 30 each
- connecting with and learning from local farmers
- running my small construction contractor business
- supporting Kerri's job, and her training and new career in English language training
- (happening this year)- expand the garden to include ethnic varieties of vegetables (i.e collards), and to then provide these to those in need in Winnipeg

It has become clear that hosting a workshop with Mark would be an expense of time, effort and cash that is going to be needed in other ways this season to work towards our restoration agriculture/permaculture future, and it may be that a paid consult when we are ready would be of more value to our process than hosting a workshop mostly for others to learn what I have just learned from Mark at last fall's workshop near Gimli.
Sorry about disappointing all that expressed an interest in Mark's workshop here. I do see the need for more alternative farming educational experiences, and hope other opportunities arise in southern MB this year. To that end I may as well plug Sepp Holzer's 4 day workshop near Gimli at Prairie Heritage Farm for those who can attend, coming soon!

Thanks for all the support and kind words. Happy "busy season" to you all! 

(We tapped our maple trees the other day, spring is here!)