September 9,10,11
M.A. Center ~ Castro Valley, CA
When Common Vision is not planting fruit trees with schools across
California, we are working to support sustainability education and
demonstration projects. Our 4 year partnership with M.A. Center and
GreenFriends Farm has birthed another weekend intensive course that we
are excited to share. Holistic Management holds some critical keys to
reversing desertification worldwide while generating profit. Its
principles can guide soil building, ecosystem health improvement, and
profit growth on any scale project. Read on for more!
Holistic Management is a goal
driven framework for making better decisions to manage all aspects of
our lives. With a process to assess and optimize short and long term
strategies, this systems-thinking approach to managing land resources
can improve production, generate financial strength, regenerate
ecosystems, and improve quality of life for those who use it.
Kirk Gadzia is a certified
instructor with the Savory Institute, Holistic Management International
Center, and is founder of Resource Management Services, with over 20
years experience teaching the concepts of Holistic Management®
worldwide combined with extensive international consulting work on many
agricultural operations.
Savory Institute trains
people in holistic management and decision-making. People who use these
methods can increase prosperity while restoring biodiversity, returning
deserts to grasslands, and reviving watersheds.
Chris Kerston will be leading
the Saturday evening's session "Animals in the Orchard" describing the
farming operations at Chaffin Family Orchards, a 3,000 acre organic
olive, stone fruit, beef, egg, and broiler operation that is one of the
top examples of animal-integrated agriculture in the US.
Check out this video where Kirk Gadzia breaks down
what we will be learning:
Day 1: Holistic Decision Making
Learn this goal driven framework to manage land, organizations, and
homesteads of all scales.
• Make sustainability a profitable practice
• Bigger profits & better quality of life
"What permaculture lacks is a decision-making framework. What holistic
management lacks is a design framework. Let's put together a dowry." ~
Darren Doherty
Day 2: Holistic Land Management
We will apply the decision-making framework to the design and
management of land. Using the 380 acres at the M.A. Center
permaculture project as a model we will learn hands on how to:
• Evaluate land health through observation of ecosystem processes
• Develop systems of monitoring so feedback will guide future decisions
• Understand the "tools" of land management.
• Understand priciples of restoring fecundity and biodiversity to
grasslands
• Prioritize projects to assure short and long term financial, social,
and ecosystem goals are met.
Day 3: Holistic Management of Animals
In drylands and Mediterranean climates herding grass eating animals can
either degrade landscapes or act as the single most effective soil
building force available. Here we will learn the principals of managing
animals on grasslands, orchards, and brush-scapes. Particpants will
learn how to develop grazing plans that will:
• Transition dry hillsides to green perennial grasslands, fertile
orchards, perennial, or biodiverse forests.
• Bring water sources back to life
• Sequester carbon in deeper and healthier soils
• Improve soil health and biodiversity of rangelands and pastures.
• Increase grazing and wildlife capacity.
• Boost orchard health and fertility
• Grow healthier crops and achieve higher yields.
• Reverse desertification in brittle environments
Cost:
$300 ~ All 3 days.
$225 ~ Days 1+2
$100 ~ Day 3