What I Learned:
Paper mulberry trees can be easily utilized to make strong cordage.
Protecting your assets in a trust fund makes good sense.
Guys and gals who don’t shave seem to be cooler than people who do.
There is a real hunger for Florida-specific gardening information.
Oyster mushrooms can colonize mulch piles if you simply bury chunks of them.
Bokashi can be used to rapidly break down humanure.
What I Taught:
Gardening in a grid-down situation.
Composting meat and human “waste” to feed your plants.
Using human-powered tools.
The importance of caring for root systems.
Easy crops for Florida.
And Finally:
If I can make it, I’ll definitely go back next year. Emily, Willy and the other organizers are great folks and quite welcoming… it was wonderful to be a part of this event. Lots of learning, friendship and community. Good stuff.
2 responses to “2014 Florida Earthskills Gathering, Day 4”
I'm already thinking about classes for next year. There were so many 101-level classes but there were some experienced gardeners and farmers there. There need to be some 201+ level classes, too. Polycultures by region seems like a good one. Strategies for soil mineralization. The fruit tree grafting was a good 201 level class.
One of the big skills missing was blacksmithing. My son does some blacksmithing and we have friends who do it, I'm going to see who I can lure out next year.
Yes – I agree. Blacksmithing would have been excellent.
Another problem was the sheer amount of concurrent classes. I think there were about 20 at the same time… that was nuts.