The Importance of High Tunnel Farming in Climate Uncertainty

Black Oaks Center Rotating Apprenticeship Farmer Training Pembroke to Chicago,  RAFT-PC, is cultivating the next generation of black farmers to be adept in  production  and installation of high tunnels to fare climate uncertainty. CommUnity Wealth is Growing!  High tunnel production can produce fresh vegetables 10 to 11 months/year to fuel a local food economy, rain or shine   Black Oaks Center has $5870 to go and 41 days towards adding 24 additional feet to ourNational Resources and Conservation Service EQUIP high tunnel through KIVA Zip.   Between June 1 and 5th, loans of $100 or more will be matched to double the value of your loan.   This is a way we can safely and effectively build trust loan networks to fuel the construction of local economies in our challenged communities.   KIVA LEND NOW Our Vision: Growing a local food system Building a local food economy. A 30 X 96 ft high tunnel will allow our trainees, fellow farms and the community to have a hand at learning the skills of high tunnel production.   Our aim is to be putting in the fall crop by July 2015.    Many thanks to NIFTY HOOPS,  our endorser, we should have our tunnel up and ready to go in a day.  All lenders are invited to the high tunnel raising!  Rainbow carrots, greens, onions, and root cellar favorites are in the crop plan.  Your loan will be returned in 36 months or less.  You will have the choice of keeping the money you lent or recirculating your $ to keep harnessing CommUnity Wealth.   to learn more about our local food system work

Tim Wilson Our RAFT-PC high tunnel instructor and production manager has managed and trained in all aspects of high tunnel production at City Farm, one of the 1st successful urban farms in Chicago.  The Kendall College instructor has brought his skills to Pembroke where he will be helping NRCS farms establish high tunnel production. With Tim's expertise, we should be able to get the  return on the investment in the first year according to case studies.  We have had a winter crop of spinach, chard and kale that endured below 50 degree temperatures to yield a wonderful spring crop as early as March April.  With our eater operated CSA and local food partners, we are aiming to pay the loan back ahead of schedule to be an endorser for our young farmers, fellow farms and budding food businesses as we frame the template for local food system development.   Learn more about high tunnel farming RAFT-PC Black Farmers & Ranchers are less than zero point one percent of all farmers in the United States. It is up to us to pick up where the Elders  left off to take black farming to the next level; to be local food system developers, to be producers that play a key role in feeding our communities, our region, our nation. We are at a unique advantage: we have land. We have more folk that want to pay to eat our food and than we can supply. Let's fill the gap and harvest the wealth from seeds our Ancestors toiled long ago. RAFT-PC is for all ages, full time, part time, men, women and families from our communities who love the earth, like to work hard and want to make a living growing food. Upon completion of the training in September of 2015, trainees will be certified in Permaculture. Those without land will be encouraged to purchase, lease or partner with those with land to get their farm businesses underway. Scholarship options are available for those who cannot afford to pay. Enroll Now!!   To learn more about RAFT-PC Learn more about this form of micro financing that is revolutionizing small business financing worldwide: Character over credit is what secures loans with Kiva Zip, no fees and zero interest.  Over 500 million dollars has been lent worldwide to help everyday people fulfill their dreams and better serve their communities.  This innovative hybrid of crowdfunding and microfinancing has brought 98% loan repayment success.The mission of Kiva Zip is 3 fold:  to expand opportunities and access for borrowers in need,  reduce lending  cost  to borrowers so to increase access to working capital and to enhance the connection between lenders and borrowers. Kiva is about the elimination of poverty through access to needed resources to make small businesses work.  Give power back to the 99% Lend through Kiva Zip again and again   Kiva.Zip

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Practicing the Art,Science & Technology of Whole Earth Systems: Summer Experientials Open the Week of May 25, 2015

The clover seeds we broadcast last year are doing well in the forest gardens and in the swale blueberry patch.  Clover is a nitrogen fixer, facilitating all plant partners in having access to much needed nitrogen for photosynthesis. Clover is an excellent companion as it low lying, requires little maintenance and chokes out unwanted invasives while supporting cultivars.  

90% of the blueberry patches made it through the harsh winter.  

It's time to feed them and other fruit bushes as they are about to bloom. 

2015 Training Focus  

High Tunnel Production  Livestock, (pasture poultry)Permaculture Practice

2015 Trainee Farms & Locations

Pembroke (Rural)

Black Oaks Center: High Tunnel, Pasture Poultry, Field Crops, Fruit Production, Mushrooms, Apriary, Permaculture Practice, Medicinal Herbs

Boots N Saddles The Care of Baby Chicks, Pasture Poultry, Poultry Processing

Clyde Farm : How to Make Predator Proof Chicken Tractors

Iyabo Farm: High Tunnel 

Lorenzo R. Smith Sustainability & Technology Academy:  Aquaponics, Food Aggregation

Oleghe Farm: Cover Crops & Soil Health

Runaway Buckers:  High Tunnel

please continue to check back for dates & times, additions

Chicago (urban)

Permaculture Practice

Sunday May 17, 2015 10:00 to 3:0082nd & King Drive 

 
Bring tools, healthy food and non alcoholic beverages to share
making permaculture beds & seedling installations
installing blackberry plants

more locations will be posted, dates & times as they are confirmed


Want to enroll in RAFT-PC?  email us at blackoakscenter@gmail.com 

Reading and Links for Introduction to Ecological Design

Study Links

Permaculture Principals

Permaculture in the Garden

Permaculture Activist

Permaculture Magazine

How You Can Change the World

Core Readings

Permaculture: Principles & Pathways Beyond Sustainability, David Holmgren

The Permaculture Handbook, Peter Bane

Secrets of the Soil: New Age Solutions for Restoring Our Planet,

 Peter Tompkins & Christopher Byrd

RAFT-PC 2015: Whole Systems Earth: Ecological Design of a Regenerative Food System

Whole  Systems  Earth  :

Ecological Design of a Regenerative Food System

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ENROLL NOW!!!

 3 little sisters planting an elderberry bush during a CommUnity Planting Day at the Black Oaks Eco-campus. Elderberry is antiviral, good for colds.

Sunday Afternoon Workshops 2-4 p.m.

January 11, 25

February 8, 22

March 1, 15, 29

Fred Carter,  Co-Founder & Exec. Director, Black Oaks Center

The Center for Regenerative Truth 9352 S. Halsted Street, Chicago Ill.

Price: $10 per class  

This is an introductory course for the Rotating Apprenticeship Farmer Training Pembroke to Chicago (RAFT-PC) with prerequisites for permaculture certification.  

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Skills You Will Acquire:

Application of Ecological Design for the farm, garden, spaces, relationships, life, community Permaculture Ethics and Principals Aquaculture Basics of soil and plant production

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Upon Completion, you will have: 

  A growing location

  A team

  A crop plan

  A work schedule

  Your eco function in a food system

 Basics of How to Grow Food 

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2015 Growing Season (March-November):  RAFT-PC  

Niche:  4-8 hours/week + Whole Systems Earth Focus: choose 1 spoke of the CommUnity Wealth Wheel: Food Production, Food Aggregation or Food Distribution Assignment: 1 location, a team, function and work schedule, permaculture certification option

Leadership Level 1: 9-18 hours/week + Whole Systems Earth Focus: choose 2 spokes of the  CommUnity Wealth Wheel: Food Production, Food Aggregation or Food Distribution Assignment:  Co team lead at 1 location, attend Growing Power Farmers for Chicago and participate in at least 1-3 field trainings at other locations ***earn n’ learn option, permaculture certification Whole System Leadership:  20 plus hours/week + Whole Systems Earth Focus: all 3 spokes of the CommUnity Wealth Wheel: Food Production, Food Aggregation and Food Distribution Assignment: Team Leader, 1 location, attend Growing Power Farmers for Chicago, 4+ field trainings other locations, ***earn n’ learn, permaculture certification