From Randal Pfleger at the Pine Mountain Settlement School:
Greetings from Pine Mountain Settlement School! Registration Deadline for the Sustainability Symposium has been extended to Monday April 26!
Event Announcement and Details below:
Sustainability Symposium at Pine Mountain Settlement School May 14-16, 2010
For more information and to register, visit http://www.pinemountainsettlementschool.com or call Randal Pfleger at (606)-558-3594.
The intersection of jobs, the economy, and the environment present significant challenges today and for the future of Southeastern Kentucky and Appalachia. Sustainable agriculture, energy, and forestry embody the backbone of a response to these challenges.
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, 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 Kentuckians for the Commonwealth.
Symposium highlights include a Friday keynote address from Justin Maxson and Anthony Flaccavento 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 participants to attend from other parts of Appalachia and rural Kentucky to learn and share their perspective and knowledge.
Food Track
I. Introduction to Organic Gardening (Part 1). Pat Biggerstaff. Bell County and Lincoln Memorial University Organic Gardening Projects.
II. Introduction to Organic Gardening (Part 2). Pat Biggerstaff and Randal Pfleger.
III. Practical Steps toward an Eastern Kentucky Local Food System. Stacia Carwell (Red Bird Mission), Randal Pfleger (PMSS), Wayne Riley (Laurel County African American Heritage Center)
IV.Farm to Institution Discussion First Steps and Guidelines. And Gardening at the Harlan County Detention Center. Don Van Erden (Community Farm Alliance) and Curtis Stallard (Harlan County Jailer)
V. How to set up a local Farmer’s Market and how the Kentucky Department of Agriculture Can Help. Sharon Spencer. Kentucky Department of Agriculture.
Final Group Discussion:
Next steps for sustainable agriculture and local food systems in Eastern Kentucky.
Energy Track
I. Steps Toward Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in Harlan, Benham, and Lynch, KY. Carl Shoupe and Roy Silver (members of Harlan County Chapter of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth) and Linette Hutchison (City of Harlan Fire Chief)
II. Energy Efficiency for Businesses & Nonprofits: A 'How To' Session. Elizabeth Graves and Josh Bills (E3 Program, Mountain Association for Community Economic Development)
III. Building Retro-fits and energy efficiency in Harlan County. Dennis Daniels (Harlan County Community Action Agency), Michelle Norman (Sharing With Appalachian People), and Stacy Gloss (PMSS Energy Efficiency and Weatherization VISTA)
IV. Biomass 101 with a focus on Biodiesel. Nathan Hall(East Kentucky Biodiesel)
V. The Kentucky Sustainable Energy Alliance: Development, Network, Policies, and Review of the 2010 Legislative Session. Elizabeth Crowe (Kentucky Environmental Foundation) and Tom Fitzgerald (Kentucky Resources Council)
Final Group Discussion:
Next steps for Energy Efficiency, Conservation, and Renewables in Eastern Kentucky
Forest Track
I. 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 (Clearfork Community Institute and Woodland Community Land Trust)
II. Sustainable Forest Management and New Income Options for Forest Landowners. Irene de Luna/Scott Shouse (Forest Opportunities Initiative Mountain Association for Community Economic Development)
III. Pine Mountain Forest Walk. Roots, Leaves, Moss and other Non-Timber Forest Products for Home, Community and Markets. Carol Judy (Clearfork Community Institute)
IV. Restoring forests on mined lands in Appalachia. Patrick Angel (Office of Surface Mining/Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative)
V. Non-Timber Forest Products in Eastern Kentucky. Deborah Hill (University of Kentucky Forestry Extension Professor)
Final Group Discussion:
Next steps for sustainable forestry, woods to goods, and non-timber forest products in Eastern Kentucky.
