This past weekend, Williamson had the opportunity to host individuals from We Are All Farmers Permaculture Institute, who traveled to Williamson all the way from North Carolina.

This event was a free, two-day workshop, which took place at both  the Mingo County Orchard and Williamson community gardens. It was a great opportunity for us to learn from a total of eight different “permies”, who each had different areas of expertise in permaculture design.

Co-founder Crystal Cook said that the most important part of these permaculture workshops is that “they focus on low-cost, relatively easy things to do that a person (or a small group) can do on any kind of plot, suburban, urban, or farm, to jumpstart growing food without the need for expensive equipment or chemicals.”

She also said that it was the first time that these workshops had been taught in the West Virginia coalfields-, which is both impressive and exciting!!

Edward Marshall instructs on how to layer the raised beds

Edward Marshall instructs on how to layer the raised beds

Over 30 participants from the Tug Valley, as well as from all over the region, including representatives from the Charleston area, and even into North Carolina, came out to learn about permaculture.

At the orchard on Friday, We Are All Farmers discussed issues regarding rainwater catchment, access, and weed management. They offered multiple suggestions on how to deal with some of the issues our site was facing, and help to initiate these efforts.

On Saturday, we broke off into groups that covered a variety of topics including rainwater catchment, vermaculture (using worms to compost), and beautification using edible flowers and herbs. We also learned how to build compost bins made from pallets,  and how to create a raised gardening bed using old cardboard, shredded paper, compost and manure.

For more information on We Are All Farmers check out their website www.weareallfarmers.org or to see more photos from the weekend, just send us a comment!

Participants build a raised gardening bed using cardboard, paper, manure and compost

Participants build a raised gardening bed using cardboard, paper, manure and compost

 

Crystal Cooke talking about soil to workshop participants at Mingo County Orchard

Crystal Cooke talking about soil to workshop participants at Mingo County Orchard