US/TN/Workshop:“Growing, Harvesting, & Using Temperate Bamboos” June 5-9, 2006 [Archive]

Bamboo Events Desk

28th March 2006, 01:20 PM

Here are the details for the intensive hands-on workshop

“Growing, Harvesting, & Using Temperate Bamboos” to be held at the Bamboo Institute of Tennessee June 5 through 9, 2006 at Earth Advocates Research Farm in Summertown, Tennessee:

Earth Advocates Research Farm (EARF) is our 48+ acre “lab” and playground where we run performance trials on candidate Bamboos (over 200 so far) and other useful but little known plants, screening them for adaptability to our USDA zone 6 continental climate. Besides our “useful” plant trials, we also have large collections of many ornamental genera as well as on-going experiments with novel and innovative cultural techniques including a major focus on water harvesting & storage including aquaculture. The Bamboos begin shooting in late March and by mid-May good displays of Daylilies, Iris, Peonies, Roses, and probably others can be expected and the water should be warm enough for brief swims. Primitive camping (no hookups) and dorm space are available at no charge.

Our logo (not shown here) is based on the World Snake, the aboriginal unifying symbol adopted by Permaculture, an integrated land use philosophy in which we have been trained as practitioners/consultants.

This course will combine demonstration and discussion with instruction and practical, hands-on application. It will cover splitting, shaping, joining, and carving. We will use both hand and power tools borrowing techniques from several discipline. Certificates of completion will be awarded.

The course will be limited to 20 paying participants on a first come basis. Two non-paying work-trade or scholarship positions will be awarded for the course – applicants for which should send a letter giving background, intended use of the training and reasons for being considered. Please include a phone number & best time to call.

In the past we have offered separate short courses on various aspects of working with hardy Bamboos – and we have sometimes had trouble filling the classes. So this year in an attempt to hold tuition down and minimize our financial losses, we are offering one combined couse – “Growing, Harvesting, and Using Temperate Bamboos”. As with other courses in the past, this will be an intensive 5-day hands-on immersion experience intended to empower and facilitate your Bamboo working abilities. The course will be led by Adam Turtle and other invited instructors. (Mark and Carole Meckes and Matthew English have already accepted as of 1 February)

As with all courses offered at E.A.R.F., we will begin with correct and safe tool use. Then an understanding of the unique structural properties of Bamboo will be imparted. Harvest techniques and materials preparation will then be addressed. As the above are mastered, students will then explore the possibilities and constraints of Bamboo appropriate design and finally a personal project. In all phases there will be considerable discussion aimed at maximizing comprehension.

Various points of technique and procedure will be illustrated, demonstrated, and explained and students will be encouraged to practice so a muscle memory is developed. Small class size will assure opportunity for personal attention from the instructors. Bamboo for student practice during the course will be furnished. Cut Bamboo for projects will be available for purchase or participants may bring poles from home. Additional Bamboo (as either cut poles or live plants) to take home may be purchased.

We intend the Growing, Harvesting & Using Temperate Bamboos course to be vary participant responsive so that both the raw beginner and the more experienced Bamboo craftsperson will be able to expand their understanding as well as their ability to work with this versatile and unique resource. We will seek to impart the insights, techniques, and procedures appropriate to YOUR level of preparation. All practice materials are provided; however, each participant should have his/her own basic hand tools – a list of which (with sources) will be sent once you are accepted for the class.

Attendees should plan to arrive Sunday afternoon, June 4. You may camp on-site or get a motel room nearby (15 miles). As with all our courses, we begin Sunday evening with a reception (enough for a light supper) followed by introductions and housekeeping details. This is an important part of the workshop as this is when we orient everyone, get to know one another and inventory skills, abilities, interests and set the agenda and scheduling for the week. The next morning we'll jump right in at 8:30 am. (Coffee, tea, juice, fruit, muffins/scones, etc. will be available daily at 7:30 am). Evenings after supper (on your own – cooperative campfire cooking or restaurants in town) we will gather for discussion and slides both by instructors and participants on aspects of Bamboo applications (please plan to bring some slides to share). We also encourage you to bring actual objects or projects for "show and tell".

Early registration is suggested to ensure a place in the workshop (and save some money!). Pre-registration is REQUIRED! All registrations must be received with payment in full by May 15, 2006 -- Check or money order only, no e-mail or credit cards. Scholarship applicants should get their letters to us by April 1. Your registration for the workshop includes: first evening’s reception, continental breakfast, buffet lunch and snacks each day, and a supper the final evening, Bamboo materials for practice and demonstration, and all handouts including participant’s list. A frameable certificate signed by the instructors will be awarded upon successful completion of the course. Please don’t forget to let us know any dietary requirements in advance.

On receipt of a completed form and full payment, a participant's package with a list of recommended hand tools to bring (and several mail order sources), directions, camping info, motel info, etc. will be mailed along with a liability release (to be signed and returned) and acknowledgement of your place in the workshop.

The course will end with a group supper and awarding of certificates on Friday evening.

We are planning to produce an instructional video from the workshop. Participants can order a copy at discount during the course.

Please make checks payable to EARF and mail to Earth Advocates Research Farm, 30 Myers Road, Summertown, Tenn. 384837323. For more information, or if you have questions, you can call Sue at (931) 964-4151 – around 7 am or 5 pm central time is best. If you miss us, slowly and clearly tell our machine a phone number and when to get back to you.

Many sizes of Bamboo poles as well as a variety of live plants will be available for purchase. 'Our' Bamboo Nursery's complete list is at www.growit.com/bamboo.

Lead instructor, Adam Turtle FLS was first exposed to Bamboo and the Japanese aesthetic as a boy in post-war Tokyo. That experience has influenced all subsequent events in a long and checkered career. He began working with wood as a boy in his father’s shop and has worked as a woodcarver (both sculpture and furniture), carpenter, cabinetmaker, boat builder, antique restorer and all ‘round “wood butcher”. In the last few years his interests in Bamboo and woodworking have been converging. He has been variously a Zen monk and an internationally known sculptor, a street person and a farmer. Learning, contemplating, and teaching are his chief joys. Now he is a full time Bambusero – involved with each, any, and all aspects of Bamboo.

Carole Meckes lives in Austin, Texas surrounded by a bamboo grove that provides her with countless hours of enjoyment and exploration as well as raw material for many craft projects.

Matthew English began as an intern here at Earth Advocates Research Farm. He has attended every class we have offered and has developed a depth of insight and experience that makes him a good instructor . He and his wife Jennifer founded the Center for a Holistic Ecology at their farm here in middle Tennessee. He has led a number of workshops in the area.

REGISTATION FORM
“Growing, Harvesting, & Using Temperate Bamboos”
June 5 through 9, 2006
at Earth Advocates Research Farm, Summertown, Tennessee

Name ______________________________________

Address ____________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

Phone: _____________________________________

Please make checks payable and return to:
EARF
30 Myers Road
Summertown, Tenn. 38483-7323 ___________________________________________
Upon receipt of this form with full payment, you will be sent a confirmation letter and registrant's packet including a liability release which must be signed and returned.

FEES:
$350/person (if postmarked by May 1) __________

$425/person (if postmarked after May 1) __________

I have special limitations or dietary requirements as follows: __________________________________________

Application for scholarship:
Enclosed is my letter of application for a scholarship.

I wish to apply for a work-trade for this course. I agree to arrive 2 days early to help with set up and preparation, help out as needed, and I will stay one day over for clean up in exchange for waiver of all fees. A letter about my situation is enclosed.

Please include a phone number and best time to call.

We will offer one shuttle to/from the Nashville airport on Sunday afternoon and one Saturday morning. Let us know if you plan to use it for the hour and a half ride.

E.A.R.F. is a smoke free facility
http://www.growit.com/bamboo/
phone (931) 964-4151