Crop Mob - November 2011

Vermiculture - This project will be headed up by a biology major from North Georgia College & State University.  The research will track growth, bin temperature, food consumption and castings produced.

Compost Berms - This is to help with rain water run-off from the barn and hillside.  The berms will  need to be conpleted with manure, mulch, soil and pruning debris.  We will then construct swales in front of each berm to hold rainwater, releasing it naturally into the ground.  The berms will be planted with comfrey and other plants that are beneficial to pollinators and return nutrients to the soil.  The bee hives (thanks to Forsyth County Master Gardener Palmer Haffner) are close to the berms.

Educational Garden - We'll expand this area with fruit trees and shrubs such as currants, bilberry, gooseberry and hardy kiwi.  We intend to propagate and collect seeds from as many of the existing plants as possible in the coming year.  These include the fig tree, American Beautyberry, herbs and vegetables.  The vegetable production will be increased so that we continue donating to Plant A Row for the Hungry through The Place of Forsyth County.

Additional projects include permaculture design, black soldier fly larvae (as chicken feed), forest mushroom production, organic dyes, solar cooking and natural earthen building.  Cedar Hill needs new benches around the campus and what a great way to provide a structure that fits into the environment  -  it's all feet on deck for the stomping of the building material!

With the intention of becoming a hands-on learning center offering practical solutions to help our community return to a simple way of living, we need volunteers who are interested in making a difference.  Every aspect of a volunteer day or event will be educational and fun.  The definition of work is when too few people show up to play!  We invite you to come play at Cedar Hill.

 Monday, January 23, 2012   7:00pm - 9:00pm              Registration suggested

Just as a reminder you don't need to own your own flute to come and enjoy the Circle.  We will have "loaners" available for the evening.  Come to play, listen, and learn: we are by design a teaching Circle, so beginners are most welcome.  Also feel free to bring drums and/or rattles.

Bruce Blaisdell lead the Blue Ridge Flute Circle, and after relocating to Gainesville, plans to start another lfue circle at Cedar Hill.  The flute circle is styled as teaching circles.  You do not need to know how to play or even own a flute to attend.  Several of the occasional attendees are flute makers.  We can teach you what to look for in a good flute that fits your budget.  We almost always have enough "loaners" for guests to try out and join in on the learning with their first visit.  You are welcome if you just want to listen or if you play a different instrument and would like to learn to accompany the flute. 

Attendance at the flute circle is free, though we do appreciate for small donations to help defer the cost of our meeting site.

Bruce Blaisdell has been playing the Native American Flute for more than 5 years and has been and avid player and teacher of this beautiful instrument.  You will alsolearn from all the other players present whether they are experienced players or just beginners; that's the real beauty of a flute circle.

Contact Bruce Blaisdell for more info: deepblueheron@gmail.com    

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