Introductions to Permaculture and Beekeeping
With Mark Hoffman

(in conjunction with the September Monthly Open House)

Sept. 3 , 2006
(Labor Day Weekend)

10:00 a.m.
(You Choose Which to Attend)

Option #1: Introduction to CSC and the Community of Stelle
Join us for our regularly scheduled Monthly Open House that includes an overview of the community, CSC, and a walking tour of Stelle. This includes a stop by the Wilkerson’s green-energy home, our solar powered telephone company, the windmill supported fresh water treatment facility and the community cooperative gardens. The Open House is held at the Center for Sustainable building in Stelle. Click here for directions.

Option #2: Introduction to Permaculture
This presentation is being offered once more in 2006 for those of you who might be deciding whether to attend our October Permaculture Design course and want to learn more about permaculture. Or perhaps you have been on the Stelle tour before and would like to learn about permaculture AND beekeeping in the same day. Mark will describe the principles of permaculture and point out examples of these principles in action on the grounds at the Greenhouse B&B. To learn more about this introductory talk, Click Here to read about the permaculture tour he gave for the July 2006 Open House. (Please Note: This Labor Day weekend introduction talk starts at 10:00 a.m., not at 1:30 p.m. as described in the July event.) Come directly to the B&B (click here for directions) and if anything, come a little early - you won’t want to miss anything.

12:30 p.m. - Lunch

Lunch will be served as part of your day and will include items from our gardens. Food is mostly organic and will include a vegetarian option.

1:30 p.m.

Introduction To Beekeeping - The Basics

Honey bees are unlike any other 'livestock' humans would normally raise. Just when the beekeeper thinks he/she understands what they will do next - they take an unexpected path. Sometimes this can lead to a bumper crop of honey, but more often it results in loss of a crop, or even loss of the entire hive. In this short introduction learn how bees spend their lives, what is involved in managing bees, and about their sometimes unusual behavior. Mark has over 15 years beekeeping experience and will answer any questions you may be burning to ask (if he knows the answer). We will talk about the role of bees in the ecosystem, how we can live in harmony with a hive of bees, and what is causing a major reduction in the honey bee population in the U.S.A. today. You will have a chance to view the inside of a beehive as well as touch, smell, and maybe even taste the inside of the hive (some honey- that is) - with the bees removed - of course. Click here to learn a bit about Mark's beekeeping activities.

Honey Extraction:

Warning!----It's a sticky job - but somebody's gotta do it!

Following the short introduction, Mark will demonstrate honey extraction and even let you try your hand at uncapping and spinning the extractor. This presentation will also be held at the Greenhouse B&B (click here for directions).

Bio: Mark Hoffman

Mark is one of the founding members of Center for Sustainable Community, having been engaged in the Stelle Community for over 20 years. Mark grew up on a wheat and cattle farm in central Kansas, and his farmboy roots provide the foundation for a number of agricultural pursuits include beekeeping, raising poultry, and operating the permaculture oriented gardens at the bed and breakfast he and his wife Guia operate two miles from Stelle. Professionally, Mark works as a technical writer and engineer, and serves as the webmaster for the CSC website.

Introductions to Permaculture and Beekeeping With Mark Hoffman

Sept. 3 , 2006 (Labor Day Weekend)

10:00 a.m. (You Choose Which to Attend)