Our opening welcome & daily question to pique our growth mindsets

A very special introspective talk with Geoff Lawton on what brings him the inspiration to do his work in Permaculture, Humanitarian Aid Work, Education, and more.

As the threat economies and ecologies continue to rise, professional permaculture becomes more and more relevant for a viable future.

In this session, we will follow a comprehensive and powerful process to not only build right livelihoods but also regenerate ecosystems and communities through innovative design strategies honed over 25 years by Erik Ohlsen.

Erik Ohlsen is a master of regenerative design, an internationally recognized Permaculture teacher, a landscape contractor, author, farmer, herbalist, storyteller, and practitioner of Nordic folk traditions. 

Since 1999 Erik has founded numerous organizations that regenerate ecosystems including his award winning design and build firm Permaculture Artisans and The Permaculture Skills Center where thousands of students around the world learn ecological landscaping and regenerative agriculture.

Working as an internationally renowned regenerative designer, he has committed decades to repairing ecosystems and connecting people with the land throughout the globe. He has designed and implemented hundreds of regenerated landscapes ranging from small urban lots to large tracts of land. 

His many years of experience observing and listening to landscape patterns while managing installation crews have led to an extensive knowledge of ecological land development and planning. He is a specialist in water harvesting systems, food forest design, community organizing, facilitation, vocational education and much more. In all of his work there is a presence of social equity, climate justice, and ecosystem restoration and his stories and achievements continue to empower people worldwide

Mandie will work to demonstrate the scientific
importance of fungal DNA sequencing using evidence from underground
volunteer-lead projects in addition to published literature. New
species of fungi, new cutting-edge methods, and important
collaborations will be highlighted, with the ultimate aim of
uncloaking the mystery surrounding the current state of the field of
fungal DNA sequencing.
Mandie's Bio: Molecular biologist by training, Mandie Quark is a
researcher, writer, and editor with a passion for the advancement of
community mycology. Recently she co-founded Mycena LLC, a small
business created to explore the genetic intricacies of fungi,
including a collaborative content creation platform for mycologists
called Mycena Media.
Mandie's Website: www.mycena.llc

This presentation delves into the fascinating relationship between truffles and mammals, and how this connection may have played a key role in the evolution of intelligent life on Earth. We start with the K-Pg extinction event, which wiped out the dinosaurs and created an ecological void that was filled by the rapid diversification of mammals. The speculation during this time is that, truffles, with their high nutritional content and unique chemical composition, would have been a vital food source for surviving mammals. In fact, researchers suggest that truffles may have been one of the first foods that triggered the development of the endocannabinoid system in early mammals, and that this may have led to increased cognitive function and the evolution of more intelligent mammals. Moving on to modern history, we explore how the farming of truffles in Europe has revolutionized the way we think about this elusive and valuable fungi. We discuss the different types of truffles, their distribution, and their unique culinary and cultural significance. We also explore the science behind truffle cultivation, and how modern techniques are enabling us to grow truffles in new and unexpected places. Finally, we turn our attention to the undervalued truffle industry in North America. Despite the abundance of truffle species and favorable growing conditions, the truffle industry in North America has yet to reach its full potential. We discuss the challenges and opportunities facing truffle growers in North America, and explore the potential for this industry to create new economic and ecological benefits for local communities.

Imagine a world where farmers collaborate across borders, sharing knowledge and resources freely. Where AI empowers them to optimize their crops without falling into the debt and IP traps of Big Ag. Copyleft Cultivars Nonprofit is making this vision a reality. Learn how open-source gene-trait galaxies, the AI-powered Natural Farming Fertilizer Assistant, and open source protection such as the Freedom Bag Tag are unlocking the secrets of nature, building resilient food systems, and paving the way for a world free from hunger and poverty. Join us for a conversation about the future of empowered farmer communities – a future where technology is a tool for liberation, not control.

What does it mean to really be regenerative? Much like the word sustainable, this word has been thrown around loosely and is in danger of becoming just another marketing term. But it turns out the Earth's living systems provide us with a concrete example of what regenerative actually means, and by partnering with the patterns of the ecosystems around us, we can create cycles of regeneration in our own communities. In this session, engineer and regenerative design expert Alan Booker we will show you how partnering with nature allows us to move beyond the current cycles of extraction and consumption to create cycles of abundance, where the technologies we build to sustain our civilization are deeply compatible with the ecosystems in which they are embedded.

Casey’s going to talk about issues with typical waste reduction thermophilic compost and how compost can be made with more care.

Keisha will be talking about our new on site composting program, a different way to imagine coop composting that will educate, empower, and enable groups to make compost that is full of diverse microbial life to use for enriching the ecosystem.

Can Mushrooms Save the Planet? (This is the name and title of an independent documentary project I am working on) Our planet is facing many epidemics. From starvation to our plastic overloads, from nuclear power plant meltdowns to desertification (our deserts expanding), fungi seem to provide answers. 

What if I were to tell you that the planet as we know it, with all its many plants and animals, may have been created by fungal creatures billions of years ago, and we are all descendants? What if I told you that fungi can clean up our planet and that we can either choose to work with them or they will do the work themselves long after humans are extinct? You might say that all sounds far-fetched and crazy. For the past 12 years, I have been studying fungi and all its complexities. I have spoken to many of the top experts in the fields of mycology, permaculture, and the like, as well as I have read books, gone on-site to location, and have continued to research and ask questions. I am currently producing the indie documentary, “Can Mushrooms Save the Planet?” I have been asking the questions, and am very passionate about sharing answers, and have been spreading the information like spores.

Possibly the most powerful action you can take for a regenerative future is to live it into being and invite others to come and have a look at our beautiful world through a permaculture lens - in your local community and sharing stories and ideas around the world. BUT, how do you make a living doing this, while foregrounding the ‘fair share’ ethic? That’s what this session is about.

Morag Gamble is an award-winning global permaculture educator, ambassador, speaker, YouTuber, podcaster, writer, mentor, and trust-based philanthropist. She is the Founder of the Permaculture Education Institute where she teaches permaculture teachers, designers and practitioners on 6 continents through her in depth Permaculture Educators Program and Permaculture Design Certificate course.

Morag curates the Our Permaculture Life YouTube and blog , and hosts the Sense-Making in a Changing World Podcast speaking with leading thinkers and [pr]activists in the permaculture and ecological movements. She also free hosts monthly Permaculture Film Club and Permaculture Masterclasses.

Morag co-founded the Australian Community Gardens Network, Northey Street City Farm and numerous local food initiatives. She co-initiated the global Permayouth alongside her teenage daughter and supports the flourishing of youth-led hubs throughout refugee settlements in East Africa. Her trust-based philanthropic organisation, the Ethos Foundation, is enabled by the generous donations from hundreds of individuals throughout the global community of permaculture, and has supported thousands of women, youth, children - mostly refugees to access free locally-adapted permaculture education.

Morag has lived for over 25 years in a permaculture ecovillage on Gubbi Gubbi country where she has hand built an off-grid home surrounded by perennial permaculture gardens - which she enjoys with her family.

CoCo Vinny is the inspiring & jubilant founder of Coco Water & CocoTaps, the first Zero Waste Business in Nevada! Learn how he does it & how you can join him in the Regenerative Economy in a Zero Waste Cycle of Business.

Learn the ins and outs of transforming a 40ft shipping container into a fungi farm with someone who does it for a living - the founder of Fungi Freights!!

Remember Life is One Long Strange Trip.

This talk will be an inside view of founding the Southwest Funga Fest and finding your passion within.

Join me in the story of how i am reprogramming my matrix by founding the SW Funga Fest.

I’ll discuss living your purpose,  and loving your passion, without changing your person.

Which pill would you take?

Explore the history, applications, and transformative powers of Aspergillus oryzae. From miso to soy sauce and sake, uncover Koji's ancient role in creating the coveted umami taste. 

Delve into Koji's enzymes that turn kitchen waste into gold, promoting sustainable cooking. 

Discover its potential in agriculture for enhanced plant nutrition. Gain insight into cultivating Koji at home, understanding substrate selection and the ideal incubation environment. 

Leave equipped with a better idea of how to integrate Koji's versatility into your kitchen.