Since before the time of the Pharaohs to present day, humans have been growing gardens for both food and relaxation. Counselor and Anthropologist, Matt Fahy, M.A. of Fire of Hope, will discuss the evolution of gardening from age-old practices to modern-day gardens. This walk through time is also insightful to anyone who is interested in the current large-scale farming practices in America today. Today’s industrial and small-scale farmers may have much to learn from ancient farming practices.

Have you ever felt better after a day of exhausting yard work? Have you felt a sense of peace after an evening walk?  If so, you experienced the therapeutic benefits of horticulture. Counselor and avid gardener, Matt Fahy, M.A. of Fire of Hope, will enlighten attendees on the main benefits of gardening from a mental health perspective.  Nutritional benefits, exercise and stress reduction are just a few of the gifts of gardening. Horticulture therapy is truly a  comprehensive method for treating a wide variety of mental health disorders.  Join us at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, Saturday, June 11 from 12-2pm and learn to retreat to the garden to relax, renew energy, create a sense of place, and lower stress.

Permaculture Series Part 1
Permaculture is a method of organic gardening that encourages working with the local environment to create a truly sustainable garden. By implementing biosystems, permaculture gardens provide for their own needs and recycle their own waste. Planting species work with the surrounding ecosystem to produce high yields and help neighboring plants thrive – without the use of chemical fertilizers since the soil will nourish itself.

Permaculturist Robert Segundo will teach sustainable practices and their implementation in the Florida landscape, with a focus on Florida micro-climates and the challenges of growing in Pinellas County. For further information or a class schedule, visit www.FireofHope.org or call 727-793-5766.

Permaculture Series Part 4
Start your food forest, raised beds, or basic garden with organic nutrients. Composting helps to create a strong foundation in which your plants will flourish. Permaculturalist, Robert Segundo dispels composting myths and presents a variety of composting options for the Florida landscape. Attendees will learn proper composting methods for quality and safety. Composting is an integral part in remediation of waste and reusing of vital nutrients.

Topics to include: proper composting, composting manure and meat, creating a home compost, troubleshooting and the future of composting. For further information or a class schedule, visit www.FireofHope.org or call 727-793-5766.

Permaculture Series Part 2
Gardening in Florida has its challenges. Permaculturalist, Robert Segundo addresses these issues and offers solutions at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve during a two-hour course on homestead gardening, and the challenges of gardening in Florida. Seasoned and aspiring organic gardeners can learn to plan and plant their own in home garden. This one-of-a-kind provides resources and tips for effective gardening in this unique landscape. Organic gardening saves resources, provide food, reduce environmental stress from the agricultural industry, and keep communities together.

A portion of the proceeds benefit Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. For further information or a class schedule, visit www.FireofHope.org or call 727-793-5766.

Join us at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve for an Intro to Permaculture class taught by certified Permaculturalist Robert Segundo as he discusses sustainable practices and their implementations in the Florida landscape.

What is Permaculture?

PERMACULTURE is a conscious design system based on how natural ecosystems work. Because nature remains the most efficient and productive system on the planet, working with nature instead of against her and following her patterns increases yields in a sustainable, eco-friendly way. Indigenous people living with respect and knowledge of these natural laws have enjoyed sustainable culture for thousands of years.

Permaculture practices can be used in both urban and rural environments. Permaculture design applies to built environments, technology, food production, land use planning, restoration ecology, resource management, community development, cultural and social ecology.

First in our New series: Permaculture Series Part 1
March is a perfect time to propagate plants. Permaculturalist Robert Segundo of Fire of Hope will instruct on successful planting techniques. This two-hour, hands-on course will teach about proper plant cuttings, air-layering, seeding and more to increase yields.

A portion of the proceeds benefit Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. Preregistration is required for this course at www.FireofHope.org or call 727-793-5766.

Permaculture Series Part 2
The Sunshine State is the ideal location for do-it-yourself solar technology. Solar Ovens and Dehydrators help us to harness the sun’s heat to prepare and preserve food. In a two-hour, hands-on course, Permaculturalist, Robert Segundo and Matt Fahy of Fire of Hope will demonstrate simple methods to create your own solar ovens that will heat and cook food outdoors. Fahy will demonstrate how solar dehydrators preserve vegetables and fruit. This simple device uses household items to create the dehydrator. This one-of-a-kind course provides resources and tips for constructing these effective tools.

A portion of the proceeds benefit Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. Students will take home with a homemade mini-solar oven. Preregistration is required for this course at www.FireofHope.org or call 727-793-5766.