This content was published: March 31, 2003. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Turn your urban home into a self-reliant farm
Photos and story by James Hill
BEAVERTON, Ore. – Your city yard can actually become an abundant, self-sustaining garden – that’s the mystery that will be unraveled in a new Portland Community College non-credit course. Ecological Living: An Introduction to Permaculture will show you how the amazing science of permaculture will teach even city-dwellers how to work in harmony with nature. Learn how to grow the food you need, reduce waste and support the environment. Students will observe patterns and systems in nature and learn how to incorporate all-production, natural growing techniques through solar, wind and micro-hydro power. Special emphasis will be given to centuries-old agricultural practices of indigenous cultures around the world. The class will be led by two permaculture experts: Scott Horton and Capra J’neva. Horton has studied indigenous agriculture throughout the Americas and is currently working on permaculture projects in San Francisco, Southern California and New Mexico. J’neva recently co-founded the Center for Ecological Living at the Permaculture Institute of Northern California. She maintains a permaculture site in Portland, and lectures on alternative energy practices. The class will be offered twice this term: Saturday and Sunday, April 5 and April 6; and Saturday and Sunday, April 26 and April 27. Both classes will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at PCC’s Washington County Workforce Training Center, 18624 N.W. Walker Road. Cost is $49. For more information, contact PCC Community Education at 503-533-2708.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »