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Commenced:
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01/10/2001 |
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Submitted:
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26/03/2011 |
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Last updated:
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07/10/2015 |
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Location:
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2780 Route 15 w, Johnson, , VT, US |
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Phone:
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(802) 734 1129 |
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Website:
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www.prospectrock.org |
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Climate zone:
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Cold Temperate |
Diverse Cold-Temperate Homestead, Farm, Research and Education Site.
Willow Crossing Farm is an experimental and
educational organic family farm. We grow a diversity of nuts, fruit
trees, vines, berries, vegetables, medicinal and culinary herbs and
teas, produce eggs and honey, and host a variety of educational
programs. Our mission is to research, innovate, experiment, evaluate,
demonstrate, and educate about new crops, techniques, and value-added
products that have the potential to be both profitable and ‘ecologically
regenerative’. We seek to embody permaculture design in its
application to an economically viable farm enterprise and homestead with
systems that are integrated and patterned in to increase ecological health while meeting human needs.
The site itself is rich alluvial floodplain and floodplain terrace,
including ponds, wetlands, and upland forest. While mismanaged in the
past (from an ecological perspective), we are slowly creating a
sanctuary for wildlife: birds, insects, rare and endangered wetland and
riparian plants and animals; and connecting ourselves to the natural
world and the legacy of cultivated diversity.
We have been working with ‘Trees for Streams’, the Lamoille County Watershed Alliance, the Anglers’ Association, and other groups to reforest eroding riverbanks with native and valuable multi-purpose trees. As of this fall, we are now enrolled in the CREP program through FSA and NRCS, and as of spring 2011 EQIP.
In addition to earning a living, offering employment for friends and neighbors, and producing an abundance of nutrient dense organic food and medicines to our community- our goals include welcoming the wildlife that shares our farmland, providing refuge and habitat for birds, bees, and other insects, and contributing to a healthy watershed for our valley by connecting people with wild nature/ regenerative human ecology for purposes of healing both.
Presently, we direct market eggs, honey, vegetables, nuts, medicinal herbs, teas and tinctures, fresh fruit and berries, nursery plants, pickles, and preserves to community members, in Burlington, and area restaurants.
We also host workshops on natural beekeeping; fruit and nut tree pruning, grafting, and propagation; natural building; and permaculture design.
Rooted Earth Healing Arts & Botanicals is run by Kori Gelinas- a massage therapist, yoga instructor, and composer of custom blended teas and other herbal medicines for her clients from our gardens.
As we’re along the Lamoille River, adjacent to the Long Trail, and on the Rail Trail, we also aim to provide opportunities for people to connect with their food system and the natural world while enjoying a variety of recreational activities. Please in touch for information about farm-based hostel opportunities, investing or partnering in our farmstand ‘diner’, or ‘Chef in the Field’ Dinner Events. We are also in the process of finishing a more suitable year-round home on the farm.
We also manage a building in downtown Johnson as an educational
‘urban homestead’, with 2 apartments available for year-long leases.
In terms of crops- I have been collecting and experimenting with
(almost) everything one can grow in Vermont, and some things that you
“can’t” grow in Vermont for over 10 years. A few have stood out and
performed exceedingly well in our trials and we’re undertaking more
serious market production: Hybrid Hazel Nuts, Hardy Kiwis, Hybrid
Chestnuts, Hybrid Juglanacea (walnuts, butternuts, ‘buartnuts’, pecans,
and ‘hicans’), Pine Nuts, True Rice (Oryza), Styrian Pumpkins (for
Pumpkin Seed Oil and seed production), and Winer Vegetable Production.
In addition to producing these crops as foods, we’ve been selecting and preserving the best genetics adapted for our region, and sell seed or other propagules of our collected varieties to other farms and growers.
For this coming season, we will also be building our team with more and/ or longer term employees, please be in touch about seasonal crew and internship opportunities.
Note: The various badges displayed in people profiles are largely honesty-based self-proclamations by the individuals themselves. There are reporting functions users can use if they know of blatant misrepresentation (for both people and projects). Legitimacy, competency and reputation for all people and projects can be evidenced and/or developed through their providing regular updates on permaculture work they’re involved in, before/after photographs, etc. A spirit of objective nurturing of both people and projects through knowledge/encouragement/inspiration/resource sharing is the aim of the Worldwide Permaculture Network.
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MemberA member is a permaculturist who has never taken a PDC course. These cannot become PDC teachers. Members may be novice or highly experienced permaculturists or anywhere in between. Watch their updates for evaluation. |
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Permaculture MatchmakerOne of these badges will show if you select your gender and the "I'm single, looking for a permaculture partner" option in your profile. |
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PDCPeople who claim to have taken a Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) course somewhere in the world. |
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PDC VerifiedPeople who have entered an email address for the teacher of their PDC course, and have had their PDC status verified by that teacher. Watch their updates for evaluation. |
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PRI PDCPeople who’ve taken a Permaculture Research Institute PDC somewhere in the world. |
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PDC TeacherPeople who claim to teach some version of PDC somewhere in the world. |
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PRI TeacherWith the exception of the ‘Member’ who has never taken a PDC, all of the above can apply to become a PRI PDC Teacher. PRI PDC Teachers are those who the PRI recognise, through a vetting board, as determined and competent to teach the full 72-hour course as developed by Permaculture founder Bill Mollison – covering all the topics of The Designers’ Manual as well as possible (i.e. not cherry picking only aspects the teacher feels most interested or competent in). Such teachers also commit to focussing on the design science, and not including subjective spiritual/metaphysical elements. The reason these items are not included in the PDC curriculum is because they are “belief” based. Permaculture Design education concerns itself with teaching good design based on strategies and techniques which are scientifically provable. PRI PDC Teachers may be given teaching and/or consultancy offerings as they become available as the network grows. |
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Aid WorkerThe individual with this badge is indicating they are, have, or would like to be involved in permaculture aid work. As such, the individual may or may not have permaculture aid worker experience. Watch their updates for evaluation. |
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ConsultantThe individual with this badge is indicating they are, have, or would like to do paid permaculture design consultancy work. As such, the individual may or may not have permaculture consultancy experience. Watch their updates for evaluation. |
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Community ProjectCommunity projects are projects that help develop sustainable community interaction and increase localised resiliency. |
