Permaculture Site Tour and Mini-Workshops

Join us for a day of exploring and learning at a working permaculture site located in Welch, MN. Site owner and designer Bruce Blair will lead several mini-workshops that showcase the site's integrated design and numerous elements (bees, forest garden, small pond, guilds, etc.). During the breaks, participants are free to wander the grounds and explore the site's many features. If you do not want to attend the workshops, you are still welcome to visit and explore.

About Welch Permaculture Gardens

Welch Permaculture Gardens is an intensive, permaculturally designed two-acre project by Bruce and Brenda Blair (Bruce is a Board member of PRI Cold Climate), located on the sandy Cannon River floodplain at Welch, MN. The major project physical components include riverfront ecological restoration, woody biomass production for home heating, forest and annual gardens for food crops, chickens on free range, extensive fruit production, small pond, and water management including storage and pumping.

Major implementation began in 2004 with a project goal statement of developing an innovative, responsive landscape to partially meet our food, fuel, and learning needs. Objectives include improving soil and nutrient management, accommodating flood events, growing good food, creating places to play, with comprehensive integration and demonstration of permaculture-inspired strategies.

WPG is distinct from most projects through intensive, intentional, and successful design and development of relationships – physically, spatially, temporally, and biologically. With nearly seven growing seasons under our belt, the success, and issues, are emerging and ready for interpretation and learning.

Schedule

You are welcome to show up the night before and camp at the site, or show up Saturday morning as early as you want to. Site is open to visitors all day and workshops begin at 10AM.

• 10:00 – 11:30: Mini-workshop – Designing for Integration, an essence of permaculture.
• 11:30 – 1:00: Free time, snacks, bring your own lunch.
• 1:00 – 2:30: Mini-workshop – Examining the Forest Garden from Design to Management.
• 2:30 – 4:00: Free time, snacks.
• 4:00 – 5:30: Mini-workshop – Water System Design.
• 5:30 – dark and beyond: Free time, snacks, pot luck? Non-workshop participants are welcome to show up and wander around throughout the day and evening, and to participate in the potluck.

Location and Directions

Welch Permaculture Gardens are located at the home of Bruce and Brenda Blair.

• - Address: 14862 264thStreet Path, Welch, MN 55089
• - Home phone : 1.651.258.4116 (even though this is a 651 area code, it is long distance from the Twin Cities)
• - Email : bbwelch@sleepyeyetel.net
• Directions : Welch is located between Hastings and Red Wing, about 3 miles off Hwy 61, and is about 45 miles southeast of downtown St. Paul. The major routes from the Twin Cities are Hwy 52 south to Hwy 50 east, which takes you to Hwy 61, and to and through Miesville; OR Hwy 61 south to and through Hastings and then Hwy 316 south (a shortcut), which takes you back to Hwy 61 south. Then look for the Welch exit (well marked) and go south on County Road 7. Go about 3 miles, through downtown Welch, cross the Cannon River, and immediately at the end of the bridge take a left onto 264th Street Path. We are the 3rdhouse on the right.

Cost and Registration

The cost is $15 for any one workshop, $25 for any two, and $35 for all three.

HOW TO REGISTER: Choose the appropriate price below, then click "Add to Order" to register and pay online.

QUESTIONS? Email Bruce.
Read the PRI Cold Climate Event Policy.

We hope to see you there!