Sheep, all ruminants really, can get bloat when introduced to new foods, particularly legume (alfalfa and clover) pasture to quickly. This can be very painful and sometimes  lethal for the poor sheep. Most lawns are a mixture of many things, so we really like to be careful, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

Today was a “training” day. This is where we are slowly introducing our sheep to fresh greens again after a long winter on hay. All morning they have been eating mixed hay. By around noon they tend to be fairly full and are all ready to lie down and chew their cud or ruminate. When they are taken out onto the pasture when full they tend to eat less (a.k.a. not pig out) slowly getting used to the new green stuff.

Harry and Blackie didn’t do a lot of eating today, but the whole experience of getting out, being lead, and seeing new environments in small increments of time helps to acclimatize the sheep to the whole process. Our sheep are pretty used to loud noises, dogs, machinery, cars, and kids screaming, but after a winter off, they need their spring training camp again. This means less stress – fewer health issues – happier sheep!

Permaculture is a design system for creating sustainable human environments. It is about designing households and communities that are productive, sustaining and largely self reliant and have minimal impact on the environment.

International Permaculture Day – The first Sunday in May is a day where a range of permaculture events occur across Australia and the globe. Open homes, gardens and farms, films, educational workshops, permablitzes and a host of other activities provide an opportunity for the public to see positive permaculture projects in action, to talk personally to the people living it and experience the permaculture movement first hand.

Last year, thousands flocked to discover what permaculture is all about, to see home gardens and to find answers or solutions to problems. This year promises to be even bigger and better, with many more homes, gardens and workshops on show.

Click here to see what some well known identities are saying about Permaculture.

What is a Fibreshed from Fibershed:

“A Fibershed is a geographical landscape that defines and gives boundaries to a natural textile resource base. Awareness of this bioregional designation engenders appreciation, connectivity, and sensitivity for the life-giving resources within our homelands.”

Why A Fibreshed? from Fibershed:
“Even with years of corporate social responsibility programs operated by the world’s largest clothing and textile manufacturers, the recent stats show that toxic fresh water effluent rose from 1.9 billion tons to 2.5 billion tons between 2006 and 2012 in Chinese fresh water tributaries, rivers, and streams. China manufactures 52% of the worlds textiles. Even with a new onslaught of ‘green’ and ‘eco’ friendly design being offered via large brands, the necessary improvements that would truly alleviate the massive scale of the problem remain to be seen within the supply chains of these companies.” MORE…

Where is the Upper Canada Fibreshed?
The Upper Canada Fibreshed (UCFS) encompasses a region within 250 miles of Toronto (or so). Knowing that the support systems in Northern Ontario are slim, any northern farmers, processors, and growers are also welcom to get in touch. We would love to help with developing your local fibreshed!

The Upper Canada Fibreshed is an official affiliate of Fibershed US out of California. This is the book that started it all:

The book that began the Fibershed Movement by Rebecca Burgess.

Are you a fibre farmer? Do you grow dye plants? Are you a fibre processor? We want to speak to you! For more information please contact jennifer at jjo [at] allsortsacre.ca!

Visit us on Facebook:

• natural systems
• agroforestry
• wild edibles
• reading the landscape
• water catchment on the landscape
• edible forest gardening
• aquaponics
• guilds & polycultures
• animals & permaculture
• nature connection
• local food systems & hubs
• landscape design techniques
• permaculture economies
• and so much more!

To learn more go to:
http://allsortsacre.ca/education/permaculture-design-certificate-course/

and find out how to make the first step to a lighter footprint. for your life!

9 month PDC in Guelph, Ontario, Canada

Over the sumer we are expanding our felting courses. Both beginners and more advanced students are welcome. Wet felting courses include the basics, hat making, and nuno-felting. Needle felting courses we are holding include the basics, appliqué, as well as advanced techniques to create realistic wool sculptures.

Jennifer is also holding a wool painting course that takes felting to another level. Explore colour theory, composition, framing of the wool piece, and so much more. Use both wet and needle felting to create your piece.

More courses will be added soon!

Here are some of the amazing felted creations done during courses!

Happy Felting!