Intro to Permaculture course – June 24 – 26, 2013

The Introduction to Permaculture course is a great way to find out more about permaculture. This “taster” will provide an opportunity to get your hands dirty, learn some basics and get inspired. The Instituto Mesoamericano de Permacultura (IMAP) will be offering a series of 3-day Introduction to Permaculture Course throughout the year – the next one will be held on June 24, 25 and 26, 2013.

DSC_0115

Who can attend the course?
The course is open to everyone and has been constructed in such a way that offers a level playing field to people of various backgrounds and experience. There are no pre-requisites for this course.

Who teaches the course?
Ronaldo Lec is a permaculture teacher certified by Geoff Lawton with a diploma issued by Bill Mollison. An Indigenous Mayan anthropologist from Guatemala, Rony has been teaching and implementing permaculture systems throughout the world over the last 17 years, with a focus on food sovereignty for Indigenous communities in Mesoamerica. Co-founder of IMAP, he has delivered experiential courses and workshops on food security, the protection of biodiversity, and the establishment of seed banks at the family and community levels. He is one of the pioneers of the permaculture movement in Mesoamerica and has led the foundation of various Indigenous community organizations striving for self-determination. Rony has been an invited guest at numerous universities, including Yale University, Cornell University, Elmira College, Ithaca College, Hiram College, the College of the Menominee Nation, and the University of Colorado. He is the Coordinator of IMAP.

Where will it be offered?
The course will be held at IMAP, located in San Lucas Toliman, Lake Atitlan, one of Guatemala’s most beautiful areas. Participants will get the unique opportunity to be immersed in Mayan culture and to work with local communities. The Lake Atitlan region offers a number of eco-tourism opportunities, including kayaking, ziplines, canoeing, hiking volcanoes and shopping in thriving local markets. imap-permaculture-design-certificate-course-december

Course Curiculum
Mayan calendars Ancestral knowledge
Introduction to IMAP
Application of natural laws
Permaculture design principles
Natural patterns and design
Guided tour of the forest (Mount Iquitieu) to learn about natural and cultivated ecosystems, ecology, climate and microclimate, soils, flora, fauna and nature’s patterns Food production
Seed production
Land conservation and water management
Forest gardens
Practical Application of it all.

Intro to Permaculture Dates
April 21-23, 2013- 3 Day Intro to Permaculture Course
May 29-31, 2013- 3 Day Intro to Permaculture Course
June 24-26, 2013 - 3 Day Intro to Permaculture Course
August 1-3, 2013- 3-Day Intro to Permaculture Course
November 7-9, 2013- 3 Day Intro to Permaculture Course

Cost
$250

Cost includes facilitation, educational materials, 3 meals, internal transportation and housing (clean hotel room with hot shower, in San Lucas Toliman – 10 minutes away from IMAP).

Register
To register, please send an email to imapermacultura@gmail.com to confirm your spot. You can either pay:

  • directly through our bank account (please send us an e-mail and we will provide more information: imapermacultura@gmail.com)
  • through Paypal by clicking on the button below:

Contact
Email: imapermacultura@gmail.com
Phone: (502) 30-76-08-92 / (502) 45-49-05-78

Introduction to Permaculture course – May 2013

The Introduction to Permaculture course is a great way to find out more about permaculture. This “taster” will provide an opportunity to get your hands dirty, learn some basics and get inspired. The Instituto Mesoamericano de Permacultura (IMAP) will be offering a series of 3-day Introduction to Permaculture Course throughout the year, starting on May 29, 30 and 31, 2013. Rony_teaching5

Who can attend the course?
The course is open to everyone and has been constructed in such a way that offers a level playing field to people of various backgrounds and experience. There are no pre-requisites for this course.

Who teaches the course?
Ronaldo Lec is a permaculture teacher certified by Geoff Lawton with a diploma issued by Bill Mollison. An Indigenous Mayan anthropologist from Guatemala, Rony has been teaching and implementing permaculture systems throughout the world over the last 17 years, with a focus on food sovereignty for Indigenous communities in Mesoamerica. Co-founder of IMAP, he has delivered experiential courses and workshops on food security, the protection of biodiversity, and the establishment of seed banks at the family and community levels. He is one of the pioneers of the permaculture movement in Mesoamerica and has led the foundation of various Indigenous community organizations striving for self-determination. Rony has been an invited guest at numerous universities, including Yale University, Cornell University, Elmira College, Ithaca College, Hiram College, the College of the Menominee Nation, and the University of Colorado. He is the Coordinator of IMAP.

Where will it be offered?
The course will be held at IMAP, located in San Lucas Toliman, Lake Atitlan, one of Guatemala’s most beautiful areas. Participants will get the unique opportunity to be immersed in Mayan culture and to work with local communities. The Lake Atitlan region offers a number of eco-tourism opportunities, including kayaking, ziplines, canoeing, hiking volcanoes and shopping in thriving local markets. imap-permaculture-design-certificate-course-december

Course Curiculum
Mayan calendars Ancestral knowledge
Introduction to IMAP
Application of natural laws
Permaculture design principles
Natural patterns and design
Guided tour of the forest (Mount Iquitieu) to learn about natural and cultivated ecosystems, ecology, climate and microclimate, soils, flora, fauna and nature’s patterns Food production
Seed production
Land conservation and water management
Forest gardens
Practical Application of it all.

Intro to Permaculture Dates
April 21-23, 2013- 3 Day Intro to Permaculture Course
May 29-31, 2013- 3 Day Intro to Permaculture Course
August 1-3, 2013- 3-Day Intro to Permaculture Course
November 7-9, 2013- 3 Day Intro to Permaculture Course

Cost
$395
$250 for residents of Guatemala or early-bird participants

Cost includes facilitation, educational materials, 3 meals, internal transportation and housing (clean hotel room with hot shower, in San Lucas Toliman – 10 minutes away from IMAP).

Register
To register, please pay via our Paypal link here: http://imapermacultura.wordpress.com/collaborate/ and send us an email confirming your interest at imapermacultura@gmail.com

Contact
Email: imapermacultura@gmail.com
Phone: (502) 30-76-08-92 / (502) 45-49-05-78

Más huertos escolares con la Escuela Pavarotti!

Please scroll down for English

Esta semana hemos dado seguimiento a nuestro trabajo con los huertos escolares con las escuelas en las comunidades del lago, un proyecto que empezo el año pasado y que seguira el resto de este año escolar.

La semana pasada conocimos los instructores y alumnos con los que estaremos trabajando en la Escuela Pavarotti en San Lucas Tolimán, a la orilla del lago.  Nuestro trabajo este año será con 21 alumnos de 1ro, 2do y 3ero Básico, elegidos por sus catedráticos para ser los “Guardianes del Huerto” (nombre elegido entre todos los alumnos).  Empezamos con una charla introduciendo la permacultura y sus distintos sistemas de producción de alimentos.  Ramiro Tzunún, permacultor y técnico del IMAP, dio la charla, dando a saber la importancia de cuidar la tierra y los recursos naturales, y rescatar el conocimiento ancestral para poder sembrar y cosechar nuestros propios alimentos de una manera ecológica, saludable y buena para el ambiente y las personas.

Ramiro con los estudiantes de la Escuela Pavarotti

También se hablo sobre las diferentes maneras de reciclar varios materiales para crear o mejorar nuestro huerto – utilizar botellas plásticas, llantas usadas, ollas, recipientes, bolsas de azúcar o arroz, vasos plásticos y otras cosas para crear sistemas aéreos de producción de alimentos.  Con estos materiales se puede construir huertos verticales, muros verdes u otras formas que se adapten al espacio que tenemos, y cultivar la creatividad en los niños y hacer el trabajo más divertido e interesante.

También conocimos el huerto de plantas medicinales ya elaborados y que tiene a cargo los alumnos de 1ro y 2do básico.  La escuela desea continuar estos huertos, mejorándolos y documentando información sobre las características, propiedades y ventajas de cada planta, y para uso en la escuela.El huerto medicinal

Esta semana empezamos el trabajo de preparación de suelo y limpieza de las áreas disponibles para la implementación de los huertos.

Los alumnos empezaron a vaciar las llantas de tierra que se iban utilizar en un nuevo espacio, y otros alumnos las llevaron hacia allá.  Los alumnos se encargaron en la limpieza del espacio, que se había utilizado por mucho tiempo como un lugar para echar muchas cosas de la escuela que tienen un destino incierto.  Los alumnos limpiaron el espacio que estaba lleno de pipas de PVC, trastes de plástico, varillas de metal y otros objetos variados.

Ha quedado lista el área en donde se implementara varios diseños hechos por los estudiantes para crecer una variedad de plantas.  La próxima semana se dará una introducción a diferentes diseños para utilizar varios espacios, dándoles una base a los alumnos para usar y ejercer su propia creatividad.

Los alumnos de la Escuela Pavarotti

More school gardens with Pavarotti School!

This week we continued our work with the school gardens with the schools in the communities around the lake, a project which started last year and that will continue for the rest of the school year.

Last week we met the teachers and the students we’ll be working with at the Pavarotti School in San Lucas Tolimán, by the edge of the lake.  Our job this year will be with 21 students from 1st, 2nd and 3rd Básico, chosen by their teachers to be the “Guardians of the Garden,” a name chosen by the students.  We started off with an introduction to permaculture and its systems of food production.  Ramiro Tzunún, permculturist and IMAP technician, gave the presentation, sharing the importance of caring for the earth and its natural resources, and preserving ancestral knowledge to be able to plant and harvest our own food in an ecological, healthy and overall positive way for the environment and for people.

Ramiro con los estudiantes de la Escuela Pavarotti

We also talked about the different ways of recycling various materials to create or improve our garden – using plastic bottles, used tires, cooking pots, containers, sugar or rice packaging, plastic cups and other things to create aerial systems of food production.  With these materials we can build vertical gardens, green walls and other forms that will adapt to the space we have available, and where we can cultivate the students’ creativity and make the work more interesting and fun.

We also got to know the medicinal herb garden that is already built and that the students of 1st and 2nd básico take care of.  The school is interested in continuing this garden, improving it and documenting the information on the characteristics, properties and advantages of each plant, for use in the school.

El huerto medicinal

This week we began preparing the soil and cleaning the areas available for the gardens.

The students started emptying the used tires of soil that were going to be used in a new space, while other students moved the tires over there.  The students cleaned up the space, which had been used for some time as a place to store many things the school did not know what to do with.  The students cleared the space of PVC pipes, plastic containers, metal rods and other various objects.

The space is now ready to build the various designs the students will create for a variety of plants.  Next week there will be an introduction to the different designs that can be used in various spaces, giving the students a foundation for using and exercising their own creativity.

Los alumnos de la Escuela Pavarotti

Ya viene el Taller de Diversificación de Cosechas

Ha habido un cambio de la fecha para el Taller de Diversificación de Cosechas.  Ahora el taller sera dado el lunes 6 de mayo de 2013.  

A principios de mayo ya viene nuestro Taller de Diversificación de Cosechas, que familiarizara los participantes a tres sistemas de producción a diferentes escalas.  El taller será facilitado por Ronaldo Lec y Ramiro Tzunún, técnicos del IMAP y permacultores certificados.  Para los que ya se han inscrito al taller, pueden encontrar la agenda en la imagen siguiente.  Y para los que aún no se han inscrito, pueden hacerlo mandando un mensaje a imapermacultura@gmail.com o llamando al 45-49-05-78.  Los espacios se llenan pronto, asi que no se delate en contactarnos.

DiversificacionCosechasAGENDA

Para más información acerca de los cursos y talleres ofrecidos en IMAP, por favor visite nuestra pagina Talleres 2012-2013.

Huerto Escolar en la Escuela Primaria de Pachitulul

Please scroll down for English

La semana pasada visitamos la Escuela Primaria de Pachitulul para dar seguimiento al trabajo de Huertos Escolares Permaculturales que se hizo el año pasado por parte de IMAP. Hicimos un recorrido por la escuela con el profesor para saber cómo iban los huertos y que planes tenía el para continuar con el trabajo de huertos, y el horario que nos facilitaría para trabajar junto con los niños.

Nos comento que el plan de este año era continuar con el trabajo del huerto que está en las instalaciones del centro de IMAP, pero también la idea es jardinizar parte del área verde de la escuela y realizar un huerto de hortalizas también, ya que se cuenta con el espacio suficiente. Esto durante los días martes y viernes, durante una hora al día (9 a 10 am).

Se dio entonces inicio al trabajo con los niños esta semana, con una charla introductoria por parte de Gregorio (técnico de IMAP) y nos conocimos unos a otros con los 16 alumnos asignados por el profesor para que lideren el trabajo del huerto en la escuela, quienes se mostraron muy entusiasmados en empezar.Gregorio con los estudiantes de la Escuela Primaria de Pachitulul

Luego se inicio el trabajo en el campo para decidir que diseño tendría el huerto de flores y hortalizas que ayudara a la jardinización de la escuela. Con una actividad muy sencilla pero eficaz dirigida por Ramiro Tzunún (técnico de IMAP) los niños fueron dibujando el diseño, simulando el trabajo de los sompopos en el bosque.  Fueron recorriendo el espacio del jardín dejando marca con cal alrededor de los arbolitos ya establecidos.  De esta manera marcaron lo que será el camino en el huerto y el diseño a la misma vez. Disfrutaron mucho hacer esta actividad y al finalizar el recorrido vieron la forma que habían creado.  Unos dijeron que era un Balón de Futbol y otros que era como un panal de abejas y así es- el diseño resulto ser un panal de abejas. Les gusto mucho el resultado del trabajo hecho en equipo.

Linea de Sompopos del Bosque

Se comenzó el trabajo limpiando el área del jardín y removiendo el pasto que no se utilizara.  Participaron alumnos,técnicos de IMAP y algunos voluntarios.

EL día de hoy continuamos el trabajo con los niños de la escuela. Nos reunimos todos para conocer cómo íbamos con el trabajo realizado hasta ahora, y platicamos sobre los planes del día. Era momento para continuar trabajando en el diseño del jardín en la parte alta de la escuela.  Ya teníamos el diseño trazado pero antes teníamos que traer el suelo donde sembraremos.  Ya que el suelo de la escuela está un poco seco y duro, por lo tanto consideramos que es mejor tener un suelo rico en nutrientes y micro organismos, para tener un suelo fértil que nos asegura el éxito en el crecimiento y desarrollo de las flores y hortalizas.

Iniciamos una caminata hacia el IMAP con los alumnos participantes, para poder traer el suelo cosechado del Círculo de Bananos. Este suelo es muy rico en nutrientes ya que este círculo de bananos también cuenta con la colaboración de la Lombriz Coqueta Roja o Californiana en el proceso de descomposición de los desechos orgánicos de la cocina de IMAP, que se transformaron ya en abono y ricos nutrientes para el suelo. Durante el trabajo fuimos explicando esto a los niños para que tengan el conocimiento de las diferentes maneras de manejar el agua gris, reutilizar los desechos orgánicos y como pequeños insectos nos ayudan para que tengamos un mejor huerto y mejores suelos para sembrar.

Al tener el suelo necesario nos reunimos de nuevo alrededor de uno de los espacios dentro del panal para dar idear junto con los niños cual sería el diseño alrededor de ese arbolito ya sembrado. Ramiro fue explicando poco a poco las formas que podemos utilizar y que ya existen, iniciando con la línea, luego mostro el circulo, el cuadrado, el triangulo y otras diferentes formas, relacionando el contenido con pequeñas lecciones de aritmética, matemática y artes plásticas. Pero también indico a los niños que podemos copiar o imitar las formas que están en la naturaleza, como lo dice uno de los principios de diseño en la permacultura. Entonces se recurrió a observar el diseño de algunas flores, popularmente llamadas “chatia,” y entre todo el grupo se decidió entonces diseñar un pequeño huerto con forma de una flor de cinco pétalos.

Piedra por piedra, se hace la flor

Comenzamos entonces dibujando en la tierra y marcando con cal el dibujo de la flor, pétalo a pétalo, rodeando el dibujo con piedras que estaban alrededor de la zona y formando ya la figura de la flor en relieve. Dejando listo ya el espacio y elaborado el diseño el espacio esta listo para comenzar a rellénalo con tierra fértil y decidir que plantas sembraremos. En los próximos días iremos ideando junto con los niños el diseño de las otros pequeños espacios que van dentro de la figura del panal, que contendrá al menos seis diferentes formas.

La flor con 5 petalos

School Garden at Pachitulul Primary School

On the 12th of April we visited the school in Pachitulul to continue the School Permaculture Gardens Project that was started last year by IMAP.  We walked through the school with the teacher to see how the gardens were doing and to know what his plans were to continue the work with the gardens, and the best time for us to work alongside the students.

He mentioned that the plan for this year was to continue the gardens that are on the IMAP site, but also to plant gardens in the school itself and create a vegetable garden, since the school counts on enough space to do that.  It was decided we would do this work on Tuesdays and Fridays, for one hour a day (from 9 to 10am).

On the 16th of April we began working with the students, starting off with an introductory presentation by Gregorio (IMAP technician), and by getting to know the 16 students assigned by the teacher to lead the school garden project.  Everyone seemed very excited to get started.

Gregorio con los estudiantes de la Escuela Primaria de Pachitulul

We started with some field work in order to decide what design the flower and vegetable gardens would have.  With a simple but effective activity led by Ramiro Tzunún (IMAP technician) the children drew the design, simulating the work of sompopos (ants) of the forest.  They walked around the garden, leaving a trail of ground limestone around the plants already in the garden, thus marking the walking path of the garden and the design at the same time.  The students really enjoyed the activity and by the end took a look at the form they had created.  Some said it was a soccer ball while others said it looked like a honeycomb, and so it was – the design ended up being just like a honeycomb.  They really enjoyed the result of their teamwork.

Linea de Sompopos del Bosque

We cleaned up the garden area and removed grass that was not going to be used for the gardens.  Students, IMAP volunteers and technicians participated.

Today the students, IMAP volunteers and technicians got together  to continue designing the garden.  Before moving forward we had to bring the soil we were going to plant in.  Since the school’s soil is a bit dry and hard, we figured it would be best to have soil rich in nutrients and microorganisms, to have a fertile soil that would assure us of the growth and development of the flowers and vegetables.

We walked toward IMAP with the students to pick up some of the fertile soil we’ve recently harvested from the Banana Circle.  This soil is rich in nutrients since the Banana Circle also has earthworms that help with the decomposition process of the organic waste from the IMAP kitchen.  The scraps have been transformed into organic fertilizer rich in nutrients for the soil.  Throughout our work we explained all this to the students so they would have an understanding of the different ways to treat grey water, reuse organic waste and how small insects help us have better gardens and planting soil.

Once we had the soil, we gathered around one of the spaces inside the honeycomb  in order to design the space around a tree that was already planted.  Ramiro explained the forms that already exist that we can use, starting with a line, then a circle, a square, a triangle and other different forms, relating the designs to arithmetic, mathematics and manual arts.  Ramiro also showed the students that we can copy and imitate the designs we already find in nature, which is one of the principles of permaculture design.  We observed the design of some nearby flowers called “chatia” and the group decided to design the small garden in the shape of a flower with five petals.

Piedra por piedra, se hace la flor

We drew on the soil and marked the design of the flower, petal by petal, with ground limestone and then used rocks to mark the outlines of the petals.  The space is now ready to start being filled with fertile soil and decide which plants we want to have.  In the days that come we will brainstorm with the students the design of the other small spaces that are inside the honeycomb, which will have at least six different shapes.

La flor con 5 petalos

Introduction to Permaculture Course in April 2013

The Introduction to Permaculture course is a great way to find out more about permaculture. This “taster” will provide an opportunity to get your hands dirty, learn some basics and get inspired.

The Instituto Mesoamericano de Permacultura (IMAP) will be offering a series of 3-day Introduction to Permaculture Course throughout the year, starting on April 21, 22 and 22, 2013.

Rony_teaching5

Who can attend the course?
The course is open to everyone and has been constructed in such a way that offers a level playing field to people of various backgrounds and experience. There are no pre-requisites for this course.

Who teaches the course?
Ronaldo Lec is a permaculture teacher certified by Geoff Lawton with a diploma issued by Bill Mollison. An Indigenous Mayan anthropologist from Guatemala, Rony has been teaching and implementing permaculture systems throughout the world over the last 17 years, with a focus on food sovereignty for Indigenous communities in Mesoamerica.

Co-founder of IMAP, he has delivered experiential courses and workshops on food security, the protection of biodiversity, and the establishment of seed banks at the family and community levels. He is one of the pioneers of the permaculture movement in Mesoamerica and has led the foundation of various Indigenous community organizations striving for self-determination. Rony has been an invited guest at numerous universities, including Yale University, Cornell University, Elmira College, Ithaca College, Hiram College, the College of the Menominee Nation, and the University of Colorado. He is the Coordinator of IMAP.

Where will it be offered?
The course will be held at IMAP, located in San Lucas Toliman, Lake Atitlan, one of Guatemala’s most beautiful areas. Participants will get the unique opportunity to be immersed in Mayan culture and to work with local communities. The Lake Atitlan region offers a number of eco-tourism opportunities, including kayaking, ziplines, canoeing, hiking volcanoes and shopping in thriving local markets.

imap-permaculture-design-certificate-course-december

Course Curiculum
Mayan calendars
Ancestral knowledge
Introduction to IMAP
Application of natural laws
Permaculture design principles
Natural patterns and design
Guided tour of the forest (Mount Iquitieu) to learn about natural and cultivated ecosystems, ecology, climate and microclimate, soils, flora, fauna and nature’s patterns
Food production
Seed production
Land conservation and water management
Forest gardens.
Practical Application of it all.

Intro to Permaculture Dates:
April 21-23, 2013- 3 Day Intro to Permaculture Course
May 29-31, 2013- 3 Day Intro to Permaculture Course
August 1-3, 2013- 3-Day Intro to Permaculture Course
November 7-9, 2013- 3 Day Intro to Permaculture Course

Cost
Cost is $395.
Early-bird fee (registering 1 month ahead): $250

Cost includes housing (hotel with hot water & modern washroom), organic food, educational material and transportation for visits out in the field.

Contact
To register for the course or for more information, please contact imapermacultura@gmail.com or call (502) 45-49-05-78 or (502) 30-76-08-92.


Taller de marzo

Nos complace informarlos que vamos a tener un taller en el mes de marzo, en el IMAP (San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala).

El costo es de Q.100 por persona (Q.160 con alojamiento) y incluye el almuerzo y materiales.

El taller sera el 25 de marzo 2013 con el tema de Viveros y Tecnicas de Propagacion (técnicas de germinacion y transplante, características de las semillas para propagacion).

viveros y propagacion

Favor de confirmar su participacion via imapermacultura@gmail.com o 45-49-05-78.