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The Econ FarmThe Econ Farm is one of our educational partner sites owned and operated by Tia and Terry Meer on five acres of pristine Florida land located on the Econlockhatchee River, between UCF and Christmas. The Econ Farm is a private homestead and used to demonstrate sustainable living practices and for educational classes on topics such as organic gardening, permaculture, and sustainability.  Because 75% of the acreage is designated wetlands, the Econ Farm is not a traditional farm -- no barn, no farm animals, and no fields. However, the Meers use biointensive gardening practices to tend to a small organic vegetable garden and grow a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Plantings include papayas, pineapples, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, beans, sugar snap peas, turnips, basil, and peppermint, to name just a few. Due to the hot climate, the major planting season for traditional food crops in Florida is from September to October. The entire wetlands area is under conservation and is kept pristine to its Florida heritage by removing all exotic plants, and replacing them with native Florida plants. Enjoy a walk on the nature trail loop which starts at the clearing and leads through the wetlands, down to the river, and back through and around to the clearing when you visit for events and classes.  Nightly gatherings are around the fire pit, which is used to burn debris, roast sweet potatoes, and warm up star-gazers on winter nights. We keep a canoe at the Farm, to encourage visitors to explore the Econlockhatchee River, which is a beautiful, natural river.For a taste of natural Florida, come visit us during one of our events at the Farm! Please respect our privacy and make an appointment to visit the farm before stopping by. For more pictures of the Econ Farm, visit our Photo Gallery. For more information about products and consulting services offered by Tia and Terry Meer visit our websites at Homegrown Delights and Green Education Center. Upcoming EventsOrlando Permaculture Design Course, Fall 2013 When: October 11-20, 2013 This course is a life changing experience and has truly transformed the lives of participants and our community! We are pleased to offer the fourth Permaculture Design Course at the Econ Farm in Orlando, FL. This will be an intensive 10-day course that will give you an in-depth understanding of permaculture design concepts and applications in the Central Florida region. Participants that attend all sessions of this class and complete the final design project will receive a certificate in Permaculture Design. Tia Meer is the lead instructor for this course and guest instructors may include local favorites such as Terry Meer, Richard Powell, Marabou Thomas, Joe Pierce, Zak Marimon, and others. Permaculture is a design for sustainable living. Permaculture's foundation of principles and design concepts are universal and can be suited for any region or location. The principles of permaculture can help us reduce society's overuse of industrially produced resources which are destroying the Earth's ecosystems, and help us instead transition to self-reliant homesteads and lifestyles that will help heal us and our planet! This course is for people who want practical, hands-on experience to live a more sustainable life, build a more resilient community, increase self-sufficiency in our food production and energy needs, and anyone interested in meeting human needs by turning our surroundings into fully functioning ecosystems. Email us to request the full course overview. Fee: $950 per person includes course materials, meals, and camping at the Econ Farm $50 discount for Simple Living Institute members, become a member now! Advanced Registration and deposit required To Register email Tia Meer Or call (321) 217-8492 >Permaculture Design Course Application (.pdf) >View PDC Syllabus (.pdf) Orlando Permaculture Immersion When: October 23-27, 2013 The Permaculture Immersion Program is structured using Permaculture’s concept of zones: zones of interaction and influence starting with your self and your home, and moving out into the garden, orchard, pasture, production forest, wild lands, and political and financial structures. Our teachers bring their experience to the table to help students best design and integrate the dynamic components of a sustainable lifestyle. The Econ Farm is a permaculture homestead with the mission of being a living model of sustainability. As a well-established yet ever evolving 10-year-old site, The Econ Farm is an excellent working classroom for the development of hands-on skills. You will learn about living off the grid, grow food in the garden, foraging for wild edibles, tending a fruit orchard, building alternative structures, solar power, community living, worm composting, humanure, whole foods and nutrition, cooking and more. This all-inclusive 4-day immersion program includes workshops, organic meals, and on-site camping. Fee: $200 per person Advanced Registration Required To Register email Tia Meer Or call (321) 217-8492 View video of Orlando's first Permaculture Design Course by John VonMutius. Check for our Permaculture meet ups on the The Orlando Permaculture MeetUp Group and learn more and connect on our Permaculture page. Econ Farm Location and Directions16206 Hamilton DriveOrlando, FL 32833 Map it! Located on the Econlockhatchee River, in between UCF and Christmas. To reach the Econ Farm from Downtown Orlando: Travel east on the East-West (408) and exit at the E 50 (Colonial) Exit to Titusville (exit #22). Take a right onto 50 at the end of the off ramp. Travel along 50 for approx 2.5 miles, and take a right onto Tanner Rd, which is the road immediately after the Econlockhatchee River sign and mini-bridge. Turn left at the T onto Old Cheney Hwy. Turn right onto Lockwood Dr. Turn right at the T onto Hamilton Dr. The Econ Farm is the third and fourth entrances to your left. Visit the Econ FarmThe Econ Farm is private property, not open to the general public. However, in addition to public opportunity to visit the Econ Farm during scheduled workshops, owners Tia and Terry Meer accommodate small groups for tours by appointment. Contact Tia by email to coordinate your visit.The Econ Farm also accepts interns and WWOOFers. For more information, visit WWOOF USA. |
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Simple Living Institute, Inc. PO Box 536457 Orlando, FL 32853-6457 info@simplelivinginstitute.org |
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