Permaculture Convergence comes to Rhinelander

For the first time the Wisconsin Permaculture Convergence is coming to northern Wisconsin. The event will be held Sept. 5 through 7 at Holiday Acres in Rhinelander. With the owners there working to move the resort to a carbon neutral vacation destination, it makes perfect sense to draw in a big event such as this that will help to showcase all the Rhinelander area has to offer. Attendees will come from across Wisconsin as well as from Minnesota and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, according to Mike Hassl of the Northwoods Homesteading Club. While there are differences between homesteading and permaculture, some homesteaders do also follow the permaculture tract as well, he said.

The basic tenant of permaculture is to work with nature rather than trying to control her. This may include planting vines or taller shrubs that will shade a house in the summer but then die back and allow the winter sun to help to heat the house. It takes things steps further than simply being organic and/or sustainable. While some attempt to follow permaculture completely, others take the pieces that work for them and use them to their fullest. Learning the different concepts of permaculture can allow a person to decide what works for them and to learn more about all aspects of working with nature. That is where the Wisconsin Permaculture Convergence comes in.

There will be many different workshops for attendees to get involved in, some of which are still being set up. From foraging to land management and producing their own food, there will be workshops for just about everyone interested in learning more. Even survival arts, remediation of contaminants and making and using medicinal tinctures will be subjects about which attendees can learn more. There are sessions scheduled for all experience levels, from beginners to those who have been practicing permaculture for years. Pre-convergence workshops are also being set up, with activities that will take place the week leading up to the event. 

Attendees are in for a real treat with this year’s keynote speaker as well. Samuel Thayer is an internationally recognized forager and authority on edible wild plants. He will be speaking on the morning of Saturday, Sept. 6, kicking off the bulk of the conference. 

Tent camping will be available for free, and Holiday Acres is offering special rates for attendees. There is also some RV parking at the event. Besides free tent camping, registration includes six meals as well as access to all 13 workshop sessions, the keynote speaker event, live music Friday and Saturday night and all the convergence has to offer.

The entire weekend is family-friendly and will include nightly music and camaraderie around the campfire. Set on the shores of beautiful Lake Thompson. For more information, and to register for the convergence, see the website wisconsinpermacultureconvergence.com.

Beckie Gaskill may be reached via email at [email protected].