BALE (Building A Local Economy) announces the launch of Resilience University (RU). RU is designed to be an 8-month series of programs (October through May) offering classes, courses, discussions and demonstrations that develop resilience skills that strengthen the capacity of local communities to thrive and transform in the coming era of climate disruption and cultural change.

Call it continuing education for the life skills needed for the 21st century. Skilling and reskilling knowledge in a time when local strength and capacity will mean being more resilient.

The kick-off is a scything demonstration and tutorial mentored by local resident Peter Leonard at the site of the future Randolph Community Orchard (RCO). Bring a scythe if you have one, or you can borrow one. The one-hour workshop will be followed by a hot soup and bread lunch. RCO, hosted by Camden Walters, Orchard Manager and Jess Taffet, Program Director, was recently formed to establish a community-oriented orchard and to advocate for tree-based perennial food production. 11 AM on Sat., Oct. 13 at RCO, 1830 Vt Route 66 in Randolph. Suggested donation is $5. For more info email the author of this post.

Future programs being scheduled now include beekeeping, seed saving, soil health, wild food gathering, art forms of the puppeteers trade, and home orchard management. As well, you can expect to see programs on skills for the kitchen, garden, farm and forest, transportation, energy, traditional wisdoms… and more.

Keep your eyes posted for future events here on Front Porch Forum, at https://balevt.org/, http://www.randolphcommunityorchard.org/, and in the Herald.