The story
In 2014 a collaborative project was launched by Bright Blue Ecomedia to research the application of permaculture design principles on a regional scale. Designers, community members, and young researchers are collectively exploring pathways towards a more sustainable future for the region. Later that summer an inaugural Permaculture Design Certification (PDC) course was held at Bear Roots Farm in South Barre, VT, awarding 12 students their Permaculture Design Certificates. In addition to the traditional PDC curriculum, the course focused on the regional application of permaculture design, an effort that was spearheaded with a one-day intensive regional design workshop held in the state's capital, Montpelier, VT. These initial events catalyzed the promising opportunities and partnerships that are now serving as the foundation for this ongoing Designing Abundance research initiative. Our objective for 2019 is to continue to bring ecological design solutions to a broader audience via education, on-the-ground demonstration, and "ecomedia" storytelling.
Professional Affiliates
vic guadagno
Vic Guadagno is the Managing Director of Bright Blue EcoMedia and producer of the Bordertown podcast. He took his first PDC with Geoff Lawton in Guatemala in 1998. After that he worked with Geoff and an international team on the development of the Northwest Louisiana Commerce Center, rooted in Permaculture, Industrial Ecology and Ecological Design. He has spent the past 15 years communicating ecological solutions through film, winning three Emmy’s in production and writing. He was a tenant at Whole Systems Design for the past two years. He now resides in Montpelier, and is working with Bear Roots Farm to establish an Education Demonstration Center as well as The Permaculture Research Institute of Central Vermont.
Amy Seidl
Environmental Program Interim Associate Director, University of Vermont
Amy Seidl is an author and passionate speaker on contemporary environmental issues, Amy frequently keynotes and lectures on climate change, renewable energy, local food systems, and the emerging field of sustainability science. Her research in ecological systems and alternative energy makes her a sought-after lecturer on global warming and she emphasizes the need to innovate and build new physical infrastructures that do not rely on fossil fuels. Amy received her Doctorate in Biology from the University of Vermont, a Masters in Entomology from Colorado State University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Hampshire College. She has taught in the Environmental Programs at UVM and Middlebury College and is currently teaching a course on adaptation to climate change at the University of Vermont
Jon Erickson
Professor of Ecological Economics, University of Vermont
Jon Erickson is Professor of Ecological Economics. He teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses in ecological economics (EE); leads an international service-learning program in the Dominican Republic focused on human rights and health in migrant communities; co-supervises a graduate certificate program in EE; and leads a research program on both the theoretical development of EE and applied work on human and ecosystem health. He has published extensively on these topics.
Baylen Karl Slote
Baylen Slote is a practitioner of TCM (taoist clinical medicine and the founder of black turtle TCM. Grounded by his masters degree study of traditional Chinese medicine he seeks to create ecologies of wellness at all levels of scale. utilizing tools such as acupuncture, herbal remedy, nutrition, qi gong, tai chi and counseling he works with people individually to help them balance their health. at the same time healthy people can not truly exist outside of healthy communities. Baylen works as a meta physician with allied professionals in the fields of public health, interpersonal collaboration, politics, finance, agriculture, trade, and others to design and cultivate a thriving human culture that supports true wellness.
Graham Unangst-Rufenacht
Grazer and Educator
Graham grew up in East Montpelier and currently lives in Plainfield, VT. He raises grass fed and finished beef cattle on a farm looking for a name, provides home-to-farm scale agroecology design / build services, practices herbalism and educates youth and adults in these skills and relationships. Graham graduated from UVM with a degree in Religious Studies and Plant and Soil Science; has a Permaculture Design Certificate from Yestermorrow Design / Build School; and attended the 3-year clinical herbal program at the Vermont Center for Integrated Herbalism.
Aaron Guman
Permaculture Designer, Owner of Walking Onion, LLC
Aaron received his PDC at Naropa University in Boulder, CO, and has completed advanced design courses and his Teacher Training with Dave Jacke. Now based in Montpelier, VT, Aaron offers design, installation and education as well as operating Walking Onion, LLC with his wife, a plant nursery specializing in edible herbaceous perennials. Aaron Guman fell in love with permaculture the first time he saw an edible forest garden, and has been studying and creating them ever since.
Brad Johanson
Editor/Producer Bright Blue EcoMedia, Owner Alter Creative Media
Brad Johanson is a nine-time regional Emmy award-winning editor. He has been working in the post-production field since 1998 when he joined the famed Panache Editorial in the heart of Boston’s historic Back Bay. Since then Brad has developed an impressive canon of work that includes everything from award-winning documentary film, to national episodic television for channels such as Discovery Science and Animal Planet. Brad earned his Bachelors Degree in communications and film studies from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts.
Buzz Ferver
Natural Builder, Farmer, Perfect Circle Farm
Buzz was trained in Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Design in the 1970's. He switched careers to work as an independent building designer and contractor in 1980. Parallel careers as a product design engineer for an automotive tool and equipment manufacturer, and the marketing and sales agent for a huge processor of compost made his life even more interesting. The 21st century finds him back as a Design/Builder, focusing primarily on new homes and major renovations to existing homes as a partner in Overbrook Design. He still spends some time consulting to the compost industry. He also dabbles in Sustainable Agriculture. He is currently developing Per, Vermont with his wife Sandra. He has been teaching since 1970.
