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AHTA October Webinar
Tuesday, October 08, 2024, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM PDT
Category: AHTA Events

October Webinar

Regenerative Gardening

Tuesday, October 8, 2024 | 4:00 PM PST/ 7:00 PM ET

Speaker: Oscar Carmona

 
                                                                                                        
Observing and taking advantage of natural rhythms and cycles in gardening. Whether in containers on a balcony or in a more traditional garden, it's possible to observe for growing potential (ie what will grow well where you are considering to garden).  I will include ways in which we can incorporate a human element, a place in the natural world where each and everyone has a role to play and is an important part of the whole. In the process I will include some great gardening strategies.
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Oscar Carmona, has spent the last 40 years helping connect people, plants, and the planet. After graduating from UCSB in 1983, he learned organic farming from some of Santa Barbara’s best growers.  In 1986 he started a therapeutic horticulture program at the Alpha Resource Center, working with developmentally challenged adults. From 1991 to 2004 Oscar was the Director of Garden Programs for the Community Environmental Council (CEC) in Santa Barbara, CA where he managed the City of Santa Barbara’s community gardens and CEC’s Urban Farm. He started CEC’s Green Schools’ Gardening Program working in garden settings with students in public and private elementary schools throughout Santa Barbara County, Farming Fun Summer Camp, the Santa Barbara Youth Gardening Coalition. Oscar has developed programs for incarcerated adults with mental illness and marginalized youth at La Cuesta High School.  In 2007 Oscar established Healing Grounds Nursery, 2007-2017, growing, selling biodynamically grown seedlings and educating the public on how to grow the best and most nutrient-dense food possible.

In 2000 Oscar worked with Phil Boise to create The Green Gardener Certification Program, the first ever landscaping program addressing efficient water use, building soil fertility, and minimizing or eliminating toxic pesticide and chemical fertilizer use.  This course has introduced over 2000 (and counting) landscapers and homeowners to the use of regenerative landscaping methods. Oscar presently teaches the Green Gardener Sustainable Landscape Courses in English and Spanish through Santa Barbara City College. He recently started teaching Small Scale Food Production (SSFP) classes at SBCC. SSFP classes provide a grow lab for students to investigate emerging strategies to grow nutrient-dense produce by building soil fertility and using closed loop management systems.  Garden harvests are given to the SBCC Food Pantry which provides free food for students in need. Oscar also offers landscape, gardening and composting consultations for area residents.

Oscar has received several awards over the years acknowledging the work he has done to improve the lives of especially those in need of assistance.  These include:

Local Hero Award, Santa Barbara Independent Newspaper 2000

Person of the Year, Santa Barbara Horticultural Society 2002

Local Green Scene Environmental Leader, Santa Barbara Magazine 2007

Real Food Hero Award - SB Permaculture Network 2016

Contact: [email protected]