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Holistic Grazing
Grasses across the earth developed with large herds of prey (ibex, yaks, bison, camels, elk, moose, and, yes, the ancestors of cows, goats, sheep, etc.), and their predators – wolves, lions, hyenas, etc. Think of the Serengeti in the movies - the prey lived in large bunches, eating all plants down to a healthy level, pooping and peeing and working it all into the earth with their feet. When the predators came around, the herd moved on quickly, in a tight herd, to start the process over again elsewhere. The result was healthy plants, roots and soils.
Today we have eradicated the large herds of wild prey and most of the predators. We have divided vast grasslands into plots of a few acres (even many acres) surrounded by fences. As a result, not surprisingly, the grasses are suffering. Grasses are important. They are, on a global scale, huge carbon sequesterers (hmmm, a word?). So, it's a good thing to optimize their health to optimize our health.
And the way to do that on a large scale is to help to bring back the model of predator-prey dynamics to our grasslands. A few issues, certainly. We have the prey, in the shape of food animals. However, as we have fenced the entire world, we can't just let the proverbial wolf loose because the prey animals would not be able to flee naturally. So what to do?
Alan Savory, of The Savory Institute (savoryinstitute.com), has been working all over the world for decades to help food producers mimic the prey-predator model of grasses revival to great success and acclaim. His premise is that even though it is not realistic to bring in predators, we can use our cattle, goats, sheep to revive grasslands by stepping in and using holistic grazing management to take their place. The method is to put a lot of animals on a small area of land and move them quickly when they've eaten the grass down to a desired level and only bring them back when the grass is ready. That is done with lots of determination, work, and electric fence. The result is healthy roots, healthy soils that readily absorb and hinder evaporation of the sparse water, and healthy grasses of multiple species. This will not create immediate results. It will require hard work and dedication for years.
To that end, OLT has entered into a collaborative partnership with a local ranch, Arrowpoint Cattle Company (you might have eaten their delicious beef that we sell at OLT!), which has been using this grazing method for years. We have also joined hands with the Savory Institute, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Bureau of Land Management, and our neighbors, Richard and Linda, to bring this effective process to the Everson Ranch, Richard and Linda's lands, and OLT's BLM grazing allotments, in order to bring our grasslands back.
Arrowpoint's cattle are Scottish Highland, small, drought and harsh weather resistant beauties that are trained to a whistle and a kind word. In the last few days we've brought in nearly 40 cows and calves. And they are beauties. We'll have a total of around 120 furry beings in the project.
OLT has always had cattle on the Everson Ranch. The difference now is that we are practicing natural resource enhancement as opposed to commodities resource extraction.
So come help us celebrate our commitment to the preservation of OLT's beautiful lands and helping to build a model of sustainable agriculture so ranchers in the Northern San Luis Valley can continue to ranch and preserve our beautiful open spaces!
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Fine Art: Painting Workshop - July 28-31
Presented by Orient Land Trust
and Artist Jude Bischoff
Join this four day intensive painting workshop covering composition, drawing and painting techniques that will have you making beautiful paintings with no pre-planning or preconceived ideas. Jude believes in letting art flow from your soul like water from a mountain spring.
July 28 through July 31, 2013
All paint and materials included, for more information contact Jude at 760-668-9408
View Jude’s work at www.judebischoff.com
The incredibly beautiful Orient Land Trust’s Everson Ranch and Valley View Hot Springs will be the setting for our painting workshop. Our work will focus on the rustic ranch house, the sweeping open plains and mountains of the Northern San Luis Valley and the flowing and scenic waters of the creeks, hot springs and pools. This workshop is for beginner through professional artists. You will experience painting techniques and methods you can bring to your home or studio. We will be working with acrylic paint.
Day 1 Sunday July 28th: We begin at 10 am after soaking and breakfast and immediately get paint on our hands. Please wear clothes you do not mind getting painted. We will be discussing composition and texture on large 4 ft x 4 ft canvases. You will be divided into groups of up to 5 people depending on the attendance to create beautiful art on a horizontal plane. After lunch we will focus on plein air painting. Each participant will get three 24x30 inch canvases to work on over the next three days. Please bring along two or three pieces of your finished art for critique and discussion. Beginners just come ready to learn.
Day 2 Monday July 29th: We will be drawing on large pads of paper with markers. The morning session will discuss line and practice various forms of line work that we will later incorporate into our paintings. After lunch we will study the flowing water and natural forms around the springs. You will also have the option of starting your second painting.
Day 3 Tuesday July 30th: The morning session will begin with life drawing around the springs. The models will be in semi motion so you can better capture their essence rather than focusing on a pre-planned idea of what they should look like. You will be using both your drawing pads and your third canvas. Remember drawing skills are not important, what is important is that you come with an open mind. After lunch we will incorporate these drawings and exercises into your paintings.
Day 4 Wednesday July 31st: This day will be devoted to working on your paintings in an open forum. I will meet with each of you individually throughout the day to discuss your work, goals and techniques. I will also give a group talk on the business of selling your art. Evening after dinner will be a camp fire (if fire restrictions allow) and recap of our workshop.
Evenings and in between sessions there will be time for quiet reflection, music and exploration of this amazing landscape.
Cost $449.00
Paypal or check:
Jude Bischoff, PO Box 1202 Cedar Ridge, CA. 95924
No refunds after June 15th
Book soon, group is limited to 12 participants and Valley View Hot Springs fills up quickly!
Participants are responsible for booking their own accommodations and supplying their own food and drink during the workshop. Orient Land Trust 719-256-5212
Lifecycle of a Frozen Dinner
Looking at the entire lifecycle of the products we buy can lead to a new understanding of sustainable choices and our impact on the planet's resources. When we buy a product, we generally aren't thinking of everything that went into getting that product to our home or what happens to it after we are finished with it. A simple action such as throwing away an uneaten frozen dinner is only one step in a complex chain of activities. Making a more sustainable choice at any point in that product's lifecycle can reduce our use of resources or our impact on the planet. This graphic shows only a portion of the long chain of activities in the unused frozen dinner's existence.
In this instance, more sustainable choices might include:
- Eat the dinner instead of throwing it away unused
- Buy food with less packaging
- Buy (or grow) local, sustainably farmed food
- Recycle the plastic and cardboard
Financial Sustainability
This year we have had to make a priority out of doing some long due upgrading. We have had to build another employee cabin to house Mike and Cherrye, who will help to fill the huge void left by Neil and Terry's retirement. We are completely revamping the electrical system to allow us to continue to operate under drought conditions, which look like they are here to stay for the foreseeable future. Four years ago we were producing 60 KWs, today we are lucky to get 38. And to do that we've had to hire two electrical specialists, Eric and Scott. The old waste water treatment facility is almost a thing of the past, by next summer, due to our State mandated new waste water treatment facility, you will neither hear nor smell the wastes of the village being treated. Finally, those old pests the bedbugs have necessitated complete remodeling of the cabins, which we started last year. We have taken the opportunity while remodeling to replace electric heat with geothermal, in-floor heating, which lowers the load on the electricity system. But, tackling all these necessary projects has put a huge load on the budget. We last raised prices four years ago and while we hate to do it, we have found it necessary to do so again in order to remain sustainable for the long run. We are doing an analysis of our pricing in comparison with other hot springs and within the context of our financial needs and will be implementing a new pricing system the day after Memorial Day. So visit soon to take advantage of our old prices. Thank you so much for your understanding that these increases are absolutely necessary in order to continue to operate under legal mandates and in a manner that is healthy, safe, and aesthetically acceptable to our cherished visitors. Thank you so much for your understanding!
OLT Buys Locally - Let's All Do It!
The Orient Land Trust is committed to our community. Our mission statement is clear: "Orient Land Trust is dedicated to the preservation of natural and biological resources, agricultural lands, wildlife habitat, open space, and historic and geologic features of the northern San Luis Valley for the education and enjoyment of current and future generations."
Equally important is OLT's commitment to the economy of the northern San Luis Valley and its surrounding areas. One of the best ways for all of us to help our local economy is to buy as much as possible from our local merchants and service providers. Money spent in our area, stays in our area.
Money circulates closer to home when we buy local products at locally owned businesses. There is ripple effect in our community when those businesses and their employees in turn spend their money locally. In fact, for every $1 spent at local businesses, 45 cents is then reinvested locally. When money is spent at non-local corporations only 15 cents is reinvested locally. If a greater percentage of our community buys locally, the multiplier effect turns our money into big bucks for the local economy. In fact, studies have shown that an increase of local spending from 50 to 80 percent more than doubles the local effect. What a way to help our friends and neighbors! The added bonus is that we don't have to drive as far to get what we need, and we can save on fuel costs.
It makes sense to shop locally, especially during bad economic times. According to the Local Institute for Self Reliance, three times more money stays in the local economy when you buy goods and services from locally owned businesses instead of large chain stores. All of us at OLT recognize this and support the cycle of sustainability by selling many local products in the Welcome Center. Please enjoy these items knowing you are also contributing to our mission of conservation, agriculture and the local community.
Let's all do it!!
Cherrye Williams
Valley View Trading Post!
How often have you awoken in the Valley View Village and longed for a hot cafe au lait or hot chocolate of a lovely June morning? How often have your kids asked for ice cream on a hot August afternoon? Well, we have a solution! We are putting in a lovely Amish log cabin next to the Pavilion and we will be having local youth working to help you as part of OLT's youth job development program. You will be able to buy local foods, clothing, sunscreen, sarongs, goggles - anything your heart desires that we carry!
Exciting Events Planned
We're always trying new ways to engage and delight our members. This summer we've got some fun activities scheduled for you, beginning with a special performance by the Jah Kings, June 15th at 7PM at the Valley View Hot Springs Pavilion. This band, out of Fair Grove, Missouri and fronted by Alexander Kofi, has offered this free show to OLT members in order to spread their message of unconditional love, non-judgment and service to mankind through a mix of blues, funk and jazz set to a reggae beat. We're asking for a donation of at least $5 per person to cover expenses for the band.
On July 27th we're hosting special events for kids ages 5-18 at the first annual OLT Kids Day. We're still putting together the details of this event, but we've got circus performers, storytellers, and arts and crafts projects planned throughout the day. Remember, children fifteen and under are always admitted free, every day at OLT/Valley View Hot Springs. We love our kiddos!
Here's something new and different for OLT: a Fine Art and Painting Workshop hosted by renowned plein air artist Jude Bischoff. This is a 4-day intensive, held the weekend of July 29th - 31st. The workshop will cover composition, drawing and painting techniques that Jude claims will have you producing beautiful paintings without pre-planning or preconceived ideas. Cost is $449 per person and does not include accommodations or use of the facilities, so book your stay now if you'd like to attend the workshop. See the ad in this newsletter for more information. http://www.judebischoff.com/
And, don't forget the OLT Board of Directors Meeting on July 20th. This is our Annual Outreach Meeting and is your chance to share your ideas and opinions on OLT's future with the board. We are discussing our new Strategic Plan and the meeting will be held at the Ranch!
Also, we're still looking for local bands to perform at our annual Member's Appreciation Weekend, scheduled for August 16-18th. OLT provides the entertainment Friday and Saturday nights and a free breakfast on Sunday morning; members share in an eclectic pot luck dinner and enjoy each other's company with dancing, soaking and lots of revelry throughout the weekend! Let us know if you've got suggestions for a danceable lineup. And remember, this is a members-only event so be sure to join up if you aren't yet a member because this weekend is everybody's favorite Summer event!
So, this summer is shaping up to be a fun and exciting one at Orient Land Trust. Our usual people quota and reservation policies will apply throughout the summer season (except Members Weekend,) so please plan accordingly. With your donation you have the privilege of reserving ahead for these special events. Call the OLT Welcome Center at 719-256-4315 to make that donation and reserve your stay today!
New Developments Around OLT Policies and Procedures
In order to keep all our visitors safe and sound, happy and content, we are enforcing our long standing rules and changing some others.
The most important thing for everyone to remember is the baseline of Respect, Recognition and Responsibility. Have respect for yourself and others. Look around and recognize the needs of others and the effect your behavior is having on them. Take responsibility for your actions. If everyone does this, OLT will be a better place. Indeed, the world will be a better place.
As all of you know who have visited in the last months, all OLT/Valley View Hot Springs visitors must show a valid, government-issued identification upon arrival. This insures the safety of all of our guests and helps us find you in case of an emergency.
We've always had a quota for the amount of people allowed onsite on any given day which insures that OLT remains a peaceful and less-crowded alternative to other hot springs. Due to an increase in problems with improperly managed pets, we have found ourselves spending many hours dealing with dog issues. We have looked at all different ways of addressing this issue, including banning dogs altogether. However, we love dogs and so are going to try some other measures first. As of now we are only allowing two pets per accommodation or camp site. Please let us know when making reservations if you plan on bringing your pet with you. OLT reserves the right to turn away any visitors who do not reserve a space for their pet ahead of time. Also, pet fees have increased recently and are as follows: $5 per pet for day visitors; $10 per pet for tent and vehicle campers and $15 per pet for those reserving cabins. A $50 deposit per pet is held upon arrival in case of damages or pet rules violations. As always, pets are not allowed in the Oak House or at the Sunset House. So, if you book those accommodations, please make other arrangements for your pet off-site during your stay. For their safety, we do not allow pets to remain in vehicles, and only well-behaved pets are allowed on OLT property. As always, please, please pick up your dogs' poop! Please help us keep OLT open to our canine companions!
In the past we have allowed members to maintain a tab during their stay and pay their balance before leaving. We're sorry to announce that all admission fees must now be paid upon arrival before entry to the hot springs. A valid credit card (or a $100 cash deposit) must also be kept on file in the event of possible damages or guideline violations. We're sorry for any inconvenience.
As always, OLT is a family oriented organization and kids are everywhere. Please keep all sexual behavior in your private accommodations. This behavior is not allowed at the pools, the sauna or the bunks at the Oak House – nowhere but your private accommodations. Overt sexual behavior elsewhere is grounds for immediate and permanent exclusion from OLT. Thank you so much for your cooperation.
Calling All Volunteers!
Our volunteers are awesome! Without the help of volunteers, OLT would not be able to sustain the kind of experience we all enjoy here. We still have a need for Bat Hosts, Astronomy Hosts, and Discovery Hosts throughout the summer months, as well as Camp Hosts for September through November. Hosts receive free admission and camping sites, not to mention our undying gratitude! We've also got lots of work to do at Everson Ranch. If you've got an interest in sustainable agriculture, have veterinary skills or don't mind a little hard work as a general Ranch Hand, please fill out a volunteer application or call Dave Beaulieu, OLT Volunteer Coordinator, at 719-256-4315. Thanks for volunteering! It's going to be a great summer!