Little Artshram has been in the news in 2011! Now, it is up to us to use our new, if unsought, higher profile in a long-term way to reach our transformative goals. The choices we make now are important, and will continue to focus on care-taking people and all species; honoring our home-place planet Earth by making responsible decisions about our practices; repurposing, recycling, and renewing: giving back.

Our vision is based in Permaculture, which is a science-based ethical design system. Think of it as a toolbox we use to answer the all-encompassing question “How do we live sustainably?” Founded in three ethics: Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share, practitioners of permaculture use nature-inspired design with methods based in science, engineering, agriculture, finance, and community-building to create sustainable, regenerative human habitat. It is a growing worldwide movement that employs organic agriculture, urban farming, “green” design, and many other approaches to teach and provide a practical framework for individuals to take responsibility for themselves, their children and their community.

If we could live and operate on our local Bay Bucks currency alone (and perhaps someday we will, along with a cooperative time-bank), we would do so right now! But today, this letter is a straightforward request for continued or first-time financial support.

Little Artshram needs to raise capital for general operations and to return to our planning process for late winter, spring and summer programs. We are now in delicate negotiations with our landlords to ensure our continued presence at the Historic Barns Park, and we plan to go forward with the following goals for 2012:

Education

Year-round classes and workshops including “The Continual University Series,” which features a monthly regional, national or international guest presenter

Weekly Summer Camps for children 6 years and older, with a Permaculture theme

Apprentice, Volunteer, Intern and Teacher Trainings (AVIT)

Permaculture trainings for youth and adults

Permaculture Design Course (PDC), a full 72-hour certification program, for college-age adults and older

(In 2010/11, we organized and hosted the first-ever Traverse City/North West Michigan PDC; our Summer Camp was on the theme “3 Ways To Compost.” We held an AVIT course and sponsored numerous public presentations and workshops)

Community Gardening and Urban Farming Collective

Growing more community gardens in Traverse City neighborhoods

Sustainable small farm and organic gardening skill-building and practices

Community gatherings and social opportunities

(In 2011, we once again supervised the Community Gardens at the Historic Barns Park, and also sponsored a small community garden in downtown Traverse City. Our gardening community gathered for pot-luck/meeting every month, culminating in our annual Harvest Festival)

Earth Day Parade and Celebration

Environmental education focused on the NW Michigan region

Parade building workshops and month-long parade prep

23rd annual Earth Day celebration in Downtown Traverse City, April 2012

(This will be our 10th year sponsoring and organizing the parade)

Traverse City/NW Michigan Permaculture Design Project

Continue our ongoing design process for our site at the Historic Barns Park, including a Community Learning Center at Building 221

Analyze and synthesize the student designs that were generated from last year’s PDC

Engage the Little Artshram board, advisory circle, and the community in the charrette process

(The first-ever Traverse City/North West Michigan Permaculture Design Course, held over a six-month period in 2010 and 2011 generated seven student designs for various aspects of our site at the Historic Barns Park)

Youth Run Market Garden and CSA

Provide garden/small farm experience to teens and young adults

Supply area families with organic produce

(Last year was our fourth year operating the Market Garden and CSA program)

If you prefer to have a request sent through the US Post, please forward us your mailing address and we will be happy to do so.

Please show your support, in what ever amount you are able. Our mailing address is printed below.

And you can also donate on-line here:

http://www.causes.com/causes/162996-little-artshram-under-greater-lansing-artspace

Mission: Little Artshram inspires and educates people of all ages to live creatively in harmony with nature, through a unique combination of permaculture principles, visual, musical and puppet artistry, service to the natural world, and inclusive social activism. Little Artshram is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Thank you for your consideration and support.

Our best to you in this new year.

Sincerely,

Little Artshram

P.O. Box 844

Traverse City, Michigan 49685