Monthly Archives: April 2013

Geoff Lawton – Permaculture Artist

Well Geoff released his latest video over the weekend (Urban Permaculture, The MicroSpace) while I was tied up with the expo and it is just awesome.  Many have been asking about what can be done with smaller pieces of land and this video answers that beautifully.  Before I send you off to the new video though, I want to help clear something up.

To view these videos you do have to provide your email address to them so they can email you about future videos, that is internet business 101.  I do it and I advise anyone doing business online to do the same.  Not doing some form of list building is just plain dumb if you are doing business online today.

The problem is the system they are using uses a cookie to recognize that you have already done so and sometimes they expire or you are on another machine when a new video comes out.  You DO NOT have to opt in again, all you have to do is enter just your email address in the field and the system will recognize you and let you in, basically you are logging in with your email address as an existing member.

I spoke to Geoff’s web developer this morning and he has made that more clear now on the site, but I wanted to clear up the confusion because I did run into the same thing myself.  They did have it posted on the site but it was easy to miss.  I hope my efforts and this explanation will help with this matter.

That said there have been a few insisting this is so they can “sell your email address”, frankly I find this insulting.  Geoff didn’t put all this effort into these 4 amazing free videos to sell your email address for a fraction of a cent (which is the going rate by the way).  I also haven’t busted my ass for five years to get your email address for a friend to sell it again for a fraction of a cent.   I will not be explaining this again, any such complaints will be ignored and deleted.

Others have said that they are getting your address and building a list because at some point they are going to try to sell you something.  My response is of course they are!  Just like you and I, Geoff has bills to pay and can’t do everything for free.  What is coming is an online PDC with some really awesome bonuses.  It WILL NOT be cheap but it will be first class and a way for many to do a PDC that can’t make the time commitment any other way.  It will be a FULL PDC, with certification as well.

The price and full details will be released this coming weekend.

Next many have said the only reason I am doing this with Geoff is for “kickbacks” for referring people to him.  Frankly if I did that there would be NOTHING WRONG WITH DOING SO, again it is kind of insulting to be spoken to like this after all these years.  Let me say though I am NOT taking a dime from Geoff on this.  I arranged for the referral fees he did offer to pay me to be GIVEN BACK to the audience.  Yes any MSB member will get a big discount on this Online PDC.

I am not doing this because I believe it is wrong for me to earn a referral commission, again there is nothing wrong with earning money in return for value delivered.  Nor is there anything wrong with making a referral if you believe the product is solid.  Given I see Geoff as the most gifted teacher in Permaculture it is indeed the case that I see the value as solid.  That is why I will recommend this new PDC to those that want to become certified in Permaculture or just want the education.

The reason I refused referrals though is because my business is selling access to the very best discounts I can get for the members of the MSB.  That is part of my job for this community, to return value many times the cost of the MSB to all members.  For MSB members that want to get certified this will pay for your membership for several years.  I do hope this clears up any concern or confusion.

See Geoff’s Latest Video – Urban Permaculture, The MicroSpace

Join Me Today at the Self Reliance Expo

Just a few quick notes today.  First I am doing the Self Reliance Expo in Arlington, Texas today and tomorrow so there will be no show today.  There are over 1100 past episodes though so why not hit up the search box and tune into an old edition on a subject of your choice.

Secondly here are some updates to the Expo and the Meet and Greets.

1.  Marjory Wildcraft is going to be at the Expo today but can’t make the meet and greet, she will make the meet and greet on Saturday and will be there this afternoon.

2.  Doctor Bones of the Doom and Bloom podcast will be joining us for the meet and greet on Saturday as well to take over David Crawford’s spot since he can only be there today.

3.  I  have to go take care of something for my father-in-law today for about an hour.  So we likely won’t do a break away for lunch but we will do something this evening if you want to do that with us just hit me up at the expo today. Likely that will be about 430 before the places get too crowded.

4.  I will be in the “Speakers Lounge”, which is likely an empty booth for a few hours each day, as will Steven Harris.  I will also hang out a bit in Doctor Bones and Nurse Amy’s booth both days.  Keep an eye on TSPs Twitter and Facebook for announcements on the fly about that.

5.  Again yes I do have a rough version of my presentation in screen capture powerpoint.  I will make it available to the MSB and may be everyone after the expo is over, but not until then.  It has typos and a few rough spots as it was my first time doing it, but it conveys everything and has actually more info then the live one will.

6.  I am bringing the laser level to the show.  We will show it off a bit to those that want to see it.  Kind of boring in a indoor location where everything is level but it will give you an idea of how it works.  Hell may be we can even do a mini workshop outside with it.

Hope to see many of you today, again the early meet and greets are 30 minutes before the doors open.  Just be there at 1030 today or 830 on Saturday at the main entry and Ron or Scott will escort you to the meet and greet area.  Remember the best part is that everyone in that group is part of TSP, so make sure to talk to those around you and exchange info.

I just received confirmation from Marjory Wildcraft of Back Yard Food Production that she will be a the meet and greets.  So not Friday is Steve Harris, David Crawford, Marjory Wildcraft and Me.  Saturday will be Steve, Marjory and me.

Full details for the full meet and greet are on the previous post, or click here

There will be two events at the Self Reliance Expo for TSP Members only.

Please note the time differences on the two separate days. 

Special Update – I just got confirmation from Marjory Wildcraft that she will be at both meet and greets in addition to Steve and David.

• On Friday the 26th, tomorrow, you can meet Steve Harris, David Crawford and me 30 minutes before the doors open for the expo.  That will be at about 10:30 but you may want to show up about 10:15 AM.  Just go to the front entry way and hook up with other TSP folks, about 10:30 Ron or Scott will show up and let you guys in early and escort you to the stage area.

• On Saturday the 27th, pretty much the same deal but this time it will be Steven Harris and I only, David Crawford has some relief work to do in West, Texas in regard to the recent explosion that happened there.  I will be trying to find another special guest to take David’s spot.  The other difference is the time.  On Saturday the event opens at 9AM so Ron or Scott will be at the entrance for you guys at 830 AM.

I will not be speaking on Friday other then the panel discussion meet and greet.  I will be there to meet with you guys and hang out.  I will likely be at the event on Friday until about 4PM though we will break for lunch and go grab a beer likely at a place called, Humperdinks just a bit away from the event.  After we leave the event around 4-430 we will likely do the same but exactly where is yet to be determined.  If you want to hang with us either time just let me know and you are welcome to join us.

I will be speaking from 11 AM until 1 PM on Saturday.  The subject will be 6 major permaculture techniques, including forest gardening, making seed mixtures, contour based wood core gardening and more.  This will be a great presentation that will really open you up to what is possible with permaculture design and put visuals with many subjects I have covered on TSP.

Many have asked if I will be putting out a video.  I did a rough rehearsal of the presentation today and will be putting that in the MSB after the event.  It has been done with screen capture software and is likely a much better visual then a regular video would be in a live event.  We may video the event it will depend on a number of factors.  I don’t feel right putting out the video before the event due to my obligations to Ron and Scott in helping them promote the event.

I do hope to see many of you guys tomorrow and/or Saturday.  I really do my best to be as available as possible at these events.  PLEASE DON’T HESITATE to come talk to me, that is why I am there.  I have had people drive a long way and only talk to me a few moments because they “don’t want to bother me”.  Please do not do this, come hang out, meet me and other TSP members, you guys are the reason I do these events.