Introduction

          Welcome to my fourth output package for Gaia University.  In this collection, I paint a picture of a program that I and others created and implemented from April 1^st to October 31^st, 2012 here at my community Sunrise Ranch.  The program is called the Sunrise Ranch Residential Permaculture Work Study Program and although I touched upon it somewhat in my second output package, here I articulate all the elements of the program, provide links to relevant documents, and offer a sincere reflection on my own personal and professional insights gained over the past 8 months. 

          There are three primary reasons for creating this document.  First, it is a personal reflection on a work study program that was executed this past growing season.  Second, it has given me an opportunity to organize and archive many of the important documents surrounding this work study program—especially project reports that have been submitted to me by participants in the program.  Lastly, the document will be made available to prospective students and thus serves as a marketing tool to fully articulate what our program entails.

          In order to be able to stack functions with this output package being both a personal reflection as well as an informative piece intended for the public, I have separated out the main body (intended for public eyes) from the rest of the output package.  On this first tab you will find my specification, the table of contents, and an introduction.  The three middle tabs comprise the main body of this OP and will be linked to my community’s website for marketing and for conveying information to interested participants.  The final page contains my personal reflections on the program, conclusion, a process reflection and a digiphon.

          To navigate this output package, I suggest you read through each tab in the order that they are presented. 

          Over the past 5 seasons while working in the gardens at Sunrise Ranch, I have realized that in order for a community to adequately support itself from food and other resources produced on the land, there must first be a healthy social structure which feeds our souls and inspires us to do the hard work of tending pastures, livestock, gardens and orchards.  This is the reason for creating the Permaculture Work Study Program at Sunrise Ranch. 

          This year we had a total of 11 students participate at various times throughout the season. Some were here for just a couple months, some participated in our three month program and some were with us for the entire growing season in our seven month program.  It was an unforgettable season.  We worked hard, played hard, and experienced the inner workings of an intentional community.  I am filled with a deep gratitude for my co-creator and life partner Stephanie, Sunrise Ranch and its leadership, my co-managers Susannah, Bryce and Katie, two second-year students—Bryan and Adam, and the 2012 work study team:  Devon, Keahi, Curt, Wesley, Daniel, Barrett, Emmy, Kevin, Drew, Diane, B, and Sara and Michael Puharich who hosted me in their internship program at Sunrise Ranch 5 years ago.