Inputs&Outputs: Property Alert, Teacher Feature, FruitFest & More

JULY 29, 2026
IN THIS ISSUE: Teacher Feature; Permaculture Property Alert; Building News; FruitFest 2026; Nursery Volunteer Schedule for August; Yearlong PDC Now Enrolling……

CPI Guest Teacher Donee Boykin presenting to a class

Our guest teachers are an integral part of our PDCs and make them unique from other PDCs around the world. This month, we’re highlighting Donee Boykin, who has been part of the teaching team for the last three years of our summer PDC in the Dayton-Springfield area. Inspired by growers in their family, but particularly concerned about her children’s diet as a young mother, Donee has had keen interest in farming for most of her life. Read more about her story and what she brings to our classes on our blog.

Could this be the urban farming opportunity of your dreams? Organic farmer April Pandora of Eden Urban Gardens has moved to a new site in Butler County and is selling two of her farm fields in the Avondale area, where she has been practicing certified organic farming together with permaculture for the last several years and feeding local neighborhoods with her CSA. Lots like this don’t come around often, so take a look and share with anyone you know who might be looking for such an opportunity! LISTINGS:

33 CLINTON SPRINGS AVE.

3587 ALASKA AVE.

Last Chance to Vote!

The poll for naming our new building at the corner of 8th and Enright is closing soon! Vote for your two favorite names in our naming collaboration today! The finalists will go before the board at our next meeting on August 4.

And not a moment too soon, because speaking of the building…

We got a new sign!

Well, we’re halfway there, anyway. The marquee board is next - and that’s where you’ll see the new name on display!

Three cheers for the replacement of “Casey’s Corner!”

Thank you to all who have donated

to help us make the most urgent and necessary repairs and purchases to make our new spaces functional this summer. We’re beyond excited to be able to start using this space for classes, events, and rentals. While we work on a more formal and organized fundraising effort, any donations you make to us or contributions to our wishlist go a long way towards our vision. CPI sincerely appreciates the support of our community.

VIEW OUR WISHLIST

If you’d like to be part of the leadership & decision-making body for these properties, considering joining the CPI Board.

Growing Value Nursery

Summer Volunteering Hours - Tues, Weds & Thurs AM/PM Shifts

August 4, 5, & 6: 8-12pm & 6:30-8:30pm
August 18, 19, & 20: 8-12pm & 6-8pm

>>SEE SCHEDULE AND SIGN UP

Shopping at the nursery is now available by appointment only until walk-in shopping resumes in the fall. Call/text (513) 259-3504 or cpinursery@gmail.com.

Yearlong PDC Now Open for Early Bird Enrollment

Pre-registration is now open for the 2026-2027 yearlong permaculture class beginning this November. (Already taken our PDC? Consider sharing this with someone you know who’d love to take it too!)

The early bird registration deadline is September 7 (Labor Day)

Save $130 off the total tuition when you register with a deposit.

This internationally recognized PDC, “Permaculture Through The Seasons,” meets monthly over the course of entire year and takes you to local farms, homesteads, businesses, community centers and other sites to see permaculture practices in action and learn from the people designing and applying it. It’s a uniquely localized PDC that boasts more than 20 guest presenters and hosts for a diverse perspective on local permaculture, spread over 72+ hours of instruction and design project time. We are excited to welcome back lead teacher Doug Crouch for the coming year!

LEARN MORE

Fruit Fest! Saturday, August 29th, 4- 8 PM
at the Urban Artifact Reliquary

4 - 5 pm - Walking Tour, Northside Plant ID. Lead by Mel Melvin, Common Orchard Project.

5:30 - 6:30 pm - Expert Panel on Invasive Species: New Considerations. Featuring Luis Aguilar-Dwyer from the Civic Garden Center of Greater Cincinnati, Mike Foreste and Tom Borgman from White Oak Nursery; Nicole Gunderman from Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District; and Crystal Courtney from the City of Cincinnati Parks Department.

6:30 - 8 pm, Connections & Conversations

FREE Admission. Food Available from Dean’s Mediterranean Table. Honey for sale from Hive and Comb. Wine for sale from Fruit Blood.

Special Event Beverage: Locally Grown Freshie featuring Goumi, Josta, and Serviceberries!

Participating / Tabling Organizations:

Civic Garden Center of Greater Cincinnati
Central Ohio River Valley Food Guide
Cincinnati Parks Department
Cincinnati Permaculture Institute
UC School of Environment & Sustainability
Citizens for the Rights of the Ohio River Watershed
Green Umbrella, Food Policy Council
Hamilton Co. Soil & Water Conservation District
Green Umbrella Common Orchard Project
Fruit Blood
White Oak Nursery
Groundwork Ohio River Valley
Edible Ohio Valley Magazine
UC Horticulture & Planning
Turner Farm Community Garden Program
Cincinnati’s Foodshed: An Art Atlas

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