Site Map and Schedule

Final Map and Schedule for the Convergence!!!

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Final Details for those Joining

The time is almost here as we gather in Rhinelander for the 2025 Wisconsin Permaculture Convergence. The planning team started arriving on Tuesday and we have been hard at work getting things prepared for us all to converge. Please read carefully the information below as we have some updates and things for you all to prepare.

Weather

It looks like this will be the coolest, literally, convergence we have ever put on. Rhinelander is experiencing cooler than normal weather conditions. Please take a look at the forecast and make sure you are prepared.

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Arrival and Accommodations

For those planning to take part in workshops or the Friday tours, you may arrive one day early and camp onsite. There is still plenty of time to book a discounted private room or cabin at Holiday Acres if you are on the fence about tenting. Give them a call - (715) 369-1500.

We will also be offering a few discounted rooms in one of the cabins that we are using for restrooms for folks tenting. These rooms will be $100/night. Each room has at least 2 beds and some have floor space as well so you are welcome to share a room with another attendee to reduce the cost. These will be offered as a first come first serve basis. Information will be available at the Registration tent.

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Pre-Convergence Workshops

There is still time to sign up for the workshops being offered on Thursday & Friday.

Buy Tickets

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Friday Tours

The tours require no sign up but folks can congregate at the Holiday Acres parking lot and leave together promptly at 7:30am.

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Food

While we are providing all meals, if you’d like to share the bounty from your garden or farm feel free to bring along food to share throughout the convergence.

Friday

Pot-Luck Dinner

We will be hosting a potluck dinner on Friday evening starting at 6:30pm in Big Pine Lodge. We will be cooking a whole pig on Friday. We know some of you will be driving distances so even if you cannot bring a dish to pass you are still welcome to join.

Saturday

Breakfast

We’ll be offering an oatmeal and a barely hot cereal option along with eggs. We will provide sweetener and milk options and ask participants to bring their own toppings such as fruit and nuts.

Lunch

Build your Own Sandwich: A variety of meat, cheese and veggies served with a side salad.

Dinner

Pizza: We’ll be cranking out a variety of 12” pizzas every two minutes to go along with sweet corn and salad.

Sunday

Breakfast

We’ll be offering an oatmeal and a barely hot cereal option along with eggs. We will provide sweetener and milk options and ask participants to bring their own toppings such as fruit and nuts.

Lunch

Build your Own Sandwich: A variety of meat, cheese and veggies served with a side salad.

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Survival Guide

Remember to review the survival guide before you leave so you can come prepared.

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Kids Activities

We are excited to announce we have volunteers that will lead kids activities from 1:00pm - 5:00pm on Saturday. There will be a check in sheet that parents will need to fill out. While this is not a “child care” offering, we’ll have activities to keep our young attendees engaged.

Samantha Martinez has graciously offered to do face painting for kiddos during the live music on Saturday.

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Barter/Donation Opportunity

We are planning to offer opportunities during the convergence to barter and give away items. There will be a barter blanket activity on Saturday before dinner. Bring items to barter or give if you would like to participate.

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If you have any additional questions feel free to give us a call at 608-220-8226.

Sam Thayer Plant Walk Friday Night

We have exciting news for those planning to arrive Friday for the convergence. Sam Thayer has generously offered to lead a “Northwoods Edible Plant Walk.” Come learn from Sam and enjoy the beautiful scenery at Holiday Acres. Here is the schedule for Friday night.

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Friday Night Schedule

3:00pm - 5:00pm Early Registration

5:15pm - 6:30pm Northwoods Edible Plant Walk

6:30pm - Potluck DInner Starts

7:00pm - 8:30pm Live Music - Paco Fralick

8:30pm - 10:00pm Community Building and Bonfire

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Are You Packed?

The Adventure Begins in Just One Week! 🎒✨

The countdown is real, friends – our Wisconsin Permaculture Convergence at Holiday Acres Resort is only ONE WEEK AWAY! Can you feel that electric excitement building? We certainly can!

If you haven't secured your spot yet, there's still time: Register Here – but don't wait much longer!

Your Convergence Packing Essentials 📋

Sure, you know to pack a change of clothes (or three!), but let's dive deeper into creating the perfect Convergence experience. Here's your comprehensive packing guide for three days of learning, connecting, and growing together in Wisconsin's beautiful Northwoods:

🍽️ Community & Nourishment

• Plate/dish/silverware – We're keeping it sustainable! Bring your favorite reusable dining set

• Friday night potluck contribution (optional but encouraged!) – Share a dish that represents your region or growing experiments. Please clearly label any allergens so everyone can enjoy safely

• Water bottle – Stay hydrated during workshops and adventures

• Personal snacks – Trail mix for those workshop energy boosts!

🔧 Learning & Creating

• Notebook and pencil – Capture all those "aha!" moments and new connections

• Backpack or day bag – Perfect for carrying supplies between workshops

• Any special tools/items mentioned in your chosen workshop descriptions

• Items for the trade blanket – Bring seeds, starts, handmade items, or tools to share with fellow permaculturists

🏞️ Northwoods Adventure Ready

• Swimming gear and towel – Holiday Acres' pristine lakes are calling!

• Sturdy outdoor shoes – Many workshops happen in gardens, forests, and fields

• Rain gear and layering clothes – September in Wisconsin can surprise us! Think cozy mornings, warm afternoons, and crisp evenings

• Toiletries – Don't forget the essentials

• Tick and bug spray – Woodland wisdom includes being prepared

🎵 Community Connection

• Musical instruments or hand drums – Evening gatherings around the fire are magical with music

• Open heart and curious mind – The most important items you'll pack!

🏕️ Accommodation Essentials

• Full camping gear (if you're embracing the outdoor experience – unless you've secured a room or cabin)

🏨 Last-Minute Lodging Options

Feeling like camping might be a bit much? You might still be able to snag a discounted room or cabin at Holiday Acres Resort! There's something beautifully grounding about staying right where the magic happens – waking up to the sounds of the forest, stepping out your door into morning workshops, and falling asleep to the gentle lapping of lake water.

Contact Holiday Acres directly to check availability and special Convergence rates.

🌟 The Countdown Continues...

We're practically bouncing with anticipation to welcome you to Holiday Acres Resort in just 7 days! Picture this:

• Morning coffee shared with fellow earth stewards

• Hands-on workshops in gardens and forests

• Evening conversations that stretch late into the starry Wisconsin night

• New friendships rooted in shared passion for sustainable living

• Going home with a notebook full of ideas and a heart full of inspiration

Pack your enthusiasm, bring your questions, and prepare to be amazed by the wisdom and creativity of Wisconsin's permaculture community!

See you soon at Holiday Acres! 🌲💚

Questions about packing or the event? Reach out to us – we're here to help make your Convergence experience amazing!

2025 Convergence Registration is Live & Sam Thayer Keynote

We hope this message finds you all enjoying peak berry season here in Wisconsin. We have some exciting news and updates about the convergence happening September 5th - 7th in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. We have been quietly lining up a diverse and epic lineup for the convergence this year that you will not want to miss!

Keynote with Sam Thayer

We are thrilled to have Sam Thayer open up the convergence this year with what we are sure will be a inspiring, entertaining and educational talk.

Samuel Thayer is an internationally recognized authority on edible wild plants who has been teaching workshops and classes for three decades. He is the author of four highly acclaimed, award-winning books on edible wild plants. His first book, The Forager’s Harvest, has sold over 250,000 copies. His most recent, Sam Thayer’s Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants of Eastern and Central North America, is the winner of the National Outdoor Book Award for best nature guide of 2023. Born in Wausau, Wisconsin, Samuel began gathering wild food in early childhood. At the age of 18 he built a log cabin and began pursuing his dream of homesteading, foraging, and studying Nature. Today he lives in Northern Wisconsin with his wife, Melissa, and their three children. Besides teaching and writing, Sam runs a small organic orchard featuring apples, native fruits and berries, and edible native ground covers; he also harvests wild rice, makes maple and birch syrup, and hickory nut oil.   

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Registration

We are proud to announce that registration for the 2025 Wisconsin Permaculture Convergence is live with early bird pricing starting at $75 ending on July 25th. After the 25th the price will go up to $99.

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Our Host Site

Holiday Acres Resort

 

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Are you Camping During the Convergence?

Camping Details

In the past folks have had the option to park next to their camping spot. This year due to our setup you will need to drop off their camping gear at the camping field and then park in the main parking area. You can do this prior to registering at the registration tent.

Take a look at the map below to find the camping area and commons parking location . Please do not drive onto the field where tents will be up. There is a temporary unloading zone on the map.

Ride Sharing

If you are looking for a ride to and from the convergence or have space to haul others, please take a moment to fill out your information for ride sharing.

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Introduction to Permaculture

We are excited to offer this pre-convergence workshop on Friday August 23rd!

Are you wishing to get grounded in the basics of Permaculture? Are you wondering if a Permaculture Design Certification (PDC) course is right for you? Permaculture Works and the Madison Area Permaculture Guild, in concert with WI Permaculture Convergence, will offer 4 introductory sessions to permaculture., lasting 2-hours each:

Friday

10:00am - 12pm Roots, Ethics and Principles of Permaculture

12:30pm - 2:30pm Essential Permaculture: Patterns & Systems Thinking

2:45pm - 4:45pm Permaculture Design Process

Saturday

9:30am - 11:30am Ecology & Observation

The first 3 sessions will be offered on the Friday prior to the convergence for a cost of $90 ($30 per session). The fourth will be offered during the convergence at no additional cost.

These sessions, while a thorough introduction to Permaculture, will also cover 8-hours of the 36-hour, Slow Permaculture Design Certification (SPDC) course. We offer monthly sessions of the SPDC as interest dictates and allow flexibility in completing certification for those with busy schedules, who are unable to give a full week or more, in one go, to an intensive certification immersion.

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Susan Hessel

Urban Permaculture Farmer:
DarnFarm urban edible landscape demonstration & experimentation
Permaculture Designer:
Sustainable design coaching and consultation, including rain/pollinator gardens, edible landscapes, water management, soil building and remediation
Permaculture Educator:
Permaculture Design Certification Instruction, Social permaculture coaching and consultation, specializing in non-violent communication, equitable governance (sociocratic/dynamic), mediation.

Masters Degree in Social Innovation and Sustainability Leadership

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Amenities
- Camping onsite is available at no cost for Friday night. 
- This will include access to bathrooms & water.
- Please bring a lunch.

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