Verge Permaculture Merges with 5th World to Enhance Sustainability Education and Regenerative Agriculture Solutions

Sep 05, 2023

Verge Permaculture, a leading provider of practical and useful educational courses for permaculture design and sustainability, has announced its merger with 5th World, a renowned consulting firm specializing in land regeneration, renewable energy greenhouse design, and construction, and regenerative agriculture discussions. The merger is expected to amplify their collective efforts to promote sustainable practices and regenerative agriculture solutions.

Verge Permaculture, now named 'Verge from 5th World' and founded by Rob and Michelle Avis, has been a pioneer in providing hands-on permaculture education to individuals seeking to create sustainable systems on their land, farm, or home. With a focus on practical application and regenerative practices, Verge Permaculture has empowered groups of students, farmers, gardeners, homesteaders, and engineers to design and implement resilient systems that promote ecological health and abundance.

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Video: Understanding the Basics of the Renewable Fuel Standard

On Friday, April 24, 2026, from 12 noon–1:00 ET, the Penn State Center for Agricultural and Shale Law, alongside the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s (PDA) Agricultural Business Development Center (ABDC), presented this webinar in the Understanding Agricultural Law Educational Series, a course designed to develop subject matter literacy and competence on fundamental issues of agricultural law for attorneys and business advisors who work with or represent agricultural or rural clients but may not necessarily specialize in agricultural law:

“Understanding the Basics of the Renewable Fuel Standard”

The Clean Air Act’s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program requires transportation fuel sold in the United States to contain a minimum volume of renewable fuels such as ethanol, biodiesel, or advanced biofuels. Established by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and later expanded by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, the RFS is implemented by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in collaboration with the Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

This webinar provides an overview of the legal authority and structure for the RFS program and explain how it works, including the program’s system of Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) and categories of renewable fuels. Additionally, this webinar addresses EPA annual volume requirement rulemaking and associated recent legal issues.