Ok, so mulch isn't that exciting but it is a very useful ground cover in our Zone 1 Garden and other areas to cover the soil, keep down competitive plants, and reduce our watering needs. This show examines the following questions:

• What is mulch?
• Why should you use it?
• What can you use?
• Where can you get it and how much will it cost?
• How do you use it?

At the end of the show there is an example of calculating how much mulch you need for a project.  Here are some equations to help you calculate how much you will need. 1 cubic foot = 144 cubic inches.  Enough to cover 12 sq/ft to a depth of 1 inch or 1 sq/ft to a depth of 12 inches. 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet. To figure out how much mulch you need, figure out the area to be covered.  Measure the length and width in feet, then multiple them together. (Length in Feet x Width in Feet) = Area Ex: 10'x20'=200 sq/ft Multiple the area by the depth in inches and divide that total by 12 to get the total number of cubic feet of mulch you need. (Area x Depth)/12 = Cubic Feet of Mulch. Ex: (200x4)/12= 66.6 Cubic Feet of Mulch Armed with this number, when at the DIY store, you can divide it by the volume of the bag to see how many you need to buy or divide it by 27 when calling your bulk supplier to know how many scoops to order.  In either case, round your total up to the next whole number. Ex: 66.6/2= 34 bags -or- 66.6/27= 3 scoops

A pleasant little video made with material from the International Permaculture Convergence 8 in held in Brazil.  You get to see several permaculture installations throughout the are, of various sizes, learn more about the various issues at hand, hear a description of permaculture concepts and techniques, and see the faces of some names you've probably heard about while reading, researching, and learning about Permaculture.

Permaculture - A Quiet Revolution from Spread Knowledge on Vimeo

A slide-show of pictures from The New York Times about Permaculture, some of it's participants, and some of the techniques that are used.

Permies At Work (Slideshow)

I like this article because it welcomes the idea that Permaculture is finally coming into the mainstream and that folks here in the United States and elsewhere can turn it into a more broadly available career option.

Permaculture Emerges from the Underground

Saskia Esslinger and her husband, Matt Oster, are taking part in the Alaska Food Challenge and aiming to eat locally for a year.  To that end, they have converted their property into a garden, while both practice Permaculture.

Farmers On The Block: One Couple Aims to Eat Local All Year.

I've been doing some research lately into Aquaculture and Aquaponics because of my involvement with urban agriculture in Harrisburg. The group overseeing the project has an opportunity to obtain a large commercial greenhouse for use, and is considering the various options for generating revenue and employment opportunities. One possibility that's been discussed is raising fish for sale. Though there are many books and resources available on how to do so, in the context of operating and running a setup, we didn't know the legal requirements.

Thankfully, there are not many hurdles to overcome if you want to raise fish commercially. The exact details of selling them for food is another question, which has yet to be answered.

The requirements for raising fish commercially are an Artificial Propogation License, and to follow the laws governing the appopriate fish species for these systems. In order to get the license, as of this writing (updated - 17.July.2013), the person to contact is Nanette Korn at the Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services. Her phone number is 717.772.2852. In addition to the license she can get you any other paperwork you may need.

In addition to the license, you will also want to get copies of the approved species list. Those are available when you speak with Nanette.

The process for getting the APL:

1. Call Nanette and ask her for the license form and the approved species lists. If you and she have the time, take a few moments to discuss your project. She can point you to any additional paperwork specific to your needs.

2. Fill out the license. For the site information include GPS coordinates, if possible. This helps the inspecting officer find the location.

3. Submit the APL form. There is a $150 fee, but you do not pay it until you're approved.

4. The completed form is reviewed, and then handed over to the Fish and Boat Commission. A Fish and Boat Commission officer will then contact you to come and inspect the site and insure everything meets the appropriate requirements.

5. The Fish and Boat officer passes their report back to the Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services for approval or denial.

6. You will be informed of the decision. If you are approved, you then submit your $150 fee for the license. The license is good for 5 years.

7. The total process can take 2-3 months, so please consider that when planning your project.

Lastly, you do not need a license to raise fish at home. It is only needed for commercial operations.

Anthony Anderson, who contributes to The Huffington Post and a practices permaculture in Minnesota, advocates that we begin rebuilding paradise by planting large scale food-forests in order to combat rising food prices, our emerging health care issues, energy decline, and climate change.  Like Bill Mollison in the Designers' Handbook, he implores us to take this action NOW.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/anthony-anderson/replanting-paradise-is-th_b_905314.html

Green Shopping has made 17 Permaculture and Sustainability related e-books, in PDF format, available for  free download.  From the e-mail that I received with the order, they are intending to make more titles available as they are able, which will require additional time, money, and bandwidth to do.  If you do decide to add some of these books to your library, please consider making a donation to them.

The titles at this time are:

• A Facilitator's Handbook for Permaculture
• Beyond You and Me - Inspirations and Wisdom for Building Community
• Essence of Permaculture by David Holmgren

(This links to David Holmgren's Site, not Green Shopping)

• Festivals 2011: Permaculture Magazine Guide
• Gaia Education EcoVillage Design Education Curriculum
• Gaian Economics
• Green Shopping Catalogue 2011
• Permaculture Magazine
• Resource Book For Permaculture
• Sustainablility and Ecology at the ZEGG Community by Achim Ecker
• The Farmers' Handbook Volume 1: Inside the House
• The Farmers' Handbook Volume 2: Near the House I
• The Farmers' Handbook Volume 3: Near The House II
• The Farmers' Handbook Volume 4: The Fields
• The Farmers' Handbook Volume 5: All Zones
• The Fast Wild Food Cookbook by Johnny Jambalaya
• The Handbook For Sustainability Literacy (selected chapters)

Laura Fryer, current VP and General Manager of WB Games and a former executive producer on the wildly successful Gears of War franchise, is looking to bring Permaculture to the video game business.  She sees the model used by many companies at this time, of hiring a team to produce a game, putting them under incredible pressures until they burn out, then fire them and move onto a new group of fresh and willing employees, to be unsustainable and wants to build something better.

I come from an IT background and understand the disconnect between company ownership and the technical side of the house.  For reasons that have yet to be fully revealed to me, Information Technology, Programming, and Computer Science are only one step removed from witchcraft and sorcery.  Those in the know are expected to do whatever is necessary to complete the job while meeting the deadlines of people who don't understand.  No wonder these folks burn out.

Something better can be built and Ms. Fryer is starting that conversation.

Develop: WB Games' Fryer Calls Slash And Burn Management 'Unsustainable'

If you are not familiar with these two, they were behind the excellent BBC Documentary A Farm for The Future.  Since that time, they have gone back to her father's small farm in Devon and begun taking up the call to reskill, implement permaculture on the farm, and prepare for energy descent.  An admirable plan, it has lead to many articles from them at Permaculture Magazine where you can read their thoughts, get recommendations, and check in on various experiments.

Articles at Permaculture Magazine by Rebecca and Tim

This program is being offered by The World in a Garden in Vancouver from August 8-12, 2011.  Cost is $250 per child.  In addition to looking like a great program, at a fair price, the The World in a Garden website is inspiring for those of us concerned about urban agriculture and children.  If you are in Vancouver, whether you have children or not, see if there is a way you can support this program or consider contacting them about starting one where you live.

https://theworldinagarden.wordpress.com/workshop-series/