This is a sensuous article about what we can learn from the land through permaculture. Beneficial relationships, observation, community, and the wisdom of children. Oh, if I could write this well. Reading the words within will take but a few minutes, but the lessons you can take from it will carry with you.
https://augustafreepress.com/2011/06/20/shepherd-bliss-learning-from-the-community-of-the-land/
This is an article that mentions two of my favorite things: permaculture and Steve Solomon. I was a bit skeptical about the author's supposition that the NPK of compost was around 1:1:1, but some further research on the web (Google), revealed it to appear to be accurate as a Back of the Envelope calculation.
You can read this article here:
https://www.vancouversun.com/health/Meal+time+your+garden/4969377/story.html
For a long debate on the NPK of Compost, here is a thread from the Garden Web forum:
https://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/soil/msg062204286359.html?71
And my favorite compost:
Learning To Live Well With The Earth : Andrew Faust : Permaculture Design on Vimeo
This is a video with Andrew Faust where he discusses much of the "Why?" of Permaculture and some of the "What?". From there he moves to what his Permaculture Design Course is like. Take 5 minutes watch it, relax, and reconnect with the basics.
One of the issues I've been faced with recently is having to change a design and how it is to be installed while in the middle of working on it.
This show is about some things that we need in order to be able to do so most effectively. They are:
One item not included on this list, but that does get mentioned in the show, is what may be one of our most vital abilities: to accept and admit "I don't know."
This episode is the first episode you should listen to when it comes to the very beginnings of Permaculture. Including the history, early influences, and basic underlying reasons for it's development. This and the next, Core Concepts: Prime Directive, Ethics, and Principles, inform the rest of the process that goes into formulating and laying out a design. Without these, no amount of technique will allow you to truly implement Permaculture. There are quite a few books mentioned in this episode. If you are having problems finding them, the Web has always been my most reliable source to get them. In particular, Abe Books and Amazon. If you click the "Resources" link at the top of the page at ThePermaculturePodcast.com there is a long list of recommended reading that links out to Amazon and helps to support the show.
While researching desertification for a comment in an upcoming episode, I came across this article from Salon about the West African agricultural technique of Zai. It is one of the many lessons we can take from different systems of agriculture to build a more sustainable world that is appropriate to the places where they are needed, rather than forcing a particular method developed elsewhere that isn't adapted for the imported region. A tree grows in the Sahel - How the World Works - Salon.com. If you would like to learn more about Yacouba Sawadago, check out the documentary "The Man Who Stopped the Desert". The trailer for the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dzah_5y65AU
And so begins the information that one could learn in a PDC. This is a little late in the series of information, as it deals with animals, but I'll work my way back around to the beginning with the next show. I wanted to wrap up Tony's question about animals and it was as good a place as any to start the discussion of a PDC. When looking at animals, there are 6 areas I look for how and what is necessary to include them. They are:
The first three are ones that you should be able to find plenty of information on your own about through a variety of sources. It is the last three that are more tricky if you have not handled animals and livestock before. Here are some resources to look to for more information, this is by no means an exhaustive list, but something to get you started.
Forage and Grazing Systems:
Forage Species: Forage Information System (Oregon State)
Fencing Requirements: Estimated Cost for Livestock Fencing (PDF)
Fencing Materials for Livestock Systems
And I mentioned Doug Fine's Farewell, My Subaru, which I highly recommend as an entertaining read about one person's quest to live a more self-sufficient sustainable life
I found this site while looking for some information on what mushrooms grow in cow dung for the upcoming episode. As a fan of the work that mushrooms do in the world, if not necessarily as food, I have long been fascinated with the subtle beauty in the fruiting body of our friendly mycelium. Some nice pictures here.
This question from Tony who asks:
Is there, at least in theory, a “maximum size” in the utilization of Permaculture in an area? For example, the other day you illustrated your plans for your own property (I liked the “fishermen’s path,” btw), and with how remarkably detailed it all was I began to wonder “what would happen if someone tried to do this, but with thirty acres?” Essentially, I’m wondering if there is a point (as someone practicing Permaculture) where you’re better off either letting the area grow wild or separating to individual Permaculturist enclaves.
This leads to an episode that was shorter than I expected when I separated it out to be answered on its own. The answer that goes with it? No to the first part and "It depends on the design" to the second. Mark Shepherd's 106 acre permaculture farm I mentioned as an example of a large scale application.
Contact the show: Email: The Permaculture Podcast
This episode has the incredibly long title because I wanted to answer both of listener Troy's questions at the same time. Though they are different ideas, the monetary yields, how you can save and make money implementing Permaculture, is an approachable way to share this information with other people. Finding that common thread and engaging people on their interests is the easiest way I've found to open the door, share it with them, and get them thinking about using the ethics and principles in their own lives. It isn't easy, especially when you are not talking to the people who share your interest in this idea. I spoke about the Transition Towns movement recently to a group and it took more hours of work on my part to produce something interesting, that fit in the short time allowed, that would also reach them from their viewpoint, and didn't skew Transition too far one way or another from what it is. In the end, the idea of money and economic resilience was the angle I took and thankfully it worked. As you get out and start sharing the information, the process will get easier and you will find a way.
If there is any way I can help on that path, please let me know. Email: The Permaculture Podcast
