David Casey, Chief Visionary Officer of NuMundo.

his episode is the first in a series on creating and running a permaculture business. I started with David because NuMundo is just launching, after a year of laying a good foundation, and his thoughts here provide some insight into ways to create your own space to build and grow an entrepreneur-driven career from your own unique experience. If you are a host who wants to register your site, or a traveler interested in these opportunities, the website is numundo.org.

Resources:
NuMundo.org (David's Site)
The NuMundo CrowdFunding Campaign

With issue # 96 the long running American permaculture digest Permaculture Activist became Permaculture Design and with that John Wages took over the role as the editor from Peter Bane. During the conversation today John shares with us how he became involved with the magazine, the name change, what we can expect in the near future, and his long-term plans including improved digital content, moving to a full-color format, the desire for a more frequent publication schedule, and even the possibility of additional magazines to cater to different permaculture audiences. If you would like to get in touch with John you can reach him directly by emailing editor@permaculturedesignmagazine.com If you’d prefer to send a letter, that address is: Permaculture Design Magazine P.O. Box 60669 Sunnyvale, California 94088 Or visiting the website permaculturedesignmagazine.com, which is up and running beautifully with plenty of great content. If this is your first time hearing about this publication, definitely pick up an issue and see what a wealth of information is available and why I got so effusive with John over my love for this staple permaculture publication. A subscription is worth much much more than the cost. As John indicated he is also looking for people to assist in a variety of ways with the magazine. I know a number of you listening have experience with writing, publishing, advertising, graphic design, and a whole host of other skills. If you are in a place to lend a hand get in touch. Email John and let him know. From here things behind the scenes are busy at the podcast. I spent this past weekend, if you get this show when it comes out, in Brooklyn at the teacher training lead by Jude Hobbs and had a blast with the facilitators and students. For everyone who was there may my non-linear lecture on sense of place and the role of dialog better prepare you to set down roots and be able to meet people where they are at. All my best to each and everyone of the new Teacher Training graduates. Research into building a permaculture center and community continues and the Facebook group for that effort is looking into methods of governance while I arrange for a site visit with the realtor. I’m heading to Baltimore on July 10th for a tour and to record an interview with Victoria and Eric, the folks at Charm City Farms. August 20-23 I’ll be in Bowling Green, Kentucky at the Radicle Gathering. Friday I’m leading a Q&A on permaculture, Saturday is a community visioning workshop, and Saturday night I’ll be delivering the final keynote address of the weekend, with Eric Puro, of The Poosh being the Friday night keynote speaker. Eric and the crew will be onsite doing demonstrations and workshops as well, so come on out for a great time sharing music and knowledge in community with others. Find out more at radiclegathering.com. More details on upcoming events, including a round-table recording near Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia, and the Urban Permaculture Conference in New York, as we get closer to those dates. In nearly every episode I share how to contact me if there is any way that my experiences and broad network can be of any service to you. The best way to get in touch is to call me. , but if that doesn’t work because of schedules or timezones, send over an email: The Permaculture Podcast. Something that I really enjoy, and will admit it is a pleasure of mine, is to receive a handwritten letter. That address is: The Permaculture Podcast The Permaculture Podcast Next up, on July 8th, is an interview with David Bollier and we’ll be discussing the commons and the role we permaculture practitioners have in protecting that space and forming in new alliances. Until then spend each day making the world into the place where you want to live by taking care of Earth, your self, and each other.

This show is a best of featuring the two interviews with Ethan Hughes combined into a single episode with a running time of over two hours. The first half was originally released September 14, 2012, and was titled Radical Possibilities. The second came out on November 26, 2013, and was called Practical Possibilities. Listening to both of these together, in preparation for this new release, I got caught on Ethan’s words that his lifestyle is a “Necessary Simplicity,” which lead to the current title. Of all the material I’ve recorded and produced in the nearly five years of creating this podcast, Ethan’s time with me, totalling about four hours over two different days before being brought down to what you will hear today, stands as the most popular and influential thus far. If you are new to the podcast, listen and hear the possibilities in Ethan’s words and know why that is the case. If you have heard these before, enjoy them in this new way, and be inspired to make even greater change. After listening to this share it with others. Get the word out about all the incredible possibilities, radical and necessary, that are open to us if we begin to truly embody what we believe in. Until the next time, take care of Earth, your self, and each other. Learn more about The Possibility Handbook, a book Ethan and I are writing together. Contact Ethan The Possibility Alliance 85 Edgecomb Road Belfast, ME 04915 207-338-5719

My guests for this episode are Caroline Wallace and Jesse Peterson, pictured here with their mentor Dave Jacke. Caroline and Jesse are the owners of Inside Edge Design, LCC, a permaculture design firm based in Helena, Montana, that applies the social system design framework of Dave Jacke to their municipal scale projects. During this conversation we talk about niche analysis and social system design and how to apply it to our work as permaculture practitioners to make the invisible structures a more visible part of the process. We use the 6th Ward Garden Park as an example of how they work with a local parks department and government in order to gain approval for the installation of a 1 acre food forest. [caption width="600" align="aligncenter"] A niche analysis of a European Pear showing the products, needs, characteristics, allies, and predators of this plant. (Click to enlarge)[/caption] I find that this interview complements the conversation I had with Steve Whitman in Episode 1517: Community Planning, very well, so after listening to this one, go and check out that one if you haven’t already. Together they help to prepare you to be better prepared to engage the society where you live. Before we begin, a reminder that the Traveling Permaculture Library Project is now being managed by Matt Winters, author of The Gift, and it’s a great time for you to get involved. Email your name and address to: librarian@thepermaculturepodcast.com and he will add you to the mailing list of this cycle of virtuous giving. Find out more about Caroline, Jesse, and their work, including their design document for the 6th Ward Garden Park (PDF), at InsideEdgeDesign.com. [caption width="600" align="aligncenter"] The same niche analysis applied to a human social system, the Helena Parks and Recreation department.(Click to enlarge)[/caption] Stepping away from this conversation I’m left with the feeling that their work will have a huge impact on our ability to design with the social and economic systems of our communities in mind in a way that insures we are able to use permaculture in the process. We could use the principles that currently exist, but we are trained up to look to the landscape as the metaphor and sometimes that frame of reference gets stuck. Here with the niche analysis, the axises of social system design (PDF), and Elinor Ostrom’s Eight Principles of Managing A Commons, we can leverage other tools into our toolbox that break us out of that strictly permaculture mindset, without having to start from scratch, and then expand upon them based on our own interests and abilities and with permaculture in mind. The road ahead for social systems is an incredible one to be a part of and likely to face numerous challenges as we move forward. I say this because of numerous conversations I encounter online where permaculture is still viewed strictly as a means of permanent agriculture, rather than one of permanent culture. Where do you see permaculture going from here? Where are you taking it that you would like to share with the world? Get in touch. . Email: The Permaculture Podcast or write me a letter and drop it in the mail: The Permaculture Podcast The Permaculture Podcast You can also join in the conversations at Facebook.com/thepermaculturepodcast or follow me on Twitter where I am @permaculturecst. I’ll do whatever I can to assist you on this path. If you can help me, I would greatly appreciate it. Share a link to your favorite episode on your blog, a forum, Facebook, or Twitter. Tell a friend. Or support the show with a one time donation using the PayPal button on the main page of the website at thepermaculturepodcast.com or by becoming an ongoing monthly member at patreon.com/permaculturepodcast. Anything you do to help keep this show on the air and growing lets, together, reach more people and bring ecological design further and further into the mainstream consciousness. One person, one story at a time we can make a difference. Until the next time, take care of Earth, your self, and each other. Resources Inside Edge Design, LLC 6th Ward Garden Park Design Report and Implementation Plan Elinor Ostrom’s 8 Prinicples of for Managing a Commons

After a short break to wrap up graduate school, today’s interview is with Steve Whitman, a permaculture designer and planner from New Hampshire. In addition to all of his work on various planning boards he also runs Resilience Planning & Design, LLC. During our conversation today Steve and I talk about engaging in government and community planning in order to inject more permaculture into the process. This is the beginning of an examination of how to make permaculture a part of the mainstream discussion by including holistic design into city and community development. To change the laws, codes, and ordinances in ways that allow us to have a more active role in what happens where we live. As the population continues to grow and more people live in towns and cities we can bring permaculture to the forefront and get involvement at all levels. Government and planning are some really big picture issues and I know that they can be intimidating, but speaking with Steve we kept things very straight forward. There’s plenty of discussion about how planning works, the various ways we can become part of the decision making, and how to bring about change, but this isn’t a technical conversation. It’s not full of jargon, but, honestly, is probably the most approachable conversation we could have on this complicated subject. I enjoyed talking to Steve and between the two of us we broke this down into something you can get started using today just by making a couple of phone calls. Find out more about Steve and his work at resilienceplanning.net. His door is open if you want to get in touch with him to talk about planning and getting involved in the process so that you can begin having a direct effect on the policies that impact your life, so feel free to reach out to him through his website. If there is anything I can do to help you on your path, let me know. Email: The Permaculture Podcast Of write if you would prefer: The Permaculture Podcast The Permaculture Podcast If you want to get started in changing policies there are a few steps I recommend from my own work in doing this. Throughout this next section I’m going to refer to the government body for a specific region as a municipality. In saying that it is a placeholder for anything from a town, to a city, county, state, province, or even national government. First, contact the municipality you want to work with and ask where you can find copies of the local ordinances. More and more, as part of open records and documentation projects, these are available online, or you may need to request a hard copy. Those are usually at a reasonable price. I think I paid $20 for the most up-to-date version from my township, a fair price given the large page count of this book. It's comparable to Mollison's Designers' Manual in page count. Once you’ve got this, begin reading through it and get an understanding for what is on record. Check the dates of when certain things were put on the books, that might give you some insight into, as Steve suggested, how and where things changed in your area. Yes the language can seem rather specific and shrouded in legalese sometimes, depending on how things are written, but I’ve yet to find something that is completely incomprehensible, but if you do have questions feel free to call and ask for assistance in understanding what something means. It’s a great way to get to know a code enforcement officer on a first name basis. Next up foster a relationship with the administrative assistant for the municipality, if there is one. I’ve repeatedly found that people in this position are the gatekeepers to power. Having a good relationship with them can get your passed directly to various officers, or provide insight into where to go next. Finally, start attending board and planning meetings. Use the principle of observation to understand what is happening. Look for places where you can add your voice to the discussion and ask pointed questions. Listen to the responses and consider your suggestions. Weigh in on areas you have expertise and push the edge towards more holistic design. One of my friends is often asked, “How did you get that done?” Their response? “I showed up.” Being present makes all the difference in the world. From here, an update on me and where things are to wrap things up. As of the release of this show I will graduate from grad school with my Master of Science in Park and Resource Management. If all my numbers are right, I will complete this two and a half year process with a 4.0 overall. It’s been a long hard road, particularly while raising a family and continuing to produce the show, but the results are worth it. I’ve learned a plenty that can be applied to the podcast in particular and permaculture education in general. There is lots and lots to do, and my next step is to continue my education and pursue a doctoral program. I’m still researching where to go and what exactly to study, but now is the time if I’m ever going to breath life into The Plan and see it spring forth into the world. Doing so brings me to another crossroads, though not quite like the one last year. I know I’m on the right road for myself, but I am in a place where I need to find a place to live and take care of my children and, as much as I want it to, the podcast as a sole pursuit isn’t enough at the moment to do so. The show is financially self sufficient at this point and pays for itself, but I am looking for a full time job to keep myself going while I keep this show and everything else in the air. The website, the podcast, all of that is going to stay on the air, but there will be changes coming in the future, I just don’t know what yet. Once things start to settle out, I’ll let you know more as I do. Beyond that there are other fun things coming up. June 4 I’m scheduled to record a round table discussion with Charles Eisenstein, Dave Jacke, and Ben Weiss which will come out a few weeks later as a two part (or more) episode. There is also another round table recording scheduled for September, and another road trip to Virginia is in the works to do a one year follow-up with the guests from that event and to add some new interviews to that journey. Plus, in August, I get to go to Canada and be the best man at a dear friend’s wedding. I won’t be recording anything there, but it will be some good fun. Whatever the future holds, wherever my path leads, I will remain here as a resource for you however I am able. You are not alone on your permaculture journey so contact me, however you would like, if I can help you. Until the next time, take care of earth, yourself, and each other. Resource: Resilience Planning and Design, LLC.

These were not small efforts, however, as they reached thousands of people in each city, and generated thousands and thousands of hours of volunteer outreach. As you’ll hear I was rather impressed by the results. One other thing you’ll hear is the quality of our internet connection, as I reached Jasmine while she was in Guatemala and over some less than perfect wifi, requiring multiple calls and the use of several different internet cafes. Still, things turned out pretty good and this is well worth the listen. You can find out more about her, the organization, and the tour at permacultureaction.org. The campaign for the forthcoming film is at Permaculture Action Tour Film (IndieGoGo). As this episode goes out there are 16 days left for that fundraiser and they are over halfway to the goal. Go lend a hand if you are able. Walking away from this conversation I’m reminded of a common question I receive, “How can we make permaculture more mainstream?” If that is the direction you want to go then what Jasmine and the rest of the folks involved in the Permaculture Action Tour are doing is a way to accomplish that. Use music, art, and entertainment to cast a large wide net and draw people in and then engage them with what it is that we do. Share why it matters and how it can make a difference to attendees. Let them know about what is already happening in their backyard that they might not know about. Invite them in to our world. As you create that invitation, consider the importance of training and how that can help make what you are doing, wherever that may fit into the community, more effective. The success of this tour speaks volumes for the the individual roles, experience, and education of the team members. If you want to do community organizing, take a workshop. Look for a class in marketing. Spend some time on YouTube watching videos on the subject at hand. Find ways to improve your mind so that you can in turn change the world. You can do it. I believe in you, so go, get out there. If you need a hand along the way, get in touch. Email: The Permaculture Podcast Or Write: The Permaculture Podcast The Permaculture Podcast Before bringing this episode to a close, I would like to thank Jay, John, Jill, Brad, Phillip, and Ewelina for supporting the podcast via Patreon. Your assistance really helps. If you would like to know more about that program, and what you get for signing up to lend me a hand, go to Patreon.com/permaculturepodcast and check out the reward levels. Until the next time, take care of earth, your self, and each other. Resources       A Permaculture Action Tour A Permaculture Action Tour (Facebook) A Permaculture Action Tour Film (IndieGoGo Campaign) The Polish Ambassador

During this interview we discuss the role of research, citizen scientists, and traditional ecological knowledge in order to build biome specific agricultural systems. Throughout we use the models presented by the Savanna Institute as the basis for the conversation. You can find out more about Keefe and the Institute at savannainstitute.org. You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter (@Savannainst). Keefe wanted me to let you know that the Savanna Institute is accepting applications to work with farmers who are interested in getting involved. You’ll find more information about that on the Case Study Program page. If you enjoyed this episode, two others I recommend are my interview with Stephen Harrod Buhner, or Elizabeth Farnsworth. Both of those conversations touch on the ideas of citizen science and what we can do as lay researchers. From this conversation I liked Keefe’s focus on mixing the rigorous quantitative methods of science and research with the qualitative experience of farmers. We can all come together to do this work.and gain knowledge. Find out what is best, what is worse, and what does or does not work in a given area. Are hardy kiwi or grapes right for everyone, everywhere? No, but sharing information can help us find just the right niche for our crops. Similarly Keefe’s reference that farming was not his primary endeavor is another standout point. I’m glad to see the understanding spreading that we all have our own endeavors and strength and that we can, and should, spend our time focusing on those. Do what you are good at. Do what you love. Along the way I’ll be here to assist you, so please reach out to me if there is anything I can do for you. Email: The Permaculture Podcast Write: The Permaculture Podcast The Permaculture Podcast Before we draw these notes to a close I would like to let you know about an upcoming class. Since this episode deals with the restoration of the savanna, if you would like to learn more about restoration agriculture from the author of the book by the same name, Mark Shepard, he is working in cooperation with Ecology Artisans in San Diego, California, from March 10-14, 2015. Josh Robinson, a past guest of the show, brought this course to my attention. He is offering a $50 discount to any listener who registers and uses the code “permaculturepodcast50”. Restoration Agriculture Workshop Finally, this show depends on listener support to stay on the air. I’ve embraced gift economics as the way to support the podcast, myself, and my other online permaculture work. If you are in place to help, I really appreciate it. Know that you are keeping this podcast on the air and keeping it free for everyone else who is unable to lend to hand. Together we are spreading permaculture world wide, including 125,000 unique visitors to the website last year and over 800,000 downloads. Together I want to at least double those numbers in 2015. Find out how to make a one time or ongoing gift at: www.thepermaculturepodcast.com/support Until the next time, take care of earth, yourself, and each other. Resources Restoration Agriculture The One-Straw Revolution by Masanobu Fukuoka Tree Crops by J. Russell Smith (Public Domain PDF)

In this episode Brad and I discuss the value of infiltrating water into the soil so that it becomes a resource that we invest during water-rich times and withdraw from that bank only when needed during dry times. As Brad’s work includes more than just drylands the conversation also includes ideas for storing water in rich areas. Along the way we also look at several listener questions including fog harvesting, using living systems to hand wet basements, and observing to find the right match for plants suitable to wet clay soils. What I really enjoyed about this conversation was Brad’s continued reference to creating and using living systems. This was something reinforced to me during my permaculture education by a teacher training instructor Rico Zook. Rico said that we have to design ourselves out of the system. Whether we are working our backyard or in international aid we are only there for a limited amount of time with a restricted pool of resources. The ideal is that our designs will be integrated to the point that they are resilient and functional when we are no longer available to directly oversee them. I also think of the importance, especially in designing for disasters, or systems that can survive if they are damaged by a storm, negligence, or ill-intent. The principles and ethics of permaculture provide an excellent foundation for that, and Brad’s work adds to the strategies available for harvesting water. If after listening to this episode you would like to hear another perspective on water harvesting I recommend checking out my earlier interview with Craig Sponholtz of Watershed Artisans. That conversation compliments what Brad said here and reminds me that life is the way to slow down the forces of entropy and recycle resources in the landscape and in our lives. Other resources of interest: Brad's blog post on Fog Harvesting David Eisenberg and the Development Center for Appropriate Technology Zephaniah Phiri Maseko's biography at National Geographic I know I’ve referred to it before, but when thinking about water I come back to the saying from the disaster preparedness community. We can survive three minutes without air, three hours without shelter, three days without water, and three weeks without food. Water is vital to our health, well-being, and ability to grow food. If we are to build a regenerative civilization using life-sustaining systems we need to ensure the availability of clean water wherever we wish to live. We need to harvest water. We need to save water when we have a surplus so we can use it when there is a deficit. That is the way that we can borrow from ourselves rather than go into debt to future generations. Wherever you are on your permaculture journey, I am here to help you. Get in touch. Email: show@thpermaculturepodcast.com Write: The Permaculture Podcast The Permaculture Podcast. You can also find me on Facebook at: facebook.com/thepermaculturepodcast and on Twitter where I am @permaculturecst Until the next time, create a better world each day by taking care of Earth, your self, and each other.

Some of his books include A Language Older Than Words, The Culture of Make Believe, and the two-volume set that introduced me to his work, Endgame.

As with the Dave Jacke interview, this is an intense and open conversation. We talk about the natural world, our role as human beings within it, and the violence that occurs when we become disconnected from that sense of place. We end with how we all have a role in making a difference and caring for Earth; this place that is our home.

If you are familiar with Derrick’s writing this interview takes much the same progression moving in a non-linear fashion that draws together a number of ideas to make a point. The language he uses is often blunt and direct. There is no mincing of words and the conversation can get uncomfortable at times with the frank questions about cultural and societal violence. This is one of the few shows that may not be for everyone, but is worth listening to if you are open to the topics at hand.

The intensity of what we covered leaves me in a place where I am still examining what he shared in the context of permaculture and creating a better world. This conversation leaves me questioning my role in continuing to participate in the framework of the culture in which I exist. What can I do to lessen my own harm? We all have a role in doing something positive for life here on Earth. What that is varies so widely that we share the path, but are on our own journeys. With that, I leave you to consider your own place and what you can do to make a difference. 

Today he joins us to discuss Ecological Culture Design. Dave is a returning guest to the show. You can hear about his background and how he came to do this work in his initial interview. If this is your first time listening to Dave I recommend you start there to get a feel for the level of candor you’ll hear in this episode. This is an open and honest conversation about the four components of Ecological Culture Design:

• Technology
• Resources
• Social and Economic Structures
• Cosmology

We discuss how we must include these elements in our designs for permaculture systems. These areas matter because these are the pieces we must work with in order to bring the so-called “Invisible Structures” of permaculture to the forefront. Dave and I end the conversation with a constructive critique on what it means to organize, practice, and teach permaculture. In preparing this episode Dave and I both listened to the audio before it went out on the air and he asked that I correct his statement about Tantric philosophy. In the interview he said, “the perceiver, the perceived and the object of perception are one.” What he meant was “the perceiver, the perceived and the process of perception are one ,” a subtle but big difference.