PERMACULTURE
Our planet Earth Our planet is characterized by it’s balance and harmony, only because of that the life here is possible. Along billions of years, the planet developed a self-regulating system that keep the conditions for life, in this system all things are interconnected and are responsible for some task to maintain this stability. This balance depends on the relation of all elements that compose the planet, oceans, weather, plants, animals etc ... And also external elements like the sun. Them human beings appeared on earth, and for a long time they lived integrated with this system. But at a certain time, humans separated themselves from nature and started to develop their own systems.
But in our time we are facing a big problem, because the system that we are living right now is very far from how nature works, and by the destruction and pollution of the planet we are affecting this balance and causing a lot of troubles for other species and for ourselves, so we need to change our lifestyle to be more integrated with nature and that’s what permaculture try to archive.
“Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself... to harm the earth is to heap contempt upon the creator... contaminate your bed, and you one night suffocate in your own waste.” Chief Seattle, 1854, responding to a U.S. government offer to buy Indian Land.
Defining Permaculture The name Permaculture literally stands for Permanent Agriculture, it is an integrated set of principles and methods for designing, setting up and running agriculturally productive ecosystems characterized by diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems. Permaculture methods teaches how to build natural homes, grow our own food, restore diminished landscapes and ecosystems, catch rainwater, build communities and much more.
Philosophy * * * *
Working with nature, rather than against it. Protracted and thoughtful observation rather than protracted and thoughtless action. Looking at systems in their functions, rather than asking only one yield of them. Allow systems to demonstrate their own evolutions.
Permaculture recognizes that in life, immutable rules does not apply, but it is useful as a guide on our continuous exploration by flexible principles and directives, it emphasizes self-reliance, responsibility and the functions of living things.
Permaculture Principles 1. Work with nature, rather than against it. Understand how natural processes works and use it for as a benefit for what you want to archive. 2. The problem is the solution. Everything in life in relative, so we can look at something and see a problem or transform it in a solution, or a way to accomplish something else. 3. Make the least change for the greatest possible effect. We have to think in in cost-efficient ways to plan what you are doing. 4. The yield of a system is theoretically unlimited What we do with what we have is dependent of our information and imagination, because these systems have unlimited approaches in themselves. 5. Everything gardens All natural resources that we have around is useful somewhere to help us to grow and maintain our gardens, we just have to know the right way to use it.
Keystone Concepts Food Forest Mimics the architecture and beneficial relationships of a natural forest. Food forests are not ‘natural’, but are designed and managed ecosystems that are very rich in biodiversity and productivity. Food forests are design to meet several goals like: * * * * *
to to to to to
produce food produce forage for beneficial insects, pollinators, chickens and song birds create wildlife habitat nurture for our bodies through herbal teas and concoctions create beauty and sense of well being
Guild is a combination of plants, animals, insects and fungi. Guilds can be found in nature, in healthy ecosystems, or they can be designed and planted to make your food forest, garden, pasture or woodlot healthier and more productive. Poultry and Backyard Animals Animals (including birds and wildlife) are a critical component of any sustainable system, as without their participation and contribution the ecological balance cannot be achieved. Rainwater Harvesting It’s essential to make a plan for collecting rainwater and/or redirecting it towards planted areas for infiltration. Other concepts Watershed restoration, natural building, waste management and heirloom species of plants and animals
Holistic System
Main areas of study Soil * Classification and composition * Interaction with water * Nutrients for plants * Composting
Climate * Precipitation * Radiation * Wind * Landscape effects
Shelter * Building with local and natural materials
Energy * Renewable sources * Cost-effective and conscious use
Food * Eat health * Grow your own
Waste management * Ecological Sanitation
Water * Capture rainwater * Use reduction and recycle * Purification
Plants * Interaction with environment * Effects of soil, sun, wind ... * Interaction with rain
Animals * Interaction with plants to produce yields * Bees * Chicken
Thanks and Sources Thank you for watching and to my team for completing our fundraising early so we have more time to study.
Sources that I’ve used Permaculture - A Designer’s Manual Bill Mollison Permaculture Institute http://www.permaculture.org Santa Barbara Permaculture Guild http://www.vimeo.com/user4776270 National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/perma.html