greenliving
THE POWER OF PERMACULTURE
Care for People, Sustain the Planet, Share the Surplus by John D. Ivanko
Permaculture is often considered a societal revolution disguised as gardening. It shows up in urban hamlets, suburban neighborhoods and rural farmyards. Be they large or small, the diverse flora and fauna in these Gardens of Eden gush with life.
T
he ethics of permaculture are simple: Everything revolves around caring for people and the
planet, while sharing the surplus. A term coined by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren in the 1970s, permaculture melds the needs of human habitation and horticulture, creating viable inte- grated designs based on natural ecolog- ical systems, in which what’s produced by one element of the system becomes the input for another. “It’s about design and relation-
ships,” explains Bill Wilson, co-founder of Midwest Permaculture, with his wife Becky. “Permaculture is larger than gar- dening. It’s a creative and artful way of living where people and nature are both preserved and enhanced by thoughtful planning and the careful use of re-
sources. Practices mimic patterns found in nature. Principles reflect a respectful approach to life. Embraced, these attri- butes create an environment of diversity, stability and resilience, where all may thrive for untold generations.”
Self-Sufficient Systems Permaculture is widely adaptable to suit local climates, soils and geographies, and can scale to any size location that can sustain life. Because nature fosters no waste, permaculture-inspired gar- dens recycle or reuse all nutrients and energy sources; this approach regener- ates natural systems, while boosting the self-sufficiency of human settlements and reducing the need for industrial production systems that rely on pollut- ing energy sources.
32 Natural Awakenings of Northwest Florida
www.emcoast.naturalawakeningsmag.com
Plants are selected and planted according to the way they help one another. Animals also play key roles in garden sustainability. Free-range chickens, for example, can help fertilize and work up the soil and control insect pests, while providing nutrient-packed eggs; humans, meanwhile, provide shelter, security, a water source and supplemental food. Surplus produced in these gardens is freely shared. “Many permaculturists are con- cerned about their relationships with others—all others—and the planet,” continues Wilson. “We believe that it is possible to redesign our lives to provide an abundance of food, fiber, energy and shelter for every person on this planet, while dramatically improving overall quality of life.” He notes that only 20 percent of the permaculture process is about growing food. “Permaculture is the big picture,” agrees Heather Lanier, who has devel- oped a plan for Hill of the Hawk Farm, in Big Sur, California. “It’s about how relationships are built and how these relationships help care for one another in the circle of life.”
At her farm, the staff are trans- forming abandoned chicken coops into living spaces and artist studios, and planting a forest garden that will provide shade and fresh fruit, while attracting beneficial insects. Chickens and ducks meander around a series of ponds that collect water in preparation for the region’s long dry season.
GO-TO PERMACULTURE EXPERTS
General Education Permaculture Activist,
PermacultureActivist.net
Urban Permaculture Guild,
UrbanPermacultureGuild.org
Regional Workshops Esalen Institute,
Esalen.org
Glacial Lakes Permaculture,
GlacialLakesPermaculture.org
Midwest Permaculture,
MidwestPermaculture.com
Courtesy of John D. Ivanko
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40