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"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."

-Albert Einstein  

 
ABOUT

WHAT IS PERMACULTURE

​Permaculture is a consciously designed landscape, modeled after patterns and relationships found in nature, while yielding an abundance of food, energy, fiber, and other materials for provision of local needs. People, their homes, and the way they go about there lives are at the center of permaculture. So the idea of permanent sustainable agriculture has blossomed to one of permanent culture.

Permaculture is centered around a collective of ethics and principles, which guide its implementation in the world. Understanding these is foundational to the permaculture way of life. 

 

The Ethics

  • CARE FOR THE EARTH (soil, forests, water and wildlife)

  • CARE FOR PEOPLE (to look after oneself, ones family and ones community)

  • FAIR SHARE ( set limits to consumption and redistribute surplus)

 

These ethics enforce the idea that as long as we uphold our responsibility to care for our earth, ourselves, and those around us; by only taking what we need and sharing the extra that is given us, that we may provide for all, and heal damage done buy the unconscious waste that currently pollutes the world. These ethics were brought into consciousness from observing nature, and its immense ability for life and abundance. 

    These ethics are supported by the permaculture principles. There can be anywhere from 12 to 20 or more. It is up to the designer, as long as the fundamentals are followed. The Principles depicted below are those I have chosen to work by!

The principles

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Energy is in surplus once the system itself has available all it needs for growth, reproduction and maintenance. This surplus is our yield. It is our job to design for surplus to meet our needs as well as the needs of all living things in our shared ecosystem.

   Principle #1

 Obtain a Yield

For every crucial need, provide multiple ways of meeting that need. Needs such as water, food, money, heating, hygiene etc. are necessary to health and survival. Have a back up plan for meeting those needs. Be prepared for the unexpected!

 Principle #2

 Redundancy

Energy is a vital part of life, yet it often passes through our site without being used to its full potential. However, we can design our site to hold on to as much as possible, for as long as possible. Whether it be from the sun, the rain, a stream, or even our waste, we can direct, capture, and store energy to fulfill our needs and the needs of our sight. 

Principle #3

Catch and Store Energy

A key tool in permaculture is the use of multiple functions or outputs off of every element of the design. Ideally at least three functions per element. EXAMPLE: a chicken can be used eggs, meat, feather, compost, and pest control. Their coop can also be combined with a green house and their heat used to keep young plants warm. This building would then serve the purpose of housing the chickens, growing starts,  collecting water for both chickens and plants (roof rain catchment) and possibly more.

Principle #4

Multiple Functions

RETHINK, REDUCE, REPAIR, RECYCLE, REPURPOSE.

Waste not want not. All waist from one element should be used by another. EXAMPLE: Animal/human  manure is used as fertilizer for plants, and possibly methane for cooking and heat. Old beer bottles can be used to water pots. Used food containers can store seeds and food. Design to reuse! 

  Principle #5 Produce no Waste

 

 Nature has created patterns of life. When we go with the flow, and design to follow or complement these patterns we maximize our yield and our energy is used in the most efficient manner. There is no need to struggle against the current (mother nature). Istead,  we take the time to observe it and find a way for it to benefit our needs, and thus preserve it. 

Principle #6

Observe and Replicate Natural Patterns 

Plants and animals are a good example of a renewable and regenerative resources.  They will replace themselves. But how long will it take? Can you design and build your house to last the length of time it will take your site to reproduce those resources? The answer is yes…with proper planning and care.  

Principle #7

Use and Value Renewable and Services

Me

Get the big picture before you start deciding on details. Assess available materials before  moving forward and plan for the 7th generation! Know the limitations of what is available. And explore the possibilities before you. DREAM BIG! Then think small

Principle #8

Design from Patterns to Details

Sectors are areas on a site where energies are arriving from off site. We design to enhance and maximize use of beneficial sectors, and to minimize or eliminate hostile sectors. Examples of sectors are: winter and summer sun sectors, water sector, wildlife sector, fire hazard sector, noise pollution sector.

Zones are areas of decreasing need for human interaction, moving outward from the center.

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Principle #9

Sector and Zone Planning

The location of elements is important. EXAMPLE: You reduce your work load by placing animals near their food source, as well as placing those things that benefit from their waste near them. Most birds build nests near food and water!

Principle #10

Relative Location

The boundaries between two systems have more species and productivity then either do alone. The edge of a pond is home to both land and water species as well as birds and insects. the use of edges in systems is invaluable!

Principle #11

Use Edges and Value the Marginal

Diversity brings opportunity! Both in the variety of yields and in the microclimates it produces, which in turn provides more opportunity diversity. However more important than diversity  of elements is the diversity of the connections between those elements.

Principle #12

Use and Value Diversity

Co-operative and symbiotic relationships (though not commonly seen or trusted in todays culture) can be extremely beneficial. EXAMPLE: Integrating chickens with orchards to provide fertilizer and pest control, while also feeding the chickens.

Principle #13

Integrate Rather then Segregate

Self-Regulation is key to success.  Start small, observe the feedback offered by nature (or what ever environment you find yourself in) and design accordingly. Your surroundings can guide in the proper way to proceed.

Principle #14

Apply Self-Regulation

Systems properly designed should perform at the smallest scale that is practical and energy efficient. Let the site grow to match your needs! 

Principle #15

Use Small and Slow Solutions  

Put things closer (pack), and use vertical space (stack), to get more benefit from less space. Maximize what is available to you! 

Principle #16

Stack and Pack

In permaculture we want tools that help to liberate us from dependency, things that we can build and maintain on our own or with little outside assistance. Appropriate tech can also include such things as solar, biomass, and water driven equipment. Using things such as Bicycles and refillable pens would qualify.

Principle #17

Use Appropriate Technologies

Plant for the future! Succession can be "pushed" by planting all stages of succession together, OR it can be held back by suppressing gardens or paths with mulch!   

Principle #18

Consider Succession

Design to use expected change. Take advantage of what it bring, be prepared for changes that you can not plan for and be ready for whatever life brings your way 

Principle #19

Creatively Use and Respond to Change

One of the many things I learned as a child, in the garden was "one year seeding, seven years weeding. Our actions don't just affect us, they affect those to come. It is our responsibility to care for THEIR earth, as it does not belong to us alone.  

Principle #20

Think to the 7th Generation

"What ever we take we must return."

Nutrients taken from the soil to nurture our bodies must be returned or all including us will suffer.

Principle #21

The Law of Return 

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