Area of Focus: Permaculture

Created: Jan 05, 2007
Updated: Jan 24, 2008

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Permaculture

Permaculture emphasizes high-yielding, small plot, and greenhouse agriculture and aquaculture ponds as well as forage agriculture, forest agriculture and the development of self-sufficiency, including on-site alternative energy sources.

Keywords

permanent agriculture, agricultural ethics, holistic management, perennial polyculture, aquaculture, agro-sylvo-pastoral farming, gardening, farm communities, crop diversity, crop rotation

Change In Action

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The Permaculture Army is a band of humans combining the ethics of permaculture, with the discipline, motivation, commitment and leadership of an army. A not-for-profit organization made of progressive, enthusiastic, motivated, and committed individuals, striving to make this world a greener and more sustainable place.

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Permaculture Research Institute headed by Geoff Lawton, is a non-profit organisation involved in global networking and practical training of environmental activists. It offers solutions to local and global ecological problems, and has an innovative farm design in progress. The Institute is also involved in design and consultancy work, and actively supports several aid projects around the world.

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Permaculture Association UK supports people and projects through training, networking and research, using the ethics and principles of permaculture. Through our growing networks, we share skills and design sustainable solutions for the communities in which we live. We endeavour to be accessible to everyone in Britain and to play an active part in the developing culture of positive change.

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Portland Permaculture Institute includes examples of organic gardens, food forests, grey water, rainwater collection, gathering spaces, ponds and a small CSA. Our goal is to demonstrate and teach in ways that enable people to develop the understanding and skills necessary to move toward a more sustainable life on the planet. Toward that goal, we offer Permaculture Design Certification and workshops on permaculture related topics.

Quotes

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"We don't know what details of a truly sustainable future are going to be like, but we need options, we need people experimenting in all kinds of ways and permaculturists are one of the critical gangs that are doing that."

Dr. David Suzuki

"Permaculture is a design science, based on observation, that integrates all human activities into a whole system based on natural patterning and ecology. In a word, Permaculture = Relationship."

Penny Livingston (California)

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"Permaculture is also a world wide network and movement of individuals and groups working in both rich and poor countries on all continents. Largely unsupported by government or business, these people are contributing to a sustainable future by reorganizing their life and work around permaculture design principles. In this way they are creating small local changes but ones which are directly and indirectly influencing action in the wider environment, organic agriculture, appropriate technology, communities and other movements for a sustainable world. After 20 years Permaculture may rank as one of Australia's most significant 'intellectual exports'."

David Holmgren

Featured Event

Permaculture Design Course: Using Esalen's community, facilities, and gardens as a microcosm of the larger world, you will be taught skills in assessing and recommending ways to increase sustainability.

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Featured Resources

The Permaculture Way: Practical Steps to Create a Self Sustaining World shows us how to consciously design a lifestyle which is low in environmental impact and highly productive. It demonstrates how to meet our needs, make the most of resources by minimizing waste and maximizing potential, and still leave the Earth richer than we found it.

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Permaculture Activist offers in depth articles which cover positive solutions that every one of us can follow to aid our planet in restoring its natural resources as well as preparing for the coming energy shortfalls. Articles range from Organic Gardening, Natural Building, Re-localizing Communities, all the way down to art & traditional knowledge.

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Featured Group

Permaculture Alliance
of California

Our hopes as a Permaculture Alliance is that this platform can be a central node to network and stay in touch with our works as they evolve.

Related WiserEarth Portals

Agroforestry
Agricultural Water Conservation
and Management
Agroecology
Biological Control
Biomimicry
Community Resources
Composting
Environmental Education
Farm Ecosystem Management
Food Literacy
Food Supply
Gardening
Global Food Supply and Sustainability
Hunger and Food Security
Local Food Systems
Organic Farming
Precision Farming
Rural Farming Communities
Soil Conservation and Management
Sustainability Education
Sustainable Agriculture
Sustainable Energy Development
Sustainable Living

Videos

Permaculture & Peak Oil: An Interview with David Holmgren

Urban Permaculture

Introduction to Permaculture by Claude William Genest

The Permaculture Concept with Bill Mollison - Part 1

Comments (1 - 5 of 5)

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serez18 about 1 month ago

Geoff Lawton told me that the following summary of what permaculture is is accurate:

Permaculture is a set of principles and practices for creating local sustainability that is respectful to all of the human and non-human members of the community. In short, it is working with local nature in setting up an edible ecosystem that feeds, shelters and beautifies the community.

The initial set up is labor and time intensive, but when designed well, the symbiotic relationships and energy cycles within the system do much of the maintenance work.

Permaculture has proven effective in many places, and it is important to know that a design for one place will not be appropriate for another. Keen observation is required to design and implement a sustainable edible ecosystem in any specific area.

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dharmadog 3 months ago

HEAVEN ON EARTH
Permaculture with Rico Zook
a 25minute film by Bruce Weaver

SYNOPSIS
What images do we hold in mind for the future of humankind, and the planet? At present, we are bombarded with images of global climate change, worldwide food and water shortages and catastrophic wars. Heaven On Earth is a video travelogue documenting the work of permaculturist Rico Zook. Join us as we travel with Rico to the Northern most part of India in the shade of the towering Himalayas, to glimpse the future through Rico's eyes and learn what permaculture is, and what it has to offer both humanity and the planet. Is it possible we might find heaven on earth here, and now? Watch and see.

This film is available for small donation.
20$ Donation Get a copy for your permaculture event or your get a copy for your school.
Go to BraveNewEarth.com and use the contact link to order your copy today.

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benjammin 6 months ago

It would be great for folks to bring ideas and questions like the one below onto the Permaculture Alliance of California disscussion page. Although a California Based allaince, memebrs are from all over and have experience in all types of climates and areas around the globe.
in the meantime a great resource of permie plants is found at
http://www.onegreenworld.com/
totally rocks on the food foresting ideals as does
http://www.forestfarm.com/
you can add hardiness and the site will search for you
forest farm has 542 results!
man the USDA has GOT to get some better plant list eh?!
best always
benjamin

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gcur 6 months ago

This is what I found from the USDA's website

http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/hrdzon4.html#7

The problem is that its very short...And doesn't really help me at all.

Zone 7
0 to 10 F
-17.8 to -12.3 C

Acer macrophylium (Bigleaf maple)
Rhododendron Kurume hybrids (Kurume azalea)
Cedrus atlantica (Atlas cedar)
Cotoneaster microphylla (Small-leaf cotoneaster)
Ilex aquifolium (English holly)
Taxus baccata (English yew)

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gcur 6 months ago

Hey,

Does anyone have a plant list for zone 7 on the plant hardiness rating?

I'm looking to start a permaculture farm on a few acres. I already have raised garden beds and a greenhouse to use.

Thanks

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