Introduction to Permaculture Steve Whitman

“We don't know what the 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 groups doing that.” David Suzuki Intro to me. Professional background…and Permaculture training/practice At our home in Plymouth we have established an evolving Permaculture Demonstration Project

This Afternoon… Defining Permaculture The Origin The Evidence Ethics and Principles Community Applications Resources Introduction to Permaculture

Definition: Permaculture is an approach to designing human settlements and agricultural systems that are modeled on the relationships found in natural ecologies. We design ecosystems! We should strive for resilience! Introduction to Permaculture

Scale of Application… Rural to Urban Flower Box to Community Scale Not black and white Introduction to Permaculture

Permaculture is modeled after nature… …Permaculture involves many hands Introduction to Permaculture

The Origin of “Permanent Culture” Permanent Agriculture Coined in King’s 1911 “Farmers of Forty Centuries: Or Permanent Agriculture in China, Korea and Japan” Smith’s 1929 “Tree Crops: A Permanent Agriculture” Fukuoka’s “One Straw Revolution” in the 1930s Introduction to Permaculture

Mollison and Holmgren Introduction to Permaculture

The Evidence Peak Oil Climate change Chemical Use and Pollution Environmental Degradation Biodiversity loss Public Health Issues Genetic Modification Global Economic Problems Etc…

The Evidence

In the US alone we require… 7.2 Billion Acres to meet our needs

Globally We Require… More than 1.5 planets

From David Holmgren

Why Permaculture? -peak oil -Climate change -species extinction and loss of biodiversity -Transition Town approach -Sustainable site development and relocalisation One of the most holistic, integrated system analysis and design tools in the world! Introduction to Permaculture

Ethics and Principles Earth Care People Care Fair Share Introduction to Permaculture

Ethics and Principles Earth Care People Care Fair Share Observe and Interact Catch and Store Energy Obtain a Yield Apply Self Regulation and Accept Feedback Use and Value Renewable Resources and Services Produce no Waste Design from Patterns to Details Integrate Rather Than Segregate Use Small and Slow Solutions Use and Value Diversity Use Edges and Value the Marginal Creatively Use and Respond to Change Hopefully some of these are already part of your ethics and some of the example are things you have done or are considering…many other possibilities but not enough time tonight Introduction to Permaculture

We need to see our communities as the ecosystems they are and consider how the components of these places could be better integrated.

Permaculture Path to Resilience Bloomington, Indiana “Redefining Prosperity: Energy Descent and Community Resilience” Adopted in 2009 Recommendations include: new transportation efforts creating a centralized composting system removing and reducing the legal, institutional, and cultural barriers to farming within and around the city. Hopefully some of these are already part of your ethics and some of the example are things you have done or are considering…many other possibilities but not enough time tonight Introduction to Permaculture

Permaculture Path to Resilience Transition Towns Born out of Permaculture At least 108 official Transition Town Initiatives in US More than 400 initiatives worldwide Hopefully some of these are already part of your ethics and some of the example are things you have done or are considering…many other possibilities but not enough time tonight Introduction to Permaculture

Permaculture Path to Resilience Stormwater and more – Brad Lancaster - Tucson Hopefully some of these are already part of your ethics and some of the example are things you have done or are considering…many other possibilities but not enough time tonight 1994 2006 Introduction to Permaculture

The City of LA and Andy Lipkis the problem is the solution… Flood Control Water Supply Wastewater Treatment Landfilling Open space and recreation

The Vision – City as Ecosystem! Waste Water Treatment Jobs! Yard Waste and Organics Rainwater/Flood waters Water Supply

Community Applications… Master Plans; Land Use Regulations; Non-Regulatory Initiatives; Department polices; Etc. Introduction to Permaculture

"We're only truly secure when we can look out our kitchen window and see our food growing and our friends working nearby." Bill Mollison This could also include: Our energy production, clean drinking water …and other items we currently rely on from long distances away… Introduction to Permaculture

Next steps and resources Seacoast and Central NH Meetups Books Permaculture Activist Internet Resources - http://northeasternpermaculture.wikispaces.com/ Gatherings Permaculture Design Courses Introduction to Permaculture

Discussion Thank you! Introduction to Permaculture