1. Quail Springs Permaculture in Ventura County, California
Opportunities in sustainability

2. What is Permaculture
Permaculture integrates land, resources, people and the environment through mutually beneficial synergies – imitating the no waste, closed loop systems seen in diverse natural systems. Permaculture studies and applies holistic solutions that are applicable in rural and urban contexts at any scale. It is a multidisciplinary toolbox including agriculture, water harvesting and hydrology, energy, natural building, forestry, waste management, animal systems, aquaculture, appropriate technology, economics and community development.

3. Permaculture? Toward a permanant agriculture
“Earth care, people care, fair share”
The design science of modeling our human settlements and agricultural systems on the relationships found in natural ecologies
For resiliency of the productive elements
With future generations in mind

4. Permaculture principles
Observe and interact
Catch and store energy
Obtain a yield
Use and value renewable resources and services
Produce no waste
Design from patterns to details
Integrate rather than segregate
Use small and slow solutions
Creatively use and respond to change

5. Quail Springs Mission: connect people with things that sustain us
Non-profit educational/demonstration farm
Resident community: builders, farmers, land stewards, cooks, musicians, etc.
Renowned permaculture site

6. Various skills within permaculture
Sustainable agriculture
Soil science, crop science, integrated-pest-management (IPM)
Natural building
Landscape design
GIS & other mapping/design software
Waste management
Nature awareness
Ecology/biology
Water management
Alternative power

7. Sustainable agriculture
Education
Production
Market gardening
Value-added
Beyond organic
Innovation
Water-efficiency
Plant/animal integration
Diversification
Perennial preference

8. Sample innovation: Aquaponics

9. Natural Building

10. Nature Awareness

12. Primitive Skills/Crafting

13. Landscape restoration
Critical in degraded landscapes
Work with stormwater, eroding hillsides, incised creek channels, etc.
Example: Watershed Artisans, New Mexico

14. Greywater systems
Utilization of “greywater” (post-laundry/kitchen/sink/shower water) for the purpose of growing vegetation

15. Alternative power
Solar – growing field, job opportunities, grid- tie/off-grid
Biogas – utilization of methane from animal waste to produce cooking and other fuels

16. Next steps Higher education (degree programs) Internships Mentorships
Ecology, biology, agro-ecology, sustainable agriculture, watershed management
Internships
Farms, local businesses, schools
Mentorships
Craftsmen, builders, wildlife experts, musicians, etc.
Courses/workshops
DIY education
Specialize; many permaculturists are generalists – harder to find extra employment!

17. Making connections in the region
Work with sustainable leaders in the area
Youth education (Wilderness Youth Project, SB)
Agricultural employment
Restoration projects: public and private lands
Carizzo Plains ecology
Natural building: private businesses (ovens, plastering)
Solar: GridAlternatives
Policy realm: local, state, federal

18. More resources: Visit: http://www.permaculture.net/resource_list/
More about Quail Springs
Courses, events, and more