1. Introduction to Permaculture
Steve Whitman

2. “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

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

4. 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

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

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

7. 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

8. Mollison and Holmgren
Introduction to Permaculture

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

10. The Evidence

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

12. Globally We Require…
More than 1.5 planets

13. From David Holmgren

14. 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

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

16. 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

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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

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

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

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

24. "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

25. Next steps and resources
Seacoast and Central NH Meetups
Books
Permaculture Activist
Internet Resources -
Gatherings
Permaculture Design Courses
Introduction to Permaculture

26. Discussion
Thank you!
Introduction to Permaculture