Steve Whitman

Introduction to

Permaculture

“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

This Afternoon…

Introduction to Permaculture

• Defining Permaculture• The Origin • The Evidence• Ethics and Principles• Community Applications• Resources

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

• Rural to Urban

• Flower Box to Community Scale

• Not black and white

Introduction to Permaculture

Scale of Application…

Permaculture is modeled after nature…

Introduction to Permaculture

…Permaculture involves many hands

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

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

The Evidence

The Evidence

7.2 Billion Acres to meet our needs

In the US alone we require…

Globally We Require…

More than 1.5 planets

From David Holmgren

Why Permaculture?

Introduction to Permaculture

One of the most holistic, integrated system analysis and design tools in the world!

Ethics and Principles

Introduction to Permaculture

Earth Care

People CareFair Share

Ethics and Principles

Introduction to Permaculture

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

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

Introduction to Permaculture

• 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.

Permaculture Path to Resilience

Introduction to Permaculture

• Transition Towns– Born out of Permaculture– At least 108 official Transition

Town Initiatives in US– More than 400 initiatives

worldwide

Permaculture Path to Resilience

Introduction to Permaculture

• Stormwater and more – Brad Lancaster - Tucson

1994 2006

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!

Rainwater/Flood waters

Water Supply

Waste Water Treatment

Yard Waste and OrganicsJobs!

• Master Plans;• Land Use

Regulations;• Non-Regulatory

Initiatives;• Department

polices;• Etc.

Introduction to Permaculture

Community Applications…

"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

Introduction to Permaculture

This could also include: Our energy production, clean drinking water …and other items we currently rely on from long distances away…

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