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