permaculture defined
In the 1970s, Australians Bill Mollison, scientist, naturalist and teacher, and David Holmgren, an ecologist and ecological design engineer, blended the words “permanent” and “agriculture” and came up with “permaculture”. In its simplest form, the term refers to sustainable farming; however, the definition reaches much further and can have positive effects in many domains required to create a sustainable culture, such as: buildings; tools and technology; education and culture; health and spiritual well-being; finances and economics; land tenure and community governance; as well as land and nature stewardship.
Since the 1970s the concept has evolved to also include a meaning based on blending the words "permanent" and "culture". There is now an increasing emphasis placed on the need to include the goal of permaculture to develop sustainable communities and improve our quality of life.
Integration is a cornerstone of a permaculture system. Permaculture is all about maximizing relationships of elements within a system. Before adding an element, the permaculture practitioner must consider where placement of this new addition will most benefit the system. When done correctly, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The high level of synergy serves the end goal of sustainability, by minimizing waste of product and resources, including human labor.
However, since all systems are ever evolving, they may start out simple and will evolve into very complex ones. The fruit of such a harmonized complexity is a great density of production brought forth with a high level of efficiency.
To achieve these goals, the use of various disciplines can be used. In the gardening context, disciplines such as: organic farming; integrated farming; horticulture; agroforestry (as with forest gardens); applied ecology; architecture; and sustainable development can be used. As self-sufficiency is one of the primary guiding objectives of permaculture, we strive to teach our clients how to use sustainable solutions towards this goal.
Permaculture is now a global grassroots movement growing in countries on all continents. When applying permaculture design principles to a system, one is not only adding a sustainable advantage, but they are also contributing to a sustainable future and benefiting their surrounding community.
Integration is a cornerstone of a permaculture system. Permaculture is all about maximizing relationships of elements within a system. Before adding an element, the permaculture practitioner must consider where placement of this new addition will most benefit the system. When done correctly, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The high level of synergy serves the end goal of sustainability, by minimizing waste of product and resources, including human labor.
However, since all systems are ever evolving, they may start out simple and will evolve into very complex ones. The fruit of such a harmonized complexity is a great density of production brought forth with a high level of efficiency.
To achieve these goals, the use of various disciplines can be used. In the gardening context, disciplines such as: organic farming; integrated farming; horticulture; agroforestry (as with forest gardens); applied ecology; architecture; and sustainable development can be used. As self-sufficiency is one of the primary guiding objectives of permaculture, we strive to teach our clients how to use sustainable solutions towards this goal.
Permaculture is now a global grassroots movement growing in countries on all continents. When applying permaculture design principles to a system, one is not only adding a sustainable advantage, but they are also contributing to a sustainable future and benefiting their surrounding community.
permaculture ethics
The Ethical Principles of Permaculture are:
• Care of the Earth: Provision for all life systems to continue and to multiply. This is the first principle, because without a healthy earth, people cannot flourish.
• Care of the People: Provision for people to access those resources necessary for their existence. (look after yourself, your family, and your community)
• Fair Share: Healthy natural systems use outputs from each element to nourish others. People can do the same. By governing our own needs, we can set resources aside to further the two first principles.
• Care of the Earth: Provision for all life systems to continue and to multiply. This is the first principle, because without a healthy earth, people cannot flourish.
• Care of the People: Provision for people to access those resources necessary for their existence. (look after yourself, your family, and your community)
• Fair Share: Healthy natural systems use outputs from each element to nourish others. People can do the same. By governing our own needs, we can set resources aside to further the two first principles.
permaculture design principles
While using the Ethics of Permaculture as a yardstick, the following 12 Design Principles of Permaculture are implemented when planning, evolving and maintaining systems.
1. Observe and interact: By observing and interacting with nature we can learn to design the best solutions for our unique situations.
2. Catch and store energy: Develop a system that collects resources at peak abundance.
3. Obtain a yield: Systems that produce what is immediately needed for survival will prevail over alternatives.
4. Apply self-regulation and accept feedback: Allow for feedback from the system. Tune into these feedback signals.
5. Use and value renewable resources: A classic example in Permaculture is the usage of livestock instead of tractors to prepare the ground for planting.
6. Produce no waste: When designing, consider how the elements of the system can best work together to eliminate waste.
7. Design from patterns to details: First look at the big picture, and design your system based on this while filling in the details as you go along.
8. Integrate rather than segregate: Look at the system as a jigsaw puzzle with everything fitting together and supporting each other and the whole.
9. Use small and slow solutions: It's easier to maintain a small, slowly grown system than a large one grown in great haste.
10. Use and value diversity: Diversity increases resistance. Permaculture is the opposite of monoculture.
11. Use edges and value the marginal: This interface gives us the most valuable elements in the system.
12. Creatively use and respond to change: Use change in a deliberate and cooperative manner. Respond or adapt in a creative way that brings a positive outcome.
1. Observe and interact: By observing and interacting with nature we can learn to design the best solutions for our unique situations.
2. Catch and store energy: Develop a system that collects resources at peak abundance.
3. Obtain a yield: Systems that produce what is immediately needed for survival will prevail over alternatives.
4. Apply self-regulation and accept feedback: Allow for feedback from the system. Tune into these feedback signals.
5. Use and value renewable resources: A classic example in Permaculture is the usage of livestock instead of tractors to prepare the ground for planting.
6. Produce no waste: When designing, consider how the elements of the system can best work together to eliminate waste.
7. Design from patterns to details: First look at the big picture, and design your system based on this while filling in the details as you go along.
8. Integrate rather than segregate: Look at the system as a jigsaw puzzle with everything fitting together and supporting each other and the whole.
9. Use small and slow solutions: It's easier to maintain a small, slowly grown system than a large one grown in great haste.
10. Use and value diversity: Diversity increases resistance. Permaculture is the opposite of monoculture.
11. Use edges and value the marginal: This interface gives us the most valuable elements in the system.
12. Creatively use and respond to change: Use change in a deliberate and cooperative manner. Respond or adapt in a creative way that brings a positive outcome.
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