Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
An intro to permaculture
Citation preview
This publication offers definitions and descriptions of permaculture and its central principles. It offers listings of resources and publications on permaculture in the United States, Australia, and worldwide.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction to Permaculture 2. Permaculture Defined 3. Characteristics of Permaculture 4. The Practical Application of Permaculture 5. The Ethics of Permaculture 6. The Principles of Permaculture Design 7. Permaculture Resources
1. United States 2. Australia 3. Around the world
8. Books on Permaculture 9. A Few Good Books for the Permaculturist's Bookshelf 10. Agroforestry Resources 11. E-Mail Discussion Lists, Web Forums, & e-mail Web Archives 12. Permaculture Web Links and Resources
1. Manuals, Primers, and Syllabi on Permaculture 2. On-Line Articles, Fact Sheets & Proceedings 3. Permaculture in North America 4. Permaculture in Australia 5. Permaculture in Europe 6. Permaculture Around the World 7. Plants for Permaculture 8. Permaculture Technologies 9. Bio-regional & Eco-Village Links 10. Virtual Libraries on Permaculture & Sustainability 11. Agroforestry Web Sites 12. Holistic Management
13. About this Publication (formerly The Permaculture FAQ)
1
1. Introduction to PermacultureThe word "permaculture" was coined in 1978 by Bill Mollison, an Australian ecologist, and one of his students, David Holmgren. It is a contraction of "permanent agriculture" or "permanent culture."
Permaculture is about designing ecological human habitats and food production systems. It is a land use and community building movement which strives for the harmonious integration of human dwellings, microclimate, annual and perennial plants, animals, soils, and water into stable, productive communities. The focus is not on these elements themselves, but rather on the relationships created among them by the way we place them in the landscape. This synergy is further enhanced by mimicking patterns found in nature.
A central theme in permaculture is the design of ecological landscapes that produce food. Emphasis is placed on multi-use plants, cultural practices such as sheet mulching and trellising, and the integration of animals to recycle nutrients and graze weeds.
However, permaculture entails much more than just food production. Energy-efficient buildings, waste water treatment, recycling, and land stewardship in general are other important components of permaculture. More recently, permaculture has expanded its purview to include economic and social structures that support the evolution and development of more permanent communities, such as co-housing projects and eco-villages. As such, permaculture design concepts are applicable to urban as well as rural settings, and are appropriate for single households as well as whole farms and villages.
"Integrated farming" and "ecological engineering" are terms sometimes used to describe perma-culture, with "cultivated ecology" perhaps coming the closest. Though helpful, these terms alone do not capture the holistic nature of permaculture; thus, the following definitions are included here to provide additional insight.
Back to top
2
2. Permaculture Defined1. From Bill Mollison:
Permaculture is a design system for creating sustainable human environments.
2. From Cathe' Fish and Bill Steen, the Drylands Permaculture Newsletter, published 1988:
Permaculture: the use of ecology as the basis for designing integrated systems of food production, housing, appropriate technology, and community development. Permaculture is built upon an ethic of caring for the earth and interacting with the environment in mutually beneficial ways.
3. From Lee Barnes (former editor of Katuah Journal and Permaculture Connections), Waynesville, North Carolina:
Permaculture (PERMAnent agriCULTURE or PERMAnent CULTURE) is a sustainable design system stressing the harmonious interrelationship of humans, plants, animals and the Earth.
To paraphrase the founder of permaculture, designer Bill Mollison:
Permaculture principles focus on thoughtful designs for small-scale intensive systems which are labor efficient and which use biological resources instead of fossil fuels. Designs stress ecological connections and closed energy and material loops. The core of permaculture is design and the working relationships and connections between all things. Each component in a system performs multiple functions, and each function is supported by many elements. Key to efficient design is observation and replication of natural ecosystems, where designers maximize diversity with polycultures, stress efficient energy planning for houses and settlement, using and accelerating natural plant succession, and increasing the highly productive "edge-zones" within the system.
4. From Michael Pilarski, founder of Friends of the Trees, published in International Green Front Report (1988):
Permaculture is: the design of land use systems that are sustainable and environmentally sound; the design of culturally appropriate systems which lead to social stability; a design system characterized by an integrated application of ecological principles in land use; an international movement for land use planning and design; an ethical system stressing positivism and cooperation.
In the broadest sense, permaculture refers to land use systems which promote stability in society, utilize resources in a sustainable way and preserve wildlife habitat and the genetic diversity of wild and domestic plants and animals. It is a synthesis of ecology and geography, of observation and design. Permaculture
3
involves ethics of earth care because the sustainable use of land cannot be separated from life-styles and philosophical issues.
5. From a Bay Area Permaculture Group brochure, published in West Coast Permaculture News & Gossip and Sustainable Living Newsletter (Fall 1995):
Permaculture is a practical concept which can be applied in the city, on the farm, and in the wilderness. Its principles empower people to establish highly productive environments providing for food, energy, shelter, and other material and non-material needs, including economic. Carefully observing natural patterns characteristic of a particular site, the permaculture designer gradually discerns optimal methods for integrating water catchment, human shelter, and energy systems with tree crops, edible and useful perennial plants, domestic and wild animals and aquaculture.
Permaculture adopts techniques and principles from ecology, appropriate technology, sustainable agriculture, and the wisdom of indigenous peoples. The ethical basis of permaculture rests upon care of the earth—maintaining a system in which all life can thrive. This includes human access to resources and provisions, but not the accumulation of wealth, power, or land beyond their needs.
Back to top
4
3. Characteristics of Permaculture• Permaculture is one of the most holistic, integrated systems
analysis and design methodologies found in the world. • Permaculture can be applied to create productive ecosystems
from the human-use standpoint or to help degraded ecosystems recover health and wildness. Permaculture can be applied in any ecosystem, no matter how degraded.
• Permaculture values and validates traditional knowledge and experience. Permaculture incorporates sustainable agriculture practices and land management techniques and strategies from around the world. Permaculture is a bridge between traditional cultures and emergent earth-tuned cultures.
• Permaculture promotes organic agriculture which does not use pesticides to pollute the environment.
• Permaculture aims to maximize symbiotic and synergistic relationships between site components.
• Permaculture is urban planning as well as rural land design. • Permaculture design is site specific, client specific, and culture specific.
Back to Top
5
Source:Pilarski, Michael (ed.) 1994. Restoration Forestry. Kivaki Press, Durango, CO. p. 450. Reprinted with permission from the author.
4. The Practical Application of PermaculturePermaculture is not limited to plant and animal agriculture, but also includes community planning and development, use of appropriate technologies (coupled with an adjustment of life-style), and adoption of concepts and philosophies that are both earth-based and people-centred, such as bio-regionalism.
Many of the appropriate technologies advocated by permaculturists are well known. Among these are solar and wind power, composting toilets, solar greenhouses, energy efficient housing, and solar food cooking and drying.
Due to the inherent sustainability of perennial cropping systems, permaculture places a heavy emphasis on tree crops. Systems that integrate annual and perennial crops—such as alley cropping and agroforestry—take advantage of "the edge effect," increase biological diversity, and offer other characteristics missing in monoculture systems. Thus, multicropping systems that blend woody perennials and annuals hold promise as viable techniques for large-scale farming. Ecological methods of production for any specific crop or farming system (e.g., soil building practices, biological pest control, composting) are central to permaculture as well as to sustainable agriculture in general.
Since permaculture is not a production system, per se, but rather a land use and community planning philosophy, it is not limited to a specific method of production. Furthermore, as permaculture principles may be adapted to farms or villages worldwide, it is site specific and therefore amenable to locally adapted techniques of production.
As an example, standard organic farming and gardening techniques utilizing cover crops, green manures, crop rotation, and mulches are emphasized in permacultural systems. However, there are many other options and technologies available to sustainable farmers working within a permacultural framework (e.g., chisel ploughs, no-till implements, spading implements, compost turners, rotational grazing). The decision as to which "system" is employed is site-specific and management dependent.
Farming systems and techniques commonly associated with permaculture include agroforestry, swales, contour plantings, Keyline agriculture (soil and water management), hedgerows and windbreaks, and integrated farming systems such as pond-dike aquaculture, aquaponics, inter-cropping, and polyculture.
Gardening and recycling methods common to permaculture include edible landscaping, keyhole gardening, companion planting, trellising, sheet mulching, chicken tractors, solar greenhouses, spiral herb gardens, swales, and vermicomposting.
Water collection, management, and re-use systems like Keyline, grey-water, rain catchment, constructed wetlands, aquaponics (the integration of hydroponics with recirculating aquaculture), and solar aquatic ponds (also known as Living Machines) play an important role in permaculture designs.
Back to Top
6
5. The Ethics of PermaculturePermaculture is unique among alternative farming systems (e.g., organic, sustainable, eco-agriculture, bio-dynamic) in that it works with a set of ethics that suggest we think and act responsibly in relation to each other and the earth.
The ethics of permaculture provide a sense of place in the larger scheme of things, and serve as a guidepost to right livelihood in concert with the global community and the environment, rather than individualism and indifference.
1. Care of the Earth...includes all living and non-living things—plants, animals, land, water and air
2. Care of People...promotes self-reliance and community responsibility—access to resources necessary for existence
3. Setting Limits to Population & Consumption...gives away surplus—contribution of surplus time, labour, money, information, and energy to achieve the aims of earth and people care.
Permaculture also acknowledges a basic life ethic, which recognizes the intrinsic worth of every living thing. A tree has value in itself, even if it presents no commercial value to humans. That the tree is alive and functioning is worthwhile. It is doing its part in nature: recycling litter, producing oxygen, sequestering carbon dioxide, sheltering animals, building soils, and so on.
Back to Top
7
6. The Principles of Permaculture DesignWhereas permaculture ethics are more akin to broad moral values or codes of behaviour, the principles of permaculture provide a set of universally applicable guidelines which can be used in designing sustainable habitats. Distilled from multiple disciplines—ecology, energy conservation, landscape design, and environmental science—these principles are inherent in any permaculture design, in any climate, and at any scale.
1. Relative location 2. Each element performs multiple functions 3. Each function is supported by many elements 4. Energy efficient planning 5. Using biological resources 6. Energy cycling7. Small-scale intensive systems 8. Natural plant succession and stacking 9. Polyculture and diversity of species 10. Increasing "edge" within a system 11. Observe and replicate natural patterns 12. Pay attention to scale 13. Attitude
Back to Top
8
7. Permaculture ResourcesFour ways to learn about permaculture include: the permaculture design course, the permaculture literature, the Internet, and permaculture workshops.
The Permaculture Design Course is the primary vehicle for transfer of permaculture expertise. The standard course is 72 hours in length and lasts two weeks. Graduates are issued a permaculture design certificate and are entitled to use the term "Permaculture" in the pursuit of livelihood and for educational purposes.
The permaculture literature is a rich source of information on a wide range of topics dealing with land use, plant and animal agriculture, water management, appropriate technology, energy-efficient and toxic-free housing, and community design.
Since 1995, the Internet (e.g., World Wide Web and e-mail) has become an important resource and networking tool in the dissemination of permaculture information. A selection of Web sites is listed below.
Permaculture workshops are commonly held as one- to three-day events to provide training on technologies such as vermicomposting, solar greenhouses, straw bale construction, sheet mulching, and organic gardening.
Back to Top
9
7.1 Permaculture Resources in the United States
Permaculture ActivistP.O. Box 1209Black Mountain, NC 28711828-669-6336828-669-6441 [email protected]$19/3 issues per year
Permaculture Activist is the leading periodical for North American permaculture, an excellent resource in print since 1985. Articles address permaculture, edible landscaping, bio-regionalism, aquaculture, among other topics. It also provides a current listing of upcoming permaculture design courses and serves as an important networking tool in the U.S., Canada, and Central America. Back issues are available.
Earth Haven, the eco-village where The Permaculture Activist is published, hosts permaculture workshops and design courses on a regular basis. Altogether, a great place to obtain permaculture resources and participate in hands-on teaching.
Permies.comwww.permies.com
Site contains a collection of permaculture forums, articles, videos, and an extensive list of resources.
Yankee Permaculture, Elfin Permaculture, Forest Ecosystem Rescue Network (FERN), Barking Frogs Permaculture CentreP.O. Box 52Sparr, FL 32192-0052Editor: Dan [email protected]
Barking Frogs Permaculture Centerwww.barkingfrogspermaculture.org
A Guide to Yankee Permaculture Publications: 1983-1997http://barkingfrogspc.tripod.com/publishing.htm
Yankee Permaculture carries a number of publications on permaculture specific to North America. Past issues of Dan Hemenway's publications are still used in permaculture courses and as reference guides. A complete listing of articles, information sheets, and publications is available at the Web site listed above.
10
The Resources of International Permaculture - TRIP. Volume 7 of TRIP, published in 1993, is a 68-page issue that contains 1,540 listings of groups working in permaculture, sustainable food systems, and tree-based agriculture. Current up-to-date listings are available on diskette.
The International Permaculture Solutions Journal (TIPS) and Permaculture Review, Overview and Digest (PROD) are published on a sporadic basis. TIPS and PROD feature permaculture articles, book reviews, and resources.
The International Permaculture Species Yearbook (TIPSY). Prior to TIPS, Yankee Permaculture put out a fantastic yearbook called TIPSY. The TIPSY series is a goldmine featuring plant species lists, articles, and resource listings.
Restoration ForestryFriends of the TreesP. O. Box 4469Bellingham, WA 98227360-738-4972360-671-9668 [email protected]: Michael Pilarskiwww.geocities.com/RainForest/4663/
Restoration Forestry: An International Guide to Sustainable Forestry Practices (1994) is a 525-page guide to resources in restoration forestry. It contains over 50 review articles, 780 organizations, 230 journals and periodicals, 800 books, 100 restoration forestry projects underway, and 100 directories on topics relating to Restoration forestry, forest ecology, tree seedlings, bio-regionalism, and permaculture. It is a massive addition to tree-based agricultural literature. Cost is $27, plus $4 postage & handling. Agroforestry Guide to Hawaii: A Resource Guide Directory to Reforestation, Restoration, Forestry, Agroforestry, Permaculture & Sustainable Agriculture in the Hawaiian Islands (1997) is a 187-page directory with over 800 references. Cost is $22, plus $3.30 postage & handling.
Other publications from Friends of the Trees include the International Green Front Report (1988, $7.00); Kiwifruit Enthusiasts Journal (Vol. 6, $17.20); and Third World Resource Guide (1993, $5.00) and the West Coast Permaculture News & Gossip newsletter.
Permaculture Drylands Journalc/o The Permaculture InstituteP.O. Box 156Santa Fe, NM 87504-0156
11
[email protected]: Scott Pittmanwww.permaculture.net
Permaculture Drylands Journal was published in a 32-volume series, from 1987 to 1999, by Permaculture Drylands Institute, a non-profit organization that is currently in a state of dormancy. The PDI Web site is still active, and contains some helpful introductory information on permaculture as well as an index to back issues. PDJ focused on permaculture for arid lands, with a heavy focus on New Mexico and Arizona. Scott Pittman at The Permaculture Institute is a good person to contact for permaculture updates and activities in this region.
Temperate Bamboo QuarterlyEarth Advocates Research Facility30 Myers RoadSummertown, TN 38483931-964-4151www.growit.com/bamboo/quarterly.htm
Temperate Bamboo Quarterly is the quarterly journal published by Sue and Adam Turtle with Earth Advocates. It focuses on the bamboo plant which has unique, multipurpose uses in agroforestry and permaculture. The Turtles operate a bamboo nursery, and TBQ has apparently taken a back seat and is currently dormant. Back issues of TBQ are highly recommended for anybody looking into bamboo in a temperate climate.
The Future is AbundantFirst published in 1982 by Tilth, The Future is Abundant is a classic resource book on permaculture at the bio-regional level. The book is out-of-print, though select portions may be available on the Internet.
Back to Top
12
7.2 Permaculture Resources in Australia
Permaculture International JournalPermaculture International Ltd.P.O. Box 219Nimbin, NSW 2480Australiawww.permacultureinternational.org
Permaculture International Journal was the leading permaculture magazine for two decades, yet ceased publication in mid-2000. Permaculture International Ltd. continues its activities online, with a web page that features a newsletter, a global directory, an email discussion list, educational resources, and permaculture events in Australia. Back issues of PIJ, if they can be found in a library, contain a goldmine of useful information.
Tagari Publications - International Permaculture Institute31 Rulla RoadSisters Creek Tasmania 7325AustraliaPh: 61 (0)3 6445 0945Fax: 61 (0)3 6445 [email protected]
The International Permaculture Institute in Tyalgum, Australia, serves as the international coordinating organization for permaculture activities such as permaculture design accreditation. Tagari Publications is the publishing group for Bill Mollison's publications.
Back to Top
13
7.3 Permaculture Resources Around the World
Permaculture Magazine: Solutions for Everyday LifePermanent PublicationsHyden House Ltd, The Sustainability CentreEast Meon, Hampshire GU32 [email protected]: U.S. $22, quarterly (available in the U.S. through The Permaculture Activist)
Permaculture Magazine is the premier glossy magazine on permaculture worldwide. Each issue is a joy to read, accompanied by colour photos that illustrate permaculture in action, as well as products and resources to support sustainable living and learning. An assortment of topics addressed include permaculture, organic farming and gardening, agroforestry, tree crops, multi-use plant species, ecological design, and eco-architecture for temperate regions such as Europe and North America. A must-have subscription along with its North American companion, The Permaculture Activist.
Earth Repair Catalog - Permanent Publications UKwww.permanent-publications.co.uk
Permanent Publications also publishes a number of key books and videos on permaculture: Permaculture in a Nutshell, How to Make a Forest Garden, Plants for a Future, Permaculture Teacher's Guide, and The Synergistic Garden. The Earth Repair Catalogue carries an extensive selection of books, videos, resources, and products for sustainable living: permaculture; organic farming and gardening; bio-dynamics; agroforestry; aquaculture; animals; ecological architecture; sustainable building technology; sustainable communities and eco-villages; as well as energy saving products and body products.
The Permaculture Association (Britain)London, WC1N [email protected]
Members receive a quarterly newsletter, Permaculture Works. The Association offers a range of learning activities, design courses, and diplomas, and publishes The Permaculture Teacher's Handbook.
eco-logic booksMulberry House19 Maple GroveBath BA2 [email protected]
eco-logic is a book distributor for specialized topics in self reliance, permaculture,
14
and organic farming and gardening. One item, in particular, worth noting is the Manual for Teaching Permaculture Creatively published in 1991 by Robin Clayfield and Skye, two well known permaculture teachers. This is a loose file with over 300 A4 pages of notes and excercises for teaching, including: games, teaching tips, and other creative ideas.
Permaculture Villager / Forestry for a Small PlanetFood & Trees for AfricaP.O. Box 2035Gallo Manor [email protected]
Two online newsletters dealing with permaculture, tree crops, agroforestry, tree planting, and community forestry in South Africa. A notable source of grassroots information, contacts, and resource listings for Africa. Back issues are available from 1995 through 1999.
Kenya Institute of Organic FarmingJohn Wanjau Njoroge, DirectorP.O. Box 34972Nairobi, [email protected]
A Resource Guide of Organizations Promoting Organic Farming in East Africa Region is a 116-page resource guide edited by John Kanyuiro, Kihia and John Wanjau Njoroge of the Kenya Institute of Organic Farming - KIOF. It provides names, contact information and brief descriptions of organizations working to promote, research or support organic agriculture in East Africa.
Back to top
15
8. Books on PermacultureIntroduction to Permaculture. 1991. By Bill Mollison and Reny Mia Slay. Tagari Publishers, Tyalgum, Australia. 198 p.
Permaculture One: A Perennial Agriculture for Human Settlements, 3rd Edition. 1987. By Bill Mollison and David Holmgren. Tagari Publishers, Tyalgum, New South Wales, Australia. 127 p.
Permaculture Two: A Practical Design for Town and Country in Permanent Agriculture. 1979. By Bill Mollison. Tagari Press, Stanley, Australia. 150 p.
Permaculture: A Designer's Manual. 1988. By Bill Mollison. Tagari Publications, Tyalgum, Australia. 576 p.
Gaia's Garden: A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture. 2001. By Toby Hemenway. Chelsea Green Pub. Co., White River Junction, VT. 222 p.
The Best of Permaculture. 1986. By Max O. Lindegger and Robert Tap. Nascimanere Publishers, Nambour, Australia. 136 p.
The Permaculture Way: Practical Ways to Create a Self-Sustaining World. 1992. By Graham Bell. Thorsons, London. 239 p.
The Permaculture Garden. 1994. By Graham Bell. Thorsons, London. 170 p.
Permaculture: A Beginner's Guide. 2001. B Graham Burnett. Land and Liberty, Westcliff On Sea, Essex, England. 60 p.
Urban Permaculture. 1993. By David Watkins. Permanent Publications, U.K. 152 p.
Permaculture in a Nutshell. 1993. By Patrick Whitefield. Permanent Publications, U.K. 75 p.
Earth User's Guide to Permaculture. 1994. By Rosemary Morrow and Rob Allsop. Kangaroo Press, Kenthurst, NSW Australia. 152 p.
Getting Started in Permaculture. 1998. By Ross and Jennifer Mars. Candlelight Trust, Hovea, Western Australia. 96 p.
Back to top
16
9. A Few Good Books for the Permaculturist's BookshelfCornucopia II: A Source Book of Edible Plants. 1998. By Stephen Facciola. Kampong Publications, Vista, CA. 713 p.
Designing & Maintaining Your Edible Landscape Naturally. 1986. By Robert Kourick. Metamorphic Press, Santa Rosa, CA. 370 p.
Tree Crops: A Permanent Agriculture. 1987. By J. Russell Smith. Island Press, Washington, D.C. 408 p.
The Permaculture Book of Ferment & Human Nutrition. 1993. By Bill Mollison. Tagari Publications, Tyalgum, Australia. 288 p.
Forest Gardening: Cultivating an Edible Landscape. 1996. By Robert A de J Hart. Chelsea Green Pub. Co., White River Junction, VT. 234 p.
How to Make a Forest Garden, 3rd Edition. 2000. By Patrick Whitefield. Permanent Publications, East Meon, Hampshire, England. 168 p.
Water for Every Farm: Yeoman's Keyline Plan. [Date]. By Ken B Yeomans and P.A. Yeomans. Keyline Design, Southport, Queensland, Australia. 261 p.
Back to top
17
10. Agroforestry ResourcesTemperature Agroforestry Systems. 1997. Edited by Andrew M. Gordon and Steven M. Newman. CAB International, New York, NY. 269 p.
This is a landmark book on agroforestry for temperate regions. Chapters include agroforestry practices in North America, New Zealand, Australia, China, and Europe. Read this book for working examples of permaculture on a broad-scale.
North American Agroforestry: An Integrated Science and Practice. 2000. Edited by H.E. (Gene) Garrett, W.J. (Bill) Rietveld, and R.F. (Dick B] Fisher. American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI. 402 p.
A collection of eleven chapters originating from an agroforestry symposium. This is a typical academic book from American Society of Agronomy, but that should not deter the practitioner, teacher, or student from seeking this book as an important contribution to this topic, especially for North American agroforestry. Chapters address: ecological foundation for temperate agroforestry; agroforestry nomenclature, concepts and practices; windbreak, silvopastoral, alley cropping, riparian forest buffer, and forest farming practices; among others.
Agroforestry in Sustainable Agricultural Systems. 1999. Edited by Louise E. Buck, James P. Lassoie, and Erick C.M. Fernandes. Lewis Publishers, CRC Press LLC, Boca Raton, FL. 416 p.
A collaboration between Cornell University and ICRAF, this is another recent addition to the academic literature on agroforestry. Like much of the international literature on agroforestry, a large portion of this book is geared to tropical systems. The seventeen chapters address: nutrient cycling in tropical agroforestry systems; animals and agroforestry in the tropics; water management with hedgerow agroforestry; black walnut agroforestry in Missouri, U.S.A.; silvopastoralism; pest management; propagation; trees in managed landscapes; ethnobotany; sustainable mulch-based cropping systems with trees; among others.
The Overstory Book. 2001. Edited by Craig R. Elevitch and Kim M. Wilkinson. Permanent Agriculture Resources, Holualoa, HI.
The Overstory Book distills essential information about working trees into 72 short, easy-to-read, single-subject chapters. Cost is $40, plus shipping. CD's are available for $16.95 plus shipping.
Agroforestry Net, Inc.P.O. Box 428Holualoa, HI 96725808-324-4427808-324-4129 [email protected]
18
Agroforestry TodayICRAF -- International Centre for Research in AgroforestryCirculationP.O. Box 30677Nairobi, [email protected] regarding subscription fee/1-4 issues per year
Agroforestry Today is a quarterly magazine that carries reports from around the world on farming systems that focus on the integration of trees, crops, and livestock, and the people who raise them. It is one of the leading voices for forestry worldwide. While the content deals mostly with sub-tropical and tropical agroforestry, much of the information has universal applications (e.g., mycorrhizae, on-farm research methods, soil-plant interactions, tree establishment methods, etc.)
unasylvawww.fao.org/forestry/FODA/UNASYLVA/unasyl-e.stm
unasylva is the quarterly magazine of Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO. It also has an international focus and therefore tropical systems and developing country technologies are its primary concern, but nonetheless it is a valuable resource on tree crops, special forest products, and related topics of interest. Back issues are available online as PDF's.
Association for Temperate Agroforestry (AFTA)School of Natural Resources1-30 Agricultural HallUniversity of MissouriColumbia, MO 65211www.aftaweb.org
$25/year membership fee includes subscription to The Temperate Agroforester, quarterly newsletter. Previous editions of Introduction to Permaculture included citations to proceedings of the biennial North American Agroforestry Conference series. These proceedings can now be found on the AFTA Web site. The AFTA Web site also provides a series of introductory information leaflets on agroforestry practices: Alley cropping; Silvopasture; Forest Farming; Riparian Buffers; and Windbreaks.
USDA National Agroforestry CentreNorth 38th St. & East Campus LoopUniversity of Nebraska - East Campus
19
Lincoln, NE 68583-0822402-437-5178www.unl.edu/nac/
Publishes InsideAgroforestry newsletter, provides technical assistance to landowners on windbreaks and agroforestry, sponsors research, and publishes a number of very informative and practical bulletins and publications.
agroforestry.netP.O. Box 428Holualoa, HI 96725808-324-4427808-324-4129 [email protected]
The website for Craig Elevitch and Kim Wilkinson, publishers of The Overstory e-newsletter (highly recommended), as well as publications from Permanent Agriculture Resources: Agroforestry Guides for Pacific Islands, Nitrogen Fixing Tree Start-up Guide [PDF/586K], A Guide to Orchard Alley Cropping [PDF/404K], and other bulletins and resources.
Back to top
20
11. E-Mail Discussion Lists, Web Forums, & e-mail Web ArchivesThe Permaculture Mailing List | Hosted at Ibiblio.org
Information about the list, subscribe & unsubscribe.http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/permaculture
Current Web Archives for Members at Ibiblio.org (January 2002 to present)http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/private/permaculture/
Permaculture Archives. For the web researcher, Larry London (host of PermaSphere at Ibiblio.org) has a collection of old, yet still-useful email archives at:www.ibiblio.org/london/permaculture/mailarchives/andwww.ibiblio.org/ecolandtech/pc-forum-archives.html
Permaculture Forum at Permaculture the Earthwww.permaearth.org/forums.html
Back to top
21
12. Permaculture Web Links and Resources
12.1 Manuals, Primers, and Syllabi on Permaculture
A Permaculture PrimerBy Dan Earle and Sue Hutchinshttp://home.klis.com/~chebogue/PermacultureIndex.html
Permaculture - Sustainable Farming, Ranching, Living... by Designing Ecosystems That Imitate NatureBy Sandy Cruz and Jerome Osentowski, a 6-page Western SARE leaflethttp://www.crmpi.org/What_is_Permaculture_files/permarticle.pdf [PDF/577K]
The Ethics and Principles of PermacultureBy David Holmgren; transcription from design course held at Tir Penrhos Isaf in Wales.www.konsk.co.uk/resource/holm2.htm
The Essense of PermacultureBy David Holmgrenwww.holmgren.com.au/html/Writings/essence.html
An extract from Permaculture: Principles and Pathways To Sustainability. Holmgren, the co-creator of permaculture, provides a nice summary of the ethics and principles behind permaculture design. The Permaculture Design System Flower goes with this piece, accessible through the PDF version, as well as here in HTML:
Collected Writings of David Holmgren 1978-2000www.holmgren.com.au/html/Writings/Writings.html
A collection of twenty-seven magazine articles, conference papers, public lectures, book reviews, and other works by David Holmgren, co-creator of permaculture. Holmgren has made these PDF's available on the web as screen-readable only. A CD version is for-sale, which allows full access including print as well as permission to copy and use for workshops. Altogether, a valuable contribution to the web from someone who's spent a lifetime developing and working out the details of permaculture design.
Permaculture: A Beginner's GuideBy Graham Burnettwww.spiralseed.co.uk/permaculture
This 60-page booklet is a permaculture-for-dummies style primer with lively illustration, covering permaculture ethics and principles. A nice learning tool to capture the essence of permaculture in a nutshell.
Back to top
22
12.2 On-Line Articles, Fact Sheets & Proceedings
Permaculture: Sophisticated Ecological Understanding Blended with Common Sense Design Creates Productive Landscapesby Sego Jackson. IN CONTEXT #8, Winter 1984.www.context.org/ICLIB/IC08/Jackson.htm
Permaculture: Design For Livingby Bill Mollison. IN CONTEXT #28, Spring 1991www.context.org/ICLIB/IC28/Mollison.htm
On-Line articles on Permaculture the Earthwww.permaearth.org/writings.html
Building A Bamboo Farm: Using Permaculture Principles in Bamboo Agroforestry by Simon Henderson.www.permaearth.org/bamboo.html
Constructing the Food Forest Orchard by Larry Santoyowww.permaearth.org/foodforestarticle.html
Sixth International Permaculture Conference & ConvergencePerth & Bridgetown, Western Australia September 27 to October 7, 1996www.rosneath.com.au/ipc6/
An online proceedings with about 100 papers and abstracts; an important web resource.
Saving Mallee Soils -- Organic Broadacre Farming: Improvements to the Environment and ProductivityOrganic Agriculture at FAO, Case Study Report from Australiawww.fao.org/organicag/doc/australia.htm
Back to top
23
12.3 Permaculture in North America
EcoLandTech + PermaSphereLarry London's collection at Ibiblio.orgwww.ibiblio.org/permaculture/
Friends of the Treeswww.geocities.com/RainForest/4663/
Permaculture Institutewww.permaculture.org
Permaculture at Heathcote Intentional Communitywww.heathcote.org
Three Sisters Permaculture Designwww.bioshelter.com
La'akea Permaculture Gardenswww.permaculture-hawaii.com/
Animal Farm Permaculture Centerhttp://www.animalfarmcenter.com/permaculture-center
Permaculture the Earthwww.permaearth.org/
Murad's Permaculture Pointerswww.thefarm.org/permaculture/pclinks.html
Back to top
24
12.4 Permaculture in Australia
Permaculture International Ltdwww.permacultureinternational.org
International Permaculture Institute (Australia)[email protected]
Permaculture Visions Internationalhttp://permaculturevisions.com/
Sixth International Permaculture Conference & ConvergencePerth & Bridgetown, Western Australia September 27 to October 7, 1996www.rosneath.com.au/ipc6/
Back to top
25
12.5 Permaculture in Europe
Permaculture Magazine/Permanent Publicationswww.permaculture.co.uk
The Permaculture Association (Britain)www.permaculture.org.uk
Back to top
26
12.6 Permaculture Around the World
The Permaculture Activist's Planetary Permaculture Directoryhttp://www.permacultureactivist.net/pcresources/PcResources/PcResources2.htm
Instituto de Permacultura Cerrado-Pantanal -- Brazilhttp://www.ecocentro.org/en/
Register of Best Practices of Indigenous Knowledgewww.unesco.org/most/bpikreg.htm
Back to top
27
12.7 Plants for Permaculture
Plants for a Future: Edible and Useful Plantshttp://www.pfaf.org/
The Vetiver Grass Networkwww.vetiver.org/
The American Bamboo Societywww.americanbamboo.org
Back to top
28
12.8 Permaculture Technologies
Keyline Design - Water for Every Farmwww.keyline.com.au
Alternative Technology Association (ATA)www.ata.org.au
The Solar Cooking Archivehttp://solarcooking.org
Sustainable Building Sourcebookwww.greenbuilder.com/sourcebook/
Ocean Arks Internationalwww.oceanarks.org
Integrated Bio-Systems in Zero Emissions Applicationswww.ias.unu.edu/sub_page.aspx?catID=5&ddlID=468
Back to top
29
12.9 Bio-regional & Eco-Village Links
Global Eco-village Networkhttp://gen.ecovillage.org/
Intentional Communitieshttp://www.ic.org
Crystal Waters Permaculture Villagewww.ecologicalsolutions.com.au/crystalwaters/
Earthaven Eco-Villagewww.earthaven.org
Arcosanti (Arizona)www.arcosanti.org
Auroville (India)www.auroville.org
Back to top
30
12.10 Virtual Libraries on Permaculture & Sustainability
Sustainable Architecture Building & Culturewww.SustainableABC.Com
Back to top
31
12.11 Agroforestry Web Sites
Agroforestry in Minnesotawww.extension.umn.edu/distribution/naturalresources/DD7275.html
Association for Temperate Agroforestry (AFTA)www.aftaweb.org
USDA National Agroforestry Centrewww.unl.edu/nac/
Agroforestry for Farms & RanchesNRCS, Agroforestry Technical Note No. 1www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/ECS/forest/technote.html
International Ag-Sieve: Agroforestry Special IssueVolume II, Number 4 (1989)http://fadr.msu.ru/rodale/agsieve/txt/agrofor.html
The Illinois Virtual Forest: Agroforestry Web LinksUniversity of Illinois Extensionhttp://web.extension.uiuc.edu/forestry/agroforestry.html
Agroforestry Research Trustwww.agroforestry.co.uk
International Union of Forestry Research Organizationshttp://iufro.boku.ac.at/
ICRAF - International Centre for Research in Agroforestrywww.ciesin.org/IC/icraf/ICRAF.html
Cultivating the Forest: Development of Agroforestry SystemsPeople and Plants Handbook Issue 5WWF, UNESCO and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kewhttps://s10.lite.msu.edu/res/msu/botonl/b_online/library/peopleplants/handbook/handbook3/parting.htm
Back to top
32
12.12 Holistic Management
Holistic Management Internationalwww.holisticmanagement.org
Holistic Management: A Whole-Farm Decision Making FrameworkATTRAhttp://www.attra.org/attra-pub/PDF/holistic.pdf
Back to top
33
13. About this Publication
Introduction to Permaculture: Concepts and Resources is a revised and updated version of The Permaculture FAQ, which was originally published by the author on the World Wide Web in 1995 and 1996.
The Permaculture FAQ 1.3, May 1996www.ibiblio.org/london/permaculture/faqs/permaculture.faq.v1.3
A permaculture design course graduate, the author is a technical specialist in horticulture and agronomy at ATTRA, the national sustainable farming information service managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology.
The focus of ATTRA is on farming systems that enhance the economic livelihoods of farm families while sustaining the environment. ATTRA provides resources and technical assistance to commercial farmers, including small farmers and market gardeners, in the United States. Accordingly, the focus of this publication in on permaculture in the temperate U.S. with some emphasis on broad-scale application such as agroforestry and bio-integrated production systems.
Introduction to Permaculture: Concepts and ResourcesBy Steve DiverNCAT Agriculture SpecialistTracy Mumma, HTML ProductionPublished 2002© NCAT CT083
Back to top
This page was last updated on: March 18, 2011
Source: http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/perma.html
34
