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Introduction to Permaculture
Monday, June 11
Martin Gustafsson
Christopher Wegweiser
Overview
Monday
• Definition of Permaculture
• Permaculture Ethics
• Permaculture Principles
Wednesday
• Applying the principles
Bill Mollison & David Holmgren
Permaculture
Mollison’s definition
• "The aim is to create systems that are ecologically‐sound and economically viable, which provide for their own needs, do not exploit or pollute, and are therefore sustainable in the long term.“
• "Permaculture uses the inherent qualities of plants and animals combined with the natural characteristics of landscapes and structures to produce a life‐supporting system for city and country, using the smallest practical area."
Graham Bell’s definition
“Permaculture is the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive systems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems. It is the harmonious integration of the landscape with people providing their food, energy, shelter and other material and non‐material needs in a sustainable way.”
Systems Thinking• Nested systems
• The ability to shift one’s attention back and forth between system levels.
• Zooming in and out
• thinking about parts, processes, and connections
Permaculture Ethics
• Earth Care• People Care• Fair Share/Equal Distribution of Surplus
Permaculture Design Principles
– Observe and Interact
– Relative location.
– Each element performs many functions.
– Each important function is supported by many elements.
– Small‐scale intensive systems.
– Diversity/Edge effects.
– The problem is the solution.
Observe and Interact
• Permaculture systems are information and design intensive.
• Learn from failure.
• Elegant solutions are simple, even invisible.
• Make the smallest intervention necessary.
• Observation skills & thoughtful interaction is the base of good design.
Relative location
• create functional interconnections
• components viewed relatively, not in isolation
• whole system produces more than the sum of its parts
http://deepgreenpermaculture.com/permaculture/permaculture‐design‐principles/1‐relative‐location/
http://deepgreenpermaculture.com/permaculture/permaculture‐design‐principles/1‐relative‐location/
Each element performs many functions
•Each element should perform at least 3 functions•Stacking functions•More multifunctional = more productive
Bill Mollison – Introduction to Permaculture (1991)
http://deepgreenpermaculture.com/permaculture/permaculture‐design‐principles/1‐relative‐location/
Each important function is supported by many elements
• Identification
• Analysis
• No single point of failure = redundancy + resilience
http://deepgreenpermaculture.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/pp-11.png
Apple Tree and Chicken Niche
Analysis
Small‐scale intensive systems
• Small scale farming ‐ high yield: – per energy input
– Per m2
• Easier to handle more diversity and complexity than in large scale systems.
• Appropriate scale: “systems should be designed to perform functions at the smallest scale that is practical and energy efficient for that function”
Using biological resources
• Plants, animals, fungi, ecosystem services.
• Powered by the sun
• Soil tilling, weed control , fertilizer, fuel, insect control, nutrient recycling, soil aeration, erosion control, pollination, fence, water cleaning, break down toxins
Cycling of energy, nutrients, resources
• Efficient use of available resources
• Resources rather than pollution
• Biological activity actually increases energy potential on site
• Catch, store and use at highest possible potential
The industrial method of producing an egg
Bill Mollison – Permaculture: A Designers Manual (Tagari 1988)
Producing an egg the permaculture way
Bill Mollison – Permaculture: A Designers Manual (Tagari 1988)
Diversity
• Species
• Genetic
• Cultural
Edge effects
• Edge is where the action is!
• Edge between ecosystems are the most productive.
• Edge can be increased by design
Patrick Whitefield: Earth Care Manual (2004)
Bill Mollison – Introduction to Permaculture (1991)
Jacke & Toensmeier: Edible Forest Gardens (2005)
The problem is the solution
• Turn constraints into resources. Mistakes are tools for learning.
• Pollution =overabundance of a resource in the wrong place?
• Identify areas for change
• Creativity
Make the least change for the greatest possible effect
• Work with nature rather than against
• Small changes are met with less resistance than huge overhauls.
• Time and energy
Summary – Day 1• Permaculture ‐ Defined• Permaculture Ethics• Permaculture Design Principles
– Observe and Interact
– Relative location.
– Each element performs many functions.
– Each important function is supported by many elements.
– Small‐scale intensive systems.
– Diversity/Edge effects.
– The problem is the solution.
• Questions
• Plan for Wednesday
Thanks for listening!
• Martin Gustafsson
• Christopher Wegweiser
