Permaculture Design

Demonstrate knowledge of

permaculture and plan a site

Hortykim

Hortykim, Otago Polytechnic 2009

What is permaculture?

Permaculture is a method of

design that can be applied

to home, garden, workplace

and cities in such a way as

to provide for our basic

needs with minimum

damage to the environment.


What is permaculture?

“Permaculture is based on the observation of natural systems, the wisdom contained in traditional farming systems, and modern scientific and technological knowledge. Although based on good ecological models, permaculture creates a cultivated ecology, which is designed to produce more human and animal food than is generally found in nature."

from Introduction to Permacultureby Bill Mollison.


Permaculture quotes

"What permaculturists are doing is the most important activity that any group is doing on the planet. We don't know what 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 gangs that are doing that."

Dr. David Suzuki, geneticist, broadcaster and international environmental advocate


Permaculture quotes

“Permaculture is revolution disguised as organic gardening”

from Permaculture – A Beginners Guide

by Graham Burnett


Permaculture quotes

“It is our collective responsibility to protect and nurture the global family, to support its weaker members and to preserve and tend to the environment in which we all live.”

Dalai Lama


Permaculture quotes

“Permaculture is defined as consciously designed landscapes which mimic the patterns and relationships found in nature, while yielding an abundance of food, fibre and energy for the provision of local needs…more precisely I see permaculture as the use of systems, thinking and design principles that provide the organising framework for implementing the above vision.”

from Pathways to Sustainability by David Holmgren


Permaculture quotes

“Observe nature thoroughly rather than labour thoughtlessly.’

from One Straw Revolution by

Masanoby Fukuoka


Permaculture quotes

“ Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than

against nature; of protracted & thoughtful observation, rather than protracted & thoughtless labour; & of looking at plants & animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single-product system.”

Bill Mollison


Permaculture ethics

The backbone of permaculture design is supported by the following ethics:

• Earthcare• Peoplecare• Fairshare

These ethics are a constant reference point whether you are planning a herb garden or a township.


Permaculture ethics - Earthcare

This first core value relates to the belief that the earth is the source of life.

Some people even think the earth --- its living and non-living inhabitants ---functions as a self- regulating organism. (Check out the Gaia hypothesis for more details on this theory.)

Regardless, we have a duty of care to the earth and the right to live but value all of its finite resources.



What things can you think of when it comes to considerations that would relate to caring for the earth?

Eg.The importance of

clean air and

water.



• Conservation of biodiversity

• Clean air and water• Restoration and

conservation of forests, habitats and soils

• Recycling and pollution reduction

• Conservation of energy and natural resources

• Appropriate technology


Permaculture ethics - Peoplecare

What are some key considerations when it comes to caring for people?

Eg. Healthy food


Permaculture ethics - Peoplecare

• Health and well-being

• Nourishment with good food

• Lifelong learning• Meaningful work• Community

belonging• Open

communication• Trust and respect


Permaculture ethics - Fairshare

What are some key considerations when it comes to sharing ? What can be shared?

Eg. Networking and

sharing


Permaculture ethics - Fairshare

• Co-operation• Networking and

sharing• Distribution of

resources and wealth• Reduction of

consumerism• Rethinking current

notions of growth, progress and development

• Making a contribution


Permaculture ethics

So the ticket here is to ask yourself: Will my actions support

one or more of these fundamental permaculture ethics?

How can I weave these

ethics into my

permaculture

design/lifestyle?


Permaculture principles


ANow that we have considered how to include the permaculture ethics, we can start to look at the permaculture principles.

These principles may vary in their wording, depending on where you find the information. For the purpose of our exercise, we will use the 12 principles outlined by David Holmgren.



• 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• 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



Now grab a principle or two and, working with 2 or 3 other people, brainstorm as many practical applications of the principles as you can.

Produce no waste, eg. build a worm farm.

Resources and references


http ://enhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permaculture

http://ventnorpermaculture.wordpress.com/about/permaculture-quotes/

Photos hortykim

Course notes and experiences from Permaculture Design short course (Peta Hudson) 2008.

Education

Permaculture Design