I found this site while looking for some information on what mushrooms grow in cow dung for the upcoming episode. As a fan of the work that mushrooms do in the world, if not necessarily as food, I have long been fascinated with the subtle beauty in the fruiting body of our friendly mycelium. Some nice pictures here.
The new this time around are articles from around the web.
Why a Truly Green World Must Be Beautiful Too Photos.
This is an article on the work of Cecelia Maccauley and her work to bring more aesthetic beauty to Permaculture design so we can have our food forest and find it beautiful too. There are many many links to other sites on this page. Of them, my favorite is:
Cecelia’s 13 Steps to Creating Beauty In the Permaculture Garden
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Permaculture: Deconstructing a Definition
Lisa Fernandes begins by explaining what Permaculture is not and then provides a short definition which requires a long explanation. If you’ve ever tried to explain what Permaculture “Is”, here is another article for your arsenal.
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Cincinnati’s Children’s Permaculture Garden
An announcement about the garden and the wonderful learning environment it provides for children.
Click here to download the episode.
This question from Tony who asks:
Is there, at least in theory, a “maximum size” in the utilization of Permaculture in an area? For example, the other day you illustrated your plans for your own property (I liked the “fishermen’s path,” btw), and with how remarkably detailed it all was I began to wonder “what would happen if someone tried to do this, but with thirty acres?” Essentially, I’m wondering if there is a point (as someone practicing Permaculture) where you’re better off either letting the area grow wild or separating to individual Permaculturist enclaves.
This leads to an episode that was shorter than I expected when I separated it out to be answered on its own. The answer that goes with it? No to the first part and “It depends on the design” to the second.
Mark Shepherd’s 106 acre permaculture farm I mentioned as an example of a large scale application.
And a big thank you to everyone who has liked the show on Facebook. There is now a custom URL for the show, originally enough:
http://www.facebook.com/thepermaculturepodcast
Contact the show:
Email: show@thepermaculturepodcast.com
Phone: 717.798.8100
Click here to download the episode.
This episode has the incredibly long title because I wanted to answer both of listener Troy’s questions at the same time. Though they are different ideas, the monetary yields, how you can save and make money implementing Permaculture, is an approachable way to share this information with other people. Finding that common thread and engaging people on their interests is the easiest way I’ve found to open the door, share it with them, and get them thinking about using the ethics and principles in their own lives.
It isn’t easy, especially when you are not talking to the people who share your interest in this idea. I spoke about the Transition Towns movement recently to a group and it took more hours of work on my part to produce something interesting, that fit in the short time allowed, that would also reach them from their viewpoint, and didn’t skew Transition too far one way or another from what it is. In the end, the idea of money and economic resilience was the angle I took and thankfully it worked.
As you get out and start sharing the information, the process will get easier and you will find a way. If there is any way I can help on that path, please let me know.
Email: show@thepermaculturepodcast.com
Phone: 717.798.8100
To help keep the word going and provide a place to find news of what is happening in the world of permaculture, here is another post with the latest from around the web.
The Edible Yard: Landscaping and Permaculture
This is the second article in as many days I’ve run across from Epoch Times. This one features Chandra Hartman, who provides an overview of Permaculture, as well as a discussion of the difference between where landscape design begins: walk the land, draw a map, and study sun exposure, versus permaculture: determine the customer’s needs and availability to be involved with the finished product. The end of the article is about Serenbe, a 1000 acre community south of Atlanta, GA, and Seed Savers Exchange.
High Schoolers Bitten by Permaculture Bug
A column about the impact of Permaculture on High School students in California. They are doing some great work.
Permaculture in city squares, school auditoriums and neighborhood meeting places
An interview with Killian O’Brien and the work being done to ReNew, ReVision, and ReDesign Detroit using permaculture. Killian’s perspective is refreshing and cuts to the point.
Happenings around the world in Permaculture.
Education:
21 Acres Farms, 13701 NE 171st Ave. Woodinville, WA 98072, is holding an Orchard Mason Bees and Introduction to Permaculture Classes on Saturday March 19th, 2011. Bees are in the morning from 10:30am-12pm, with Permaculture after lunch from 1pm-3pm.
The Belfast Bay Watershed Coalition is holding their meeting at theBelfast Free Library, Belfast, ME, USA, March 17 at 6:30pm, is hosting Permaculture Designer Jesse Labbe-Watson to discuss to apply Permaculture for the home gardener to civil engineers.
May 8-17, Sept. 5-15, 2011. Patika, Turkey. Combined Permaculture Design Course and Yoga class.
The Permaculture side of this looks solid, but I’m always hesitant about combined classes. You know how I feel about choosing a course if you’ve listened to the show. Check it out and decide for your self. -Scott
Articles:
O’Brien: Permaculture Teaches Sustainable Life
Commentary piece about permaculture and sustainability, including talking with Jude Hobbs and her PDC class.
This is New York – Claudia Joseph: Gardener and Educator
Interview with Claudia Joseph about permaculture and her work.
If you haven’t heard of it yet, Starbucks Coffee Company has a composting program which packages up used grounds for people to take and add to their garden or compost bin. Clean, easy to acquire and use composting materials are always a benefit, especially as I try to build the less than wonderful soil at my home site. I usually see the can for this program located near the door so it’s easy to sweep in and pick up any that are there. At the local stores they are popular and get picked up quickly so there’s a bit of luck grabbing them. I grab them whenever I am near one and get a chance to go check.
Even if you don’t have a Starbucks nearby, consider talking with your local coffee shop and see if they have, or would consider starting, a similar program. It doesn’t hurt to ask and the benefits you can reap are high.
From what I remember of Starbucks packaging for the program, the PH of the grounds are essentially neutral, 6.9, with a C/N ratio of 20/1 making them a “green” when added to the pile, and containing trace nutrients. I don’t have a label on hand at the moment, but nearly identical information comes from this Garden Web article:
http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/soil/2002015354019975.html