Karryn Olson - A "Pattern Language" for Women in Permaculture

[caption width="160" align="alignleft"] Karryn and her peach.[/caption]My guest for this episode is Karryn Olson-Ramanujan, a permaculture teacher, designer, and one of the founders of Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute. This interview is about women in permaculture, and how a pattern language emerges to make the community and movement more inclusive and constructive for everyone interested and involved in building a better world. The starting point for this conversation was Karryn's article, which also forms the title for this episode, "A 'Pattern Language' for Women in Permaculture." This powerful piece outlines patterns that provide solutions to create an environment for women's full participation and leadership in the permaculture community. The 8 patterns are:

1. Shift "Mental Models"
2. Understand and Advocate for the "30% Solution" as a Vital Step Toward Parity
3. Value Diversity
4. Intersecting Identities
5. Mentoring is Key to Building Women's Leadership
6. Value Archetypically "Feminine" Ways of Leading
7. Nurture Women's Leadership Through Women's Gatherings
8. Be an Ally

Find out more about Karryn at her site, seedsustainabilityconsulting.com, and at the Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute. References and resources from this episode: Earth Activist Trainings Gender Schema Tutorials Jeanine Carlson-Nelson Karen Stupski Microaffirmations Timebanking Margaret Wheatley Pandora Thomas Privilege and Allyship (Links to a PDF) Starhawk WPLI - Women's Permaculture Leadership Initiative Women Lead the Way by Linda Tarr-Whelan Profiles of Women in Permaculture Women Working with Permaculture in South Africa Alex Kruger and Berg-en-Dal Ecovillage Jeunesee Park Park at Food and Trees for Africa Several other awesome women were also profiled in Karryn's article! Want to add your thoughts to the discussion about women and inclusivity in permaculture? Share them with me: E-mail: The Permaculture Podcast Facebook: Facebook.com/ThePermaculturePodcast Twitter: @permaculturecst The Permaculture Podcast with Scott Mann The Permaculture Podcast (Episode: KarrynOlson-Ramanujan)