This conversation leads to thoughts on preserving native ecosystems, the creation of novel ecosystems, the role and influence of exotic species, human disturbance, and the forces of erosion. We're also asked to examine our own role we have in tending the wild, and what responsibility, if any, we have to domesticated species such as chickens? In doing so, can we take back the stewardship of our own habitat?

Voices you'll hear include:
Eva Taylor of Ironwood Farms
Zach Elfers of Nomad Seed Project
Ben Weiss of Susquehanna Permaculture
Jason Godesky of The Fifth World
Nicole Luttrell of Wind Song Farm
Claudia Joseph of New York Permaculture Exchange
Seppi Garrett of Seppi’s Place
C. Dale Hendricks of Green Light Plants
Dr. Christopher Huvos

Resources
Timothy Lee Scott - author of Invasive Plant Medicine
Tao Orion (Her Facebook Page)

Related Interviews
Tao Orion - Beyond the War on Invasive Species  
David Homgren - On Permaculture

That sounds like a lot to cover, and it is, but the pace is a steady and even one thanks to Dan’s measured and thoughtful consideration of each point that we cover. You can find out more about Dan and his work at ReturnToNature.us. Check out his schedule of upcoming classes and if you get a chance, consider taking one. One of the points that stuck with me from this conversation is that we are all still members of the natural world, even as much as we feel separated from it at times. We can use foraging and permaculture to reconnect to natural systems and cycles by shifting our time and energy away from commercial production and consumer anesthetics to nourishing traditions of food and community. Along the way we can foster relationships with plants so that as much as we use them, they use us to scatter seed and disturb soil. As we improve our understanding of the natural world, by building up our mental database of plants, including their uses, we foster knowledge and ethics that allow us to move more intentionally through our actions which encourages ever slower and smaller solutions. As I mentioned during the interview, permaculture and the change necessary to make a lasting difference will take lifetimes and be delivered upon the generations we will never meet, but we must begin today if we haven’t already. I’ll be reposting Matt Winter’s The Gift for release this Saturday, March 7 for folks to listen, as a reminder of the get rich slowly approach we should have when making design choices, including what it is we will put into our bodies as food or medicine. If there is any way I can assist you on your path, please get in touch. Call: Email: The Permaculture Podcast Write: The Permaculture Podcast The Permaculture Podcast Finally, Jen Mendez of Permiekids.com, who I will be interviewing and getting interviewed by in turn in a few weeks, has an upcoming Edge Alliance on Sunday March 29, 2015 from 7 to 8PM Eastern. Join Jen to discuss Rites of Passage for Young Children. Next week I return with an interview with Stephen Barstow, author of Around the World in 80 Plants. Until the next time spend each day building a better world by taking care of earth, your self, and each other. Resources: Dan's Website https://www.returntonature.us Dan's Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ReturntoNatureSkills Sam Thayer's Books https://foragersharvest.com/books/ Sam Thayer's Interview https://www.thepermaculturepodcast.com/2013/samthayer/ Arthur Haines' Books https://www.arthurhaines.com/books/ Arthur Haines Interviews https://www.thepermaculturepodcast.com/2013/arthur-haines/ https://www.thepermaculturepodcast.com/2014/arthur-haines-2/ Steve Brill's Books https://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/Books.Folder/Books.page.html Leda Meredith's Northeast Foraging https://ledameredith.net/wordpress/northeast-foraging-120-wild-and-flavorful-edibles-from-beach-plums-to-wineberries/ National Audubon Society Field Guide to Edible Mushrooms https://www.amazon.com/National-Audubon-Society-American-Mushrooms/dp/0394519922 Peterson's Guide (Recommended with Reservations) https://www.amazon.com/Field-Guide-Edible-Wild-Plants/dp/039592622X Newcomb's Wildflower Guide https://www.amazon.com/Newcombs-Wildflower-Guide-Lawrence-Newcomb/dp/0316604429

You should check out part 1 before listening to this one if you haven't heard it already. You'll hear a good introduction to what follows in this episode. During this discussion we talk about mercy, grace, forgiveness, and faith, among so many other topics that arise. Whatever your background there are many moments of wisdom within this conversation. So join us by sitting, listening, and learning. You can reach out to Rhamis via his profile at Permaculture Global, and if you have comments for me feel free to reach out through the usual ways. E-Mail: The Permaculture Podcast Facebook: Facebook.com/thepermaculturepodcast Twitter: @permaculturecst Postal Mail: The Permaculture Podcast The Permaculture Podcast (Episode: RhamisKent2)

My guest for this episode is Peter Bane, author of The Permaculture Handbook: Garden Farming for Town and Country. We talk about his background, the book, his upcoming tour schedule, and he answers two listener questions. The first is about how much Zone 5 Wilderness we need for sustainable civilization. The second is a discussion of the third permaculture Ethic: Fair Share. Book Tour Dates and Locations Friday, Dec. 7th: Columbus, Ohio. A free lecture at Ohio State University from 7-9pm in the Agricultural Engineering Building, Rm 100 located at 590 Woody Hayes Dr. Saturday, Dec. 8th: Cleveland, Ohio. A permaculture seminar from 1-3pm. For more information contact Jonathan Hull: 330-559-4628 Sunday, Dec. 9th: Dundas, Ontario. A permaculture workshop at Old 99 Farm, 1580 Old Hwy 99, Ontario, from 1-5pm. Contact Ian Graham for more information: 905-537-0163 Monday, Dec. 10th: Ithaca, New York A free lecture at the Cornell Cooperative Extension at 615 Willow Street, Ithaca, from 7-9pm. Tuesday, Dec. 11th: Albany, New York A free lecture at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany at 405 Washington Ave., Albany, from 7-9pm. Wednesday, Dec. 12th: Montpelier, Vermont A lecture at the Unitarian Church of Montpelier, 130 Main St, Montpelier, from 7-9pm. A donation of $3-5 is requested. Thursday, Dec. 13th: Brattleboro, Vermont An author reading and book signing at the Brattleboro Food Coop, 2 Main St., Brattleboro, from 1:30-3pm. Please bring a lunch. Thursday, Dec. 13th: Amherst, Massachusetts A free talk at Food for Thought Books, 106 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, from 6-730pm. Friday, Dec. 14th: Brooklyn, New York A free lecture at The Commons Brooklyn, 388 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn, from 7-9pm. Saturday, Dec. 15th Philadelphia, Pa. An urban permaculture workshop co-taught with Phil Forsyth. This will be held at the Awbury Arboretum, 1 Awbury Dr, Philadephia, from 1-4pm. The contact is Phil Forsyth: 917-371-0547. You can also visit the workship page at the Arboretum's Website to register. The cost is $20. Saturday, Dec. 15th: Philadelphia, Pa. A free lecture at the Ethical Humanist Society of Philadelphia, 1906 S. Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, from 7:30-9pm. Sunday, Dec. 16th: Harrisonburg, Va. A free talk at The Clementine Cafe Lounge, 153 S. Main St., Harrisonburg, from 7-9pm. You can also check out Peter's updated tour schedule at PermacultureHandbook.com.

That book brought Scott to my attention. My wife picked it up from the library and thought it would prove interesting with the urban work I was involved in. Like Rachel Kaplan's book, Urban Homesteading, flipping through the pages of Toolbox for Sustainable City Living, I said to myself, “This is a permaculture book”. Reading a bit further along, my suspicions proved correct: Toolbox for Sustainable City Living came out of Stacy and Scott's work in transforming a portion of Austin Texas, building working systems in an Urban environement. Though the book lead me to look up Scott as a guest for the show, his current work is why I asked him on. Scott and Stacy offer a course called R.U.S.T.: Regenerative Urban Sustainability Training. Take the important parts of Permaculture adapted for city living, strip away the extraneous bits, and package it up into something taught in a weekend. A new model for transmitting permaculture to those people who need it most, without the time or financial requirements of a full PDC. Check out the interview where we discuss Scott' background, the framework of the R.U.S.T., and our considerations for moving sustainable design forward. If you like what you hear and want to take a class contact Scott and Stacy and you can go visit them at The Radix Center in Albany New York, or make arrangement for them to come to you. Regardless of the path you choose, their methods will empower you and your community.

Resources:
The Radix Center R.U.S.T.: Regenerative Urban Sustainability Training
ReCode Oregon
Food Desert Locator (USDA ERS)
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Fields (Wiki)
Right-To-Farm Laws Fact Sheet (PDF)