PermaPatch
Welcome to PermaPatch! (picture is temporary)
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What is Permaculture?
Permaculture comes from the term “permanent agriculture,” and refers to a sustainable way of farming and living. It focuses on creating systems that work in harmony with nature and can last over the long term.
In many conventional farming systems, crops often rely on inputs such as fertilizers and pest-control methods, while livestock may receive veterinary vaccines and specially engineered feed to stay healthy and productive.
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Permaculture takes a different approach by working with natural processes instead of depending heavily on external inputs. It uses practices like companion planting, natural soil improvement, organic livestock raising, and designing efficient systems that make better use of available energy and resources.
Overall, permaculture aims to be both sustainable and regenerative, by helping ecosystems not only survive, but also improve.
The Ethics of Permaculture
Earth Care
“Care of the Earth: Provision for all life systems to continue and multiply.” – Mollison, Bill (1988)
The first ethic of permaculture focuses on caring for the Earth and all living systems. This includes plants, animals, water, and soil. It encourages practices that protect and restore natural ecosystems, and applies these ideas not only to farming, but also to how we design our environments and use resources.
People Care
“Care of people: Provision for people to access those resources necessary for their existence.” – Mollison, Bill (1988)
This ethic emphasizes the importance of supporting human needs and wellbeing. It includes access to essentials such as food, water, shelter, and community. Permaculture promotes cooperation and looking after one another to create healthy and supportive communities.
Fair Share
“Fair Share: Set limits and redistribute surplus.” – Holmgren, David (2002)
The ethic of Fair Share is about taking only what we need and sharing excess resources with others. By setting limits on consumption, we reduce waste and help ensure that resources are available for both people and the planet.
The Design Principles of Permaculture
- Observe and interact
Observe your surroundings and interact with the environment thoughtfully.
- Catch and store energy
Capture needed energy and store it for future use.
- Obtain a yield
Gather useful resources or produce from the Earth.
- Apply self-regulation and accept feedback
Manage actions responsibly and learn from feedback.
- Use and value renewable resources and services
Make use of renewable resources and recognize their importance.
- Produce no waste
Minimize waste by reusing and recycling materials whenever possible.
- Design from patterns to details
Start with broad patterns, then refine into specific details.
- Integrate rather than segregate
Work with natural connections instead of separating elements that can support each other.
- Use small and slow solutions
Things that take longer may not be the quickest or most efficient, but their results are often more effective.
- Use and value diversity
Recognize and make use of the variety found in nature.
- Use edges and value the marginal
Make use of spaces where different environments meet, as these are often rich in diversity and productivity.
- Creatively use and respond to change
Adapt and create solutions using available resources, especially in changing conditions.