Comments on: Permaculture Samoa

By: Jon

Jon — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 03:25:09 +0000

coconut clumps FTW. awesome project. are you planting dwarf (known here in hawaii as “samoan”) coconuts?

By: Durban

Durban — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 07:18:40 +0000

To say that wealth and consumerism is the same as poisoning land and culture (whatever that means) is atrocious logic as guilt by association. Developed countries lead the way in eco-consciousness and green technology. It’s less developed countries that use disastrous environmental methods such as slash and burn agriculture. You can’t claim that that is something reflective of Western methods either. Certainly communist countries in particular have consistently produced outright disasters-a convenient omission. As countries become more developed, they have the ability to create sound environmental regulations and educate people to be more aware, like the author who is a product of such societies (the irony is lost apparently) – LOL.

By: Monika

Monika — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:08:15 +0000

Thank you so much Tamlyn. This is very exciting. Will send an email!

By: Tamlyn Magee

Tamlyn Magee — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:34:04 +0000

Monika, I would love to meet you and your sons, you would be more than welcome. Drop me an email – I will give you my contact details and we can work out what will be going on with the project when you are here. Permaculture as a movement should always greet the good intentions of interested visitors with open minds and arms!

tamlyn.dae@gmail.com

By: Monika

Monika — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 16:37:44 +0000

What an incredible project! I am so happy I stumbled upon this in my research to Samoa. Tamlyn, I will be in Samoa for 3 weeks with my boys aged 12 and 15 in July/August. Is there any chance at all to visit? I know this might be not be possible. I couldn’t resist to at least ask, because it would be an incredible opportunity to learn and understand so much about sustainability in farming and in international aid. For me and my sons! If this is at all an option we’d be incredibly grateful!

By: erin

erin — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 07:46:56 +0000

susanne, very glad that you visited this site, really.
Are you aware that. Fact: Using modern agricultural methods, locally, requires heavy subsides from government or overseas aid. THIS INCLUDES all developed countries. Australia, currently subsidises all farmers nationwide with billions of dollars annually, with which farmers struggle with increasing difficulty to remain economically viable using inefficient and unsustainble systems. This situation is fundamentally unsustainable. is this not obvious? we are living on borrowed time. literally. those who refuse to see the facts as they are, remain forever ignorant of the real world they are living in and as a result remain forever dependant on resources outside their control. wake up. There are people in the world RIGHT NOW who are living a 100% self sufficient life, with happiness and comfort. this is possible with much less effort than we think. if you believe that it is viable to rely on money alone to support your life, you are living in a dream. wake up and start learning something of real value to your life.
if someone want stats on any of this they can be posted.

By: Tamlyn Magee

Tamlyn Magee — Sun, 31 May 2009 22:20:50 +0000

Don’t worry Rose – we are only using clumping bamboo species – there is no running rhyzome, it’s only the running types of bamboo that become invasive. Clumpers shoot annually, and can only grow from the single point, so the clumps can expand but never produce two plants. If we planted runners in this climate we would certainly have a big problem. Thankyou for your comment!

Susanne – I’m having some trouble figuring out exactly what you mean by your comment – it seems to me that the two statements you gave do not fit in the same scale.
Are you defending western systems in general, or hinting at hypocritical behaviour, using government money to teach something that ultimately makes centralised government redundant?
We work under the paradigm where we can reach the most people, to move towards an ethical, empowered society (and away from centralisation). In Permaculture we chose to work from disturbed systems, to help natural laws bring damaged land, and systems, back into harmony. Government aid is certainly not a long-term element in sustainable communities, and the western culture of affluence has nothing to do with sustainability except that it has provided the opportunity for itself to be shown as fundamentally flawed.

The fact is that many people benefit from Western affluence, and many more suffer and are killed to pay for our commodities and comforts. I was born on the side of the equation that ‘benefits’ (at least superficially) and as such I have access to very priveledged resources and opportunities – which I will use carefully to encourage health and harmony. I will not continue to justify and defend such a senseless human equation.

By: Rose Gordon

Rose Gordon — Sun, 31 May 2009 01:01:09 +0000

Wonderful work Tam! So glad to see there is some news of your project on the webpage- I know one day we will see you on the world stage.Your diverse skills and energy are evident in your writing. i will be blowing your trumpet louder & prouder! I’m not surprised you have fallen in love with your current home. I’ve got to say I am a bit worried about all that bamboo being propagated- I’ve seen what happens when it ‘gets away’ but of course I know you will be doing your best to eat your way through those yummy shoots.

By: Susanne

Susanne — Fri, 29 May 2009 22:40:27 +0000

Go housemate! Great article, I didn’t know you could write!

However, I don’t agree that affluence necessarily poisons the land and the culture. If it wasn’t for Western affluence, you wouldn’t be in Samoa practicing permaculture, as your position is funded by the affluence of the Australian Government.

By: Tamlyn Magee

Tamlyn Magee — Wed, 27 May 2009 19:26:22 +0000

Thankyou – I couldn’t have mustered the guts to get here if not for the support of so many switched-on people. I’m meant to be here for just one year, but they’ll probably have to drag me kicking and screaming from this place and project.