Comments on: What is Permaculture?

By: denise de morais

denise de morais — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 00:50:33 +0000

Hello Geoff,
My sister asked me to check what permaculture is for her, and that is how I found your site. She lives in Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil and is wondering how she could learn more about it. If you know about any courses in Portuguese that will be offered in the near future there, she would be interested. She has a piece of land (65 hectares) that had a brush fire five years ago and has hardly any trees left. She wants to plant the right plants and trees. How can she learn more? Thank you in advance for your reply.
Cheers Denise
Hi Denise
contact Permacultura America Latina (google it) and you will see many courses in Brazil.

Cheers Geoff

By: Simon

Simon — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 10:47:15 +0000

As we are already living amongst a capitalist economy, would it be unethical, as far as permaculturalists are concerned, to implement permaculture principles, practices and ideologies into “green-enterprises”? The foundation of those enterprises would be to create employment and address the natural crisis which are pending, and in some cases – already occurring. The enterprises would have to be sustainable and contribute to combating global warming and absorbing at least some of the carbon dioxide that these urban regions are beginning to choke on. Profits from the enterprises could be donated to the protection of existing wilderness and fund the re-establishment of forests throughout Australia and progressively – the world.
The next generation of entrepreneurs and employees alike, will need to be employed and focussed on the conservation and re-generation of the planet’s natural resources. Is there a place for Permaculture in a capitalist economy?

Yes it is to demonstrate that we don’t need a capitalist economy and that all we need is each other.

By: mereki garnett

mereki garnett — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 06:39:23 +0000

I have been lost in my environmental science degree at wollongong for three years now, wondering where to direct myself. In a country that is amazing in so many ways, but neglects its natural environment through logging for wood pulp, traditional European farming and a general disregard for Indigenous knowledge, to name a few issues, i am glad that such a solution as permaculture was born and grows here in Australia. Fortunately i have discovered permaculture at the young age of 21. However i question why i discovered permaculture by bumping into the inspirational book “best of permaculture”, instead of through my environmental science degree.
Permaculture has become for me an early life goal, because it has the ability to address damaged ecosystems, disadvantaged people, global health, and my own stomach. So why is permaculture so hidden from the public, scientific, and political forum?
You will hear from me in the future.

Hi Mereki
we are glad that you have been able to come in from the cold and be part of the solution instead of the problem.
Permaculture has now been taught in every country in the world. We have worked as consultants to the main UN agencies and continue to be more excepted by the main stream all the time. But as we are a connecting system between academic disciplines that are normally only taught in a completely seperate forms, we challenge the relevence of conventional education. Results on the ground in the age of information are more obvious all the time.

Cheers Geoff

By: Diane Emerson

Diane Emerson — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 04:43:00 +0000

I first learned about permaculture in January this year, while in New Zealand. I resolved to volunteer at a permaculture site for several months, and learn more about it before traveling the world and volunteering in various areas. Tonight I saw your video on greening the desert, and the ending statement has inspired me tremendously. I will be ready to travel and volunteer in late January, full time, indefinitely, and would like guidance on where I might begin. I do not need funding, only a place to pitch my tent and secure my bicycle. I have dual US and New Zealand citizenship, many years experience in organic gardening, and many years experience helping entrepreneurs become more successful. I was planning on beginning in New Zealand, but perhaps I should plan my travels to Australia instead. Greening deserts and helping the poor feed themselves and sell their excess produce/animals is exactly where I want to be.
Diane Emerson
Algona, Iowa, USA
Phone: 515-395-1047

Hi Diane
we take volunteers at The Permaculture Reseasrch Institute in The Channon in northern NSW, Australia, especially if they are interested in being trained to work on projects over sea. Contact us on pri@permaculture.org.au

Cheers Geoff Lawton

By: Chris Critchell

Chris Critchell — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 12:32:16 +0000

I read the Permaculture books with absolute fascination, where do I get help to start our interactive farm on the right track to repair our environment. Chris

Hi Chris
where are you?
We can refer you to the closest consultant.

Cheers Geoff

By: Michael Anuzis

Michael Anuzis — Sun, 27 Aug 2006 18:23:09 +0000

Does anyone know of an article based on the principles of permaculture that’s written for the mainstream residential homeowner — an article written in simple language, with actionable information people could use to begin implementing permaculture around homes and throughout communities worldwide?

If the information can be made simple enough, and the message short enough, such an article has huge potential for social good.

-Michael
Hi Michael
permaculture is a design system sometimes defined as a design science and it is always some what complex in nature, there is no such thing as a simple permaculture design.
We have produced brochures before that brief the permaculture approach to the main disciplines of the subject, ecology, water, energy, waste systems, local economy etc.

Is this the type of article or promotion that you think would be very useful?

Cheers Geoff

By: Derek Shaffer

Derek Shaffer — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 04:32:01 +0000

Hello, my name is Derek Shaffer. I am currently entering my second year at Temple University in Philadelphia Pennsylvania in the US. My mother turned me on to your site, and i watched that video on greening the desert. And i think what your teams do is spectacular. I was also wondering if there was anyway i could get started on helping, courses in the US at universities, or what i should focus my studies on in the future. I am currently a Chemistry major. Thank you

Derek Shaffer
Hi Derek
biogeography and civil engineering are good links also check our courses on this site and try and get to a PDC.
Cheers Geoff

By: Sanu B. Tamrakar

Sanu B. Tamrakar — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 12:23:51 +0000

I am glad to notice it that many people/community are following the permaculture priniciples on their farming business. Many people are seeking the places to learn this human and nature supporting farming system that will enable them to convert themselves to the regenerative farming sytems.

I found that permaculture is sound system to protect the nature, regenerate the production systems and maintain the quality thats why most of the people like this system. While learning the systems through the PDC graduates, I found additional efforts are required to make this system complete specially in the field of farmers’ economic development through the commercial production and cooperative development. I feel that the contents of the Market development through fair trade or any means of trading business to be added in the course or system which will attract the farmers/producers to follow the real permaculture farming system and get the reasonable returns of the investment through the genuine jobs to save the human and nature..
Thanks Sanu we are evolving better connections and teaching techniques all the time, Cheers Geoff

By: Michael Vicary

Michael Vicary — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 03:41:24 +0000

To whom it may concern,

I have a large dam on property at Wallacia NSW that leaks. Is there a product I can put in the dam to stop the leaks. If so what is it and where can I get it. Thankyou

Michael
0407 741169
Hi Michael
Bentonite is the product you need and you can buy it from any farm supplies, Cheers Geoff

By: Administrator

Administrator — Sun, 23 Apr 2006 08:23:49 +0000

Hi Daniel
look forward to meeting you in Minnesota.
Cheers Geoff and Nadia