Have you ever heard the term “permaculture?” Until a few weeks ago, I had not. It’s a word used across the ponds, in England and Australia (and up north in Canada), for sustainable farming. Here’s what Wikipedia has to say (note British spellings for certain words):
“Permaculture is sustainable land use design. This is based on ecological and biological principles, often using patterns that occur in nature to maximise effect and minimise work. Permaculture aims to create stable, productive systems that provide for human needs, harmoniously integrating the land with its inhabitants.”
Today’s post shares the story of a family in the UK who are living the permaculture lifestyle on their farm known as "Karuna." I’ve cut and pasted a few paragraphs about Karuna below, from the positivenews.org web site, but for more information, you can click on the link at the end. (BTW—before I die, I want to live in a town called Picklescott!)
A permaculture project in South Shropshire is attempting to promote ways of living that are more caring towards all life. Run by a dedicated family crafting a sustainable existence, Karuna – meaning ‘compassion’ in Sanskrit – weaves together 18 acres of mixed woodland, forest gardens, fruit tree nurseries, an arboretum, water areas, low impact dwellings and horticultural activity.
Janta and Merva Wheelhouse and their children have planted over 7,500 trees on the site near Picklescott and for the past 5 years have been taking active responsibility for meeting their needs through growing food, generating all their energy from onsite renewables, as well as recycling rainwater and waste to build the land’s fertility. They also hope to grow enough fruit and vegetables to sell to their local community in the near future.
As part of the Permaculture Association’s LAND learning centres network, Karuna welcomes groups and visitors. “This helps permaculture get more recognition as an accepted way of farming and a way of life,” explains Janta. There are also opportunities for volunteers, with one describing their experience as “truly humbling” in the “peace and tranquility” they had found.
More Information: http://www.karuna.org.uk/
This sounds a bit like the Earthship communities in Taos, New Mexico (and most recently, Europe). No, they’re not farming in Taos in the desert, but water from rain is cached on rooftops, heat is provided through solar energy, and homes are kept cool in the blazing summers because these "adobe" homes (built using straw bales, old tires, and mud) are bermed into dirt on one side.
BTW—It looks like the Poudre River Library system (Fort Collins) has a new book in their collection dealing with permaculture: Bioshelter market garden : a permaculture farm by Darrell Frey. Here’s the URL to take you directly to the library info for this title and request a hold if you’re a library cardholder:
If everyone knew about permaculture---and practiced it---the world would be a better place. But they don't, and they won't. Nice try. Permaculture is great. I love it. But the ONLY solution---the one no one will talk about and everyone avoids---is a dramtic reduction in the world's (human) population.
ReplyDeleteJames--I would say that you're partly right. In my opinion, we need to reduce per capita consumption of resources. US citizens use a disproportionate amount of the world's resources. We don't need to live in 5,000 square foot homes, take 30 minute showers, and throw away a third of our food.
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