PERMACULTURE INTRODUCTION
PERMACULTURE INTRODUCTION. CLASS 1 (4h)
PERMACULTURE INTRODUCTION, CLASS 1. (2h)
What is permaculture? (50m)
Ask to the group.
CONCEPT
The concept of permaculture was founded by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren in the 70's each with a particular view.
Permaculture is the conscious design of agriculturally productive ecosystems, protecting the diversity and stability of its inhabitants, is the harmonious integration of people with the landscape, providing food, shelter and energy in a sustainable system.
Bill Mollison.
Mollison gives primary importance to agriculture because the world hunger problems.
Instead David Holmgren in his book "Permaculture principles and pathways beyond sustainability" shows his passion for philosophy and foundational concepts of sustainability.
In the same book Holmgren does not want to give a definition of what permaculture is, to don't create a closed particular concept, but it gives a particular view which reflects an expand to his definition in Permaculture1, adding ...:
Landscapes designed consciously imitating the patterns and relationships in nature. At the same time producing an abundance of food, fiber and energy to supply local needs.
David Holmgren.
In the career of these two authors I saw that Mollison focused more on the food and shelter production, while Holmgren gave great importance to the mentally, spiritually and socially aspects.
PERMACULTURE INTRODUCTION, CLASS 1. (2h)
What is permaculture? (50m)
Ask to the group.
CONCEPT
The concept of permaculture was founded by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren in the 70's each with a particular view.
Permaculture is the conscious design of agriculturally productive ecosystems, protecting the diversity and stability of its inhabitants, is the harmonious integration of people with the landscape, providing food, shelter and energy in a sustainable system.
Bill Mollison.
Mollison gives primary importance to agriculture because the world hunger problems.
Instead David Holmgren in his book "Permaculture principles and pathways beyond sustainability" shows his passion for philosophy and foundational concepts of sustainability.
In the same book Holmgren does not want to give a definition of what permaculture is, to don't create a closed particular concept, but it gives a particular view which reflects an expand to his definition in Permaculture1, adding ...:
Landscapes designed consciously imitating the patterns and relationships in nature. At the same time producing an abundance of food, fiber and energy to supply local needs.
David Holmgren.
In the career of these two authors I saw that Mollison focused more on the food and shelter production, while Holmgren gave great importance to the mentally, spiritually and socially aspects.
My personal vision of permaculture is not based on fixed rules or ideas, I think that we must be realistic and take a conscious, design and observing what is around us with the idea that we have to interact with each element that surrounds us, has to be flexible, fluid and dynamic, and can not be limited to one way of thinking, as each person is different, it is an abstract concept.
Indigenous cultures have always adapted and evolved by observing their environment, as well as large enterprises. |
Examples of conflicts in PC:
You could call it as the science of design in constant feedback, we must take into account the population and resources change and conditions vary, each generation have to innovate to find their sustainability and not stagnate and fail.
It's not just a design concept, it is also about ethics and values and a sense of personal responsibility for the care of the earth and people.
Why do we need permaculture?
What stops us to take action in our lives:
Positive thinking, the problems is the solutions.
ETHICS
Which are the ethics? (20m)
- Technology?
- Animals?
- Internet?
You could call it as the science of design in constant feedback, we must take into account the population and resources change and conditions vary, each generation have to innovate to find their sustainability and not stagnate and fail.
It's not just a design concept, it is also about ethics and values and a sense of personal responsibility for the care of the earth and people.
Why do we need permaculture?
- Run out of resources.
- Save the population.
- Pollution, water, soil, air ...
- Loss of freedom.
- Diseases, health.
- Education,
- Potential and regain confidence in us.
- Positive Solutions.
What stops us to take action in our lives:
- Religion.
- Social influence.
- Money.
- ......
Positive thinking, the problems is the solutions.
ETHICS
Which are the ethics? (20m)
- People care.
- Earth care.
- Fair trade.
PRINCIPLES
What are the principles? (45m) Game: Separate the students into three groups. Papers in colour with all the principles and roles of different colour with examples of each. The need to link and match. Compare and discuss the results. Explanation of each of the principles 1. Observe and interact 2. Catch and store energy 3. Obtain a yield 4. Apply self-regulation and accept feedback 5. Use and value renewable resources and services 6. Produce no waste 7. Design from patterns to detail 8. Integrate rather than segregate 9. Use small and slow solutions 10. Use edges and value the marginal 11. Uses and value diversity 12. Creatively use and respond to change Principles of Permaculture. Card game: |
THINKING TOP_DOWN, BOTTOM UP ACTION
Thinking a large scale.
Mind map skills!
DESIGN METHODOLOGY (15m)
What, When, How, Where, Why, Who? = Permaculture.
To better see what we want is good to make an outline of our needs from a big picture to the specific details.
Acronyms help us memorize the steps we have chosen to follow in our design methodology.
ACRONYMS
GADIE
Goals.
Analysis.
Design.
Implement.
Evaluation.
INPUT / OUTPUT ANALYSIS. (To do after Zones) (45m)
(Extracted and modified - Permaculture teachers Guide).
Thinking a large scale.
Mind map skills!
DESIGN METHODOLOGY (15m)
What, When, How, Where, Why, Who? = Permaculture.
To better see what we want is good to make an outline of our needs from a big picture to the specific details.
Acronyms help us memorize the steps we have chosen to follow in our design methodology.
ACRONYMS
GADIE
Goals.
Analysis.
Design.
Implement.
Evaluation.
INPUT / OUTPUT ANALYSIS. (To do after Zones) (45m)
(Extracted and modified - Permaculture teachers Guide).
Observe and interpret the inputs and outputs of the elements that we use in our design will help us develop the analysis of our design methodology, will help us understand some of the principles, the importance of the elements and create beneficial relationships between them.
If we can develop a good design in which each element has multiple functions and are well connected to each other, we get a system that will feed in cycles, in which we reduce waste and many hours of work. |
Exercise
Draw in a column on the left side of the board the items:
Repeat the column to the left side of the board but in different order. On the right we list each item outputs. On the left we list each item inputs. After this we can begin to inter-connect the elements . |
PERMACULTURE INTRODUCTION. CLASS 2 (2h).
ZONES. (1h)
Items on the map game Separate the students into three groups. They are given a simple map and elements in different roles. They should put the items on the map. Compared and discussed. Explanation of each of the zones. Exhibit on a table the times per year and day we visited various elements from where we live, to design the layout of the zones. |
Books that have helped me
- 1978 Permaculture One by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren
- 1981 Permaculture Two by Bill Mollison
- 1988 Permaculture A Designer's Manual by Bill Mollison
- 1991 Introduction to Permaculture Bill Mollison
- 2003 Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability by David Holmgren
- Permaculture teachers guide