Page 34 - OffGrid East Coast Special Edition 2016

Permaculture is
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By Bob Ewing
A changing climate, an addiction to fossil fuels and a lackadaisical attitude to water
have placed humanity in a precarious position. Can we stop the descent or are we teetering on the edge of concurring global disasters?
Is there a pathway out of our present reality? Yes. Permaculture design is one way we
can stop contributing to the decline and, possibly, even begin to reverse it.
Permaculture Defined: Permaculture is the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive systems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems. It is the harmonious integration of the landscape with people providing their food, energy, shelter and other material and non-material needs in a sustainable way.
Source: Graham Bell, The Permaculture Way
Origins: The word permaculture was coined from the two words “permanent” and “agriculture.” Today, many designers also apply the words “permanent culture” to their work. Permaculture design was co-developed by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren. Their work was motivated by a joint concern over the destruction caused by the industrial agriculture system. They were looking for
a resilient, restorative method for growing food.
“perennial agriculture”