Permaculture definition

I've taken the following from the Permaculture website I found while browsing around.  This is and will be a very important element as we go back to our roots in nature and live once again literally "off the Land". PERMACULTURE ? What does permaculture mean? 1. Permaculture is an innovative framework for creating sustainable ways of living. 2. It is a practical method of developing ecologically harmonious, efficient and productive systems that can be used by anyone, anywhere.

By thinking carefully about the way we use our resources - food, energy, shelter and other material and non-material needs - it is possible to get much more out of life by using less. We can be more productive for less effort, reaping benefits for our environment and ourselves, for now and for generations to come. This is the essence of permaculture - the design of an ecologically sound way of living - in our households, gardens, communities and businesses. It is created by cooperating with nature and caring for the earth and its people. Permaculture is not exclusive - its principles and practice can be used by anyone, anywhere: City flats, yards and window boxes Suburban and country houses/garden Allotments and smallholdings Community spaces Farms and estates Countryside and conservation areas Commercial and industrial premises Educational establishments Waste ground ...Permaculture encourages us to be resourceful and self-reliant. It is not a dogma or a religion but an ecological design system which helps us find solutions to the many problems facing us - both locally and globally.. Writer, Emma Chapman, defines it as: "Permaculture, originally 'Permanent Agriculture', is often viewed as a set of gardening techniques, but it has in fact developed into a whole design philosophy, and for some people a philosophy for life. Its central theme is the creation of human systems which provide for human needs, but using many natural elements and drawing inspiration from natural ecosystems. Its goals and priorities coincide with what many people see as the core requirements for sustainability." Permaculture tackles how to grow food, build houses and create communities, and minimise environmental impact at the same time. Its principles are being constantly developed and refined by people throughout the world in very different climates and cultural circumstances. The above was taken from Permaculture Magazine published out of Great Britain.  There are currently many classes being offered around the globe that one can participate in that will enable them to greatly reduce their carbon foot-print upon the planet.  I encourage everyone to look into this very practical practise and incorporate it into their gardens and yards everywhere.

Reasons to be Organic

REASONS TO BE ORGANIC - compiled by Sue Coppard

There are many reasons to be organic, which affect us from micro to macro level: our health, society, the environment - indeed the Planet.

Organic agriculture builds up soil life and fertility, structure and water retention; whereas ‘conventional’ (high tech, high input) agriculture can lead to salination, and diminishes soil life and structure as well as its range of minerals and trace elements, resulting in soil erosion, less robust animals and crops, and eventually decreasing harvests.

Organic farming encourages the availability of herbs, trees and a wide range of plant life to provide animals with the necessary minerals and vitamins. (NPK cattle will do anything to get at Bio-Dynamic grass growing in the adjoining field!).

Organic agriculture is far less oil hungry so has a more secure future and a lower carbon footprint.

Organic agriculture provides more employment than conventional agriculture, which relies more on costly chemicals and heavy machinery. Thus organic methods support stable rural communities rather than exacerbating the drift to the towns.

Organic farms and holdings are more suited to providing food locally as they tend to be smaller than high tech farms. This means reduced transportation and fresher, more sustainable food supplies.

Chemical farming is responsible for much pollution of the waterways.

High tech agriculture has led to a decrease in wild life, whereas organic, mixed farms provide suitable habitats which encourage biodiversity - plants, insects, birds, animals - and a far healthier, more beautiful and balanced environment.

Organic food contains superior nutrition (minerals, vitamins, trace elements) to conventionally produced food and none of the pesticide, fungicide, herbicide and hormonal residues. Moreover, organic agricultural workers are not harmed by contact with chemical sprays and dips.

Non-organic chemicals added to manufactured food (binders, improvers, dyes, etc.) often cause allergies and hyperactivity.

Organic food production encourages the breeding of sturdy varieties of crops and animals most suited to local conditions. Seeds can also be saved and swapped to develop particularly successful lines (unlike GM and F1 hybrid varieties where seeds are sterile so must be purchased annually).

Animals fed GM (genetically manipulated) food suffer from diminishing health and fertility - though this is not widely reported in the media. Research into the impact of GM crops on bees, worms and other vital creatures has also been widely neglected.

Aggressive corporate agribusiness is damaging our health, our food, our countryside and fellow creatures, and rural societies throughout the world. Only organic farming and agriculture working in harmony with Nature can turn the ship around and save the world from ultimate destruction.

The Organic Movement transcends nationality, age, sex, religion and social group, and unites those individuals who care for the earth as if they were members of one large family.