Embedded Files
(Permanent Agriculture & Culture)
Audrey Bulow, Mya Dever, Kaitlin Escobar, Sidney LaLonde
What is Permaculture?
What is Permaculture?
design approach that focuses on creating a sustainable agricultural ecosystem by following ecologically sound frameworks and ideas
possesses beneficial characteristics of a healthy, natural system such as diversity, stability, and resilience
strategically arranging diversity of plants to enhance synergy and productivity, while also accounting for the flow of the landscape
Resourceful and Self Reliant, Low Carbon and High Productivity
Resourceful and Self Reliant, Low Carbon and High Productivity
What is the Issue and Where are we at?
What is the Issue and Where are we at?
Background
Background
David Holmgren is the co-originator of permaculture as a concept (2002). He introduces 12 core principles to follow:
Observe and interact
Catch and store energy
Obtain a yield
Apply self-regulation and accept feedback
Produce no waste
Use renewable resources and services
Design from pattern to detail
Integrate rather than segregate
Use small and slow solutions
Use and value diversity
Use edges and value the marginal
Creatively use and respond to change
These 12 principles promote sustainability, reciprocity, and holistic thinking to take care of the planet in the present, and for generations to come.
How Does it Impact Us?
How Does it Impact Us?
We are stewards of the land and need to take action to protect it. Much of our agricultural systems today prevent us from living within the system of regenerative, sustainable, symbiotic relationship with nature - of which we are a part. By following the permaculture principles listed we can increase biodiversity, improve soil health, and reduce reliance on irrigation and fertilization (Campos, et al.). Without shifting the way we think and use land at the local, national, and global levels, we will fall short of preserving the land for future generations.
In recent years, permaculture has grown in popularity for both private and public land. For example, the University of Michigan is one of many universities around the globe that are making the shift to more sustainable landscape design by following the 12 permaculture principles (Campos, et al.). Our implementation plan below hopes to take inspiration from the University of Michigan and further lead the push toward regenerative, sustainable land design.
Pilot Project: Permaculture Food Forest
Pilot Project: Permaculture Food Forest
Where Can We Start?
Implementing permaculture at GVSU looks like inlcuding the campus with the surrounding native ecology; the longterm vision looks like replacing certain sod areas with native grasses and wildflowers, adding native plants to rooftops to fill in the ecological desert, having cover crops under trees, food forests, and contiguous vegetable gardens. Where Can We Start?
Pilot Project Proposal
Pilot Project Proposal
To begin permaculture at GVSU, the first step of implementation is building a permaculture food forest on the east border of the arboretum on the Allendale campus. Food forests have a system of levels consisting of trees, shrubs, and cover crops. Plants for this location would include apple, pear, peach and walnut trees for the first layer, rapsberry and blueberry bushes for the second, and strawberries, blueberries, and clover as the third. Also, inlcuding hops that could benefit students in the brew foundations courses as well as sections of plots specific for vegetables and herbs. Below are two photos of the area that can be transformed into a food forest.
Estimated area is about 40ft by 50ft along the South East border of the arboretum.
Estimated area is about 40ft by 50ft along the South East border of the arboretum.
Facing East
Facing East
Facing North
Facing North
-One of the first steps of implementation would be to create a design that lays out different species of plants (trees, shrubs, herbs, etc.).
-To the right is a simple design that could be implemented in the open space with the addition of nitrogen-fixing plants (clover and legumes), flowers for pollinators around the edge, and herbs for pest repellant (mint, oregano, lavender).
-Plants with deep roots and generous exudates would be interplanted to provide more nourishment to the soil (comfrey).
-If time and resources are available, the area should be prepped with green manure crops, such as red or crimson clover, that can bring a higher presence of beneficial fungi to the soil. Woody mulch should be spread to feed the fungi.
Costs of plants: $1,240
$50/apple tree x 9 = $450
$40/pear tree x 5 = $200
$70/peach tree x 7 = $140
$30/blueberry bush x 8 = $240
$30/raspberry bush x 6 = $120
$5/strawberry plant x 12 =$60
$30/clover seeds x 1 = $30
Budget & Timeline for Pilot
Budget & Timeline for Pilot
Following the estimation of the University of Michigan's permaculture plan, and using rough estimates of the cost of plants, labor, and equipment, we estimate the quarter-acre pilot plot would cost Grand Valley between 5,000 and 10,000 dollars to complete (Campos, et al.). A significant portion, $1,200, of the total cost comes from the tools and equipment required to get the food forest pilot plot up and running (Rachelle, 2023). There would not be any plans to create a fence around the food forest which would cut down on costs. Water implementation system could cost between $600 and $800.
Profit: Since a permaculture-based design emphasizes minimal waste and self-regulation, minimal finances will be needed to maintain the food forest, if any at all. Food grown in this area could either be sold for profit or open for grabs to students for free.
Triple Bottom Line Analysis
Triple Bottom Line Analysis
People: With increased exposure to permaculture, students and community members can benefit from learning about a sustainable and holistic approach to growing food. They can be involved in the maintenance of the system and witness the productivity of it as an alternative to conventional means of food production. People can eat the food and immerse themselves in seeing how a well-designed system can self-sustain its own health and growth
Planet: Permaculture focuses on enhancing the natural systems in our environment to promote healthy growth of food. Compared to conventional practices, this system maintains and builds soil fertility and strategically maintains diversity that supports resilience. This design replaces a non-productive patch of grass with a blooming abundance of plants that attract pollinators, sequester carbon, and purifies the air.
Works Cited
Works Cited
Biasotti, Alicia. “School Construction Project Management-Implementing Permaculture in Schools.” ACB Consulting Services, https://www.acbconsultingservices.com/school-
construction-project-management/implementing-permaculture-in-schools/. Accessed 20 November 2023.
Brand, Stewart. “David Holmgren.” derdejan, https://derdejan.files.wordpress.com/2020/06/permaculture-principles-and-pathways-beyond-sustainability-pdfdrive.com-.pdf. Accessed 20 November 2023.
Bulow, A. (June 16th 2023) [Photograph]
https://www.audreybulow.com/home?itemId=afg68i07zc6uvm7euzsidenqp1ee1u
Dwiyanto, M (N.D) Kebun Belakang. [Photograph, etc.]. Agrodite.com. https://agrodite.com/permaculture-practices/
Frederick, G., Chrisp, T. (N.D) The 7 Layers of a Food Forest, [Photo] thisnzlife.co.nzhttps://thisnzlife.co.nz/a-guide-to-the-seven-layers-of-a-successful-food-forest/
Generative AI Illustration, (N.D) Vecteezy.com. https://www.vecteezy.com/photo/22708908-generative-ai-illustration-of-an-aerial-photo-showcasing-vast-fields-with-a-variety-of-crops-growing-on-them-using-the-permaculture-and-poly-culture-principles-which-are-beneficial-for-the-ecology
“How Much Does It Cost To Grow a Food Forest?” Our Wild Garden, https://ourwildgarden.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-grow-a-food-forest/. Accessed 21 November 2023.
Okugawa, (June 18th 2019) Planting a Young Tree. [Photo] istockphoto.com
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/planting-a-young-tree-gm1156208490-315030813
Rachelle. (2023, October 12). How Much Our Food Forest Costed & How To Spend Less. Food forest living. https://foodforestliving.com/how-much-will-it-cost-you-to-start-your-food-forest/
“Permaculture Executive Summary.” Graham Sustainability Institute, https://graham.umich.edu/media/files/campus-course-reports/Permaculture%20Final%20Report.pdf. Accessed 20 November 2023.
“Permaculture principles – Brighton Permaculture Trust.” Brighton Permaculture Trust, https://brightonpermaculture.org.uk/permaculture/permaculture-principles/. Accessed 20 November 2023.
University of Michigan Permaculture Design Team. (2022, September 27). Food forest location site. [Photograph]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=458955432926814&set=pb.100064370842712.-2207520000&type=3
“\/.” YouTube, 16 June 2023, http://westmichiganagroforestry.com/our-work-1. Accessed 20 November 2023.
“50+ Digital Tools and Apps for Permaculture Designers, compiled by Heather Jo Flores for the Free Permaculture Project.” NW Permaculture Institute, 18 November 2019, https://nwpermacultureinstitute.org/2019/11/18/50-digital-tools-and-apps-for-permaculture-designers-compiled-by-heather-jo-flores-for-the-free-permaculture-project/. Accessed 20 November 2023.
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