direct link to this page: http://bit.ly/EarthCareEN
Permaculture started as "Permanent Agriculture" & although very soon we realised that an ecological food system cannot work longer-term inside an exploitative economy or an un-just society (we need to design systems that integrate it all), the bio/ecological aspect of permaculture keeps being of central importance, even as we realise. Not only because there are great design lessons in all natural systems (it's advisable to study them in great depth), nor because it's the historical origin of Permaculture (and its most develop facet), but also because it's a level on which we can act most easily, changing our economy in an immediate form, & where we most easily learn the lessons of nature &, on the way, also of connexion and self-esteem.
This module consists of 10 classes or chapters:
You can see the subjects covered in each class in the programme of the slide show at the top on the first page of each chapter.
Some of the additional materials available in this manual for each chapter are detailed here in the menu to the right >>>
Below are some more general introductory materials for this chapter.
"You cannot teach anyone
to be a philosopher,
but you can teach anyone
to be a gardener,
& from a gardener
naturally grows
a philosopher".
(Mollison)
Restoring Vital EcoSystems, the Most Important Challenge
Many 'natural disasters' are actually created by the ignorance of human interventions in the environment. In this conference we look directly at the urgency of the consequences of this, to the great effectiveness of permaculture systems for repairing the damage, and we pay particular attention to learning to understand our place in Nature.
We suggest watching these great videos before the online conference
How to Repair the World
Willie Smits: How we re-grew a rainforest
Permaculture, a Designers Manual, Bill Mollison
now on the web here http://treeyopermacultureedu.wordpress.com
Dirt - The Erosion of Civilisations, by David Montgomery
The Permaculture Home Garden, by Linda Woodrow
A British Trio of Permaculture Projects
, Henry D. Thoreau
A collection of the natural history studies that Thoreau was working on at the time of his death. Among his most thoughtful, this book is full of unique and interesting observations on seed dispersal and other seed-related processes. Thoreau's ideas on natural history - taken from his keen observational skills and unique way of seeing—were elegant, profound and far ahead of his time.
Shattering: Food, Politics, and the Loss of Genetic Diversity
, Fowler and Mooney
A fascinating account of the politics and mechanisms supporting genetic erosion of our food plants. Discusses weaknesses of cold storage for genetic conservation (i.e., 'seed banks') as opposed to 'living seed banks' such as Seed Savers Exchange. University of Arizona Press.
, J. Russell Smith
A classic of sustainable agriculture first written in 1929. Smith passionately talks about damage from modern agriculture taking place even in the 1920's (writing two decades before J.I. Rodale... probably an inspiration for Rodale as well as Bill Mollison and many others). Smith describes viable, visionary alternatives for a mixed agriculture based on high-yielding, low-care tree crops. An interesting perspective, much information not available elsewhere, and intriguing seed breeding project ideas.
Creating a Forest Garden: perennial crops for a changing climate, Martin Crawford
here for a series of 38 lectures by by Will Hooker on permaculture
courtesy of Permaculture Media Blog (PMB)
(would be great if someone could please make descriptions of each video so we can slot them in the various chapters?)
Others
Best of the Permaculture Drylands Magazine - Now Online: Drylands Institute Online
FROM THE EXCELLENT PMB site
Documentary films
Ebooks
Videos
Texts
More Resources:
Introduction to Permaculture – 40 hours of free video lectures
100 Best Permaculture & Homesteading Books: The Ultimate Reading List for Sustainable Living (here you will find links to over 60 Free eBook previews and full eBooks)
EcoFarming article (march2011)
Pamphlets by Bill Mollison:
(thanks to a Permaculture Institute)
Permaculture in Arid Landscapes Pamphlet
(thanks to a Permaculture Institute)
Permaculture in Humid Landscapes Pamphlet
(thanks to a Permaculture Institute)
Permaculture on Islands Pamphlet
(thanks to a Permaculture Institute)
Permaculture Techniques Pamphlet
(thanks to a Permaculture Institute)
Water in Permaculture Pamphlet
(thanks to a Permaculture Institute)
A classic documentary about the sustainability of our food
See the 6. Animals page for more on Joel Salating & Polyface Farm
Joel Salatin writes in his website that he is "in the redemption business: healing the land, healing the food, healing the economy, and healing the culture." And if you visited his farm, you'd know he means it & lives it!
He produces beef, chicken, eggs, turkey, rabbits, and forestry product. Yet, Joel calls himself a grass-farmer, for it is the grass that transform the sun into energy that his animals can then feed on. By closely observing nature, Joel created a rotational grazing system that not only allows the land to heal but also allows the animals to behave the way the were meant to -- as in expressing their "chicken-ness" or "pig-ness", as Joel would say.
Check out FRESH, the documentary that stars Joel Salatin, at www.FRESHthemovie.com.
www.polyfacefarms.com
brilliant health & weeds video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyCzT4eBq-I