What is Permaculture?

Covering Every Aspect of Life, System Teaches Us to Live Sustainably

Sep 10, 2009

Taken from the words "permanent" and "agriculture," the term "permaculture" was coined in the 1970s by Australians Bill Mollison and David Holmgren.

Permaculture has in recent years come to stand for permanent culture, as the design system has evolved into a way of life. The system encompasses much more than food production.

The Permaculture Flower

Holmgren has divided the system in to subsections, and has broken them into a picture diagram in the form of a flower. The “petals” are broken down like this, with a few examples per section:

Living Permaculture

This is a system that is being taken on board not only by Australians, but people all over the world. The word to keep in mind is “sustainability.” People who believe in the system believe that in nature, there is no waste. Many permaculture techniques aim to mimick nature.

Some people go to a certain extreme and live in intentional communities or eco-villages, where they are able to easily practice many permaculture principles in their everyday lives. They live in homes built of natural materials (for example straw bale and cob, or rammed earth and natural wood.) They use technologies like solar panels, windmills and techniques like passive solar. They exist in a communal environment which fits in nicely with permaculture practices.

For those who enjoy city-life there are infinite options for living communally or at least in an area where there is a strong sense of community. Many cities have co-housing options, not only for low income households, but for people who enjoy the company of others.

Eating Permaculture

The system started out with a heavy concentration on food, and food remains one of the most important focuses of the system. In permaculture, there is an emphasis on local. The closer to home, the better. Think, Alisa Smith’s 100 Mile Diet.

Rural Food Production

For those fortunate enough to live in rural areas with, for example, space and time for a large garden the concept is easy to understand: grow and eat your own food. Easier said than done, of course, but there are many people world-wide who live this way. It is amazing how sustainably we can live off the land, even in Canada’s harsh winters. Root vegetables last for ages in a cold cellar, and many permaculture enthusiasts (or our grandparents!) are used to canning and preserving for winter season. The summer provides fresh fruits and vegetables.

Urban Food Production

In an urban setting it may seem more difficult to participate in food production, but in some ways, it is relatively easy. Container gardening is becoming more and more popular. People are making the most of the space available to them. Growing herbs and potted vegetables. Sprouting lentils, chickpeas and beans, or making their own yogurt.

Those who feel they do not have a green thumb can choose to shop at local farmers markets, or participate in Community Supported Agriculture, receiving food baskets every week or two, assuring local farmers get paid enough to keep their farms going.

The copyright of the article What is Permaculture? in Social Activism is owned by Jenn Hardy. Permission to republish What is Permaculture? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.