Following our sustainability theme, the article this week is devoted to permaculture. It was in the seventies that this term was coined and simply means permanent agriculture. To take that definition a bit deeper, it is a system of agricultural and social design principles that simulate the patterns that can be observed in natural ecosystems. In fact it is a creative design model that is based on whole-systems thinking.
When we think about any type of environment, what we see is a complex aggregate of nature – plants, animals and humans along with other aspects of our world that coexist and in fact affect each other in a multitude of ways. When we think of permaculture as an important element of this environment, we adopt the ethics and principles that change us from being dependent producers to becoming responsible producers. Making this journey will build more resilience at home and at work and make us better able to prepare for an uncertain future with perhaps much different energy sources.
Depending on where we live geographically, our climatic conditions and, in fact, available resources are different, however we can still approach permaculture holistically. The ethics of permaculture are earth care, people care and fair share. Join me in reviewing the guidelines that surround permaculture.
Permaculture is a philosophy. Within that philosophy it is important to take the time to engage with nature as it will give us insight into understanding what is happening in the system. It also should help us to embrace the idea that, in nature, there is no right or wrong, but there is much variability and differences.
Another guideline is very much based in true prairie philosophy – make hay while the sun shines! What this means is that we have limited time to catch and store energy, so when resources are abundant, it is important to collect these resources to use when they are not so available. Secondly, everything is nature and our lives follows patterns. It is important to observe these patterns and understand the closer we get to something, the more distracted we are from the big picture. It is important to put things in the best place as the sum of a whole being is greater than the sum of its individual parts. Also, it is important to recognize that to instigate good change, intervention needs to happen at the proper time.
The next guideline is a really great thing to remember. None of us work well on an empty stomach! We need to ensure that we do get some immediate rewards as those truly useful rewards allow us to continue that journey to true sustainable life. Now, in saying that, we also need to be selective in ensuring we reduce our natural tendency to consume and try to be less dependent on non-renewable resources. We cannot control nature in any way – not even with high technology and overuse of resources. Last, but not least, a stitch in time saves nine. So timely maintenance and using what is available to us is always the best practice.
This winter in Saskatchewan has truly been a pleasure. In fact, it makes me happy I did not go south this winter! This guideline is how important it is for us to discourage inappropriate activity if we wish to continue to function well. We need to be a self-regulating entity which responds efficiently to negative feedback as it is often very slow to appear. Diversity is always a great choice. Don't put all your eggs in one basket!
So we hope that you take away some of these guidelines to not only embrace permaculture, but embrace quality of life. Move slowly but surely like the turtle and enhance diversity as well as all the appropriate decisions to make your path the right path!
Hanbidge is a horticulturist with the Saskatoon School of Horticulture and can be reached at 306-931-GROW(4769); by email at growyourfuture@gmail.com or check out our website at saskhort.com
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