Permaculture Discussion 1: What is Permaculture?

1. What is Permaculture?
Courtney Johnson

2. Points from Presentations:
What is Permaculture?
 Permaculture is first and foremost a design system for creating
regenerative human systems that have the resiliency of natural
ecosystems
 A term coined from the combination of the concepts “permanent
agriculture” and “permanent culture”
 Regenerative practices to live close to nature and support the earth’s
processes
 Conscious design of human systems that both provide people with what
they need and restore the ecosystem
 Is based off of caring for Earth, caring for people, and the idea of fair
share (surplus is distributed among Earth and people)
 Systems designed through the following steps: Goals articulation, site
analysis and assessment, final design, implementation, evaluation

3. My Definition of
Permaculture
Permaculture is the human awareness of not only that
we need Earth and it’s ecosystem to survive; but that
we also need to give back to Earth at the same time.
Instead of constantly taking from the Earth and relying
on it to replenish itself after, people need to help with
these restorative and regenerative processes.
Permaculture is added sustainability and
improvement to activities that have been long in
practice so make them better for people and the Earth.

4. Reflection: Earth Care
 Earth Care
 Example
 Integrated Systems of swales and ditches direct water
from man-made ponds to irrigate entire property at the
Whole Systems Research Farm, VT. I consider this Earth
Care because they could do more intrusive things like
running or installing sprinkler systems, but instead they
do something more sustainable for the ecosystem.
 Meaning
 People setting up system designs that are less intrusive
and harmful to the Earth while still providing for
themselves.

5. Reflection: People Care
 People Care
 Example
 Owners of adjacent lots have removed the fence
separating neighboring properties and now share the
responsibility and abundance of the Permaculture
Neighborhood Center in CA. This is people care because
they are taking care of each other and have created a sort
of community around the system.
 Meaning
 People care to me is the ethic of people taking care of
people around these design systems. Examples in my
head include the sharing of food, community, shared
work, etc.

6. Reflection: Fair Share
 Fair Share
 This is a topic I am a bit confused on
 I believe that one way I practice fair share in my
everyday life is through recycling and using reusable
things such as water bottles and containers. This
leaves less waste to go back into the Earth, and leaves
more opportunity to have things like fertile soil and
useable land. I am not sure if that is completely
correct, I would really appreciate some examples or
clarification on this ethic 

7. Connection: Marketing and
Permaculture Design
 Marketing campaigns and Permaculture Design are very
similar processes in regards to the steps taken to develop
them.
 Marketing could really improve knowledge of
permaculture designs and make people realize their full
value and potential.
 Marketing involves getting people to notice the products
best suitable for them while giving back to a company.
Permaculture involves getting people what they need
while giving back to the Earth. They both seem to focus
around a central concept.

8. Clarification Needed
 I am not fully understanding the fair share concept.
I understand that it means whatever is left over is
then distributed back among Earth and People, but I
am a bit confused on exactly what can be left over.
 When I think of Permaculture, it reminds me of
Leave No Trace ethics. Can Leave No Trace be
somewhat of a permaculture design even though it
does not really incorporate agriculture?
 I think doing some case studies will help me further
my understanding as well.

9. Visual
These photos really
resonate with me. This
is the difference of 15
years on the Loess
Peninsula after
implementation of a
permaculture design. It
is absolutely amazing
how much as
regenerated in that
amount of time. I love
the idea of
regenerating areas that
have seen a lot of wear
and not enough care.