The 2016 Great NEWS posts are dedicated to Holistic Habits to enhance our happiness and health. Today’s post is in honor of International Permaculture Day celebrated on May 3rd. When most people think of farming they associate the conventional and traditional method of planting and plowing fields each year with a tractor creating long rows of crops. Permaculutre is a more healthy, holistic and honorable method for creating natural, organic and permanent food forests and food systems to coexist in a supportive and symbiotic way. The goal is to create permanent, productive and prolific food systems that become even more self perpetuating, self sufficient and self sustaining over time.

Small Garden Plot

With so many negative consequences from our current destructive agriculture practices it is time for a better food production system like the proven permaculture principles which are based on creating a better model that is attainable, maintainable and sustainable.

Modern agriculture and farming are on a collision course with the ecology, energy, environment, global contamination, human survival, topsoil erosion and water shortages. Due to harmful practices we are being exposed to chemical contamination, desert expansions, destruction of natural resources, fossil fuel waste, loss of topsoil, reduced productivity, soil erosion, soil biome damage, toxic compounds, toxic GMO foods, unsustainable practices, water pollution and water shortages. With so many negative consequences from our current destructive agriculture practices it is time for a better food production system like the proven permaculture principles which are based on creating a better model that is attainable, maintainable and sustainable.

This post is written to celebrate the permaculture methods, mindset and movement that promotes a more effective and efficient food growing system. Permaculture  practices are designed to feed more people on less land without destroying the ecosystem, organisms, plants, soil, terrain and water we depend on for life.

I am sure that many indigenous tribes practiced a form of horticulture and permaculture over the centuries and lived in total harmony with nature. Unfortunately somewhere along the timeline farmers started abusing the healthy use of animals, crops, land, plow and production to create a damaging and destructive process that destroyed the organisms, plants, top soil and water ways.

Permaculture Principles Professionals

There are many passionate people linked to the permacutlure principles movement. In my studies here are some of the most noted and sited resources.

While we may not be sure who is first responsible for the permaculture principles movement Bill Mollison is clearly an early leader and often referred to as the Founding father of Permaculture. In the early 1970’s Bill began to rethink the destructive process of man’s domination over forests, lands, plants and soils rather than working with nature. After being a logger he converted into a champion of environmental preservation and protection. Bill and David wrote Permaculture One: A Perennial Agriculture for Human Settlements. David Holmgren also wrote the Permaculture: Principles and Pathways beyond Sustainability.

Geoff Lawton is another name that appears early on in the permaculture movement. Geoff made quite an impression with his “Greening the Desert” permaculture project in Jordan starting in 2001. You must see his video to believe what he was able to accomplish in turning the harsh desert land back into a green and productive permaculture system. Geoff has a wealth of wisdom captured in videos that are available for free to ignite and inspire your imagination about what is possible with permaculture.

Paul Wheaton is a popular name in permaculture circles and has created one of the most effective internet resources by creating permies.com. Paul has a wide variety of interests to include chickens, cooperative communities, earthen construction, education for sustainability, homesteading, hugelkultur, permaculture, Rocket Stove Mass Heaters and website marketing.

Permaculture Research Institute has a wealth of wisdom about permaculture principles and programs around the world. The more you learn the more you will like what you see about a better method of farming and feeding the world.

Chris Nesbitt

Christopher Nesbitt of Maya Mountain Research Farm has converted a dilapidated and run down citrus and cattle farm back into a piece of paradise.

I have personally interviewed Christopher Nesbitt the founder of Maya Mountain Reserach Farm and toured his project in the Toledo district of southern Belize. Christopher has converted a dilapidated and run down citrus and cattle farm back into a piece of paradise. He shares his gift and passion with Mother Nature as he teaches his students about tropical agroforestry and the permaculture principles during his Permaculture Design Course. Christopher is also an expert at growing organic cacao and has been focused on this for quite a while in Belize and the Dominican Republic.

Matt Powers is the founder of The Permaculture Student and another valuable resource. He is an author, educator and visionary eager to help schools and students learn about the permaculture principles.

Sepp Holzer is another must read and see permaculture resource and role model.

Toby Hemenway wrote Gaia’s Garden: A Guide to Home Scale Permaculture which is another great resource.

Another great website to check out for a wealth of wisdom is Permaculture Principles.

These books, people and websites offer a wealth of wisdom regarding permaculture principles that can change the way we eat, grow and think about organic foods.

Healthy Habits

The Healthy Habits 2016 series is committed to education and empowerment for people to protect our environment and plane. Programs and projects like planting gardens, permaculture principles and planting trees are  simple steps we can all do to create a better world of wellness.

What is your current Gap?

Our current behaviors, choices and habits determine the quality of our life. What lifestyle decisions are necessary to improve the health and well being for you and your family? What fresh, local and organic farmers market, food forests and permaculture projects are you supporting? What new choices and decisions will help you cleanse, detox and eliminate the poisons and toxins in unhealthy beverages and foods?

Mastery Action Plan (MAP)

There is a wealth of wisdom in books, DVD’s and on the internet about organic gardening and permaculture principles. When we invest the energy, money and time to learn the benefits of organic gardening and permaculture  we rediscover the Garden of Eden and Fountain of Youth. Check out the website for more information on International Permaculture Day. You can also sign up for a free Permaculture Design Course (PDC) hosted by Oregon state University.

Call to Action

What comments, commitments or concerns come to mind regarding the power of permaculture principles? Are you ready to be part of the solution instead of part of the problems created by conventional farming? Have you signed up for the free PDC yet? When would now be a great time to share the link with family and friends?

Next week the Great NEWS blog will share:

Easy Garden for Easy Growing

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