What does permaculture have to do with community and inclusion?

[Peter Leidy]

I'd be interested if anyone can make time (one hour) to listen to this podcast to hear your thoughts on this question.
http://www.wpr.org/hereonearth/podcast/hereonearth090903k.mp3

The interview is with Mark Shepard, who farms in SE Wisconsin. more about him here:
http://www.organicvalley.coop/our-story/meet-the-farmers/heartland/...

I heard the interview while driving today and was surprised that a good bit of what he said made me think of the learning and conversations in and after Toronto, community-centered thinking, etc. Nature knows best / community knows best.

I would love to hear what folks think after listening to the interview, or experiences any of you have with permaculture.

More on permaculture here: http://www.permaculture.org/nm/index.php/site/classroom/

Thanks. Peter

[Rebecca Shuman]

Peter

Have you talked to Anne Mitchell about this? I think she heard the same thing and is very excited about the question you pose. Might want to connect with her on this. Rebecca

[Craig Kenneth Coulson]

Peter, I am new to the network and your question is an interesting one. Living in community, inclusively and intentionally, requires acceptance and respect for each person in that community regardless of their physical and mental abilities and intellectual processes. I would suggest that how we treat the earth (and the birds, animals, plant life and fish) and all that is in it, requires the same inclusiveness. To disregard what sustains us is to fail to have respect for what is good. I would see permaculture as an example of including all that is good within our living space to the betterment of all. My thoughts, Craig.

[Peter Leidy]

Thanks Craig.. Although I don't know a whole lot about permaculture, I am seeing a lot of connections.

 

[Anne Mitchell]

Wow Peter - I never saw this or Rebecca's post until today because of Craig's comment (Thanks Craig!).  I've just created a Permaculture garden in my back yard becasue the ideas spoke to me so strongly.  There are huge lessons for us to learn from Permaculture philosophy and practice.  If you are still interested, let me know.

 

Anne 

[Peter Leidy]

Yes Anne!  And thanks Craig from me too! I never did follow up on Rebecca's suggestion to contact you directly Anne... so all these months later here we are!  Let me know if you have other resources you'd recommend. And I hope your garden is thriving!

[Craig Kenneth Coulson]

Friends, we have finally got our tanks connected to out toilet cisterns so we now flush with rainwater. Our electricity supplier owes us money as our solar power production is working well! Our chickens supply all our eggs and our vege garden is supplying hundreds of kgs of fresh food each year, and we live in the middle of suburban Melbourne Australia (sorry, no kangaroos here). What we have found is the flow on effect of our work in the community. Our children understand the impact of overproduction and waste, and see that there is an alternative. We have opened our house for the local sustainability week events and have about forty people come through and ask us about what we do, and how much it costs. We 'spread the word' as best we can. Our electric bicycles are well know in the area and attract comments and questions at the local shopping centre. Friends looking after our environment is also looking after our community. Shalom Craig

[Kirk Hinkleman]

Hey Peter,

I just recently saw this post about Permaculture.  The link, unfortunately, is no longer good.  Is there a way to find this podcast?  I looked in iTunes and couldn't find it.  Do you remember the date?

Thanks,

Kirk