Permaculture Farming

Archive for May, 2009

Question: Permaculture: How do you know if you are ‘Green’? What would be your minimum criteria?

A question that keeps coming up for me. How Green is Green? What would be your minimum criteria? Do you have to be vegan or just change your light bulbs to low energy ones? Do you have to cycle to work or put on another jumper instead of heating the whole house? How do you know you are Green?

Answer: how much is enough?

a sliding scale with grays in between the black and white might be a fairer way to illustrate your question. some people live their lives in a manner that conserves resources, respects man and nature, and reduces waste. others might only do one or two of those same things, but in THEIR minds, they’re being ‘green’ as well. people can do better, and slide a bit further on that sliding scale i spoke of: no one is all the way there, because we can ALL do more. if changing their behaviors makes them more green in their eyes, i will not begrudge them that title. in fact, once the process begins, it may lead to FURTHER changes!

we all do seem to have a need to know where we fit on a scale or with respect to everybody else, however. your question recognizes that. for the sake of answering, and realizing that some of us are in better shape to do more ‘green’ activities than others, (although EVERYONE can do SOMETHING) i’d say a way to tell if you are ‘green’ is to look for…

1- knowledge, of what our behavior is capable of. we can implement changes in our environment, both good and bad. being green involves learning more about HOW this happens and choosing appropriate courses of action.

2- changing our behaviors, to consciously affect the environment positively. personal actions, like cutting power and water consumption, less use of automobiles, more recycling, favoring earth-friendly products and retailers… ALSO seeking out and supporting environmentally friendly initiatives and candidates. your vote counts.

3- influence and educate others. if you’re in a position to do so, share the news and show how to be an example. again, everyone can do SOMEthing. whether it’s teaching your children (well), speaking in front of groups or organizing meetings and earth day events, share the ideas and ideals that you feel make for being ‘green’.

if you do even some of these things, i would feel comfortable in labelling you as ‘green’. but it doesn’t matter what “I” feel. it’s what you believe.

.

Max Meyers – Willits Permaculture Tour Pt. 1

Question: Should Permaculture Farmer/Smallholders be given the same grants and subsidies as other farmers?

Farmers get subsidies and grants for food production, but I also understand that they get grants for planting hedges, woods and leaving sections of fields wild.

Answer: I am a Permaculture farmer, in the U.S.A. (I assume you are in the U.K. since you used the word “smallholder”) Have been for over 20 years.

My answer may surprise you. No, I do not believe Permaculture farmers in the U.S.A. should receive Government subsidies. Of course I FIRMLY do not believe that ANY farmer should receive Government subsidies.

Grants….yes, the small farmer, or Permaculture farmer should be able to receive grants.

In 20 years time, there has not been a single grant (or agriculture loan!!) that I’ve qualified for.

I’m a very good writer, and know how to put together a simply outstanding grant. I have impeccable records on my farm over the years (which show how it’s grown ever single year).

I’m able to show how I’ve made goals, and plans and met them or exceeded them over the years.

However as a small farmer, the only grants I could qualify for are if I was willing to become certified (by the Government) as an organic farm. However being completely unwilling to fork over yet more of my money to line the Government’s pockets there are zero grants that I can qualify for.

Frankly, I’m tired as he!! about beating my head against the brick wall everyone throws up if you want to do something “weird” or “off beat.”

Half of them think your a weirdo “hippie” (even if you show up in a business suit) because you want to do things in clean, natural ways, or they think you are an idiot “wannabe” farmer, because you want to do something crazy like raise meat goats. Since goats are not one of the big three (beef, pork, chicken) you are doomed to fail….of course my business grows every single year!

Yes, it’s TERRIBLY frustrating to try to get an agricultural loan, and be turned down….when you can show your business growing by 50% (!!!!!) for six year, and making a profit. Then to find out the dairy farm down the road which only makes it because of Government subsidies, pollutes horendously gets a loan no problem. ~Grrrrr~

As a Permaculture farmer I’ve decided I no longer care about the subsidies, grants, or loans. I’m making it without them. What I want to STOP, and STOP NOW, are the serriously unfair laws, like the NAIS.

Don’t give the big boys an advantage over the small farmers…don’t allow laws in favor of agra business over small farmers.

~Garnet
Permaculture homesteading/farming over 20 years

Permaculture vs SOIL EROSION in Tuscany (PT1)