Calder positive solutionswithpermaculture_2013
- 1. 2013 ACORN Conference Delta Beauséjour, Moncton NB Workshop Title: Positive Solutions with Permaculture Speaker(s) & their titles: Graham Calder, P3 Permaculture Design Executive Summary Permaculture is a design science that is based in the observation of nature. It involves looking at what natural systems have been doing for millions of years and integrating the most successful practices into our lives, farms, architecture, etc. Permaculture is rooted in ethics. Its guiding principles are a framework to respond to the vast challenges that lie ahead for us in our world. There are 3 underlying ethics: - Care of the earth - Fair share - Care for people Detailed Notes Graham discussed what his company is offering in both consultation and certification in Nova Scotia and the Montreal area as well as many countries of the world, and also Antigonish at Canary Farm, his family farm in NS. A large piece of Graham’s discussion centred on recommending and sharing information about permaculture activities and resources around the world. Focus: WATER Water accessibility is essential in agriculture. Swales, mulch and catchment ponds are three ways to make water more accessible on a farm. Flat bottom swales hold water and allow it to drain straight down and hold there. On a mid-sized swale with a large berm on one side – plant fruit trees up on top of the berm and the bowl, when filled, will serve to water them, resulting in long term accessibility to water. Water holding elements of soil are organic matter, muciliums mycelia and other elements, so mulches are necessary to hold water and protect the earth. It is important to re-establish and recreate the natural systems. In conventional agriculture, tilling can destroy the biological matter in the soil. Give the biology an environment that is healthy and encourages life in the soil. Mulch feeds the soil; not just the plant. Microclimates can be created all around the farm, increasing the Zone number! – diversity is the key. Swales for heavy clay soils!: Dig swales of a larger capacity with calculated overflow. One of the main things is cover crops with deep roots to open the clay. Focus: FOOD Collective Gardens – No Dig Gardens—or Lasagna Gardens: Adding layers of cardboard, compost, organic matter. Reduce pathways to a minimum. Everything should have multiple uses. Old techniques – like planting onions near roses to prevent black spot – should be re-adopted. Mandala Gardens – Companion planting can be beautiful and still productive Fruit Tree Guilds – Food Forests & Forest Gardens—look at what exists and add companion plants and trees; in the beginning, comfrey reaches deep and mines
- 2. 2011 NS ACORN Conference Holiday Inn Halifax Harbourview minerals. It can be cut 4x per year. We must mimic the layers of the forest. There are 7 layers in a forest garden. Book Recommendation: Gaia’s Garden: Bringing Permaculture into the Home Garden Video Recommendation: Beacon Food Project Integrate the heritage of homesteading and the techniques and habits of the original aboriginals. Pine nuts grow well in our Zone! Hugelkultur – the creation of rich, productive garden beds by piling up branches and trees and then adding layers of soils on top. Trio: nitrogen fixer, then apple, pear and ……………….(caragheenan, black locust, other samples of nitrogen fixers) Dynamics --- bayberry, comfrey, pea bush?? Book Recommendation: Edible Forest Gardens by Dave Jacke Midwest Permaculture Presents: Plant Guilds by Bryce Ruddick Other Resources: -International Aid: Ted Talks--- Borneo…Permaculture Kenya -Community Forests International forestsinternational.org Sackville, NB -Earthships are shelters made from recycled available materials: earthquake resistant, fire resistant. -globalpermaculture.org will give you contact to permaculture practitioners -www.P3permaculture.ca Questions and Discussions: - Building and designing structures? Cob, square bale, adobe - There is an earthship currently being built in Havelock - Two doctors on Kingston Peninsula also building an Earthship (architect designed) Dynamic accumulators: dandelion, comfrey, others