‘PERMACULTURE DESIGN’
integrated land-use design for sustainability
Riverton 12 April – 27 April 08
Description
This is a practically oriented full time course, where participants put into practice what they learn theoretically. Teaching style is interactive, dynamic and fun. The main tutors are, Robina McCurdy and Huckleberry Leonard. For their backgrounds, check out their website: www.greenworld-earthcare.org
We will also have specialist local guest tutors.
‘Permaculture’ is an integrated land use design methodology based on ecological principles, with practical application from sustainable household to eco-nation to global restoration. The tutors of this course have worked in a wide range of countries and conditions, and have 20 – 35 years experience each in the field.
This course covers the standard international two week Permaculture Design Certificate curriculum, taught in an integrated hands-on way, and culminating in a main land-use design project. The majority of our course will take place at Camp Longwood with some field visits. At completion, a Permaculture Design Certificate will be issued by Earthcare Education Aotearoa..
Course Programme broadly covers:
• permaculture design principles & installation staging,
• organic growing methods (vege gardens, herbs, animals, fruit),
• rural land management (orchards, pastures, trees, water systems),
• ecological building, ‘waste’ recycling & renewable energy systems,
• urban/suburban scale household design,
• wildlife habitat & degraded land restoration,
• wild harvest & nature connection.
(Note this course will concentrate on permaculture for cool climate bioregions)
For further details, cost and registration see: www.sces.org.nz
Special Deal for Coastline readers only (because this newsletter was delayed) 4 months to pay cash price of course.
PERMACULTURE OPPORTUNITY:
Have you got a dream of one day developing your property on permaculture lines?
Our permaculture design students need a good variety of properties to choose from to use as a design project.
They will come and interview you and hear what your ideal set up would be- then they spend some time planning and designing both on your land and in their ‘classroom’ Under the guidance they will then design a draft plan for you and ask for feed back.
This a great opportunity to get a permaculture plan for free!
We need every size and shape – nothing is too small , too large, even a bare patch of land you will one day build on if fine. Some sort of map of your area would be an advantage. Please phone the Centre if you are able to help.
Have you a spare bedroom?
We are hosting around 16 students and 3 tutors from out of Riverton and they are attending this expensive course $900 each. The need a bed and showers only (meals and most days at Longwood lodge) If you can put anyone up cheaply and you live within walking distance from the lodge please phone the Centre with your details and Robyn will get back to you.
Organic Farming in the South
There is a dire need for more organic farms in Southland and Otago, as there is for the rest of the country. Our well known and respected organic beef, sheep and dairy farms here are all examples of farming we can be proud of. The meat and milk coming from them are of the highest quality and the farm environments are showcases for all land users wanting to sustain, rather than exploit the land.\\
Organic practices are the best way forward for regions like ours that rely on our soils and wish to retain them into the future. Too much of out soil washes into the sea with the rain due to poor land management practices, such as the overly liberal use of synthetic fertilizers that pass quickly through the thin soils created by farm practices that eschew the building up of carbon bulk in the soil.
Pasture plants that under natural systems would hold soil in place with deep, exploratory roots are nowadays ineffective for the purpose, having been ‘spoon fed’ with soluble fertilizers. Modern systems relying on liberal urea and super phosphate applications have robbed the farm of one of its buffers against degradation. These same over fed grasses also contribute to poor health amongst the browsing animals that requires more intervention through synthetic chemicals, this time in the form of animal
medicines. Pastures that are diverse and fed with naturally occurring fertilizers improve stock health and resistance to worms and parasites. Animals browsing a monocultural pasture crave a varied diet for good reason. Organic farms, with their mixed herbal ley pastures provide for stock dietary needs and encourage insects that further improve soil bulk and quality. There are so many advantages to organic farming that it seems
odd that there is resistance in our regions to convert. More direction and encouragement from local and central government will help (and it is inevitable that this is the direction we will all take) but for now, I would very much like to see a bold approach form organic farmers and consumers of their produce, in the public arena. Let’s tell other farmers and the vast ranks of consumers that we support and promote organic farming (and growing) and why we have given our support. Letters to the editor of the Southland Times and the Otago Daily Times work – people are stirred up by reading positive and opinions about genuinely held views. Organic is worth the trouble.
Robert Guyton.
Green gardener
page eleven
back to front cover
