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- Permaculture Design
- What is Permaculture?
- Diploma>
- Output 1 Making room for new beginnings; creating conscious space for good design>
- Output 2 Beginning the Design Process; Observing and interacting>
- Output 3 Stacking functions>
- Our current living space; Alex`s house and garden>
- Pete`s house; Turning a monster into an ally!
- Integrating permaculture design into my work place>
- Forest gardening at Margam Park...
- Raising Seth - supporting my son`s journey>
- Extracts from learning journal
- Process reflection
- Appendix
- Appendix ll. Tutor & Peer review
- Output 4 Small and slow solutions>
- Our current living space; Alex`s house and garden>
- Pete`s house; turning a monster into an ally!
- Integrating Permaculture design into my work place
- Forest gardening at Margam Park
- Raising Seth; Supporting our son`s journey.
- Getting to grips with technology!
- Extracts from learning Journal
- Process reflection
- Output 5, Accept and respond to feedback>
- Output 6
- Output 7
- Output 8
- Output 9
- Output 10
- Completed Designs>
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- Working page
Project synopsis/Goals articulation
- integrate rather than segregate
"I`m full of fire, full of anger, full of hate.
I`m haunted by the dreams that keep me up late.
I`m full of love, full of happiness, and full of joy.
But I still am confused if I`m a man or just a boy."
From the poem My Native Warrior
by Mikela Jones, 18
I am currently employed by a conservation charity. I work with individuals with physical and mental health conditions that prevent them from working and the long-term unemployed. My role is to cultivate a better understanding of and respect for the natural environment, whilst simultaneously providing opportunities for the people that I work with to engage in a variety of activities that, for whatever reason, they may not have previously experienced. This could be due to a lack of available opportunities to do so, a lack of motivation or confidence to do so, or because the individual may not even be aware of the activity. My role also involves delivering and enabling participants to access a variety of training.
My objective is to integrate permaculture design into my work place wherever possible, and to develop sites at which to engage people in a diversity of empowering and inspiring activities. I also intend delivering permaculture and forest gardening training to the participants.
People care
Every one of the people that I have so far worked alongside has, both in the past and the present, experienced varying degrees of significant hardship of one form or another. Some of the many challenges that they face include the seeking of asylum, physical and mental illness, bereavement, addiction and accompanying depression, paranoia and low-self esteem.
All of them display signs, (some more subtly so than others) that they are prepared to make an effort towards effecting positive change in their lives. Of course, every one of them is a distinct individual, and among them there is also a diversity of flavours of “life-story-to-date,” but there is a common fundamental theme shared among them. All of them are accustomed to having their needs met in a very segregated environment, and are understandably, defensive. As well as a general dissatisfaction with their perceived quality of life there is a deep-seated desire from within them to improve things. It is, of course, within all of us.
The first stage of working with vulnerable people and assisting them has involved outreach work, observing and interacting with the group, the whole time being mindful of sensitive issues that people may be dealing with. Presenting them with the opportunity to increase their self-esteem by developing their experiential learning with a diversity of activities naturally has the causal effect of them evolving slow and small solutions to the many issues in their lives. Regular exposure to nature can be a great healer for the participants whose lives are predominately segregated from it, and wildlife walks, practical conservation sessions with the needs of biodiversity very much in mind, green woodworking and bushcraft workshops where the simple pleasure of making a fire and cooking fresh fish in the outdoors visibly relaxes those participating, are all part of what is on offer. For the more adventurous, and as confidence levels increase, mountain biking, canoeing and surfing instruction are also available.
Fair share
The second stage is now under-way with the current group that I am working with and we are currently creating a wet weather workshop. All involved have had a say in the design and layout of the workshop so far, and the group is integrating slowly.
The workshop is situated in the grounds of a deer park, and there are plans for the group to construct habitat and nest boxes for the biodiversity of the park to utilise. During the construction, the participants may well ask questions relating to the wildlife and research for themselves, increasing their knowledge and understanding.
Everyone is encouraged to be forthcoming with suggestions and ideas for what they would like to do, and I have been impressed with the inventiveness and willingness to listen to and share with others that is becoming apparent among the group.
Earth care
An opportunity has arisen to develop an area of the surrounding deer park that has recently been cleared of Rhododendron with forest gardening techniques and in so doing develop further skills among the group. A sense of excitement and developing interest is already apparent and I am particularly looking forward to the opportunity for the participants to gain a sense of empowerment and connection with nature by experiencing first hand the wonder of plant growth as well as taking an active role in working with nature.
Survey
I am very fortunate to have access to the outdoors, where people can be engaged and inspired. I also have access to a wet weather room in the castle which we will develop into a workshop.
There is also a choice of possible venues at which projects could be delivered. I am already in the process of speaking to landowners, organisations and the local authority with the intention of developing neglected areas into useful sites for engagement.
I am very fortunate to have access to the outdoors, where people can be engaged and inspired. I also have access to a wet weather room in the castle which we will develop into a workshop.
There is also a choice of possible venues at which projects could be delivered. I am already in the process of speaking to landowners, organisations and the local authority with the intention of developing neglected areas into useful sites for engagement.
Assess
It is all realistically achievable! I have connections with various facilitators, funders, and perspective sites for development.
I also have a budget.
It is all realistically achievable! I have connections with various facilitators, funders, and perspective sites for development.
I also have a budget.
Design
Applying the 80:20 rule! Click on the image to enlarge.
First achievable steps are to attend a course being put on by BTCV Cymru; Developing skills in Forest Gardening. Completing the three day course enables me to be qualified to deliver the same course to the people that I work with.
Tackling low self esteem is a big part of my work.
Whilst venturing into the outdoors and being surrounded by nature and the experiential learning of nurturing plant and animal life, a deep rooted healing processes begins. It would be helpful for my work if I could monitor this process somehow. Choosing the right time at an early stage of the project to ask those involved a few questions such as whether they have opinions on health, the environment, nature, wildlife, food as well as any future outlook, anonymously recording the responses and then asking the same questions at a later stage of the project will be my chosen method of monitoring any (un)learning.
I will reflect and draw upon the past experiences of my life review as a resource to assist the project participants with the process of sourcing slow and small solutions to perceived problems.
In order to be able to deliver training at work in forest gardening techniques, I will attend a three day course (EDIT: now achieved) that is being pioneered by like minded colleagues working elsewhere in South Wales.
Identifying and developing sites at which groups can become fully involved with the many processes that are integral to projects such as habitat creation and forest gardening is a priority. The wheels have been set in motion for progress at one site. Here we plan to use Sepp Holzer`s philosophy of; Recognise, Redesign, and Revitalise. In time, as the project participants embark on their learning journeys, it would also be a wonderful opportunity to integrate another component as suggested by Alex my partner; Ritualize. Ritual, celebration and ceremony are essential life components missing from the majority of modern lives.
"Ceremony can help us to release the past, let go of what has crushed us, put us down, controlled us, dampened our Spirit and made us feel weak, inadequate or fearful. Ceremony can help us to focus on what we know needs changing in our lives and find new ways forward.
We can use ceremony to mark and celebrate a new beginning, a new outlook and new directions in life. We can make and share personal pledges together. We can invite friends to witness and support us in a change we wish to announce or a rite of passage we wish to experience. Ceremony helps us to receive guidance from our natural inner wisdom. We can use ceremonial space to honour, to bless, to heal, to dedicate, to give thanks and to energize. A ceremony brings focus to the way forward and enables us to understand our own spiritual journey."
- Glennie Kindred
First achievable steps are to attend a course being put on by BTCV Cymru; Developing skills in Forest Gardening. Completing the three day course enables me to be qualified to deliver the same course to the people that I work with.
Tackling low self esteem is a big part of my work.
Whilst venturing into the outdoors and being surrounded by nature and the experiential learning of nurturing plant and animal life, a deep rooted healing processes begins. It would be helpful for my work if I could monitor this process somehow. Choosing the right time at an early stage of the project to ask those involved a few questions such as whether they have opinions on health, the environment, nature, wildlife, food as well as any future outlook, anonymously recording the responses and then asking the same questions at a later stage of the project will be my chosen method of monitoring any (un)learning.
I will reflect and draw upon the past experiences of my life review as a resource to assist the project participants with the process of sourcing slow and small solutions to perceived problems.
In order to be able to deliver training at work in forest gardening techniques, I will attend a three day course (EDIT: now achieved) that is being pioneered by like minded colleagues working elsewhere in South Wales.
Identifying and developing sites at which groups can become fully involved with the many processes that are integral to projects such as habitat creation and forest gardening is a priority. The wheels have been set in motion for progress at one site. Here we plan to use Sepp Holzer`s philosophy of; Recognise, Redesign, and Revitalise. In time, as the project participants embark on their learning journeys, it would also be a wonderful opportunity to integrate another component as suggested by Alex my partner; Ritualize. Ritual, celebration and ceremony are essential life components missing from the majority of modern lives.
"Ceremony can help us to release the past, let go of what has crushed us, put us down, controlled us, dampened our Spirit and made us feel weak, inadequate or fearful. Ceremony can help us to focus on what we know needs changing in our lives and find new ways forward.
We can use ceremony to mark and celebrate a new beginning, a new outlook and new directions in life. We can make and share personal pledges together. We can invite friends to witness and support us in a change we wish to announce or a rite of passage we wish to experience. Ceremony helps us to receive guidance from our natural inner wisdom. We can use ceremonial space to honour, to bless, to heal, to dedicate, to give thanks and to energize. A ceremony brings focus to the way forward and enables us to understand our own spiritual journey."
- Glennie Kindred
Implementing, Maintaining, Evaluating and Tweaking - These elements of the design process will be further considered during output 3 of my diploma portfolio
Resources used; Digital camera, pen and paper, Microsoft word.
Books;
Sepp Holzer...
"...the agricultural rebel, grows kiwis, cherries and pumpkins on his mountain farm in the Lungau district in the Salzberg area in Austria at an altitude of 1,500 meters above sea level. He harvests radishes in the middle of winter, and his corn grows in the forest. His farm, "Krameterhof", has long since become a symbol for a new kind of farming. Hundreds of buses bring interested visitors for a tour of his farm every year and the media report regularly on his doings.
Sepp Holzer has developed his own form of permaculture. It is already the subject of scientific work and was a project at the world Exposition EXPO 2000 in Hanover. Cleverly using ecological relationships and cycles, he lets nature work for him and with minimal labour input - without harming the environment - he achieves maximum economic success. In his capacity as a consultant to a large number of projects - even in Columbia and Brazil, where destroyed soils are being converted back into agricultural crop land with the aid of permaculture - Holzer shows that this concept can be applied in the most varied environmental conditions.
In this richly illustrated book Sepp Holzer describes not only the basic principles of his thinking. He also vividly describes his endless struggle with public authorities that do all in their power to prevent alternative forms of farming."
Sepp Holzer has developed his own form of permaculture. It is already the subject of scientific work and was a project at the world Exposition EXPO 2000 in Hanover. Cleverly using ecological relationships and cycles, he lets nature work for him and with minimal labour input - without harming the environment - he achieves maximum economic success. In his capacity as a consultant to a large number of projects - even in Columbia and Brazil, where destroyed soils are being converted back into agricultural crop land with the aid of permaculture - Holzer shows that this concept can be applied in the most varied environmental conditions.
In this richly illustrated book Sepp Holzer describes not only the basic principles of his thinking. He also vividly describes his endless struggle with public authorities that do all in their power to prevent alternative forms of farming."
Glennie Kindred...
"This book manages to cover everything - from herbalism to earth cycles to healing energies to folklore - together with good practical exercises and things you can try at home. For newcomers trying to get started in the subject, it`s heartily recommended."
Prediction Magazine
Bret Stephenson...
"If the vast sums currently spent on trying to keep teenagers in a failed and punishing school system were spent on projects such as this, a major step toward social health would unfold. Buy this book, put it to use, and spread the word."
Joseph Chilton Pearce,
author of Magical Child and The Biology of Transcendence
Joseph Chilton Pearce,
author of Magical Child and The Biology of Transcendence
Back to top of page or go to the next featured project of my 2nd diploma output, Forest gardening at Margam Park.
This project continues in it`s next phase at output lll of my diploma portfolio here.
This project continues in it`s next phase at output lll of my diploma portfolio here.