Best Article on politics of permaculture

Check out this article on permaculture.com by David Blume. Great read. Even hopeful.
http://www.permaculture.com/drupal/node/141
See you all next week.
Mike

Hydro-gel crystals .....

Was at my local nursery today and saw some hydro-gel crystals (polymors)
Are these good to use or should one stay clear of them....?
Not sure what they are but sound like they would help hold water.

Ayesha

Farming Revolution

Check out the July 2008 new issue of Scientific American. Great piece on the concept of no till agriculture and its importance to major environmental problem solving. Another example of the scientific community recognizing, not the old timers like Faulkner (Plowman's Folly), Howard (Earth's Green Carpet), or Fukuoka (One Straw Revolution), but, at least, their ideas. See you guys in July. Finally a bit cooler here after a week of too hot weather slowing us down. Basic New Mexican smarts say to take it easy while its hot knowing it'll get cooler next week. Problem is it sets you back a bit. Have room at my house if anyone needs a place to stay during class.
Mike
505-753-3174

Bullocks Brothers farm on Orcas Island

You can read more about the Intro to Permaculture course I took here last weekend on my blog, On Purpose.

Remember the keyhole lesson.....

Check out this post from BBC ........
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7432972.stm
Unfortunately no reference to Mollison or permaculture practice.

Also recently read a post on how carbon traders are paying ranchers to manage their cattle range with the, basically permacultural method, of intense grazing followed by long rest and recovery for carbon sequestering. Increases production and like Toby describes stores huge amounts of carbon in the below ground dead roots. Will dig that article out and post that also.

Rachel has a blog, too

Hey bloggers: I have my own blog to document my travels and I invite you all to peruse it if you're interested: On Purpose

California calling

Dear P-Cult-ers.
The wind chased me all along I-40 back to California.
My garden exploded in the short time I was in New Mexico. Here is a picture of a lemon blossom.
Beans are almost blooming, peaches are fattening, corn is almost 6" high.
I've been sheet mulching this very day!
I'm thinking about chickens.
I can hardly wait to return to our next workshop in July.
-Carla

And it rained in El Guique

I took this photo Friday. It rained and rained Thursday and Friday. Quick moving stormclouds showered our freshly planted veggie garden. I sowed Calendula seeds while listening to thunder creep closer. Every two or three hours, we'd take a break to watch the sky soak our seedlings, then go back out and plant again in the soft soil.

The desert is rich in her blessings.

Hello

Hey all,
This past week was pretty assume getting to know all of you and all the great info
being shared by Scott, Toby and everyone!
Seeing Joe's and Adesina's posts and wondering if any way Joe could bring
hard copies of his work in July and Adesina any chance of making copies of suggested
vidios? I have a computer but on dail-up and older opperating system which prevents
alot of viewing....that goes for everyone if able to make copies of all the
great info out there and bring to me in July!
Ayesha

Thanks

Just wanted to test out this blog and say thanks to Scott, Toby and everyone else for such an inspiring, fun and informative permaculture class. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again in a couple of months. In the meantime I'll attempt to put together some photos of my project on the Navajo reservation and post them here. Best regards, Joe Pacal

Welcome!

Hello to everyone viewing this blog. I threw this together quickly in the hopes that it would serve as a place where we can come together and share our experiences together. There is also a google group created where we can have discussions and upload pictures.


There is such an amazing collection of talent and wisdom in this group. I sincerely hope that we continue to come together to share with each other in the interim between workshops and even once we've completed our certification.

Peace,
Jake