Introduction

In rural areas in particular, much is spoken about the role of diversification in helping farming economies to recover and rural communities to thrive. Yet the concept of diversification as applied to agricultural businesses is rarely a holistic or sustainable one. Rather, the emphasis tends to be on limited economic measures whilst ignoring the potential for greater self reliance and sustainability across all areas of operation.

Pretty & Hine (2001) have defined sustainable agriculture as one that 'seeks to make the best use of nature's goods and services…by integrating natural and regenerative processes, such as nutrient cycling, nitrogen fixation, soil regeneration and natural enemies…minimises the use of non-renewable inputs…makes better use of the knowledge and skills of farmers…(and) seeks to make productive use of social capital - peoples' capacities to work together.'

A holistic design and advisory approach, which includes the practise known as permaculture(1), is required to achieve these criteria. By stepping back and looking at a site's natural assets, characteristics and features, this approach aims to increase self reliance by evaluating how a greater proportion of essential needs can be met from the site or nearby and at less financial cost. This strategy is highly empowering and enables individuals to become less dependent on forces outside their control. As well as reducing external inputs, holistically designed systems add value by looking at the variety of yields (benefits) that can be achieved rather than treating those outside 'primary' yields as waste. So, for example, a permaculture approach to woodland design and management might consider the potential of coppice crafts, charcoal production, wood chip (for composting, mulch or heating fuel), horse-powered extraction, cultivated and wild foods, training courses, leisure activities, construction or fencing materials, and wildlife habitat creation and restoration.

In terms of buildings, the emphasis is on utilising local skills, materials and other resources whilst being as environmentally-friendly as possible. So re-used, recycled or raw materials from the site or locality will be combined with proven, traditional local techniques and styles; the (embodied) energy costs manufactured materials are also considered. Designers will also examine the potential for on-site water harvesting, sewage treatment, grey water recycling and energy production (wind, solar, biomass, hydro or biogas - for on-site use and possible export to the national grid). Ways in which energy needs can be reduced will also be evaluated (for example, by incorporating insulation, thermal mass, combined heat and power systems and appropriate siting to provide shelter and solar gain).


Sustainable Systems and Biodiversity

Sustainable systems should incorporate features that create a range of benefits, including for wildlife. This is particularly relevant to local and national Biodiversity Action Plans in Wales and has benefits in landscape, community and economic terms too. As well as being inherently wildlife friendly, sustainable design includes land set aside specifically for semi-natural and natural habitats to develop wherever possible. Such areas are a vital adjunct to nature reserves and other designated sites which cannot alone achieve government targets for biodiversity.

The vision of permaculture is that biodiversity will return to our mutual benefit if we engage people, communities and organisations in the process of working together and learning to use the environment and its resources sustainably. For example, the National Assembly of Wales recognises that environmental sustainability and enhancing the countryside and its wildlife is critical to the development of tourism (NAWAD, 2001). In addition, naturally derived products, traditional crafts and Welsh branding can all benefit from the image of Wales as a scenically attractive, biodiverse, unpolluted, sustainably managed, socially vibrant and healthy place to visit, live and produce goods and services.

A Glimpse of the Future

A glimpse of the potential for the future is shown by the growing number of farms and other rural businesses in the UK that are implementing a holistic design approach to their operations:

· Primrose Organic Centre in Powys is a permaculture market garden holding with a £17,000 turnover from only 0.6 hectares (1.5 acres). All of the produce is sold within 15 miles radius and most within 5 miles. The Centre also offers an educational programme for local schools, training courses in sustainable production, community events and volunteer opportunities (Benham, 2001).
· Little Ash Eco-Farm in Devon uses the hardy local breed of South Devon cattle for grazing and its own manures and composts to feed the land. Energy is supplied from wind, solar power and wood, with hedges and woodland managed to produce biomass. Rainwater is harvested and used water is recycled. Clusters of small business workshops provide facilities for a leather worker, woodsman and rustic furniture maker, basket and reed worker, spinners, weavers and knitters. An organic box scheme and farm shop serve the local community (Littlewood, 2001).
· Tablehurst Farm in Sussex is owned and managed by the local community along with 'appointed' farmers and interested outside partners. Working together with another local farm, it sells organic meat, vegetables and dairy produce year round. The resident community of fifteen includes three adults with learning difficulties who work on the farm whilst developing their own confidence and skills. The farm also forms a thriving part of the local village which has a large variety of shops and small businesses providing different trades and skills (Littlewood, 2001).
· Westons cider mill in Herefordshire has implemented a multifunctional 'Wetland Ecosystem Treatment' (WET) which incorporates existing features of the site into a complex of lagoons, ponds and banks planted with various tree species. These convert the mill's waste process water, which has a high organic loading and is extremely acidic during the cider making season, into a wide variety of plant products such as short rotation willow coppice for basketry and fuel, coppice products from other tree species and extensive wildlife habitat. A conventional system would have required expensive holding tanks, chemical treatment, a large power supply to mix and aerate wastes and high running and maintenance costs. The WET system provides myriad benefits, with management largely in the form of harvesting yields. An outlet has also been found for the fermentation lees (which could create an odour problem in the WET system) as a high protein pig food. (Abrahams, 1996).


The Need for Support

Whilst the above examples are impressive, they should not be seen as prescriptive in nature. Holistic design seeks to produce individual, flexible designs, tailored to local conditions and subject to change in the light of experience. This points to the fact that land use design is a skill that, like all others, benefits from knowledge and experience in its application. Alongside this recognition, an important aspect of systems designed for true sustainability is that they should increase the quantity and quality of human capital (skills and knowledge) and social capital (social organisation and partnerships) as they develop. Both of these play a vital role in community regeneration. The skills and knowledge that come from practise encourages people to share their experiences, learn from each other as well as the land, and sow the seeds of new partnerships and initiatives. As Pretty & Hine (2001) note: 'sustainable agriculture…implies the capacity to adapt and change as external and internal conditions change….Farming and rural problems are always open to interpretation…what is important is the focus on sharing these perspectives and insights'.

Unfortunately, despite all the benefits, holistic design for sustainability is unlikely to achieve its full potential without appropriate policies, as well as educational and financial support. For example, permaculture design is taught largely outside mainstream institutions and is usually practised on individual, unregistered holdings. To flourish and make a fuller contribution to a sustainable countryside, sustainable design needs to be taught as part of relevant mainstream courses and a wider variety of activities needs to be recognised as applicable and sustainable in planning terms, alongside 'agriculture' (as currently defined) and 'forestry'. As Zarb (2001) notes: '(permaculture/holistic design) should form the basis of modern agricultural and social development…. Every new town, village or housing estate could have its own (small-scale) farms…providing healthy food, healthy work and community self-esteem…permaculture should be viewed by policy makers as a method of alleviating many of the environmental and social problems linked to modern industrial farming…we need to create a sustainable society and not just look at agriculture in isolation.'.


A Vision for the Environment of Wales

With a holistic approach in mind, one can begin to imagine a Welsh countryside in which farms, other businesses and their surrounding communities become much more integrated and sustainable. There is huge potential to create links between these operations and activities to promote the best use and exchange of resources. At the community level, the current separation between land based operations, businesses, homes, and education and social services (in the broadest sense) needs to be diminished so that whole communities can begin to operate much more cooperatively and interdependently. As this happens, the environment and landscape also benefit as land is used more sustainably and extensified to include a greater proportion of wildlife habitat and enhancing the ability of wildlife to cope with climate change.

A Polkey, 2004


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Footnote
1 Permaculture is a way of designing sustainable systems for land use, housing, communities and businesses. The design process 'looks at the whole system and seeks to integrate the effective working of all its components whilst minimising external inputs and closing the cycles of resource use' (Permaculture Association UK, 2001). It differs from many other approaches to resource use in that it does not focus on one main 'yield' (service, product or other benefit). Rather, it looks holistically at the multitude of possible yields and outcomes that result if resources are used in ways that create synergy through mutually beneficial relationships.

This evidence-based design approach has been developed from extensive observation of natural, self-regulating systems. Millions of years of evolution and natural selection have created a myriad of biological systems and processes that work both efficiently and interdependently. Permaculture has identified key attributes of these systems and aims to mimic these in its designs. These are called permaculture principles. In addition, permaculture also has an ethical framework to help address how the needs of people, communities and wildlife are met.

Most vitally, the way in which permaculture design is applied depends on local conditions, knowledge and culture. As such, the techniques employed vary with climate, geology and other variables. This flexibility allows permaculture to be responsive to changing conditions and situations throughout the world.


References
Abrahams, J. (1996), WET Systems for Waste Purification & Resource Production. Permaculture magazine, 13, pp.10-14.
Benham, P. (2001), Gardening a Community. Permaculture magazine, 28, pp.7-9.
Littlewood, M (2001) Eco-Farming. Permaculture magazine, 28, pp.3-5.
NAWAD (2001), Farming for the Future. www.wales.gov.uk
Permaculture Association UK (2001), Response to the Food & Farming Commission.
Pretty, J. & Hine, J. (2001), Reducing Food Poverty with Sustainable Agriculture. SAFE-World project, University of Essex.
Zarb, J (2001), Permaculture & the Future of Farming. Permaculture magazine, 29, pp.25-29.





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