Blog | Permaculture Association

Permaculture Association Blog

Read inspiring stories, celebrate news and learn about the amazing work of our Permaculture Association members and our flourishing community.

Created 23/04/20

Permaculture projects creatively respond to crisis

by Celia Ashman

We're pleased to now be running monthly online calls with LAND centres and permaculture projects, on the last Wednesday of every month 3 - 4.30pm. In our first call in March, we were joined by members from across the UK and beyond - including Germany, Dumfries & Galloway, Berwickshire, Durham, Manchester, Leeds, Bradford, Shropshire, Gloucestershire, Devon, and London!

Created 22/04/20

Blended learning for the Permaculture Association online learning platform

When most people think of online learning they think of MOOCs - Massive Open Online Courses. These are what platforms such as FutureLearn, Udemy and Coursera provide. Many people who have taken online courses have taken a MOOC course and aren't aware of any other format in online learning.

Created 08/04/20

Writing up permaculture designs - top tips from Helen White

by Helen White

At the March 2020 Permaculture Gathering in London, I ran a workshop on ‘How to write up a design’. My diploma journey lasted 8 years (I finally accredited in December 2018). Along the way, I did many designs (big and small), saw lots of permaculture projects, went to numerous permaculture and related events/ training/workshops but persistently failed to actually write things up.

Created 01/04/20

The hidden potential of urban horticulture (report)

The hidden potential of urban horticulture

Urban areas offer considerable potential for horticultural food production, but questions remain about the availability of space to expand urban horticulture and how to sustainably integrate it into the existing urban fabric. We explore this through a case study which shows that, for a UK city, the space potentially available equates to more than four times the current per capita footprint of commercial horticulture.
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Created 30/03/20

Our response to the COVID-19 pandemic

First of all, I hope you are keeping well. We know that this is a worrying time for many people and we want to help.

The Permaculture Association is continuing to provide all of its existing services with the exception of book sales (the office is now closed) and events, which will be under review until we know more about how long this pandemic will last.

Created 25/03/20

The sweet smell of sustainability

by Sarah Cossom   

One of the things I love most about living in a small rural community in Gateshead is being surrounded by creative, resourceful and talented people who care deeply about the environment.

I’m fortunate that running a community allotment and orchard over the past decade has brought me into contact with peop
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Created 24/03/20

COVID-19 and the Permaculture Association response

Updated 22 July 2020

General statement

We know that this is a worrying time for many people and we want to help. At this time of crisis, permaculture holds a strong and simple message about the values and ways of working we need to get through it: Earth Care, People Care, Fair Shares.

It's time to look after each other, think about what we really value, and see how we can come out of this stronger and more resolved to create a world that really works for every person and all of life.

Created 17/03/20

Digital learning - best practices for educators

by Aimee Fenech

Here are some tips for educators who are looking to diversify their courses and way of teaching in these challenging times.

Keep the course as interactive as possible - this means using different ways of presenting information and having exchanges and discussions:

Created 25/02/20

A tribute to Alpay Torgut

A TRIBUTE
ALPAY TORGUT (died January 2020).

By Linda Philp

This is in memory of an amazing man who would not I think have called himself a “permie”, and yet he did so much for the permaculture world. Alpay had been living in West Wales for the past few years with his partner Claire and their daughter Isabelle, where he continued on his permaculture path. Others I am sure will have plenty to say about all the good stuff he managed to achieve in Wales, but I would like to remember him from our London days.

Created 05/02/20

Member spotlight: Finding home in Portugal

by Amanda Sandford

After over 30 years living in London, my husband Paul and I decided it was time for a change of scene. Having vaguely talked on and off about moving abroad for some time, the issue came to the front of our minds following a couple of stressful years. I was made redundant and both of my parents died. Add to which the threat of Brexit hanging over us. We decided to test our commitment to emigrating by looking for potential properties in northern Portugal.