Above: Farmer and Permaculture Association member Deano Martin with his grain crop
If you are a farmer or smallholder there are a number of ways you can get involved with the Permaculture Association.
Explore new approaches
In farming, the application of permaculture design would combine a range of approaches and methods according to the situation, defined by the landscape, climate, soils, water, markets, land use history, investment opportunity, planning, and the like. There is already a huge collection of techniques including keyline soil and water management, biofertilizers, holistic grazing, agro-forestry, minimum tillage, cover cropping and more that can improve food security, create resilience, sequester carbon, and improve biodiversity. This is what Darren Doherty, who designs on several thousand acre properties around the world, calls “playing with a full deck” – using all the tools and knowledge at our disposal. Permaculture is a design system that weaves these different approaches and techniques together to create a holistic, low external input, high productivity farm system.
Permaculture design also looks beyond the hedge, at issues such as household and farm energy, habitation and structures, waste management (there need be no waste on a farm!), and community interaction. And let us not forget the nucleus of the farm operation – the family: its health, growth, learning and security. The design would then add proactive demonstration and training functions to allow the farm to reach its true potential, by sharing and passing on its experience to others.
Sign-up to the e-bulletin
Sent out monthly, the e-bulletin gives you the latest news from the Association, including upcoming events, jobs and opportunities, and links that might be of interest.
Join the Association
To find out more about permaculture approaches to farming, becoming a member is a great way to start. By joining, you will receive the Permaculture Works newsletter every quarter, with the latest articles, course listings and permaculture news. We can provide advice and support on permaculture queries; you will become part of a growing network of teachers, volunteers and enthusiasts. You will be able to create a profile on our website and add notifications of events or opportunities on your land, receive discounts on books, join the Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design (on completion of a Design Course), and attend Convergences and other networking events.
Complete an Introductory Course
Typically two-days long, Intro to Permaculture Courses provide an overview of permaculture principles, examples of permaculture in action and an overview of the network and how to get involved.