While permaculture has become well known among environmental advocates and those living more nature-based lifestyles, this form of land management is underrepresented in the rest of our population. Where we live in western Maryland there is a strong community of hunters and farmers who may seem, at times, to be at odds with the environmental movement. Those living in low-income urban areas may have very little exposure to gardening or nature, but this does not mean they do not wish to have fresh food and fresh air. It is my goal to change the misconception that only "hippies" and health nuts are interested in permaculture and align forces with a diverse group of individuals who wish to experience financial freedom, stability in a world of constant change, and a sense of community rooted in a genuine love of the outdoors. We are being reminded constantly of the "group" in which we belong and the many ways in which our "group" differs from the "groups" of others. The media is set up to be divisive by creating conflict among certain segments of our population and unfortunately many people fall for this propaganda. In reality, though, many of us would be surprised to find the number of similar interests and goals we share with seemingly unrelated groups of people. Movements and lifestyles such as permaculture, which are typically associated with only select individuals, may have much more to offer to the rest of the world than is being realized!
Financial Freedom
Permaculture can offer financial freedom which is a goal that most everyone in this world shares. When we rely on others to provide our food, there is significant fallout that occurs in the process. Our ability to eat high-quality, nutritious food becomes based on our income, and for most of the world's population, this financial requirement to eat well, translates into eating either junk, or not enough. Large corporations take control of our food supply and benefit from keeping their production costs low and their sale prices as high as the market will allow for. The Earth is degraded through this process as the companies race to maximize their profits in the short-term. Land management is designed around efficiency and the economy rather than around what is best for the local ecosystems and those communities living in proximity. Labor is sourced based on who will work for the least and in some countries, this means slavery. In many other countries, workers are simply paid too little to do backbreaking work, all to protect the bottom line. By producing our own food, we can break free of this cycle and take control of our own existence. We can feed our families nutritious meals that aren't at the expense of others' well-being. We can eat a quality of food that we otherwise could not afford! True freedom is knowing that a layoff or an unexpected expense will not affect our meals in any way. You don't need to be an environmentalist to see the benefit of this!
Permaculture is a process that allows people, even with very limited time to spend gardening, access to their own food supply. When we set up systems that mimic nature, we can direct our energy to harvesting rather than seeding, weeding, fertilizing and all of the tasks that are typically associated with gardening. Those expensive jugs of Miracle Gro, $20 bags of potting soil, and the shelves of weed killers and pesticides that many people believe to be necessary for growing food become obsolete. Permaculture is a method that feeds itself, weeds itself and produces food perennially even when the humans forget to sow seeds. Those with full time jobs, those with low incomes, those who love to garden, those who would rather not, those who are hungry and those who want to save the world can all produce food with these systems for less than the food is worth in time and money. There truly is no downside!
Stability in a World of Constant Change
For many of us, COVID-19 was the first experience we have had with food shortages. Many others around the world have had this unsettling experience multiple times. Still others experience a shortage of food on a daily basis. There is nothing scarier than wondering if you will have enough to eat in the future. "Prepping" is a popular term for those who plan for the unexpected and suit themselves up for disaster by stockpiling supplies. I have known many people throughout my life who have taken this seriously and who are actively planning for economic collapse or other types of societal breakdowns that may occur. What surprises me about many of these people, is how their gardens still rely on commercially available fertilizers and pesticides. They have generators and buckets of freeze-dried food in their basements, but the day the shelves go empty, they will still have no way of growing their own food. You don't need to love yoga to understand how having a perennial garden that provides an abundance of food can be a great asset in your life! Permaculture food forests and garden systems are designed to function perfectly in the environment in which they are placed. Their production increases year after year and the amount of inputs required decreases. Whether you want to ensure you will have access to healthy and chemical free food despite the world around you, or whether you believe there may come a time when you can't buy the food you need to survive, practicing permaculture gives you the skills and resources you need to be resilient through times of stress and food shortages. The more people around you have permaculture gardens of their own, the more we will find that changes in our economy and/or environments no longer affect us as seriously. Feeling confident and stable about your access to resources is the best way to get a good night's sleep!
A Sense of Community
Humans are social animals, and we all function best when we feel like we are part of a community. Governments and leaders have attempted to suppress many communities that go beyond simple friendships and clubs. We are discouraged and sometimes even prevented from forming groups that lessen our dependence on the system in which we are living. Often, because of this, we are made to feel isolated and alone. We buy weapons to defend ourselves from each other and we think of ourselves as either servants to the system, or as lone warriors fighting against it. Permaculture communities are built to thrive because they encourage interdependence and collaboration. We would be overwhelmed if we attempted to provide all of our needs on our own, but many permaculture systems will provide an excess of several products. We can trade our honey for eggs or our blueberries for chard. We can team up with others practicing permaculture and experience greater success and greater resilience during difficult times. Most of us who practice permaculture are always looking for new alliances and relationships that will further our ability to live independently. When you learn the skills to provide your own resources, you can share your knowledge with friends and neighbors, thus expanding the resilience of your community as a whole. There is not yet a vibrant permaculture community in many places, but when we expand this definition to include homesteaders and preppers, we can actually begin to build this community from the ground up. The less people are reliant on the "system" the less we will feel the need to defend ourselves from our neighbors, should there come a time where grocery stores cannot provide us with food. This is a true win-win for everyone involved!
Permaculture as a Unifying Force
By looking for similarities with others rather than differences, we can sometimes be surprised by the number of allies we truly have in life. Permaculture has something to offer for everyone. It has the potential to feed people in third world countries. It can bring fresh produce to food deserts in the cities. It can become the image we see when we imagine a backyard, rather than what is blasted all over our televisions by Scott's Lawn Care. It can even be the go-to method for creating food security in the case of an apocalypse! As you expand your knowledge of permaculture, be sure to think outside the box when you share your progress with others! We need to change the stigma and expectations that are being projected on us by the media. By starving the commercial food industry, the less influence they will have over our food supply, and the more financial freedom, stability, and community we will gain for ourselves! All of us around the world need permaculture to improve our lives and bring us together. Be the one to bring it to your community!
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