This morning, twenty eager and
curious attendees of a NOFA-NH Permaculture Meet-up arrived here at D Acres. I
had farm-fresh sausage, eggs, and home-fries cooked up, plus fixin’s from our
shelves of preserved goods and our own herbal tea to top it off. Folks were
eating breakfast, then taking a tour of the farm. The momentum that brought
conversation was: Permaculture.
Permaculture has been defined in
many ways. Entire tomes have been written to discuss permaculture applications,
permaculture theory, and permaculture goals. The succinct definition that we
use here is as follows:
Permaculture is a holistic,
integrative design for a sustainable future.
Permaculture is many things. It’s
about building resilience, it’s about cultivating self-sufficiency, it’s about
common sense and stacking functions; permaculture is about conserving resources
with future generations in mind, minimizing one’s footprint, and strengthening
community; it’s about food production that works with nature, not against
her.
Here at D Acres, the application
of permaculture principles can be seen in all corners of our farm and
homestead. Permaculture is reflected in our natural & earthen building
styles, our mixed-species garden beds, our incorporation of animals in the
agricultural system, and our development of diverse perennial food forests. The
list could go on and on.
In fact, we invite you to join us
for a closer study of permaculture principles and praxis…with our third annual
Permaculture Design Certification course. Titled “Permaculture Through the
Seasons,” this is a unique class that meets one weekend per month for seven
months. This enables participants to gain an understanding of permaculture
applications through different seasons and across a broader spectrum of time
than most permaculture courses provide for. The course layout caters to a
diversity of students: homeowners, family gardeners, designers, landscapers,
builders, etc. Regardless of your goals and interests, permaculture can enhance
the way in which you shape your lifestyle and engage with the natural world
around you.
2012’s “Permaculture Through the
Seasons” course is instructed by Steve Whitman & Josh Trought, with
featured presenters Dave Jacke, Dave Wichland, and Keith Morris. The course is
based at D Acres Farm in Dorchester, NH; tuition includes overnight
accommodations and farm-fresh organic meals for each weekend session. Register
now! Space is limited for this popular offering, early bird discounts apply
before March 1st. Course begins April 2012. Contact D Acres for
registration information or further questions.
