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PERMACULTURE MAGAZINE
Permaculture News
Permaculture News is published in Permaculture Magazine and is reproduced on this page every quarter.
We are always looking for information concerning any projects, research or other news relevant to permaculture to inform and inspire others through the pages of Permaculture Magazine and this site. Help us promote good work and feed the information network, contact: [email protected].
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Permaculture News
International Permaculture Conference & Convergence
The 9th International Permaculture Conference & Convergence (IPC9) took place in Africa towards the end of 2009.
IPC9 was a huge success and it is hoped it will prove to be a momentous occasion for the continent. It was put together by volunteers operating on a zero budget until the last few weeks prior to the events. But, it shows that anything is possible with determination and that small is not only beautiful but it can also be powerful.
Four events made up IPC9. The IPC9 International Permaculture Design Certificate course took place at the Fambidzanai Permaculture Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe. 37 participants from 19 countries attended. A key part of the course was to define a permaculture curriculum for Africa.
The IPC9 Convergence took place at Kumbali Lodge in Lilongwe, Malawi. 170 participants from all five continents spent time learning from each other under the theme ‘designing solutions for a sustainable future’. The sub themes were ‘Plan Africa – Food and Empowerment, Education and Training, Green Economics, Health, Gender and Climatic Change’. The potential role of permaculture as a tool for addressing global challenges ranging from climate change to HIV were also highlighted.
The IPC9 Conference also happened at Kumbali. More than 300 participants attended and it brought together farmers, teachers, government officials, children, extension, development workers as well as other stake holders.
Australian permaculturist Bill Mollison made an appearance via a live satellite link that was hugely appreciated by everyone.
The IPC9 Sites Tours of projects in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe were extensive and inspirational. Photographs and video clips of the sites visited are available on the IPC website.
IPC10 will take place in Jordan in 2011.
Additional information can be viewed at: www.ipcon.org
Permaculture Set For BBC Edible Garden TV Series
Permaculture is set to make further inroads into the conscious-ness of the general public when it is featured as part of the new BBC2 prime-time TV series The Edible Garden.
The six part series is scheduled to be broadcast in March 2010 with the aim to encourage people to grow more of their own food.
The programmes are hosted by Gardeners’ World’s Alys Fowler who aims to show that you can prepare at least one meal a day using only home-grown produce from a small suburban garden.
But, rather than converting her garden into an allotment with regimented rows of plants, Alys grows her fruit and veg amongst her shrubs and flowers so that the garden remains beautiful as well as productive.
Along the way she meets other people inspired to grow their own including Tim and Maddy Harland of Permaculture Magazine (www.permaculture.co.uk). Footage of their back garden from eighteen years ago appears alongside how it looks now(See PM63). It is an example of what permaculture can achieve.
“We hope we will inspire others to explore different ways of growing and eating food,” says Tim. “And we want to comm-unicate the real pleasure the family get from the garden.”
As we go to press the details of the programme’s broadcast are yet to be confirmed. But, do keep an eye on our website over the coming days as we will announce the details as soon as we have them. As with all BBC programmes if you miss an episode you can view it via the BBC’s iPlayer site: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
At the end of 2009, Channel 4 broadcast The Greatest TV Shows Of The Noughties, which counted down the twenty most influential programmes of the decade. At number 14 was Grand Designs and the presenter Kevin McCloud reiterated that his favourite design, build and episode was Ben Law’s woodland house. To have such a prominent permaculturist so highly respected and visible continues to prove inspirational to a growing number of people.
As well as traditional TV, the online world continues to grow in influence. Undercurrents (www.undercurrents.org) remains a vital source of activist film making and in 2010 they are producing an A-Z of Permaculture video series. Meanwhile Green TV (www.green.tv) is reaching record viewing figures.
Finally, one of the BBC’s most popular and recognisable figures, Stephen Fry, has been speaking about the importance of permaculture. View this great short on YouTube (which has many other permaculture clips) and pass it around: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gh8RpgtW4s0
Planning For Permaculture Smallholding
Fantastic Pentiddy Woods, a permaculture smallholding on the edge of Pensilva, Cornwall, has just received full planning permission to build an eco-house on the land’s 27 acre site.
Starting in Spring 2011, the Waters family will be able to build a timber framed, straw bale building with a slate roof. It will include passive solar water heating, and photovoltaic panels which will complement their existing wind generator.
Bought in 2001 the land has been transformed from grazing by the planting of over 15,000 trees to create a coppice woodland.
Pentiddy’s ecological footprint, which helped in their application, showed they operate at 44% of the average UK houshold.
Vitally, they received no negative correspondence from the planners. If you are seeking planning permission, it is worth viewing the details of their application via this link: http://tiny.cc/f4XM7
For further information view: www.pentiddy.co.uk
Permaculture Friends Help With Planning
More great planning news. In November 2009, Pat Bowcock was given planning permission to live and work on the land at Ourganics, Bridport, Dorset for the rest of her life in an extension to her existing five-year temp-orary arrangement. She was also given permission to build a new classroom/multi-purpose building.
Her application received over 170 letters of support, many from members of the permaculture community. Pat would like to say thank you to everyone who has supported Ourganics over the years.
For further details view: www.designedvisions.com/joomla/index.php
Ben Law Build
Ben Law is offering four trainees a unique opportunity to be part of his team during a five week roundwood timber framing construction this year.
The apprentices will help build a new outdoor classroom and celebration space, beginning 10 May 2010, at The Sustainability Centre, Hampshire.
It is important that applicants are committed to the project for the full five weeks.
For full details and an application form please contact: Raina on 01730 823 166 or [email protected]
Haiti Relief Corps
A Permaculture Relief Corps is looking to respond to the devastating earthquake in Haiti.
In the short-term they aim to build sewage systems, composting toilets, compost and recycling centers, rocket and solar stoves, temporary shelters (perma-yurts), water catchment and plant nurseries.
In the long-term they will construct permanent natural buildings, water storage, earth works, renewable energy, food forests, broad-scale reforestation, farms, aquaculture systems, health centres and schools.
In 2003 a permaculture team arrived in Haiti after floods. They are still there working with local communities and other organisations on systems providing low cost flood relief.
For more information please view this link: http://tiny.cc/Haiti372
PM Readers’ Survey Competition Winners
PM’s Readers’ Survey 2009 attracted its largest ever response. Over 400 people replied and we would like to thank everyone of you for taking the time to complete the form and share your thoughts with us, we really do value your opinions on PM’s constant development.
The prize draw for those who returned the survey was held in January and we are delighted to announce the winners here:
Ms Leslie Ross of Kent is the winner of our main prize, the complete solar water heating system worth £1,000 from our friends at Fornax/Navitron (www.navitron.org.uk).
Peter Samson of Hexham is the winner of £100 towards any 2010 course at the Sustainability Centre (www.sustainability-centre.org).
Patricia Perez of Avon, Raymond Wright of Shropshire, and Philip Parr of London are the three winners of a bottle of ECOS Magnolia Laundry Liquid and Washing Up Luffa from Greenbrands Cleaning Cupboard (www.greenbrands.co.uk)
Finally, 100 readers will be sent £5 money off vouchers to spend on books, tools or products from The Green Shopping Catalogue (www.green-shopping.co.uk). Please excuse us if we don’t list all of those people here!
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Devon Permaculture
A permaculture group has been formed in north Devon and is looking for members. Contact Tim Potter 07877 642 957 or heartwood
@hotmail.co.uk
Scottish Permaculture
A Scottish permaculture group is set to be launched. Contact: [email protected]
Work in Wales
Y Felin, a permaculture small-holding in mid-Wales, is offering short stay experience in gardening, building and land work. Contact Liza or Tom 01654 702 718. Email: [email protected]
New Website
View the Permaculture Association’s new website: www.permaculture.org.uk
Speakers Required
Permaculture speakers are required for: South East Essex Organic Gardeners. Email: caroleshorney
@hotmail.com View: www.seeog.org.uk Also Greener Futures, in the village of Warboys, Cambridgeshire. For details contact Lesley James 01487 822 792.
Community Funding
The Vegware Community Fund supports sustainable community projects. For an application form contact Grace Brownlie 08456 430 406. Details at: www.vegware.com
Carbon Calculator
The Resurgence Carbon Calculator, regarded as one of the best tools for working out your carbon footprint, has been updated: http://tiny.cc/
carboncalculator
Lewes Workspace
Worth a look is Lewes Werks, a flexible community workspace which provides coworking, office and community space - mixed in with workshops and events such as their film and clothes swap evenings. View: www.leweswerks.org.uk
Fellowship Program
The Centre for Sustainability Leadership, Australia, is looking for participants for their 2010 Fellowship Program. Worldwide applicants are welcome. For full details view: www.csl.org.au
Action On Climate Change
A training initiative open to Trade Union members who wish to take action on climate change is now available: www.climate
solidarity.org.uk
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