Our new ‘Permaculture’ program is hosted by Wenderlyn and Iain from North Devon Permaculture with most of the contributors from the South West Permaculture Network.
Permaculture is at the heart of what we do so we are excited to announce this new program and hub.
We would like this space to act as a hub for people in the ‘South West Permaculture Network’. A space for connecting and networking. And for anyone curious about permaculture!
So what is permaculture?
Permaculture is a creative design process that leads to action, based on whole-systems thinking, and informed by ethics and design principles. It helps design intelligent systems which meet human needs whilst enhancing biodiversity, reducing our impact on the planet, and creating a fairer world for us all.
Find out more about Off Grid Festival and Permaculture here
Exploring our wild food larder. How to identify, prepare and use wild plants
with Chris Hope
How to identify, prepare and use wild plants.. An exploration of foraging UK edible wild plants, from identification in the field, to preparation for the table. Daily fun and informative foraging walks and cookery workshops that unearth the forgotten flavours of the hedgerow
Participants will learn:
Basic plant identification using the easy-to-remembner 'plant patterns' method.
Increased confidence in plant I/D.
Cookery ideas using our common edible species.
Knowledge and experience in harvesting and preparing wild foods
https://www.wildplantguide.com
GM Crops and Foods: Natural or Nasty?
with Myc Riggulsford
Fri 10th, 9:30 am - 11:00 am at Permaculture HubStarting from the discovery of genetics in Devon this talk and discussion with science and environment journalist Myc Riggulsford, who has over 25 years experience writing, broadcasting and lecturing about GM crops, animals, and foods, will look at some of the science and nature behind genetic modification technology and its implications for organic farming and sustainable living today. With examples from famous anti-GM campaigns and some surprising foods it will show how GM is now embedded in our society. It will look at the nature of land rights and how we are losing our Natural Capital, prompting a discussion about the way we want society to progress in future, how we should place a value on our ecosystem services, and how we are losing them as they increasingly fail, depriving us of clean air, clean water, and healthy soils.
These ideas are currently being talked about at the theoretical level by many governments and countries around the world, especially those that recognise that young people are economically excluded, corralled into cities and have lost contact with and therefore interest in nature. We are all losing our Natural Capital through biodiversity losses, and the ability of the world to sustain us. Off Grid is the right place to discuss this.
www.smallpower.co.uk (this is currently under reconstruction, at present mainly about renewables).
Communal Living: One Alternative
with Larry Leventhal Tinker's Bubble Community
Fri 10th, 11:30 am - 12:15 pm at Permaculture HubIn my talk I explain my route into these communities and comment on why people are reaching out to communities from the stresses of the present world. Highlighting some pros and cons of communal living and then looking at other alternatives and ways of bringing a community feel back to communities.
Tapeley Park Permaculture Garden Tour 1
with Jen Haynes
Fri 10th, 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm at Permaculture Hub
Over 20 years old, the permaculture garden at Tapeley is one of the oldest in the country. It was established by Hector who was inspired by the work of the horticulturist, Robert Hart. Tapeley is part of a 6.000 acre estate which activist Hector Christie is custodian.
The main characteristics of the Tapeley permaculture garden: It’s a ‘perennial’ garden – most of the plants have been in the garden for several years and we harvest food from them for most of the year. The garden is planted in layers – like a forest the garden is universally productive, from the tree canopies through shrubs and bushes, right down to the plants on the ground itself.
The permaculture garden is good for us and wildlife – everything in the garden is edible, medicinal or beneficial for wildlife – and often all three. It is naturally balanced – because the garden forms a healthy ecosystem in itself there is no need to use chemicals and pesticides.
http://www.christieestates.co.uk/tapeley-park/
Story of the International Permaculture Convergence India 2017
with Russ Spollin
Sat 11th, 9:30 am - 11:00 am at Permaculture HubRuss will share his story and what he learned during his months spent in India at the volunteering at the International Permaculture Convergence 2017.
Background and intro to permaculture and IPC in general (delivered as appropriate for the audience) History of Aranya Agriculture and Polam Farm (hosts of IPC 2017) Development of Aranya and Polam Farm (transformation from desert to permaculture forest garden) Development of the event space (transformation from desert to event space) Delivery of the event What's next and legacy Questions
http://www.spollin.com
Low-Impact Communities meet Development Control
with Charlotte Oliver
Sat 11th, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm at Permaculture Hub
Most people have little experience of the planning system until they need to use it. This session will cover an introduction to why there is a system, how to make the most of it, and some pitfalls to avoid, in the context of low impact development. There will be time for questions and answers, so please bring your experiences, good and not so great, to share with others embarking on the L.I.D. path.
Charlotte lives at Landmatters permaculture community near Totnes, Devon. She was involved in their journey from enforcement notices to permanent planning permission and draws on this experience and that of similar low impact developments.
http://www.landmatters.org.uk
Gardening Towards a Zero Carbon Future
with Tammi Dallaston
Sat 11th, 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm at Permaculture HubTammi is currently undertaking this research for ZCB, and as part of my post graduate studies. There are only a handful of us in the UK currently studying hyperlocal food production, and uniquely I am looking at it from a social science perspective. My current research is looking at the role horticulture and edible landscapes (gardens, villages, towns and cities) can have on the trajectory of hyperlocal food production, with a view to the myriad ways this reduces carbon dioxide emissions and increases well being. Each time I run workshops and talks on the subject, it enriches my research.
During this session participants will gain:
Greater understanding of climate change and it’s impacts Introduction to CAT’s ZCB reports, which show how we can achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 Better understanding of the impact of hyperlocal food production on carbon capture and storage Better understanding of the role of hyperlocal food production on climate change An introduction to community food production and cobenefits
http://www.cat.org.uk
http://www.zerocarbonbritain.org
Saving Open-Pollinated Seeds for a Resilient Future
with Fred Groom
Sat 11th, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm at Permaculture HubIn this workshop you will learn the basic skills and facts required to save your own high quality vegetable, herb and flower seed. Since the birth of agriculture 10,000 years ago, knowledge of how to save seed for the next year’s planting has been crucial, as without this skill, crop varieties would quickly loose their vitality. Only in the last 100 years has this skill been lost from the repertoire of farmers and gardeners as seed production has been gradually outsourced to multi-national chemical corporations. These corporations prioritise the needs of industrial farming systems over small-scale producers resulting in many great varieties becoming extinct.
Become empowered to take back control of your own seeds and varieties in this workshop!
Participants will:
Learn about basic plant reproductive biology from different crop families and their implications for saving seed Gain practical experience in processing seed Learn why we should save seed Understand which crops are easy to save seed from and which are more challenging
http://www.vitalseeds.co.uk
Tapely Park Permaculture Garden Tour 2
with Jen Haynes
Sat 11th, 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm at Permaculture HubDon’t just eat vegan, grow vegan: PlantBased strategies to reduce your carbon footprint and increase your self-reliance.
with Piers Warren
Sun 12th, 9:30 am - 11:00 am at Permaculture HubAn introduction to how growing your own food using vegan organic techniques in a closed-loop system, can be one of the most effective ways to lower your carbon footprint and build your self-reliance whilst being beneficial to wildlife and the land. Introducing a range of permaculture and veganic approaches. Taking steps towards self-sufficiency is an exciting and fulfilling journey.
This will be a talk alongside a powerpoint slide show.
