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Permaculture is a combination of the words permanent and agriculture. It involves the process of farming by means of cultivating and caring for crops and livestock in a way that resembles natural ecological processes. There are certain elements that are associated with permaculture as well as procedures to ensure the ecological friendliness of a farm. Permaculture takes a holistic approach to agriculture and strives to hold
true to three main core beliefs: earthcare, peoplecare, and fairshare.
The use of patterns is an important element in permaculture. Farmers that practice permaculture strive to discover patterns that occur naturally in nature and use these discoveries as a model for the layout of their crops. Calculating the most seemingly minute of details will serve to preserve the stability of a farm. Sunlight, wind, and the tilt of the Earth all come into play. Permaculture zones are also used. These zones organize plots of land according to the frequency of human interaction. More needy plants are place closer to the home, while more dependent, wild crops are planted at the outskirts of the farm. A stacking method is applied to agriculture in permaculture that allows for plant species to benefit from their close proximity to other plants. Seven distinct levels are used in the stacking method: the tree canopy, a lower layer of trees, bushes and shrubs, herbaceous, root crops, cover crops for the surface of the soil, and then vine type plants that climb up trees.
Much like the stacking method, polyculture plays an important role in permaculture. Instead of focusing on the planting and harvesting of single cash crops, farmers grow many types of crops in one place in an attempt to mimic a natural ecosystem. Crop rotation, multi-cropping, and intercropping is done to achieve this goal. Careful selection of plants and animals is perhaps the most crucial element of permaculture. Growing perennial plants that do not need to be replanted year after year is often done. With these plants less labor is required and a minimum amount of fertilizer is used. Having helpful animals on the farm like chickens that eat weeds and can be used to produce eggs.
Every farm requires energy, but the use of harmful fossil fuels is looked down upon with permaculture. By growing plants that do not require extensive tilling or applications of fertilizer and pesticides, permaculture farmers reduce the amount of energy needed to maintain a piece of land. Using alternatives to conventional fertilizer, such as chicken manure, also helps keep energy use to a minimum.
Permaculture is a holistic practice that recognizes the importance of preserving the Earth by means of environmentally responsible farming practices. Three core values are adhered to by permaculture farmers. The first is referred to as earthcare. This is the recognition that earth is source for all life and so it needs to be nurtured and protected. People are not simply guests on Earth, but instead are part of it. Another core value is peoplecare. This is the idea of human togetherness that promotes people caring for one another in a way that is not damaging to the planet. Fairshare, the final core value, is the use of the Earth’s natural resources in a responsible way that will not endanger the planet or the lives of humans and animals.
