Permaculture Design is a scientific and artistic approach to creating long-lasting and beautiful human settlements.  Working with nature as opposed to against it, the goal is to create systems that support themselves and create surplus through the relative placement and succession of elements in the design. 

For example, a nitrogen fixing tree (NFT) is planted next to a fruit tree to provide nitrogen, shelter, and mulch.  Time and energy is saved just by placing the two elements together, because we need not provide supplemental fertilizer and the mulch material is close at hand.  The NFT shelters the young fruit tree, and is eventually overtaken by it.

Permaculture Design begins with setting our intention based on three Ethics.  We must first align ourselves with the energy of Caring and Sharing:

Ethics of Permaculture

    Care for the Earth

    Care for the People

    Sharing of Surplus to support our actions and each other

Then we use the Filters of Permaculture to observe the Land and the patterns of Nature.  These filters are called the Principles by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren and others.

Principles of Permaculture

    Form follows Function

    Stability lies in Diversity 

    Work with Nature 

    Make the Least Change for the Greatest Good 

    The Problem is the Solution 

    The Yield of a System is Unlimited

    Everything is Connected

    Location is Relative

    Cycles create Opportunities

Design Process

The first step in a  Permaculture Design is to look at the Clients’ Needs, and the Resources they may have on site to provide for these needs.  With a cross check we can solve many needs this way, just by re-arranging elements and placing them relative to each other.

We then observe the system we will be designing and, coming from the Ethics and applying the Principles, we solve the need that is presented with the materials at hand, or the next closest location.

Waste and pollution in a system is an under utilized resource.  Waste for one is food for another.  We cycle nutrients so that we can use them to their next highest energy level before we let them leave the system.

Humanity’s Basic Needs Broken Down-

1. Water:  Design for storage.  Maximize use.  MInimize waste.

Water is the most primary resource that we need.  Without it we would not live long, and with a supply of poor quality our health suffers.

You can provide for your own water needs by harvesting the rain. Nature provides it for us, all we have to do is catch it. 

Groundwater recharge is an immediate necessity for our area.  We cannot continue to pump water out of the ground that is hundreds or thousands of years old and not have a plan to replace it.

Grey-water is a waste that is a resource.  All of the water that flows from your sinks and showers can be used to produce copious amounts of food.

From the suburban tract home to the cattle ranch, we can help you design water systems that store and re-store Nature’s most precious resource.

2. Food:  Eat locally, act globally.

Local food production is one way to reduce the effects of global warming.  By growing our own we not only have the benefit of higher nutrition and satisfaction, but we reduce our dependency on petroleum and all of the mess we create around it.

Imagine creating a sustainable food production system for your home or ranch.  Let us help you create a Food Forest or  Integrated Agricultural Ecosystem on your property.

Fruits, vegetables, and livestock can flourish on any scale.  With appropriate design, most of our food needs can be supplied in a very small space with minimal maintenance.

My experience in design will save you time and money spent  on mistakes.  Allow me to share with you what I have learned about growing my own food.

3. 3.Energy:  Make yer own!
   

You can also provide for your own energy needs. 

Biogas digesters convert decomposing organic matter into methane which can be used to heat your food and water, or run your car!

Solar Photovoltaic Systems pay themselves off in 5 to 7 years, and may actually give energy back to the grid.

Wind turbines harvest the energy potential of a consistent force that is supplied by Nature.

Composting converts organic “waste” into valuable soil amendment that saves time and money in growing your own food.

4. Health:  Be happy, be healthy.

The point of all of this is to improve our quality of life while preserving and creating abundance.  By providing for ourselves not only do we empower ourselves but we receive a different energy, one of more quality.  This is reflected in our health and happiness.

We can live by example.  Our actions and emotions really do affect the world.  If we live peacefully we radiate peace, and create peace.

TM Bill Mollison

Contact us for more information about converting your home or ranch into a green showcase.

Plantings- vegetable gardens, fruit orchards, ornamentals, drought tolerant, native plant mitigation

Hardscaping- paths, walls, decks, fences, tables, trellises, patios

Water Systems- fountains, ponds, rainwater tanks, grey-water systems, Keyline Design

Earth Works- swales, terraces, roads, rainwater catchment drains, dams

Composting Operations- food, yard waste, composting toilets

Natural Building- Cob, light straw clay, straw-bale, and adobe

Bee Hives and Pollinator Systems

Poultry Systems

copyright 2008 Santa Barbara Organics.

    SIte Design by Loren Luyendyk