permacultural

[permacultural]

The gardener fears changes in the weather pattern, lack of water, soil loss, husbandry negligence. That so few in our generation have a visceral experience with any deprivation is why, in the face of mounting water shortages, soil erosion, atmospheric changes, and chemical toxicity most people can still drink their coca-cola, munch their nachos, and spend hours glued to sitcoms, oblivious to catastrophes building around them.

Joel Salatin Folks, This Ain’t Normal (via alysonblair)

[permacultural]

Monsanto - A history of ignorance, hubris and greed

"The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new."  -Socrates 

I'm a firm believer in this principle, and therefore won't expend a whole lot of energy focusing on an enemy that will ultimately destroy itself.  I believe in justice and truth.  Love always conquers fear.  The answer to desperation is generosity.  Openness.  

However, after reading over the history of Monsanto, I am truly awestruck at the extent of environmental degradation wreaked by a single company.  I think it's important to at least stay informed about the origin and history of one of the most destructive institutions in human history.  So, take a read if you're interested.  If you haven't read up on it, I'm sure that like me, you'll be shocked by what you find.  

Since its founding, Monsanto has been involved in the production of plastics, DDT, Agent Orange, Aspartame, Bovine Growth Hormone, PCB's, the Manhattan Project's first nuclear weapons, atomic energy, GMO seeds, Roundup (Glyphosate), illegal toxic dumping, bribing government officials, false advertising, bullying and other general madness.

[permacultural]

Globalized industrialized food is not cheap: it is too costly for the Earth, for the farmers, for our health. The Earth can no longer carry the burden of groundwater mining, pesticide pollution, disappearance of species and destabilization of the climate. Farmers can no longer carry the burden of debt, which is inevitable in industrial farming with its high costs of production. It is incapable of producing safe, culturally appropriate, tasty, quality food. And it is incapable of producing enough food for all because it is wasteful of land, water and energy. Industrial agriculture uses ten times more energy than it produces. It is thus ten times less efficient.

Vandana Shiva 

[permacultural]

[permacultural]

[permacultural]

How to Establish a Small Space Intensive Food Garden

Permaculture Research Institute

[permacultural]

How overwhelmingly strange that most human beings have no idea who they are

Modern civilization is completely insane, a “flurry of the absurd”

People in cities are running around like mad, frenzied under the weight of fear. A numbing, wordless and ever-present anxiety gnaws at everyone

Human...

[permacultural]

Holzer’s methods of gardening and cultivation

[permacultural]

I like the Perma-Mamas

[permacultural]

:)

[permacultural]

Today's Plan

Today's plan: 

I will be planting Royal Purple Pod beans in a pot.  Using an organic potting mix I found, amended with my own earthworm castings.  Also looking to start my Pigeon Peas so that they'll be ready to transplant next to my fruit trees in a few weeks' time.  Sesame plants and African Marigolds also getting sown for the same reason.  These two plants are supposed to do well in the soil here, and they repel nematodes (my biggest enemy in this sandy hot place). 

I also hope to stop by my local coffee shop to pick up some coffee grounds that I can compost with the huge amount of leaves in my yard.  Next week we'll be planting some fruit trees and I'll be at the beach (it's spring break for this teacher) gathering lots of seaweed to compost and burn for a soil amendment. 

[permacultural]

Detachment from, ignorance of, and violence toward

the earth

are but  a reflection of the same attitude toward

our selves

[permacultural]

Great news!  Let's reduce our plastic usage, reuse when possible and recycle as a last resort. As for the massive burden we are creating for future generations, nature (once again) offers a solution...

[permacultural]

David Holmgren's 12 Permaculture Design Principles

[permacultural]

My succulents are beginning to bloom!

[permacultural]

A very interesting read... this is my introduction to Biodynamics, and so far it's fascinating.

[permacultural]

“All things are interrelated and interdependent; nothing exists in isolation. The entire universe is one ecosystem, similar to a spider web — if one part is touched, the entire net shimmers. As a result of interrelatedness and interdependency, every expression of energy, including our thoughts and intentions, ultimately touches and affects everything else.”

Matthew Flickstein