Perma-couture (extract)

The problem with plastics has always been the vast gulfs of time between their half-life and their useful life. By certain limited measurements some synthetic fibres may (marginally) outperform wool, silk and cotton. However the nature of their production (i.e. in high-tech chemical laboratories using fossil-fuel feedstocks) and the problems associated with their disposal after they degrade beyond use make them environmentally costly alternatives to the currently more expensive-to-produce natural fibres.

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The Scythe Book

A tribute to the scythe by one of it's relatively few modern enthusiasts in the developed world, The Scythe Book is a must-read for enthusiasts of hand tools.

The author takes us on a thought provoking tour of the history and state-of-the-art of scythe production and use, from archaeological artifacts to the modern hammered blade and including comprehensive advice on mowing techniques, choosing and maintaining equipment and even the philosophy and culture of the old-timey mower. The new edition is full of illustrations and additional hints on peening (sharpening) techniques too.

For a permaculture perspective on scythes see this article.

The Quiet Achiever

Anyone who has ever ground their teeth at the noise of an electric or petrol-driven whipper-snipper/weed-eater/brush-cutter (even while using it themselves), will be pleased to know that there is a better technology available to do the job of that infernal machine.  And they may surprised to know that it has been available for several centuries...

Scythes are so much more energy-efficient than their fossil-fuel-guzzling usurpers that its hard to see how they ever fell from popularity.  Some commentators (namely the author of The Scythe Book) blame the use of heavy bent hardwood snaths and mass-produced pressed blades which could not be sharpened properly.  It may also have something to do with the relative skill-levels required by users, or the modern obsessive fear of sharp things.

Hammered blades made by experienced smiths can be useful for many decades with proper care and use.  The embodied energy in a scythe is a tiny fraction of that of in the more complex machine.  And the noise!  The majority of the energy liberated by internal combustion is lost as heat, noise/vibration and pollution.  The health and safety risks to stinkwand users are so many and varied that they must wear the gardener's equivalent of riot-gear: ear and eye protection, gloves, boots and full-length clothing.  And there is little protection from nerve-damage caused by the vibrations of the machine other than to stop using it.

The hand-mower, on the other hand, can mow naked if they choose (where by-laws permit) and soon learns to identify birds by their song.  The risks to the user's feet are negligible so footwear is optional (watch for prickles though) and a full kit including blade, custom-fit snath, stones and peening jig for sharpening can be ordered online for about the same price as a decent whipper-snipper... minus the first tank of fuel.

Aikido and Permaculture

Aikido or the "Way of Harmony with Universal Energy" has many lessons for permaculturists. It is an oriental martial art which uses circular, blending movements to tame the energies of an attacker.  Informed by Zen, Shinto and the battlefield arts (jutsu) of the samurai of ancient Japan, Aikido has inspired generations of westerners and Japanese alike with its vision of cooperation and non-passive pacifism.

Both Aikido and Permaculture are systems of ethics as well as practical guides to life. Both stress the importance of observation or "listening" to the universe as an intuitive tool for solving problems and resolving conflict.  Both provide real strategies and techniques for living simply and in harmony with other beings.

Bill Mollison has compared permaculture to Aikido, and Geoff Lawton has attributed his success in establishing food forests in extremely harsh conditions in arid Middle Eastern landscapes to "harmonising with the landscape" (see this video and also this interview about Permaculture in Haiti)

Masanobu Fukuoka, in his agri-philosophical classic "The One Straw Revolution", much cited by Permaculturists, explores themes which are probably familiar to students of Aikido too: compassion, humility and economy of action are the key lessons for us in the modern world where hatred, arrogance, and pointless busy-work has the potential to bring our entire planet to ruin.

Permaculture: principles and pathways beyond sustainability

As co-originator of the permaculture concept, David Holmgren needs no introduction for most permaculturists. Not as controversial or high profile as his mentor and co-originator Bill Mollison but every bit as capable of turning conventional thinking on it's head, he has been quietly chipping away at the problematic notion of sustainability for years in his writing.

His collection of twelve principles (and associated mnemonic tools: each get a proverb and an icon to assist recall) are immaculately dovetailed and provide a framework for addressing a wide variety of environmental and social problems by thoughtful design.

The companion website for the book also contains many invaluable online resources for permaculture teachers and students alike.

(see here for more recommended texts)

Micro-what?

Aiki Designs is currently engaged in designing a micro-festival (<500 people) with a permaculture twist, with the aim of raising volunteer labour and funding for the reafforestation of a property in the NSW Northern Rivers region.

If you have skills or experience in permaculture, revegetation or event management and are interested in joining our team to help us develop this festival, or else have a unique, handmade/recycled/organic/ethical product or service you would like to provide then please contact us here

Permaforestry I (coming soon)

Permaforestry is the practice of managing forests to maximise diversity of yields and benefits to humans AND other species, over the longest possible management time-scale (i.e. multiple human generations).

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Organisational Permaculture (coming soon)

A guide to what Bill Mollison termed the "invisible structures of Permaculture" - strategies and design techniques for banks, eco-villages, trusts, foundations and other organisations or projects dedicated to Earth-care and People-care.

($POA)

Urban Permaculture Strategies (coming soon)

A crash course in city survival for people from all walks of life. 4 Modules including one practical and a field trip. Student and unemployed discount available on application.

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