- Zinnia, a woman from Manhattan, wants to be a farmer
- Chris, a first-time home-owner in Hastings, “wants to do the right thing”
- Sarah’s journey has spanned biology, religion, and farming—now to permaculture
- Natalie wants to launch her adult life with knowledge of permaculture
- Aslihan wants to do her part in creating a sustainable future
All four of the teachers were present to welcome the students: Claudia Joseph, a lifetime gardener who has taught permaculture since 1998; Jono Neiger, a Massachusetts based agro-ecologist; Anne Wiesen, an herbalist; and her husband John Steitz, an architect and landscape designer.
“We’re going to take a very quick tour of permaculture,” said Claudia, explaining that permaculture was traditionally taught over a two or three-week residential program. Accelerated Permaculture Training is six sessions.
Claudia introduced the class to shapes in nature that are useful in permaculture, zones, and basic mapping techniques. She took a first look at a needs / yields analysis. Each person there wrote down what they needed and what they could contribute to a community.
A glimpse:
I need to learn carpentry. I can give gardening skills. / I need a love seat. I can give chicken poop. / I need a job. I can give community organizing.
I need to learn carpentry. I can give gardening skills. / I need a love seat. I can give chicken poop. / I need a job. I can give community organizing.
Jono took participants on a tour of his home and garden, noting how permaculture influences his decisions.
Homework: map a space which you visit every day. Using permaculture principles, redesign this area.