エピソード

  • 127. Digital Permaculture, Ethical IT and Open-Source Tools

    127. Digital Permaculture, Ethical IT and Open-Source Tools
    2026/09/02
    In episode 127 of The Permaculture Vine Podcast, host Cormac Harkin was joined by Dominik Jais.The conversation covered Dominik’s introduction to permaculture, his diploma work, the development of his Finnish homestead, digital permaculture, artificial intelligence, open-source alternatives, his book Digital Permaculture and his work with the European Permaculture Network.Who’s at the TableDominik Jais lives in Finland. He is a web developer, permaculture diploma tutor and lead of the European Permaculture Network’s software. He also runs the Beyond Buckthorns permaculture homestead and wrote the book Digital Permaculture.From Coding to PermacultureDominik first encountered permaculture in New York in 2014 after meeting people involved in DIY biogas projects through a local hackspace. During the visit, he attended a final presentation connected with a Permaculture Design Certificate course and heard a permaculture project being presented.He continued learning through books, websites and videos before completing an intensive two-week PDC in Finland in 2018 with George Sobol. At the time, Dominik and his wife were already gardening and beginning to develop designs for their own property.Dominik later began his Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design. His existing projects provided material for the diploma, including work on a barn and a communications design for the Finnish Permaculture Association.Beyond Buckthorns in FinlandDominik and his wife began developing Beyond Buckthorns after moving to their property in 2016. The project involves transforming the existing space into a permaculture homestead.The property includes several gardens and indoor growing areas. Dominik described an indoor food forest built into an old barn using reclaimed glass from a municipal building renovation in Tampere. The space is used mainly for perennial plants, with some annual crops such as tomatoes.The property also has a greenhouse and a recently completed partially sunken greenhouse. This was created from an old garage containing a working ditch below the frost line. Dominik plans to use it for trees that would otherwise struggle with the area’s winter temperatures.Their outdoor growing includes garlic, vegetables and a range of berries. They do not currently keep livestock, although they have a cat named Ms Sophie.Courses, Consultancy and Design WorkBeyond Buckthorns hosts different forms of permaculture education. Dominik’s wife, Lumia, teaches an introduction to permaculture course in Finnish. Dominik has taught two PDCs in English and usually runs a biogas course every other year.They have also tested a regenerative energy course and different teaching formats. One format that has worked well is their design camp, which provides a direct and hands-on introduction to permaculture design.Dominik also undertakes occasional design and consultancy work. The projects vary according to what comes to them, with the largest consultancy project discussed covering approximately 12 hectares.Biogas in a Cold ClimateThe conversation included the biogas system Dominik installed inside the converted barn. He explained that methane production is highest at approximately 37°C and declines as the temperature falls.To operate the system in Finland, he placed it indoors and used approximately 40 centimetres of insulation. He combined it with a solar vacuum-tube collector, circulating hot water through the IBC containing the system.The barn now contains the biogas system, the indoor food forest and a teaching classroom.Applying Permaculture to Digital SystemsDominik distinguished between using digital tools for conventional permaculture work and applying permaculture design within a digital context.For property design, he uses QGIS along with graphics software including Inkscape, GIMP and Affinity. The choice depends on the requirements and complexity of the project.Dominik described digital permaculture as permaculture design conducted within a digital context. It still involves observation, ethics, principles, a design process and an assessment of available options.Cormac used his planned home server system as an example. The proposed system would store podcast files and family photographs while allowing files to be accessed and shared remotely.Dominik discussed examining whether a network-attached storage system was required, whether existing equipment could meet the need and whether open-source or proprietary software was appropriate. He also noted that a proprietary system might remain the practical choice if operating an open-source alternative placed excessive demands on the user.Artificial Intelligence and Digital ChoicesCormac described using AI-generated elements inside Affinity to create visual representations of greenhouses and trees for property designs.Dominik raised the energy and hardware requirements associated with artificial intelligence, including mineral extraction and the production of computing equipment....
    続きを読む 一部表示
    55 分
  • 126. Off-Grid Living, Productive Gardens and Natural Building

    126. Off-Grid Living, Productive Gardens and Natural Building
    2026/08/27
    In episode 126 of The Permaculture Vine Podcast, host Cormac Harkin was joined by Steven Golemboski-Byrne.The conversation covered Steven’s introduction to permaculture, the development of his property in County Down, food growing, off-grid energy, natural building, biogas and the permaculture gathering in Ireland.Who’s at the TableSteven Golemboski-Byrne is based in County Down, Northern Ireland. He has been involved in permaculture for 15 years and lives off-grid at Lackin Cottage Farm. His work includes providing power systems for people who cannot or do not want to connect to the electricity grid, alongside consultancy on buildings, heating systems, natural materials, greywater recycling and water treatment.An Introduction to Permaculture in BangorSteven first encountered permaculture while working on a community farm project in Bangor. The farm’s owners wanted to develop community farming and social-prescribing activities, but the people involved did not yet have a clear plan for organising the site.Philip Allen delivered a one-day introduction to permaculture for the group. Steven said the course left him with more questions than he had beforehand, but it helped the project develop a long-term design. Work on that design was still continuing 15 years later.Steven subsequently visited projects in Wales, including Lammas Ecovillage, where he met Simon and Jasmine Dale. He was also part of a group attempting to establish another ecovillage in Wales. Although that project did not proceed, the group had already considered how permaculture could inform the design of a future site.Finding Land and Making an Initial PlanSteven and his family wanted to live off-grid and travelled to different projects to see how other people were doing it. Before finding land, they developed a list of things they might want to include and considered how they could earn a living.Their budget was a major factor when looking for a property. They eventually found land in County Down containing some woodland, along with ground that had previously been closely grazed by sheep.Once they had the property, they considered which parts of their earlier plans were suitable for that particular site. They produced an initial five-year plan and a first permaculture design for the property.Renovating the Cottage and Working OutwardsWhen Steven and his family received the keys, the house was derelict. They had previously lived in a converted truck, which they brought to the new property.With Claire pregnant and their daughter Lyra due to be born, they had 14 weeks to make the cottage habitable. Their first priorities were shelter, heating, bathing and somewhere to sleep.Food was initially grown in bags and containers because there was no prepared growing area outside. Rubble from work on the cottage was used while putting infrastructure in place, and development gradually moved outwards from the house.Once they had enough dry ground, they established a route to the planned polytunnel, began improving the soil and started planting. They also planted large numbers of trees during the first few years so that the trees could begin growing without losing another season.Practical Work Before the PDCSteven did not complete a Permaculture Design Certificate until 2018, several years after arriving at the property in 2012.Before taking the course, he had already helped to organise gatherings, facilitated courses and contributed sessions about the work taking place on the farm. Hannah Moll taught courses at the property, including during its first year.Steven completed his PDC in Wicklow. He described the course as practical and hands-on, while also providing more detail about subjects including ponds, soil and the process of developing a design with other people.Food, Fuel and a Local Group of HouseholdsThe property initially concentrated on producing food for Steven’s family rather than operating as a CSA.Steven described a loose local group of four or five families who grow food and keep different animals. Food and other resources are exchanged within the group, which also places wholefood orders through Suma.During lockdown, members worked together on larger jobs, including erecting polytunnels. They would work at one property before moving to the next. This arrangement has continued, although the group no longer meets for shared work as often.Lackin Cottage Farm has usually kept chickens, although it had no chickens at the time of the conversation. Steven also keeps horses. One of the horses can undertake field work, move materials and pull timber.The property grows much of its own fuel. Existing woodland has been supplemented by thousands of planted trees, coppice and double hedgerows.Adjusting the Amount of Food Being GrownThe amount of food grown at the property has changed over time. Steven explained that the vegetable-growing operation became too large to maintain comfortably, even when the systems were designed to require less ...
    続きを読む 一部表示
    59 分
  • 125. School-Bus Living, Off-Grid Systems and Community Stewardship

    125. School-Bus Living, Off-Grid Systems and Community Stewardship
    2026/08/26
    In episode 125 of The Permaculture Vine Podcast, host Cormac Harkin was joined by Lindsay Brandon for a Permaculture Canada livestream covering her move from Calgary to an off-grid school bus in Golden, British Columbia.The conversation covered Lindsay’s move from Calgary to a school bus in Golden, British Columbia, the practical systems needed for living off-grid, joining an established community, shared food production, sociocracy, creative work, travel and the future use of the bus.Who’s at the TableLindsay Brandon is moving from Calgary, Alberta, to Golden, British Columbia. Her work includes permaculture design, yoga instruction, music, illustration and sculpture. At the time of the conversation, she was preparing a camperized school bus for the move while continuing to undertake permaculture designs and planning upcoming travel to Iceland and Thailand.Cormac Harkin is the host of The Permaculture Vine Podcast. He joined Lindsay for this Permaculture Canada livestream and discussed her move, the bus conversion, off-grid systems, community arrangements and future plans.Leaving Calgary and DownsizingLindsay had lived in Calgary while raising her children for 23 years. With her children now adults and out of the house, she decided to stop renting a three-bedroom property in the city and move into a school bus in Golden.The decision followed winter travel with her partner through six countries in Central America. They were looking for places where they might spend Canadian winters while retaining a home in Canada near family and their children.Maintaining a city house while travelling created considerable overhead. After returning to Calgary, Lindsay found that the house was larger than she needed. She wanted to move away from the noise and routines of the city and spend more time on the land.The move also required a significant reduction in belongings. Lindsay estimated that she sold around 70 per cent of what she owned. This took approximately three months of managing listings, calls, collections and negotiations through Facebook Marketplace.She retained her instruments, recording equipment, seasonal clothing and other belongings that she still needed. These are being stored in a rented 20-foot shipping container near the airport, allowing her to collect or exchange equipment and seasonal items when she returns to Calgary.Making Space for Creative WorkLindsay described the move as an opportunity to spend more time on music, songwriting, painting, illustration and sculpture.In Calgary, she had a large music studio but generally used it only occasionally in the evenings. On the land, she intends to create music with other artists, build sculptures in the woods and paint murals on the school bus and shipping containers.She also plans to use a virtual reality headset to transfer her illustrations onto larger surfaces. Drawings can be loaded into an application, enlarged to the required scale and viewed against the surface being painted. Lindsay intends to use this process to turn sketches into large murals on the bus and other structures.A future music studio may be housed in a yurt. She also discussed purchasing two shipping containers and using them as separate workshop spaces beneath a large covered structure.Stewarding Land Without Owning ItThe conversation considered the difference between purchasing land and entering an arrangement to inhabit and help steward land owned by someone else.Lindsay is exploring agreements based on the needs of both the landowners and the people living there. She mentioned bartering, trading and contributing skills as possible parts of these arrangements.She plans to spend a year living in the school bus on the property before deciding where to position it permanently. This will allow time to observe different parts of the land before choosing a longer-term location.Lindsay and her partner are also considering eventually building an earthship. She said they hoped to begin that process the following year, but the location had not yet been selected.The initial infrastructure may include two shipping containers with a Quonset-style roof between or above them. The containers would provide workshop space, while the covered area could be used to protect the school bus and other vehicles during the snowy Golden winters when Lindsay and her partner are travelling elsewhere.Preparing the School BusThe vehicle is a full-sized International school bus that had already been camperized. Lindsay thought it was approximately 25 feet long but was not certain of the measurement.At the time of the recording, the bus could not safely make the journey through the mountain pass to Golden. It needed a fuel pump and new tyres, so it was due to be transported on a flatbed. A diesel mechanic in the area would be able to work on it after it arrived.The bus already had plumbing, curtains, shelving and considerable storage. A friend removed part of the former bunk-bed structure and built a ...
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 1 分
  • 124. Permaculture Projects, Off-Grid Living and Community Teams

    124. Permaculture Projects, Off-Grid Living and Community Teams
    2026/08/25
    In episode 124 of The Permaculture Vine Podcast, host Cormac Harkin was joined by Lindsay Brandon of Permaculture Canada and Neal Hegarty from Lake Atitlán in Guatemala.The conversation covered Lindsay’s current design projects and planned move into a school bus, approaches to managing human waste, Neal’s greywater work around Lake Atitlán, the selection of plants for riparian areas, and their experiences of building teams around permaculture projects.Who’s at the TableLindsay Brandon joined from Calgary, where she had been based for 19 years. Through Permaculture Canada, she was working on projects with a First Nations community on Vancouver Island, an agricultural and guest accommodation property outside Calgary, and a women’s wellness retreat centre and residence in Oaxaca. She was also preparing to move into a school bus in British Columbia.Neal Hegarty joined from Lake Atitlán in Guatemala. He was working from his farm and collaborating with local people, farmers, nonprofit organisations and the municipality of San Pedro on greywater, planting and land regeneration projects. He was also running a training community connecting landowners with developing designers and teachers.Current Permaculture Canada ProjectsLindsay described a First Nations project on Vancouver Island that began in May. The work involved meeting members of the community, discussing their vision for the future and exploring how permaculture could be incorporated into their communities. It also included conversations about ancestral knowledge and connections between elders and younger people.Outside Calgary, she was working on a small agricultural property that also operates as a luxury bed-and-breakfast rental with horses. The property includes an adobe house, and Lindsay was preparing to collect drone footage for the base maps she would use in the design.Her third main project was a women’s wellness retreat centre and residence on a site of just under five acres near Salchi and Zipolite in Oaxaca. She was collaborating with Scott Howard of Earth in Hand, who was expected to build earthen homes as part of the project. They had recently completed a site visit together.Preparing to Live in a School BusLindsay was preparing to leave Calgary and move into a converted school bus in the mountains of British Columbia. Although the bus had already been adapted for accommodation, she planned to remove bunk beds and create an office, music table and library area. A damaged bed frame also needed to be replaced because of concerns about water damage and air quality.The planned off-grid setup included solar panels, a Blue Eddy power unit with an additional battery, a solar-powered cooler and a propane on-demand water heater. The aim was to have enough stored power for approximately three days, depending on available sunlight.The bus was not running, despite attempts to identify a possible fuel-pump problem. Its tyres were also too worn for a journey through the Rocky Mountains. The immediate plan was therefore to transport it on a flatbed, while retaining the longer-term aim of getting it running so that it could be moved around the property.Lindsay was also considering whether to move the collection of fruit and support plants currently growing in her Calgary garden. The collection included cherries, haskaps, currants, gooseberries, grapes, hops and buffalo berry, with around 53 berry bushes planted in a small area.Toilets and Human-Waste CompostingThe school bus did not have a toilet system. Lindsay discussed beginning with either a simple bucket toilet and a three-stage composting arrangement or a pit toilet.She described the three-stage approach as filling one composting area, leaving it to rest and moving on to the next. This would allow the material to remain in place over a number of years before being used as compost.Cormac described several systems he had encountered. One directed solid waste into a large container containing composting worms, while urine was separated and passed through a reed bed. Another used replaceable wheelie bins beneath a raised toilet, with sawdust added after use. Full bins could then be moved aside and left to process while another bin was placed beneath the toilet.Lindsay had seen a wheelie-bin arrangement used at a gathering in Panama. She recalled that the toilets were continuously maintained, the bins were changed regularly and the system produced little smell. For her own site, she expected to use sawdust and said that protecting the surrounding watershed would be a primary consideration.Greywater Work at Lake AtitlánNeal described a kitchen greywater project that had been operating successfully before the work expanded into a larger collaboration with the municipality of San Pedro.The municipality had asked him to examine a beachfront area intended to become an eco-park. The site had large streams of dirty greywater entering a narrow section of beach. An existing proposal involved ...
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 2 分
  • 123. Permaculture Design, Herbal Medicine and Building a Design Business with Maria McKenty

    123. Permaculture Design, Herbal Medicine and Building a Design Business with Maria McKenty
    2026/08/16
    In this episode of The Permaculture Vine Podcast, host Cormac Harkin is joined by Maria McKenty of Permaculture Canada. Maria has been working with permaculture for more than 30 years and currently runs her own design and build company on the west coast of British Columbia.The conversation covers Maria’s introduction to permaculture, her early training and design work, the practicalities of running a design and installation business, continued education after a PDC, herbal medicine gardens, her work with Permaculture Canada, and current community projects on Cortes Island.Who’s at the TableMaria McKenty is based in British Columbia, Canada, and lives on the small island of Cortes. She is part of the Permaculture Canada team with Lindsay Brandon and runs her own design and build company. She has been doing design work since her early twenties and has recently been working on design and build projects around Vancouver Island and Cortes.Cormac Harkin hosts The Permaculture Vine Podcast. During the conversation, Cormac also discusses his own work around site observation and helping people at the early stages of considering what they want to do with their properties.Discovering Permaculture and Taking a PDCMaria first encountered permaculture at 16 when she saw the cover of the original Permaculture: A Designer’s Manual. Two years later, she completed her PDC with Lee Harrison in New Mexico. After returning home, she began drawing designs for people and, around three years later, started earning an income through landscaping work.The PDC was residential and was organised primarily as a women-only course. Maria described studying in a straw-bale barn and completing practice designs for the people hosting the course. After returning to British Columbia, she continued training to become more familiar with applying what she had learned in a temperate climate.Over the following years, Maria attended training and workshops with a number of people working in different areas. She spoke about encounters and training involving Larry Santoyo, Amelia Hazelip, Michael Pilarski and others, as well as attending a Bioneers conference where Bill Mollison was among the speakers.From Early Designs to Paid ProjectsMaria’s first substantial project developed while she was working as a housekeeper for a family at a resort. When a house was moved onto the property, she suggested turning the resulting pile of soil around it into terraces and gardens.The idea was initially demonstrated as a small model made in a sandbox. The family liked it, and Maria was subsequently asked to direct the bulldozer working on the site.The project developed into rock terraces around the house with imported soil and a productive garden. Maria said the first-year garden produced more food than the family could use.She continued working on smaller projects and later restarted her business several times as she moved between different places. Her most recent restart was after moving to Victoria in 2015, where she worked for five years and completed full-yard projects.Running a Permaculture Design and Build BusinessLooking back at starting and restarting her business, Maria said business coaching would have been useful. She discussed bookkeeping, backend systems, tools, contracts and the other practical elements involved in operating a design and installation business.Maria generally works as a one-person business and hires crews according to the size and requirements of individual projects rather than maintaining a permanent large crew.For larger installations, she discussed the importance of clients understanding the likely costs before work begins. Materials, plants, labour, machinery and specialist trades can quickly increase the price of a full-yard installation. In British Columbia, she has also experienced rising labour and material costs, while island projects can involve substantial shipping costs because supplies may need to travel on two ferries.Maria also gives clients the option of participating in the work themselves. In those cases, she can teach them while they work together rather than hiring a larger crew to complete everything.For people wanting to make larger installation projects part of their business, Maria recommended getting help with the business side through mentoring or coaching.Continuing to Learn After a PDCThe conversation returned to the training Maria pursued after completing her PDC. She distinguished between completing the course, gaining practical experience by putting designs on the ground, and learning from people who had accumulated experience in particular areas.After returning to British Columbia, Maria trained with several other designers and encountered different specialties and approaches. She also described learning about winter greenhouse design, including sun angles, insulation and minimally heated greenhouses in temperate climates.Maria began with gardens and smaller projects before moving towards ...
    続きを読む 一部表示
    59 分
  • 122. Permaculture Design: Water, Soil, Site Visits & AI

    122. Permaculture Design: Water, Soil, Site Visits & AI
    2026/08/14
    Permaculture Roundtable: Context, Water, Soil and Designing on the GroundIn this episode of The Permaculture Vine Podcast Cormac and Graham are joined by Michael Wardle of Saviour Soil Permaculture.The conversation covered what each had been working on, permaculture design and site visits, the use of large language models, water management across different climates and soils, soil testing and contamination, weeds and ground preparation, and the practical work involved in consulting, designing and installing permaculture systems.Who’s at the TableGraham Towerton is based in Michigan, where he works with permaculture clients and manages his own seven-acre property. At the time of the conversation, he was carrying out spring installation work for customers, growing seedlings for client gardens, completing design work and continuing his engineering work.Michael Wardle works across Southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales in Australia. He is a full-time permaculture consultant, designer and educator through Saviour Soil Permaculture and said he has been doing this professionally for about 13 years. He is currently based in Ipswich and travels from there for his work.Spring Work in MichiganGraham had just returned from his fourth day of spring installation work for customers in Michigan. With the weather moving beyond the expected final frost date, he had started planting some of the more frost-tender annuals.He was also returning to gardens that had been established three or four years earlier. At one client property, perennial plants were already emerging, plants were flowering and strawberries were developing.On his own seven-acre property, asparagus was emerging, raspberries were leafing out, strawberries were flowering and around 1,500 garlic plants were in the ground.Graham had started seeds in January using trays under lights and on heating pads in his basement. This year, that had allowed him to take his own seedlings to customers rather than buying them from nurseries. He had ten customers in Michigan for ongoing work and expected to visit the remainder over the following weeks.Current Work in Southeast QueenslandMichael had recently completed his 15th PDC as a student, this time with Robin Francis. He described this as part of his professional development and continuous learning.After returning, he had been catching up with his existing client work. He was also restarting his own nursery after several local nurseries he had previously used for client plants had closed. He had begun propagating perennial plants, although he expected it would be around four months before they were ready.Michael was also involved in a 12-month project with Permaculture Australia involving around 60 participants across Australia. Participants would record information including what they were growing, how much they were growing, pests, water use, tools and techniques, and expected yields across different climate zones.Alongside this, he was involved in a three-year bioregional project. Work already underway included a local seed library, schools and free community workshops.Large Language Models and Permaculture WorkThe conversation moved into the use of large language models and the difference between accessing information digitally and observing what is actually happening on a site.Michael discussed their limitations in research and education. He described PDC students who had attempted to use large language models to complete design work but found that the resulting designs could be disconnected from the landscape, climate and landform.Graham had used large language models for specific engineering research tasks, including finding research papers that he could then investigate himself. He also tested them for permaculture design and plant selection.When he asked for plants suitable for his Zone 6 climate in Michigan, he said the resulting list contained less than 10% of the plants he already knew could grow there.Cormac also discussed remote design. From his own experience, he said his view had shifted from seeing the completed drawing as the final product towards working with the client and considering installation and the work taking place on the ground.Remote Design and Site VisitsGraham discussed his experience completing remote designs and working with installers. In his current local work, an initial consultation may establish what a client wants to achieve, their budget and basic information about the property, but he now places greater emphasis on visiting the site.Looking back at the designs where he had personally visited the property, he said those visits allowed him to see things he would not have identified remotely, including variations in soil that were not visible through soil databases.Michael described a suburban project that demonstrated another part of this process.The initial ideas included a herb garden at the front of the property for a client who was a naturopath. A soil test ...
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 7 分
  • 121. From Allotment to Permaculture Design with John Metcalf

    121. From Allotment to Permaculture Design with John Metcalf
    2026/04/09

    In episode 121, Cormac chats with John Metcalf from Sow and Grow Regenerative about How a Permaculture Designer Builds Gardens, Community, and Regenerative Projects from Scratch

    John is a permaculture designer, teacher, and regenerative practitioner with several years of experience. Their work includes designing gardens, teaching, and building community projects focused on growing food and working with nature.

    Early Exposure to Gardening and Allotments

    The journey began through helping on an allotment and eventually getting a personal plot. The allotment provided a dedicated space for growing food and experimenting with different approaches.Allotments are described as allocated land spaces where individuals can grow food, often rented annually.

    Discovering Permaculture and Education

    Permaculture was first encountered years earlier but only pursued later through a course.Studying permaculture provided a structured framework that made existing practices clearer and more intentional.Additional learning included soil-focused education and reading influential books.

    Designing for People First

    A key theme is designing gardens based on the person using them.Factors like available time, energy, age, and family situation influence how a garden is designed.The approach is described as contextual, adapting to each individual situation.

    Observing Nature and Plant Health

    The discussion explains how plants behave based on their environment.Weak plants are more likely to attract pests due to stress signals.This shifts perspective from fighting pests to understanding plant health and ecosystem balance.

    Rethinking Pests and Ecosystems

    Insects and animals are described as part of a natural system rather than enemies.They act as a “cleanup crew,” removing weaker plants.This perspective reduces frustration and encourages working with natural cycles.

    Small-Scale Growing and Accessibility

    Growing food is presented as accessible to everyone, regardless of space.Examples include balconies, windowsills, and small raised beds.Starting small is encouraged as a practical entry point.

    Community and Food Systems

    The conversation highlights the importance of local food systems and community.Historical examples of small holdings and shared growing are discussed.There is an emphasis on reconnecting people with food production and local relationships.

    From Personal Practice to Professional Design

    The guest describes moving from personal gardening to designing for others.Opportunities came through connections and community interactions.Projects expanded from small plots to larger spaces, including a one-acre site.

    The Walnut Project and Community Space

    A current project involves developing land into a permaculture-based space.It includes elements like a market garden, forest garden, and shared facilities.The goal is to create a community-focused growing space.

    Design Process: Digital vs Hand-Drawn

    Both digital tools and hand-drawn designs are used.Hand drawing is described as a more tactile and connected process.Digital tools are useful for precision and larger-scale planning.

    Building Community Through Platforms

    The conversation explores building communities around shared interests.Online platforms are used to connect people interested in permaculture and nature.These spaces allow for sharing knowledge, courses, and collaboration.

    Future Plans and Regenerative Projects

    Future plans include expanding projects and creating educational content.There is a focus on interviewing people involved in regenerative practices.The aim is to explore connections between soil, health, and environment.

    Final Message

    Listeners are encouraged to take action and start, even on a small scale.Trying something new is framed as low risk with potential benefits.The focus is on enjoying the process and engaging with the present moment.

    https://www.skool.com/regenerative-co-creators-2504

    https://www.sowgrowregen.co.uk

    https://www.youtube.com/@sowgrowregen



    Get full access to Cormac Harkin at cormacharkin.substack.com/subscribe
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間
  • 120. Central American Permaculture Tour with Permaculture Canada

    120. Central American Permaculture Tour with Permaculture Canada
    2026/04/04

    In episode 120, Cormac chats with Lindsay Brandon and Hue Man form Permaculture Canada about their recent Central American Permaculture Tour.

    Starting a Permaculture Project in Mexico

    The journey begins in Puerto Vallarta where land was secured near hot springs. The goal is to create a community-focused space centred on growing food and shared living.

    Plans include multiple lots with different purposes:

    * A communal building for gathering and storage

    * A shaded living area using existing trees

    * A showcase build designed to inspire others

    The intention is to create a long-term hub while using other plots for future development and potential sale.

    Designing for Community and Long-Term Use

    The project is structured to support ongoing use rather than quick turnover.There is a focus on:

    * Shared infrastructure

    * On-site management

    * Spaces for friends and collaborators to stay

    The idea is to ensure someone is always present to maintain the land and gardens.

    Challenges with Land and Water

    Across Mexico, a recurring issue is poor water management.Key observations include:

    * Limited interest in water catchment systems

    * Lack of storage for dry seasons

    * Failed planting efforts due to no water access

    Simple solutions like cisterns and seasonal storage become essential for any viable project.

    Common Mistakes in Land Investment

    Many buyers are drawn to cheap land but overlook practical realities.

    Issues observed:

    * No road access or degraded access routes

    * Lack of tools, materials, and workforce

    * Long delays waiting for infrastructure

    Some projects are abandoned while owners wait years for development to catch up.

    Building with Limited Resources

    The approach shifts toward simplicity:

    * Using local materials

    * Building basic structures

    * Working within existing conditions

    This reduces reliance on external systems and makes projects more achievable.

    Learning and Teaching in Guatemala

    At Lake Atitlán, the focus moves to education and hands-on design.

    Activities included:

    * Teaching permaculture design courses

    * Mapping land using physical markers and drones

    * Applying design concepts directly on-site

    The model blends learning with real implementation rather than theory alone.

    Community Networks and Collaboration

    Multiple groups operate in close proximity but remain loosely connected.

    Observations:

    * Independent projects sharing knowledge

    * Visitors moving between sites

    * No unified system linking opportunities

    There is potential for more coordinated collaboration across projects.

    Living Systems in Nicaragua

    On Ometepe Island, the environment supports continuous growth.

    Key features:

    * Year-round food production

    * Strong microclimates

    * Established permaculture farms

    The abundance of fruit and water creates a stable and productive system.

    Community Culture and Simplicity

    At a local gathering, systems were intentionally simple:

    * No phones or digital devices

    * Shared meals from local production

    * Daily schedules created in person

    This created a strong sense of presence and participation.

    Larger System Challenges

    In Panama, discussions highlight broader issues:

    * Pressure from corporations

    * Displacement of local communities

    * Water risks and environmental damage

    There is a gap between permaculture solutions and large-scale systemic problems.

    Returning to Canada: A Contrast

    Returning home brings a sharp comparison.

    Challenges include:

    * Increased regulation

    * Higher building costs

    * Limited material choices

    A project that could cost tens of thousands abroad may cost hundreds of thousands in Canada.

    Final Reflection

    The journey reinforces a clear direction:

    * Simpler systems are more achievable

    * Smaller-scale projects are more resilient

    * Practical, hands-on solutions are needed

    There is a strong pull toward environments where building, growing, and living can happen with fewer barriers.

    Buy a design from Permaculture Canada:



    Get full access to Cormac Harkin at cormacharkin.substack.com/subscribe
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間