What Subjects and Permaculture Principles are Covered in PDC?
Permaculture is about looking at ways to integrate many different elements into a sustainable way of living. So, even though we might not go into great detail in every subject area (we would need three months), we do delve into many areas and look for ways they interrelate with each other.
The goal is to design systems that allow us to live abundantly well while also eliminating wastes, increasing yields, minimizing unnecessary work, and caring for the total environment. We must design ways of living that care for nature, ensuring the necessary resources for future generations.
- Observations and Patterns
- Principles and Ethics of Permaculture
- Zones and Sector Analysis
- Soils, Plants, and Trees
- Guilds and Polycultures
- Water and Earthworks
- Utilizing Micro-climates
- Designing with Succession in Mind
- Designing for Different Climatic Zones
- Aquaculture
- Eco-Building
- Alternatives to Alternative Energy
- Designing a Homestead
- Garden Management
- Small-Farm Strategies
- Large-Farm Possibilities
- Creating Real Abundance
- Urban and Suburban Permaculture
- International Implications
- Starting a Permaculture Business
- Working with People
- Building Authentic and Lasting Community
- More...
Permaculture Design Principles & Ethics
Regardless of the subject area being explored, these fundamental permaculture design principles delineated by permaculture’s other co-founder, David Holmgren, are the foundation to all permanent design.
- Observe and interact
- Catch and store energy
- Obtain a yield
- Apply self-regulation and accept feedback
- Use & value renewable resources and services
- Produce no waste
- Design from patterns to details
- Integrate rather than segregate
- Use small and slow solutions
- Use and value diversity
- Use edges and value the marginal
- Creatively use and respond to change
Permaculture’s 3 Foundational Ethics
Earth Care
People Care
Fair Share
(Care of the Future)