Healthy soil and sustainable growing

["TradingPostPaul" <tradingpost@riseup.net>]

We have a few differences of opinion on any good list, and I hope as 
listowner I'm allowed my opinion as others are. That said, I wouldn't call 
those who see problems with permaculture  seminars curmudgeons or anything 
disparaging. We're not unreasonable or inexperienced or ignorant, we just 
think they cost too much and we can get what we're looking for from 
networking, from publications, whatever.  I'd go slow about criticizing 
people with a different opinion on paying for permaculture philosophy.

I don't think anyone argued that nothing useful comes out of those expensive 
seminars. But it should go without saying that the only people who can attend 
are those who can afford them and afford to take off work - which leaves out 
the vast majority of working people struggling to make ends meet. I for one 
don't have a trust fund to fall back on; I'm retired on a fixed income.  On a 
more personal note, it all strikes me as the same types who pay big bucks to 
hear spiritual gurus and "get spiritual".  I'm reminded of something Kunstler 
touched on here this week - that people in a crisis look for a savior, the 
man on a white horse, a demagogue, anyone who promises to save them from 
their own lack of whatever. So some pay for spirituality, or for a political 
voice, or for a feel-good seminar on sustainability. Personally I don't think 
a positive attitude is something I can buy, like just put it on my Visa. Of 
course a guy who just dropped a few hundred on a seminar is going to say it 
was worth it. Who wants to be thought a fool?

Growing, living on the land, learning and adapting Old Ways, creating 
community - all these things take time and effort and study and experience. 
And I'm sure Mollison, who invented the term permaculture, must agree.

paul, tradingpost@riseup.net
---------------
The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all our 
most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it and to foster its 
renewal is our only hope.
   - Wendell Berry

*********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********

On 5/12/2006 at 10:33 AM Steve Diver wrote:

>In contrast to some of the curmudgeony attitudes about the
>permaculture design course, I found it to be one of the most
>dynamic experiences in ecological design, encompassing both
>concepts and methods.   We got outside every day with hands-on.
>
>Every one of the two dozen people in attendance from 1993
>has gone on to build sustainability in their lives and communities,
>and beyond that, they enjoy what they do and approach life
>with a positive attitude.
>
>I have also helped organize and teach short weekend courses
>on permaculture and they can be very practical for people to
>attend.
>
>I know a PC teacher who teaches much abbreviated
>and less expense PC design courses over the course
>of a few weekends.
>
>There's more than one way to skin a catfish.
>
>Steve Diver
>