permaculture

["Carla McAuley" <carlamcauley@earthlink.net>]

Mark,
your point about the people side of community is well-taken, but it doesn't
speak to a)the very real need to find like-minded individuals and b)the
process by which community happens.  Many of us have probably experienced an
aborted community development process where the community couldn't survive
the discord that happened as people got to really know each other and find
out how different they were.  M. Scott Peck (The Different Drum) has made an
extensive study, with hundreds of case studies, of how community happens,
and I can vouch for the accuracy of his discoveries as proven in my own
experiences.  There are basically three stages.  The first is
pseudo-community, in which everyone is in agreement about doing the project
and is "nicey-nice" with each other.  As they engage in dialogue about the
project, they begin to find areas of disagreement and begin to polarize
emotionally.  This creates a feeling of chaos and despair that increases to
a boiling point.  It's the most vulnerable point for the budding community
and the point at which many, who are unprepared for it, having no knowledge
of the process, will leave in disgust for "those discordant people."  If
they know to expect the chaos and despair and work through it by engaging in
honest dialogue, or if they are so darn committed to the project they won't
give up, they will discover that a flashpoint occurs in which they realize
they have respect and love for one another.  That is true community.  It is
almost as though they suddenly see each other as noble souls, striving in
different ways to do the best they know how to make the world a better
place.  When that happens, there is a rush of energy and creativity that
brings all they need to complete the project and function as a team.  I know
it sounds like magic, and when it happens it feels like it, too.  I have
been through the "magic" twice and through attempts that failed three times.
Everyone that failed did so because the people weren't committed enough or
didn't understand enough to stick it out through the stage of chaos and
despair.


So, if you're into community, study M. Scott Peck.  He's the man.

Love,
Carla


-----Original Message-----
From: permaculture-admin@lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:permaculture-admin@lists.ibiblio.org]On Behalf Of Mark
Sent: Thursday, August 08, 2002 8:47 AM
To: permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: Re: [permaculture] Pasture Renovation and Fertility


At 08:40 AM 8/8/02 -0400, you wrote:
>Good day Robyn et al:)
>
>     Robyn...great post. Really hits the nail on the head!
>
>I now realize I have bitten off more than I can chew.
>
>So it just means I have to go a lot slower:)

Naw, just means ya need more cattle!  They work cheaper than hippies and
frequently smell better (I was one, I know).  Seriously, one of the great
tenets of PC is exploiting the natural work animals do.

>Seriously I bought THIS land because it was very private, away from
>development, no neighbors within site but close enough. I looked at a lot
of
>farms, areas of US...so I had a good feel for the type of property I
wanted.
>
>But you know once you have looked, and looked, and looked some more. And
>traveled 1000s of miles in the process there comes a point in time that you
>get so tired, and frustrated that you just go for it!
>
>I really love this land. And it is set in a beautiful area of southern
>Kentucky consisting primarily of small farms, cattle, tobacco and lots of
>forested hillsides to delight the eye.
>
>Wish I could take you through it. There's a great deal of biodiversity. But
>alas I still can't ID much of it.
>
>  I believe it would make a great ECO-Village or some sort of
PC/Sustainable
>Living Center. I want to preserve and enhance this farm. Large tracts like
>this are fast disappearing, and seldom at any given time.

LOL - though these seem like good ideas the human dynamics are hard to
manage.  I also find most of the folks interested in eco villages are broke
idealists, not necessarily what you need.  Cattle are great that way, don't
like one?  Eat it!  I'm not saying don't try it, but sure as heck don't
bank on it.

>  All it needs is the right people with the vision, and the ability to
> make it
>work.
>
>Lots of folks have expressed an interest in doing same...but making the
leap
>is the hard part:) If anyone is interested please contact me at
>gcreekfarm@aol.com.
>
>Cheerio:)  Frank
>
>_______________________________________________
>permaculture mailing list
>permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org
>http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/permaculture

Mark P. Ludwig
Poultry Research Lab
University of Wisconsin -Madison
608-262-1730 WK
608-846-7125 HM

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