permaculture

["GlobalCirclenet" <webmaster@globalcircle.net>]

I had no intention to provoke dissention, esp on a list for such a
necessary and timely topic. I said if people throw around that kind of
money it's no concern of mine, and stated my valid concern for the free
spread of permaculture information. I didn't single out anybody. I also
said I charge for my own products, so I'll leave it at that. 

I do think your Gaia's Garden book is helpful. However, backyard gardens
that "combine low environmental impact, low maintenance once established,
and high yields with elegant aesthetics" may attract those who can afford
"elegant esthetics", but doesn't reach the broader potential of
permaculture to alter industrial agriculture. That may be a difficult and
elusive goal for any author.  On a more positive note, I'm encouraged to
see interest in " free peer to peer open source system of permaculture
training, knowledge base, & access to resources" from "mIEKAL".

My own gardens are already organic simply because I won't pay for
chemicals, and all the critters are welcome because I won't pay for sprays
and such. Herbs, veggies, and flowers all grow together, not because I read
it somewhere but because I had to plant where I had room. But there is a
method in my madness, I'm trying to develop a reproducible food production
system for local profitability and sustainability, in a hostile climate
suited only to cattle and elk. The irony here is, ranchers with thousands
of acres can barely afford to eat.  In my view, sustainability includes
sustaining the people who do the growing, sustaining farm families, and
maybe revitalizing rural America. Using permaculture to move in that
direction is my concern. Permaculture has a big toolbox, but it needs to be
even bigger.

paul tradingpost@gilanet.com
paul@largocreekfarms.com
http://medicinehill.net

Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes. 
--Henry David Thoreau 

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

On 9/10/2004 at 6:55 AM Toby Hemenway wrote:

>On 9/9/04 5:16 PM, "GlobalCirclenet" <webmaster@globalcircle.net> wrote:
>
>> I rather imagine that people
>> getting $700 a pop don't advertise all the free PC information out
there.
>> But if they can rake in that kind of money, no concern to me, I can't
>> afford it. 
>
>
>Actually, we hand out a multi-page list of websites and other free
>resources
>at every course, along with about 40 other pages of info.
>
>I understand not being able to afford $700 or $1000. But is this anonymous
>poster thick or just unable to read? I pointed out that our wages for the
>course amount to about $10/hour, and that we offer work trades and grants
>for those who cannot afford it. I guess some people just have an
>unshakeable
>prejudice that anyone charging money for their labor and services is an
>evil
>bastard, no matter what the facts are.
>
>Toby
>www.patternliteracy.com
>
>
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