permaculture

["Scott Pittman" <scott@permaculture.org>]

The Permaculture Institute just finished a fifteen day special course for
the Oklahoma Army National Guard.  It was a privilege to work with these
young men as they prepare for an agricultural mission in Afghanistan.  See:
<http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/Farm-help-on-the-front-line>

Northern New Mexico is uniquely suited for these training since we are one
of three similar ecosystems, the other two being in the Atlas Mountains of
Morocco and north eastern Afghanistan.

We worked with permaculturalists Joel Glanzberg, Martha Davis, Rebecca
Belletto, and Mary Zemach; also with Gemini Farm, Camino de Paz School, and
Seeds of Change Research Farm.     

Scott Pittman
Director
Permaculture Institute
www.permaculture.org

-----Original Message-----
From: permaculture-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:permaculture-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Robert Waldrop
Sent: Monday, May 31, 2010 8:37 AM
To: permaculture
Subject: [permaculture] Permaculture heads to Afghanistan -- [Fwd:
[COMFOOD:] National Guard Troops learning Permaculture in New Mexico]

This came up in the Community Food Security listserv.  National Guard 
troops are learning permaculture before their deployment to Afghanistan. 
Looks like maybe Scott has something to do with it! 

Bob Waldrop, Oklahoma City
www.energyconservationinfo.org

-------- Original Message ------

The link below is a story that went out in the Albuquerque Journal  
today regarding the team of Oklahoma National Guard troops (that will  
be heading to Afghanistan) that took the Permaculture certification  
course I am enrolled in. The standard course is split up in to three 5- 
day sessions spread out over a few months, culminating in  
certification. I have thus far completed the first 5 days. Since the  
troops couldn't take that much time to complete the 15-day course,  
they stayed in Española (an hour north of Santa Fe...for those of you  
not familiar with New Mexico) to complete the training in one fell  
swoop. The troops are getting a course that is tailored to the  
possible needs, and many of the existing skills, of the people they  
will be working with in Afghanistan. Something that stood out was the  
intense focus on utilizing the knowledge and skills of the Afghani  
people they will be working with, as opposed to imposing American  
methods and objectives.

I wanted to share this story because few people are aware of the work  
that the National Guard Agriculture Development Teams are doing, and  
will continue to do, abroad. And the fact that a team is now learning  
Permaculture is a huge leap forward for the military.

The Abq Journal Article:
http://dailyme.com/story/2010053000002191/basic-training-troops-learn-weavin
g-beekeeping.html

Another article via Southwest Farm Press:
http://southwestfarmpress.com/news_archive/national-guard-afghans-agricultur
e-0503/

The National Guard Agriculture Development Team website:
http://www.ng.mil/features/ADT/default.aspx

If you would like to know more about the Permaculture course I am  
taking:
http://www.permaculture.org/nm/index.php/site/featured_project

If anyone is interested in seeing my photos from the course:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/peacockmoon/sets/72157624102542214/


Cheers,
Lora


Lora Roberts
Master's Candidate, Community & Regional Planning
University of New Mexico
Student Representative, NMAPA
Cell: 505-414-2723
E-Mail: flutterbyldr1@mac.com
Blog: http://peacockmoon.blogspot.com/

"You are not Atlas carrying the world on your shoulder. It is good to  
remember that the planet is carrying you" - Vandana Shiva