permaculture

[Cory Brennan <cory8570@yahoo.com>]

I attended the first Aquaponics Conference in the US last year, and at that 
conference, an association was formed on the spot which has continued to 
grow. 

I thought that the way the association was formed (with no notice, no chance 
to review or comment on the bylaws, etc) was pretty one sided, and not 
aligned with the principles of permaculture at all, but I was impressed by 
the speed at which the conference and association were put together, complete 
with legal standing for the Association, etc. The speed could have happened 
while yet including the group in the process. 

Perhaps we can filter out what we don't like, and take a lesson from this and 
other young associations, as well as more established groups. 

It seems to me that anything that could establish permaculture more and make 
it more effective, to make it easier to earn a living with it, and to 
transition into a livelihood doing permaculture full time (and competently) 
is very valuable and important to the future of everything. 

The town I live in could easily support a hundred permaculture teachers and 
even more designers IF there was some organized effort to create channels to 
become competent as a teacher and to create awareness of permaculture design 
and what it can do. If that isn't there, then we are just competing with each 
other and making things harder, not easier. NOT good design! 

We're trying to create something like that locally as I know others are too, 
but it would be easier if groups shared their successful actions with each 
other a bit more freely and if there were some organized support.

This could be done via an association or even these list serves if people 
wanted to do so. 

I'm doing a research project currently on urban agriculture and am amazed to 
see the work that has been done to document successful actions. I'm glad 
someone is doing that work now to some degree in the US (with the 
Permaculture Survey). 

There is so much energy we are all expending that could be captured if we 
were to pool our knowledge in a more organized way. 

I appreciate the lists where we are sharing things; would like to see even 
more organized support for the profession, and am willing to contribute to 
that effort! 

A number of others have offered to assist - what if a list serve was started 
for those who are interested in creating such a body(which would be open to 
anyone), and we actually started the process of creating this, rather than 
keeping discussions "behind closed doors?" There may be fear that it would go 
off the rails with opposing or less informed viewpoints, but I think that 
could be greatly alleviated simply by staying on task.

I'm finding that is true for the Sustainable Urban Ag Coalition I am working 
with, which has members from government to the Chamber of Commerce, to 
neighborhood associations to activists, permaculturists, organic gardeners, 
you name it. Major diversity! But yet, the process itself is keeping things 
on track and moving things along in spite of differing views. It's quite 
exhilarating to see these diverse interests coming together over local food, 
and to see the organizational patterns going in, to make it easier for 
growers to do their thing and get results. I would love to see that happen 
with us, too.

I have heard how this is happening regionally in some areas. Would love to 
hear more about the successful actions of these groups!
 
Koreen Brennan

www.growpermaculture.com
www.meetup.com/sustainable-urban-agriculture-coalition
www.meetup.com/createclearwater
>From bob@bobwaldrop.net  Sat Aug 11 20:14:01 2012
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Subject: Re: [permaculture] Regional, National,
        Continental: Conference Convergence
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Cory. . .

I really encourage you to set up a survey on one of the various free
survey sites and then all of us should do our part to spread the link
around so that as many people in US permaculture as possible can access
the survey and complete it.

Many years ago I was in the convention and meeting bizness.  In fact, I
went bankrupt in that business, so I can tell you about all the mistakes
to avoid, lol.  BUT I can also tell you that one of the success items
required to start a NEW meeting or convention is to do a good job of
surveying the stakeholders in order to predict your first attendance.
With established meetings, you can look at histories and get an idea of
what to expect, because generally, most regularly scheduled national
meetings (whatever the schedule is) attract the same group each time
around.  So you may go over a little or under a bit but you generally
get your target number.

NEW meetings on the other hand do not have an established constituency.
So the first thing to do is to find a constituency. A survey is a great
way to do this.

If I was contracted to do this by somebody (and I am not applying for
that job), I would first start a survey. From that survey I would find
the people who want to be on a coordinating committee. In a situation
like this, I think people could nominate themselves. If they come with
credentials from an existing organization or permaculture teaching
lineage, that's fine, but something like this involve so much work that
a bigger group will be better than a smaller group.  This could be
organized as. . . ."Committee to Start a United States National
Permaculture Convergence."

I don't think there is a chance of an ice cube in hell of holding a
national convergence in 2012.  If people want to avoid 2013 because of
the international meeting, then 2014 is the date, but it seems likely to
me that the constituency for the international meeting is not the same
as would be the case for the national convergence (or is this going to
be North America and involve Canada too?)

Something like this won't happen by itself.  As has already been noted,
it has been proposed to the regional groups that they take the lead but
that obviously isn't happening.  That means that either (1) the time is
not opportune to do this, or equally as likely, (2) the project needs a
group that will focus on it so it gets done.

Bob Waldrop, OKC

On 8/11/2012 6:33 PM, Cory Brennan wrote:
> A national convergence held at an Indian rez would need to be a combination 
> of service and conference. There will be some on the ground support but not 
> a huge amount as they are all pretty busy in one way or other. But from the 
> initial reach out and response, they would be very interested in hosting 
> such a conference.
>
> I would prefer to see a conference before 2014. I think the idea of a 
> national conference in the years that there is no international conference 
> is a good idea. We could do one in early 2013 maybe, or late 2012. If we do 
> it in winter, the rez is out! We could have people actually freeze to death 
> there!  It might be best, especially if we do something only a few months 
> out, to do it somewhere where there is already a lot of support and 
> organization. I know Michael offered to host one before in the NW. If 
> people there feel they can get something together in that amount of time, I 
> would be interested. I personally think that what could be accomplished at 
> such a conference would be valuable enough to permaculture to make it worth 
> the carbon hours. I will personally plant trees and get systems in that 
> will make up for multiple people traveling.
>
> I think it is important that we survey people to find out
> 1. who would come
> 2. would they come to that location
> 3. what would they be most interested in accomplishing? I propose to give 
> them some choices but also a blank area where they can fill in their own 
> choices.
>
> I'd be willing to create that survey and give anybody who wants it password 
> access.
>
> There are a few things a national conference could accomplish, as Michael 
> points out. The ones I'm most personally interested in are these:
>
> Work out ways to give up and coming and established teachers, and the 
> movement itself, more support. We have omitted that from our design to some 
> degree. Maybe I feel the effects of that more than many of you because I 
> live in a section of the country that doesn't have a lot of local/regional 
> support (because permaculture is so new here in Florida). There is pretty 
> much no support, in fact :-(  We're trying to remedy that, it's a bootstrap 
> operation. Permaculture would expand a lot faster if we spent some time 
> organizing how to do that by creating support Associations, etc.
>
> Allow people from different regions to meet each other and perhaps create 
> beneficial connections.
>
> For the first conference, it may make more sense to have it in an area 
> where a number of experienced permaculturists live so the on the ground 
> support is there, as Michael suggested. That way, we could focus in on 
> making some real progress on things like national association structure, 
> etc, without too many distractions.
>
> Those of you who are interested in the rez in general, we will be doing 
> spring planting of more trees at Pine Ridge next year. I would be very 
> grateful for the help of experienced or less experienced permies both in 
> planning and execution stages. The ecosystem is very different from where I 
> spend most of my time growing (semi-tropical), and it is a challenging 
> environment, both invisible structure-wise and physically. It's a great 
> design challenge! I am grateful for the help I got last year from some of 
> you.
>
> If you're interested in getting involved at the rez, there are many 
> opportunities. The rez could use some help in setting up food systems that 
> are self-sustaining. There are also various natural building projects 
> ongoing, and much more there that is needed and wanted.
>
> Pine Ridge is a trend setter among reservation in many ways and many people 
> from other reservations travel there for various reasons. It's also one of 
> the worst off rezes statistically, needs the most help. There are a variety 
> of reasons for this, all of which are very interesting design elements.
>
> I am easy to work with and very open to co-creation or turning over 
> projects to others. There is plenty of need there for multiple projects. I 
> personally feel cooperation is an example that can be very healing 
> anywhere, including Pine Ridge. I think we could really make a huge 
> difference there pooling our energies and co-creating.
>
> I see so much need to create some stable food systems there, and educate 
> others on how to do that, for the next seven generations of Lakota Sioux. 
> There is so much need there for permaculture!
>
>
> Koreen Brennan
>
> www.growpermaculture.com
> www.meetup.com/sustainable-urban-agriculture-coalition
> www.meetup.com/createclearwater
>
>
> ________________________________
>   From: Steve Hart <stevenlawrencehart@gmail.com>
> To: permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org
> Sent: Saturday, August 11, 2012 12:51 PM
> Subject: [permaculture] Regional, National, Continental: Conference 
> Convergence
>
> Regional, National, Continental:  Conference Convergence
>
> Interesting problem indeed Skeeta...following on too from Bob's earlier
> comments about sequencing of conferences and the logic value and purpose as
> well as logistics and economics. The problem is the solution...yeah right.
>
> The revolving idea seems to be the most logical. Demographic centre is
> valuable for travel equalising...so, is the demographic centre still Dakota
> ? Cory, was that your original proposal, Dakota ?
>
> With your elder status and experience Skeeta your input must be most
> valuable to assist in kicking this whole idea into reality. It seems all it
> needs is for someone to take the initiative and call it ? Unless there is a
> governing body to suggest otherwise ? Obviously some will disagree with
> what is proposed but that is normal. I'm sure also that the interest will
> be massive if, there is wide advertising and invitations worldwide
>   for
> participation. I'm a keen supporter of cross pollination. So kick it off
> guys...When ? ahhh thats a good one ? IPC Cuba is 2013 Nov/Dec...so the
> logical time may be Aug/Sept 2014....my 20c worth...Steve Hart
>
>
> Some of us have thought about, and talked about, a North American PC
>> Convergence at some length.? Much of it not on the list serve.
>>
>> I have proposed that the national be rotated around between the regional
>> convergences already happening.? Still waiting to hear if any regions want
>> to volunteer to do the first one.
>>
>> Another scenario is for a consortium of organizers from different
>> bioregions to come together to organize the national.? The more regions
>> represented the better.?
>>
>> In the first scenario the national would rotate around the country
>> sometime on the coasts sometimes in the middle, etc.
>>
>> In the 2nd scenario a
>   location could be picked relatively central to the
>> country.? Ideally with good access to a big airport and even more important
>> (I think) on a major Amtrak rail hub.? Another criteria would be an active
>> local permaculture group to help do the local work needed.?
>>
>> Chicago is a great railroad hub but doesn't have a strong permie group (to
>> my knowledge).? Cincinnati, Denver? Bloomington, Indiana? Ideas? At this
>> point any good offer by a strong group can be put forward.
>>
>> I imagine that in every region there would be a few or a dozen people who
>> would work to make it happen.?
>>
>> Lead time.? 6 months would be good.? 3 months minimum.? The networks are
>> fast these days.?
>>
>> It seems like part of the goal would be to bring a lot of the movement
>> old-timers together along with a lot of the course teachers and the new
>> blood.?
>>
>>
>   The main purposes being to build the movement, exchange strategies, build
>> networks etc.? Not permaculture 101 how to do a sheet mulch.
>>
>> A few thoughts.
>>
>> Michael Pilarski
>>
>>
>> Michael Pilarski
>>
>>
>>
>> What time frame are we looking at? When would we want to do this? I have
>> reached out to some on the rez and they have expressed interest.
>> ?
>> Koreen Brennan
>>
>> www.growpermaculture.com
>> www.meetup.com/sustainable-urban-agriculture-coalition
>> www.meetup.com/createclearwater
>>
>>
>>
>> Nth American Convergence...keep the ball rolling before the moss takes
>> over. Shall we pursue the
>   options suggested for the venue being in
>> Dakota...can we have more detailed information on this possible scenario to
>> see if it can be developed to reality.
>>
>> This subject? / event is mooted as a Nth American Conference NOT a national
>> USA Conference for the fact of building up the Continental Regional network
>> to form part of the continental regions of the world as a sub group of the
>> international convergence (IPC)..Steve Hart
>>
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