permaculture

[venaurafarm <venaurafarm@bellsouth.net>]

On 11/22/2012 6:41 PM, paul wheaton wrote:

> In the meantime, a study has been completed that shows that Sepp
> Holzer's techniques will feed 21 billion people without irrigation
> or fertilizer.

I don't doubt that for a minute. I shouldn't need to remind everyone 
that for thousands of years in the orient, cultures have fed people
well from crops grown on mountainside terraces. If they can do that on 
mountainsides think what they can do on flat land or land on diverse 
slight grades.

Even I created a system that would radically change the nature of small 
farming growing a wide variety of food crops including legumes and 
grasses (rice, upland). The system included, though not tried by me, a 
network of farms using shared equipment and group, bulk purchases of
soil amendments and other supplies. A real coop, informal, serving the 
needs of the participating farmers. You can theorize about how "we can 
feed billions of people using simple, direct low-technology", but Sepp 
and many others, myself included, have developed methods that can and 
will accomplish that goal.

An integrated, diverse permaculture systems approach to food production
utilizing networks of farms and gardens working cooperatively is sure to 
feed large populations.

The food hub business model can be used to get produce to consumers. 
These, CSA's and other forms of subscription agriculture are increasing 
in popularity and really work.

People, all of them, simply have to be willing to participate, as doers 
or consumers, but always contributors, even if it is just offering 
verbal support encouraging others who have greater responsibility for 
making the system work and getting product out the door.

Look at Cuba and Asian countries to see traditional, sustainable farming 
systems that continue to feed large numbers of people year after year.

Once they eat home or community grown produce and meat they will become 
instant believers. Somehow the production systems need to be put in 
place with existing ones revived or restored and with steady annual 
improvement, upgrades and expansion.

Is there a thread or forum on Sepp's ideas about food production at 
Permies?

LL