by The Underground Milkmaid
What is Permaculture?Permaculture (PC) refers to land use systems which use ecology as a basis for designing integrated systems of food production, housing, appropriate technology, and community development. Seems like quite a lot to make work all together, so I decided to find out more about the philosophy and techniques from my friend, Moonstone, who teaches workshops in Permaculture.
WR: What are the aims of Permaculture?
MM: Basically permaculture aims to promote stability in society, through the sustainable use of resources and preservation of wildlife habitat….as well as the genetic Diversity of wild and domestic plants and animals. The PC practioner cares for surviving natural systems and rehabilitates degraded and eroded land.
WR: So is it basically like organic growing?
MM: Yes, in the sense that PC promotes organic agriculture which does not use pesticides, but practices soil building, biological pest control, and composting.
WR: Sounds like how it used to be, way back when. How does where you live affect implementing PC practices?
MM: PC is site specific, client specific, and culture specific! It can be used in urban planning, neighborhood lots, or rural land use design. Carefully observing natural patterns characteristic of a particular site, the PC designer gradually discerns optimal methods of integrating water catchment, human shelter, and energy systems with tree crops, edible and useful perennial plants, domestic and wild animals, and aquaculture.
WR: My goodness….seems like that covers just about everything possible…and it sounds like it must require a lot of flexibility at the same time.
MM: Yes..permaculture adapts and adopts techniques from all ages…from ancient to modern, and from all countries, too. It empowers people to co-design homes, neighborhoods, and communities full of truly abundant food, energy, habitat, water, and income, yielding enough to share.
WR: So nice that it also really values and validates traditional knowledge and experience. And speaking of that….how did specializing in permaculture techniques come about for you?
MM: It happened “naturally” after having 40 years experience in organic gardening. I studied in Hawaii. I am also a Feng Shui consultant, which I consider the original environmental science. These practices work together, creating balance on all levels….whether in your home, office, or landscape. You know, according to Taoist principals, one can manipulate the Chi (life force) around you and produce greater health, wealth, and happiness! It’s not about rules…it’s about you and how your environment supports or defeats you. That’s why I call my business Wholesome Home and Garden.
WR: What a wonderful service to offer people! Are there specific challenges to this work here in Baja?
MM: Yes. My own land is a perfect example. It is desert on the land side of the Las Playitas road, so for years it was convenient for dumping trash there. The Mexicans selling the land scraped off all the trash..as well as every living plant, except two old cardons. It was demeaning to the land and yet cleared the way for rehabilitation by my hands. It was basically a half acre of “fill in the blank”; a creative opportunity to try my PC ideas and build an ecosystem out of degraded land.
WR: So you must have learned quite a lot from that experience.
MM: Being a stranger in a strange land, I had to observe and learn a lot about species I had never known before. It’s important not to rush in, but spend time observing and not doing anything. I’ve learned to have a fondness for the endemic or indigenous species that like to grow in this desert of little rain. One goal of PC is to start systems which, when established, can grow without you.
WR: Tell me, Permaculture-wise, have you made any observations about land-use issues in Todos Santos?
MM: Well, PC design is about adding stability and diversity to degraded ecosystems and protecting functioning ones. Humans have the capability of improving land or destroying ecosystems. Building on the dunes here is definitely degradation of a fragile ecosystem. I would like to see the Environmental Impact Statement and read the limitations it sets for keeping the integrity of the dunes, and yet allowing land owners to enjoy their property. I think each landowner and contracted builder should make their plans according to EIS suggestions out of respect for the environment, their neighbors and themselves. Keeping harmony in the natural and human worlds is what we're after.
WR: Amen! Let’s hope that all the efforts under way to enforce what’s already in place regarding development on our dunes succeeds. We can’t allow our coastline to erode as it has in other places. It’s such a shame. So how do you go about helping others in our area?
MM: I offer two ways to help people look at their lots and homes in Baja….Feng Shui and Permaculture. I first create a site plan, depicting the sun’s path over the land, the prominent wind directions, seasonal temperature changes, road locations, and parking areas and structures. Views are very important, too. I then divide the property into 5 zones…starting with the house and immediate area as Zone 1. The zones get increasingly wilder as they reach the boundaries where people don’t often go.
I determine where to place “guilds” or group plantings, so they function like natural systems…sharing water by creating a sponge of good planting soil, providing shade and protection for each other, and creating a sense of abundance in a sparse desert landscape.
WR: And you also offer Feng Shui for home interiors, too, right?
MM: Oh yes….and that is a very personal journey into knowing yourself and your family members’ needs. It’s a wonderful tool to help clarify your vision of now and future times. I can help people walk through their house plans, looking for ease of flow or blockages of Chi. Of course, I can also help people who are already in their homes with furniture placement and energy flow. I’ve consulted with two families here in Todos Santos who were able to sell their properties after years of being on the market!
WR: That is definitely some powerful knowledge! What are the plans for your Workshops?
MM: In the coming year I hope to have tours and PC lessons on my land every Wednesday afternoon. I am organizing Workshops on composting, mixing soil for planting, making adobe brick and cob construction as well. I also plan to offer a three hour introduction to Feng Shui class, four times a year.
