Permaculture 2: Ecosystem Mimicry FALL 2025

Choose to Complete Either: Activity 3.1 or Activity 3.2

3.3 is required

• Activity 3.2: Build or Improve on Your Composting

On behalf of yourself or another person or organization, complete one of the following tasks:

1. Design and build/create a compost system

• E.g.: Hot composting
• Cold composting
• Static pile composting
• Vermicomposting
• Bokashi composting
• Composting trenches

2. Troubleshoot, repair, and/or design an upgrade to an existing compost system

Since it may take a bit more time to find a site to make a bin, the deadline is effectively extended to the last day of class.

ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS

1. Your assessment of the system before starting
2. What you did to improve it / create it. What materials were used? Where did they come from?
3. Include before-and-after pictures for every step
4. Answer: What Permaculture principles influenced your observations, plans, and/or implementation?
5. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1kk6A5cVksyKVPwV1aLCZUS43pTnuNBKTO1BUmUjku8M/edit?slide=id.g324ef3d0751_0_0#slide=id.g324ef3d0751_0_0
6. Paste the link to your slideshow in the submission box and submit.

Here are a few resources that may be helpful:

• http://cwmi.css.cornell.edu/smallscale.htm
• https://compostguide.com/18-cool-diy-compost-bin-designs/
• http://backyardgrowers.com/23-ingenious-diy-compost-bin-ideas/
• https://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/garden/how-to-build-compost-bin
• https://compostingcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/BuildingYourOwnCompostingBin.pdf

Winter in the North is a challenging time for outdoor construction, although composting can continue throughout the year.

Instructor Michael Burns does construction on the farm throughout the winter and recommends dressing warmly with good gloves and taking breaks indoors. Find a work station that is out of the wind and preferably undercover.