A1.2 Forum: Ethics, Principles, Strategies, Techniques
This diagram provides a visual for understanding key elements
that sets the direction for our design.
Our permaculture design approach "narrows" down. Starting with abstract ideas (Ethics).
Each site's design creates its own “path,” influenced by Ecological Principles that suggest certain strategies. The principles are based on the observable, physical world of our natural and social environment.
Strategies become much more specific to the project’s resources, plus natural and cultural conditions.
Techniques get very specific, including details about methods, materials, implementation, budgets, and labor.
E.G.: If my goal is to create ethically-raised, healthy pork that also builds soil and biological health of the land (ETHICS), then…
I may be inspired by PRINCIPLES, including “Integrate Rather Than Segregate” (by David Holmgren) and “Work with Nature, Not Against It” (by Bill Mollison). Thus, rather than keeping pigs indoors confined to crowded pens with concrete floors and no natural stimulation, including from the Sun, rain, vegetation, fresh air, and soil, my STRATEGY will be to integrate them into woods and fields. I will observe and adapt their feed, paddock sizes, forage, and herd sizes, etc., to fit innate, natural needs and behaviors.
My TECHNIQUES will include choosing a breed that does well outdoors, maintaining a mix of grassland and woods, confined by electric fencing and rotated through 1/4 to 1/2 acre lots for durations based on the time of year, herd size, and soil/forage conditions.
See another example of this assignment here.
1) Choose a system you want to create a permaculture design for. It may be chickens, forest gardening, rainwater catchment, vegetable garden, woodlot, pond, house, business, classroom, etc.
2) Use the questions below to guide your effort to develop your chosen system with the framework of ethics, principles, strategies, and techniques.
1. Ethics
Which set of values provides the basis for the system you have chosen?
2. Principles
What two permaculture principles best relate to your system? (Consult David Holmgren's or Bill Mollison's Principles)
Why have you chosen these two? How do they help inform the design and implementation of your chosen system within your permaculture landscape?
3. Strategies
What approaches or bigger concepts will help guide the design and implementation of your chosen system? Look to outside or parallel systems to permaculture for help.
4. Techniques
Name and describe two specific “recipes” for achieving your system. Research to inform your choices, including evidence that these techniques lead to desired success.
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