Austin Permaculture Guild

Took a permaculture design course through the Austin Permaculture Guild. Dick Pierce, the primary instructor/​coordinator for the course is the best instructor I’ve encountered as an adult. Finally learning information directly useful to living a more interesting and productive/​sustainable life. So interesting and engaging that no-​one slept during the Saturday morning classes… lots of field trips and guest speakers…
Main principle of permaculture is to become familiar with your specific place and to use that knowledge to design your local activities… landscape, gardening, building design, water collection, run-​off management, community awareness/​political involvement… refinement in ones life is limitless and can be fun… one of the goals is to enjoy hammock time in your wonderful creation… no need for agriculture of depletion, monoculture with magic corporate seed and chemicals… Perm is about feeding and protecting the soil and other resources.
Final project is to incorporate perm principles into a design project using an existing property. Begins with learning to use city GIS viewer to get plats and basic contours, ends with your final design presentation.