Permaculture: Homegrown Independence

"What permaculturists are doing is the most important activity that any
group is doing on the planet. We don't know what details of a truly
sustainable future are going to be like, but we need options, we need
people experimenting in all kinds of ways and permaculturists are one of
the critical gangs that are doing that."
-Dr David Suzuki geneticist, broadcaster
and international environmental advocate

We speak of independence as if it is some sort of brand name. Something that we just naturally have, although rarely do we reflect on exactly what it means. In actuality, how independent are we?

Of course I could go into some diatribe about how our freedoms are being stripped away from us in the name of security (fear), but this is much simpler -- something at our basic level of existence.

If the power were to go out tomorrow, or if oil prices went to $200 a barrel, what would happen to our daily lives? Many people have experienced blackouts, but lets imagine that the power doesn't come back on.

Do we like the idea of independence, but how dependent are we on cheap oil, cheap and clean water, and food grown by strangers shipped from thousands of miles away? Seriously...think about this.

Western Civilization has tangled itself into a thick web where interconnectedness thrives. Never before in known history have so many people relied on so few for the basic essentials of life. Over eight million people in New York City depend on electricity and water from only a few companies. If we blatantly need multinational corporations and governments to provide us with food, shelter, water, and transportation, are we, in fact free?

Truthfully, the answer is no. We need someone else to take care of us. Even if we pay for these items with our money, we still need them to provide these essentials. Like a child who decides to run away from home, we realize that without mom and dad taking care of us, the world can be a very scary place.

So what is the path to real freedom? Permaculture.

Permaculture is the idea of creating livable "closed-loop" ecosystems that provide food for humans, habitats for wild animals, and eliminates waste by working with nature by mimicking it instead of constantly fighting against it. Key ideas are planting fruit trees, having a garden, collecting rainwater, and composting.

The beauty of this is that almost everyone can retrofit their homes and yards to adopt these principles. Not much land is needed, and after the initial expense, costs are minimal. Fruit trees will continue to give high quality fruit for decades for the simple cost of picking it. Food expenses could be diverted to vacations, self-improvement, or simply money in the bank.

Is it not in one's best interest to have the freshest organic foods grown at home by loved ones and free of toxic pesticides? Imagine what a positive impact that might have on everyone's health.

Could we envision the suburbs turning into edible forests inhabited by humans and wild animals alike? Fruit trees would line our streets, and neighbors would start sharing their harvests with one another. Not only would our connection with nature be greatly strengthened, but also our connection with our fellow human beings.

Even if we live in a city, we can grow some of our food on our windowsills or fire escapes. We can take part in community gardens, or even create our own. How about saving money and eventually purchasing affordable land hours away from the city where we can plant our trees and start our gardens? We are only limited by our lack of spirit and creativity.

Even if nothing were to threaten our modern way of life, if society were to keep chugging along and costs stabilized, wouldn't this still be a wise way to live? At the very least its a wise investment. A home surrounded by fruit trees and grape vines is far more valuable than one with just turf grass.

I believe that it is the right of every single sentient being on this planet to be healthy and free. As long as we are tied into this modern way of life, our hands are bound. Permaculture is quite possibly the best way to liberate ourselves from this, and create paradise on Earth. It is simply mind-boggling how beneficial this all is. Start learning and planting soon, because there is no better time than now.

This model for living is good for our health (both physical AND mental), good for our bank accounts, and good for the Earth. Lets get selfish and start planting some fruit trees.

Follow Anthony Anderson on Twitter: www.twitter.com/rawmodel

Comments

[ilovemydoggy]

Inspiring. Great post today on New Mindset:

http://www.Vaboomer.com

[Michjoy61]

Terrific my friend!! I really agree with you here. You are more than half way there to living this exact way. I am not. Not yet. Somehow, i will make it work for me. A smaller version of it perhaps? I want to look for a small garden plot and grow some goodies that way. I think at this point, living where i do, it may be the only way to start??? I would love to be able to pick my own fruit off of trees and just enjoy the goodness right then and there. Juicy and sweet and delicious. Someday!! See, you make me think and dream and plan for some sort of future where i can be "free" from the confines of having to go to my grocery store and pick up old fruit or greens that just doesn't look like you want it in your salad. But, what can i do?? Green market is wonderful and i am thankful for that, but as you say:

Is it not in one's best interest to have the freshest organic foods grown at home by loved ones and free of toxic pesticides? Imagine what a positive impact that might have on everyone's health.

That right there Anthony is drawing me in big time!!! Without health dude we are doomed.

Thanks for this. I constantly learn from you. You are a great writer and teacher....

Michelle

[LitDr2B]

I, too, loved this article and the vision it represents.

Unfortunately, for the foreseeable future, this will remain a utopian vision, since the majority of people will not want to give up their precious green lawns in suburbia for a more wild, natural approach. In fact, far from welcoming wild animals into their purlieus, most suburbanites want these creatures killed--even if they, themselves, have encroached on the animals' habitats. I'm thinking here particularly of some Phoenix-area housing developments that displace coyotes, and then everyone clamors to have them killed when they roam the neighborhoods that used to be their wild ranges.

Edible landscaping...I love it! But even where I currently live--in one of the supposedly most "progressive" and "environmentally conscious" cities of California, people's fruit trees (lemon, fig, persimmon, etc.) go laden with uneaten fruit that rots on the branches or is thrown into the gutters. Such people are more concerned with their property values than with the values you represent here. I hope it can change! I really do.

[Anthony Anderson - Huffpost Blogger]

I really agree with what you are saying here. I was in Southern California this may and saw so much ripe fruit hanging from the trees that I was simply flabbergasted. As a huge fan of unsprayed local fruit, this was like looking at dollar bills hanging from the branches, and no one could care at all.

It is a utopian vision, but why not aim high? And once the suburbanites realize that it is in their best interest, maybe more will commit to it. One avocado tree costs $60, and could feed a family of four for decades. Such little investment, for such a massive reward.

Thanks again!

Anthony

[lolabloom]

Oh....my....gosh!!! Fab article, one more place to follow the light that you share. You are a true inspiration my friend and I am so happy this opportunity came your way! You are a testament to give and you shall receive. You continue to give, give, give with such loving intentions and see how wonderful things just come your way! Universe is proud of you, I am proud of you. So wish I was going to be there this weekend to give you a big hug in person finally. Congrats again and much love to you!