Re: Give me an example of PC that is working (was Pc slammed in

["Steve Bonney" <sustainableearth.steve@verizon.net>]

Good example, HS. And a good website also. Very
interesting. Thanks for the info on the jungle fowl, wish I had a few here
in the states.

Steve Bonney
Sustainable Earth
  a not-for-profit membership organization dedicated to the
  development of sustainable family farming systems
  and local food systems
100 Georgton Ct.
W. Lafayette, IN 47906
(765) 463-9366
----- Original Message -----
From: "HS" <wal@pc.jaring.my>
To: "permaculture" <permaculture@franklin.oit.unc.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2002 10:49 PM
Subject: Re: Give me an example of PC that is working (was Pc slammed in


> Hi, I am new to this group and am from Malaysia.  We should look at PC
also
> from the reduction in input to achieve a certain output, less labour, less
> costs for the purchase of chemical fertilisers, etc.  One perspective
seldom
> looked at is that sometimes PC allows us to escape the "mass market" price
> trap by opening up opportunities for niche marketing.  Example, I bought a
> durian orchard planted and managed the traditional way.  I started to put
> into practice PC principles gradually.  The key changes are the use of
> compost and mulching, planting of bushes and plants that attract birds for
> control of insects, retaining weeds and bushes on slopes for prevention of
> soil erosion, etc.  Recently the market price for durians dropped because
of
> over-production from farms using chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
> Prices dropped to about RM 1.50 per kilo.  But I still managed to market
my
> fruits at RM 5.00 per kilo to customers that prefer chemical free products
> (but not necessarily organic which tends to be beyond the reach of most
> customers in terms of affordability). At RM 5.00 per kilo, the market was
> still large enough to absorb the production of my 1,000 trees.
>
> Regards
>
> HS
>
> Find out about sustainable living at my site:
> www.sustainablelivingcentre.com
> Learn about the most important chicken in the world:
> www.junglefowl.org
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <permed@nor.com.au>
> To: permaculture <permaculture@franklin.oit.unc.edu>
> Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2002 6:21 PM
> Subject: Re: Give me an example of PC that is working (was Pc slammed in
>
>
> > Been watching this thread with interest - the 'scientific proof' issue
as
> > stated by many is difficult, especially when trying to quanitify a
system
> > where 'the whole is greater than the sum of parts' and the pressure is
to
> > justify just one of those parts (crop yeild).
> > Pc needs to be assessed on so many levels, household, property,
> > neighbourhood, bioregion and beyond; also environmental, ecological,
> > social and economic; and then there's all the other personal layers of
> > self reliance, quality of life, enjoyment, satisfaction, health,
> > wellbeing etc.
> >
> > Jarlanbah Pc Community was part of a grazing property - the 55 acres
only
> > yielded the farmer $1200 worth of beef per year. Now there are numerous
> > half acre private gardens on that same piece of land that harvest well
> > over $1200 worth of vegetables, fruit and eggs per year each from their
> > half acre. Plus there's the reduced energy consumption (compared to
> > average rural residential household), rainwater collection, composting
> > toilets etc etc. Then there's the 33 acres of community land with
> > rainforest regeneration along the gully, increased wildlife habitat,
> > populations and diversity, the woodlots planted with fuel and cabinet
> > timbers, the organic market garden that supplies our local village
stores
> > and on and on.
> >
> > Here at Djanbung Gardens (was part of the same grazing property as
> > Jarlanbah) the 5 acres is providing 60% of my food and food for courses
> > (estimated value $4000), and earns approx $5000 through value-adding
> > (conserves & herbal products, and casual canteen food sales) and sale of
> > tropical tubers, vegetative propagules and surplus veg. If the 55 acres
> > of Jarlanbah yeilded the farmer only $1200, then my 5 acres was probably
> > only worth around $110 a year. Plus there's the educational income of
all
> > the visitors who come here to see a working permaculture system,and
> > there's the numerous other products harvested, the increase in
> > biodiversity & wildlife etc etc.
> > Could add sooooo much more and cite numerous examples of pc successes if
> > I only had the time...
> > I get constant feedback from former students thanking me and describing
> > their systems, how much pleasure and production they derive from their
> > permacultures.
> >
> > Robyn
> >
> >
> > Djanbung Gardens Permaculture Education Centre
> > home to:
> > Permaculture Education
> > ERDA Institute Trust
> > Nimbin Eco-Village Project Office
> > Robyn Francis - permaculture designer & educator
> > PO Box 379, Nimbin NSW 2480 Australia
> > Ph 02-6689 1755 Fax 02-6689 1225
> > permed@nor.com.au  www.earthwise.org.au
> >
> >
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