While we will be personally based in the homestead, we intend to run the farm cooperatively, and so there are two centres of gravity (activity) from a permaculture perspective—home-based activities and co-op farm-based activities.
Around the home, we will have a kitchen garden in a space of about 150 square meters. There is a path to this area from the house, with good sun and water access. The soil here is compacted clay and will need ripping, tilling and composing.
The Farm centres will be down off the top platform of the homestead, allowing the Farm Shed and Chicken tractor to be located close to the food production zones, while not crowding the house.
There will also be areas for car parks for the co-op farm, access to the event spaces and Centre, as well as a treatment space for Somatic therapy as we are both trained as Somatic Therapists (Mind Body Medicine / Kinesiology and Hakomi).
Proposed New Homestead Fence
Relevant Permaculture Principles
All permaculture principles inform all aspect of the permaculture design and operations—these more so than others.
By developing systems that collect resources when they are abundant, we can use them in times of need.
Make the best use of nature’s abundance to reduce our consumptive behaviour and dependence on non-renewable resources.
By valuing and making use of all the resources that are available to us, nothing goes to waste.
Small and slow systems are easier to maintain than big ones, making better use of local resources and producing more sustainable outcomes.
The interface between things is where the most interesting events take place. These are often the most valuable, diverse and productive elements in the system.
Live simply so others may simply live - living within limits and distribute the surplus.
The wellbeing of ourselves, our kin, and community is the best indicator of how we are going.
Caring for all life, emphasizing soil health, biodiversity, and minimal resource consumption for well-being and beyond sustainability.