Welcome to The Learning Labs
Please explore below the student created learning harvest from the first week of the program which focused upon exploring: strategic evolution and sustainability, collaborative leadership and the Art of Hosting and Harvesting, systems dynamics, Permaculture Design, and cultivated the beginning of our learning ecology. In the following reflections students were invited to journal upon their learnings, purpose, and passions as emerging designers, facilitators and maverick artist change-leaders. Through games, participatory exercises, field visits, and in-depth presentations our learning journey was initiated. Checkout the program design and facilitation harvest section for more detailed course design and process resources.
Student Reflections: Learning Labs
photo credit angela marcinik 2016
Reflecting on Diversity
This week has reminded me of the diversity in the natural world. As I sit with seed catalogs spread before me, centerfolds of heirloom apple varieties gnarled with history entice me to look past the rough skin and uneven coloring. Each apple variety is one I’ve never seen before, never tasted, never held in my hand. And these are the offerings of just one seed company. There are more apple varieties in the world than would fit in thousands of seed catalogs. Each heirloom seed contains the possibility of more. Nature is built to experiment. Yet we don’t. We believe we do, but humanity experiments to gain control, not to build diversity. Since we have became strangers in our land we can not make sense of the natural world. The inherent understanding we once had has turned to fear. We used to converse with the natural world. Any change in the wind told us something. Yet we have grown deaf in our adolescence. We have created a prison of silence. And while nature still tries to talk to us, as she once did, her cries go unheard. In our fear will have fallen upon control to comfort us. Control of everything. We are afraid of the very thing that creates us. We are afraid of life. Of its spontaneity, of its diversity.
Instead we wish to control the creation of life. Instead of an infinite number of apples we want only a handful. And we want them to be perfect. To all look the same and taste the same. To grow how we tell them to grow, and where. To stand alone in a row with others just like themselves. To have no visitors of birds or bugs. No song to wing its way through its boughs. No plant understory to warm its trunk. Not even the warmth of a human hand resting on its silvery bark. But is that even living? The tree is alive, technically, but its genes are not its own. They have been genetically modified to let poisons flow over its skin and through its veins, to kill its visitors. It’s own fruit not allowed to return to the earth, to the roots that grew it, but to landfills wrapped up in plastic. Foreign bees exhausted from travel brought once a year to stimulate its petals.
The sound of this life feels wrong to all of us. Somewhere deep down, below our skin, below our personalities, below our conscious minds, down at the very bottom of ourselves, there are small flakes of stardust still shining. It is down there that we know this is wrong. A twinkling beacon down in the dark shining through time and culture and thought to remind us of the beginning, of the wholeness that once was. Of what it felt like to all be in the warm bright womb of a star surrounded by the definition of darkness. Some of us have glimpsed this light, when peering into the darkness. Some of us see it everyday. Some of us haven’t yet and that’s okay. It’s hard to look into the dark. We might feel afraid that we will not find anything there, or that the darkness will drive us mad or that something terrifying is in it. But do not fear, the dark is nothing more than the canvas by which we can see the light. Fortunately there are people, and places, who will begin to bring us back to wholeness. Places where diversity is cherished and given a chance to thrive. And people who are caring for it, talking about it and sharing it.
With the New Year brings new heirloom seed catalogs pouring in my mailbox from all over. And I feel hopeful. Each seed here has an amazing story of its journey, many often brought back from the crumbling cliff of extinction. Coaxed back into this world by warm, hoping hands, which then offer it up like a prayer to someone else to grow and nurture and pass on. To grow it in different soil with different conditions and to give it a chance to do what nature does best: adapt, change, live.
These people are just being people, doing what they are called to do. And they don’t have a solution or an answer for the world. We can’t all be seed savers. We don’t all want to be seed savers. They do have one piece of the puzzle though, as we all do. It is in this way that we will find the answer, when we all come together. Doing what we are called to do. Being an advocate for those quiet voices, being a healer or a steward of a valley or field. Whatever it is, we just have to look into the darkness with open eyes and remember.
-Angela Marcinik
Everything we imagine can become our reality.
Our first visit to Juniper Well Ranch.
Week One Reflection Victoria Ellis
What is the essence of Permaculture and how would you like to apply it in your life/work?
Sustainability has not always been a topic of concern; for countless generations past we have known the ways of the land, the same methodologies our culture has forgone in lieu of economic return. Permaculture seeks to rectify this gap, working with nature as our wisest guide, and seeking to recreate that which “makes sense”, that which is sustainable by nature. With wide ranging applications, permaculture is a way of designing our environment to be beneficial for all beings, while not infringing on any future generations to do the same. With ethics valuing people, Earth, and equality for all, permaculture is an attempt to synergize all existing parts into a diverse system, as nature had intended. By embracing nature and our souls as our most trustworthy allies, we can “re-mind” ourselves, and create a permanent culture that has the ability to sustain itself for countless generations ahead.
Sustainability truly begins within, and if our species can recognize the important role permaculture and similar schools of thought play in our own sustainability, hope does exist for our kind. Ecopsychology examines the role nature plays in our development, and permaculture is one vehicle for such expression. Understanding that we are a vital part of our planet’s ecosystem is the basis for adopting the permaculture principles into our lives, as well as the basis for a return to our wholeness, as exemplified by our ancestors. This is what I aim to bring to the world through my work, an all encompassing return to wholeness. A limitless healing homestead, able to bring nature back into all areas of the human experience, begins with a strong foundation of all things “permaculture”.
What is the highest possible purpose you can imagine and fulfill ?
To be the change I want to see in the world, I am following my gifts and creating a multiple healing modality homestead, a sustainable community that is limitless in its creation, and ability to be replicated elsewhere. Humans play a key role in our environment, and not as dictators and destroyers as we have recently adopted; but as living, adaptive, and resilient parts of the integral whole. Importance lies equally amongst all elements of our planet’s ecosystem, and once this is recognized, the war with our Mother can cease, and an ability to thrive as we have yet to see, can be our reality. I seek to bring all the elements of the human experience together, for the benefit of all beings, and to fill a niche I see beaming with opportunity.
Every aspect of the human experience working together, while seamlessly providing for the environment, the community, and all participants, is what I seek to fulfill, from my imagined reality. Taking the art of hosting to all aspects of a community, bringing nature back into focus, and including all perspectives into one blended ecosystem, is an attainable state of being, as I will exemplify in my work. Land that is diverse and abundant in its offerings, people coming together in a sacred space, gently guided for the greatest success for all, and our species returning to our roots, is my life’s work. Nature is our wisest guide, and small work of a wise host can bring this into the lives of countless people. Alongside other transformative aspects of the human experience, and the unlimited healing capacities that exist, I seek to unify our kind with ourselves once again. Evolving past our conception of consciousness begins with recognizing that nature and our souls hold all the answers we seek; I aim to bring this understanding and application to our kind through my homestead and abilities as a host.
How do you put a value on something sacred?
David Suzuki
How would you like to express yourself authentically as a facilitator/host of transformative change?
To adequately guide an individual, a community, or the environment, I must be present in all my actions. Beginning with myself, holding space for the unknown and possibilities within, I can then encourage the same in other areas of life. Bringing mindfulness into all my interactions, and allowing space for stillness, allows time for insight to appear, and further guidance. The wise ways of nature and soul have guided my life, and I aim to set myself, people, and our planet up for success, and allow each to flourish as their truest, richest selves. Simple, open, pure, whole, and sustainable ways for all, is what I aim to express as a host of transformative change.
To act as a gracious host, understanding that as much as I give to myself, I can give to others, and as much as others give to themselves, they also give back to me. This reciprocity that underlies successful endeavors is what I seek to facilitate, and participate in. I am courageous and bold, alongside being graceful and compassionate, and I seek to harmonize all areas within that allow me to radiate valuable life energy to others. Remaining present throughout, building on the synergy of a group, and increasing the capacity to collaborate and remain open, I aim to host genuinely toward the greatest good for all beings.
Sustainability has not always been a topic of concern; for countless generations past we have known the ways of the land, the same methodologies our culture has forgone in lieu of economic return. Permaculture seeks to rectify this gap, working with nature as our wisest guide, and seeking to recreate that which “makes sense”, that which is sustainable by nature. With wide ranging applications, permaculture is a way of designing our environment to be beneficial for all beings, while not infringing on any future generations to do the same. With ethics valuing people, Earth, and equality for all, permaculture is an attempt to synergize all existing parts into a diverse system, as nature had intended. By embracing nature and our souls as our most trustworthy allies, we can “re-mind” ourselves, and create a permanent culture that has the ability to sustain itself for countless generations ahead.
Sustainability truly begins within, and if our species can recognize the important role permaculture and similar schools of thought play in our own sustainability, hope does exist for our kind. Ecopsychology examines the role nature plays in our development, and permaculture is one vehicle for such expression. Understanding that we are a vital part of our planet’s ecosystem is the basis for adopting the permaculture principles into our lives, as well as the basis for a return to our wholeness, as exemplified by our ancestors. This is what I aim to bring to the world through my work, an all encompassing return to wholeness. A limitless healing homestead, able to bring nature back into all areas of the human experience, begins with a strong foundation of all things “permaculture”.
What is the highest possible purpose you can imagine and fulfill ?
To be the change I want to see in the world, I am following my gifts and creating a multiple healing modality homestead, a sustainable community that is limitless in its creation, and ability to be replicated elsewhere. Humans play a key role in our environment, and not as dictators and destroyers as we have recently adopted; but as living, adaptive, and resilient parts of the integral whole. Importance lies equally amongst all elements of our planet’s ecosystem, and once this is recognized, the war with our Mother can cease, and an ability to thrive as we have yet to see, can be our reality. I seek to bring all the elements of the human experience together, for the benefit of all beings, and to fill a niche I see beaming with opportunity.
Every aspect of the human experience working together, while seamlessly providing for the environment, the community, and all participants, is what I seek to fulfill, from my imagined reality. Taking the art of hosting to all aspects of a community, bringing nature back into focus, and including all perspectives into one blended ecosystem, is an attainable state of being, as I will exemplify in my work. Land that is diverse and abundant in its offerings, people coming together in a sacred space, gently guided for the greatest success for all, and our species returning to our roots, is my life’s work. Nature is our wisest guide, and small work of a wise host can bring this into the lives of countless people. Alongside other transformative aspects of the human experience, and the unlimited healing capacities that exist, I seek to unify our kind with ourselves once again. Evolving past our conception of consciousness begins with recognizing that nature and our souls hold all the answers we seek; I aim to bring this understanding and application to our kind through my homestead and abilities as a host.
How do you put a value on something sacred?
David Suzuki
How would you like to express yourself authentically as a facilitator/host of transformative change?
To adequately guide an individual, a community, or the environment, I must be present in all my actions. Beginning with myself, holding space for the unknown and possibilities within, I can then encourage the same in other areas of life. Bringing mindfulness into all my interactions, and allowing space for stillness, allows time for insight to appear, and further guidance. The wise ways of nature and soul have guided my life, and I aim to set myself, people, and our planet up for success, and allow each to flourish as their truest, richest selves. Simple, open, pure, whole, and sustainable ways for all, is what I aim to express as a host of transformative change.
To act as a gracious host, understanding that as much as I give to myself, I can give to others, and as much as others give to themselves, they also give back to me. This reciprocity that underlies successful endeavors is what I seek to facilitate, and participate in. I am courageous and bold, alongside being graceful and compassionate, and I seek to harmonize all areas within that allow me to radiate valuable life energy to others. Remaining present throughout, building on the synergy of a group, and increasing the capacity to collaborate and remain open, I aim to host genuinely toward the greatest good for all beings.
Week One Reflection
By Shona Estey-Edwards
By Shona Estey-Edwards
On our first visit to Juniper Well Ranch
The health of that great system is what we depend on, not only for our health, but for our survival. That must come before everything else. –David Suzuki
What are your three key learning’s from week one?
Positive outlook supports visioning and developments.
We are currently in quite the dire situation and it is easy to become engulfed by all the things that are wrong in the world. It can be completely overwhelming and even paralyzing to focus solely on what is “wrong” or “bad”. I believe that there is a huge need for acknowledgement and acceptance of the problems and issues that we currently face. But there is an even stronger need to take action in a positive direction of solution generating, visioning, and creating the shifts that are so desperately required. When we come from a place of positivity our hearts and minds are more open and inspired to do the thinking and take the action that is needed.
Coming together in community is an incredibly powerful way to activate and create change.
We (humans) are all in this together. We are relational beings designed to work together and create in community. We are literally one hugemungus family and are at a point in our development and settlement on this planet that we absolutely need to start treating everyone with a deep, unconditional love, respect, and support.
The most brilliant, effective systems are all around us in the natural world; we must remember and relearn how to see and utilize these inspirations.
We are at a point of enormous disconnect from the natural world. All the answers are here for us; it is just a matter of discovering and, or more accurately, rediscovering them. This is where curiosity, wonderment, and the willingness to be open and to be continuously learning is so important to the process of creating ideas.
What is the essence of Permaculture and how would you like to apply it in your life/work?
To me, at this moment in time, the essence of Permaculture is an intentional way of doing, rooted in specific ethics and principles that offer a guide for a way of life that contributes to the healing of self, community, and planet. It is an offering of ideas and a framework that can be used to work and live in a balanced, thriving, wholesome way with ourselves, others, and the Earth as a whole. I see Permaculture as a major reminder of the natural/native intelligence that is all around us in the abundant natural systems that function within the biosphere. It is an opportunity to return to the reality of humans as a part of, not apart from the beautiful, intricate unfolding of life on the planet. It is an opportunity to reconnect to the interconnectedness of Mama Earth and create in such a way that works with the planet in a respectful and visionary way in order to move forward as a species in a sustainable manner.
I am so excited and inspired to venture forward in life and work with a heightened awareness of the interconnectedness of whole Earth and to “be” and “do” in such a way that brings positive change to the world. My desire is to work with others as a teacher/mentor/guide to inspire and empower them to reconnect, to fall in love, and to cultivate the desire to take action within themselves and their community.
What is the highest possible purpose you can imagine and fulfill?
In this current moment, the highest possible purpose I can imagine and believe I can fulfill is to be a teacher/mentor/inspiration for living as happy, healthy humans in harmony and balance with each other and the planet as a whole. I want to work with young people in the outdoor classroom; to be a support through the transformation of expanding more fully into who they are and discovering of the path they wish to take forward through life. I believe that alternative and transformative education is a radical act in the awakening of the hearts, minds, and spirits that are so desperately needed to support in drastic positive change and evolution. I want to share the joy, love and brilliance of life with others through nature connection and adventures, practices of holistic well-being, the cultivating of authentic, compassionate relationships with self and others, and coming together in community to create and enjoy the process of happy humanness.
Positive outlook supports visioning and developments.
We are currently in quite the dire situation and it is easy to become engulfed by all the things that are wrong in the world. It can be completely overwhelming and even paralyzing to focus solely on what is “wrong” or “bad”. I believe that there is a huge need for acknowledgement and acceptance of the problems and issues that we currently face. But there is an even stronger need to take action in a positive direction of solution generating, visioning, and creating the shifts that are so desperately required. When we come from a place of positivity our hearts and minds are more open and inspired to do the thinking and take the action that is needed.
Coming together in community is an incredibly powerful way to activate and create change.
We (humans) are all in this together. We are relational beings designed to work together and create in community. We are literally one hugemungus family and are at a point in our development and settlement on this planet that we absolutely need to start treating everyone with a deep, unconditional love, respect, and support.
The most brilliant, effective systems are all around us in the natural world; we must remember and relearn how to see and utilize these inspirations.
We are at a point of enormous disconnect from the natural world. All the answers are here for us; it is just a matter of discovering and, or more accurately, rediscovering them. This is where curiosity, wonderment, and the willingness to be open and to be continuously learning is so important to the process of creating ideas.
What is the essence of Permaculture and how would you like to apply it in your life/work?
To me, at this moment in time, the essence of Permaculture is an intentional way of doing, rooted in specific ethics and principles that offer a guide for a way of life that contributes to the healing of self, community, and planet. It is an offering of ideas and a framework that can be used to work and live in a balanced, thriving, wholesome way with ourselves, others, and the Earth as a whole. I see Permaculture as a major reminder of the natural/native intelligence that is all around us in the abundant natural systems that function within the biosphere. It is an opportunity to return to the reality of humans as a part of, not apart from the beautiful, intricate unfolding of life on the planet. It is an opportunity to reconnect to the interconnectedness of Mama Earth and create in such a way that works with the planet in a respectful and visionary way in order to move forward as a species in a sustainable manner.
I am so excited and inspired to venture forward in life and work with a heightened awareness of the interconnectedness of whole Earth and to “be” and “do” in such a way that brings positive change to the world. My desire is to work with others as a teacher/mentor/guide to inspire and empower them to reconnect, to fall in love, and to cultivate the desire to take action within themselves and their community.
What is the highest possible purpose you can imagine and fulfill?
In this current moment, the highest possible purpose I can imagine and believe I can fulfill is to be a teacher/mentor/inspiration for living as happy, healthy humans in harmony and balance with each other and the planet as a whole. I want to work with young people in the outdoor classroom; to be a support through the transformation of expanding more fully into who they are and discovering of the path they wish to take forward through life. I believe that alternative and transformative education is a radical act in the awakening of the hearts, minds, and spirits that are so desperately needed to support in drastic positive change and evolution. I want to share the joy, love and brilliance of life with others through nature connection and adventures, practices of holistic well-being, the cultivating of authentic, compassionate relationships with self and others, and coming together in community to create and enjoy the process of happy humanness.
Let us dream of what is possible so that we can come together and put our efforts into working towards that dream. And then, let us show what we are truly capable of as a species.
–David Suzuki
Week One Reflection: Leo Shore
What is the essence of permaculture and how would you like to apply it in your life/work?
In my opinion, the essence of permaculture lies in the implementation and consideration of the 12 design principles in constant accord with the three core ethics, Fair Share, Earth Care, and People Care. As long as these three ethical dimensions are always being fulfilled, and the design principles are all present in the totality of the system that is being designed, I believe it can be considered a permaculture system.
I think it is important to bear in mind that each of the principles will most likely not be present in every single aspect of a permaculture system. For example, water is an essential component of a functioning permaculture farming operation. If natural sources are scarce or unavailable, one might choose to install a large, metal storage tank. While this does not utilize resources that are locally and readily available (Principle 5, Use and Value Renewables), it is very cost effective and has a longevity that could far exceed a completely "natural" or bioavailable alternative. In my experience, the most successful and integrated small-scale farms have been those which are willing to make compromises and work with what is available to them/ within their means.
I also think that a crucial and fundamental aspect of permaculture is the notion of biomimicry or reflecting and copying natural systems consciously with the intent of achieving a specific goal. Natural systems are virtually 100% efficient and integrated, so to observe and study the way they operate in the biosphere in which we wish to operate will undoubtedly provide us with insights that allow us to design efficient, integrated systems.
I believe that the bottom line is the ethical dimensions of Fair Share, Earth Care, and People Care. For too long in certain cultures, these most basic aspects have been denied or "pushed under the rug" and ignored. The result is the immense environmental degradation, social inequality and overall suffering present in the world today. These are the most important aspects of designing revolutionary, sustainable systems, and any system which does not hold these as it's highest concern is merely perpetuating the ill-fated and shortsighted view of the past. If these ethics are present, happiness and a full, wholesome life seems to be guranteed. Is it not the point of designing new systems, but to restore these dimensions to their fullest value in everyday experience?
What is your vision for the world utilizing the sustainable principles?
My vision for the world is that every being, be it human, plant or animal, has access to the basic components of existence that it needs in order to live a complete, meaningful and satisfying existence in which it is given the space to express its full potential. Many people decry that there are certain overwhelming problems which we could not surpass, or that we have already gone beyond the tipping point and are basically doomed. They point to things such as overpopulation or mass pollution as examples. These things are not the problem. The problem is that we have forgotten that we, human beings, are also part of a natural system. Nature is an inherent seeker of homeostasis, of balance, and therefore I do not believe that we should despair in the face of these things, as Nature will inevitably restore itself to balance over time. Rather, we should become conscious of these processes and the variables which are out of sync so that we might play a part in the restoring of them in a way which is favorable for the survival of our species. We should integrate our natural systems with the larger natural systems in which they are enveloped, in order to create a kind of resonance which will result in the thriving and enhanced vitality of the entire earthen community.
This is tied into my third question, "What is the highest possible purpose you can imagine and fulfill?" For myself, this highest possible purpose is to understand the psychological reasons that have led to our current situation, with all its suffering and themes of disconnection, isolation, and purposelessness. It is these themes which play out not only in the social-psychological sphere but also in our attitude towards nature. Sociological research suggests that the most important factor in determining our relationship with the land/environment we inhabit is our spiritual/religious views. In a culture that is largely without any core thread of spiritual significance, that is characterized by groping for meaning in an existential void, it is no wonder that we have come to disregard the land and to view it as equally purposeless and dead as our own selves. To restore the land, we must restore a connection with our own meaning, and relocate purposeful existence as the center of our daily focus or practice.
In my opinion, the essence of permaculture lies in the implementation and consideration of the 12 design principles in constant accord with the three core ethics, Fair Share, Earth Care, and People Care. As long as these three ethical dimensions are always being fulfilled, and the design principles are all present in the totality of the system that is being designed, I believe it can be considered a permaculture system.
I think it is important to bear in mind that each of the principles will most likely not be present in every single aspect of a permaculture system. For example, water is an essential component of a functioning permaculture farming operation. If natural sources are scarce or unavailable, one might choose to install a large, metal storage tank. While this does not utilize resources that are locally and readily available (Principle 5, Use and Value Renewables), it is very cost effective and has a longevity that could far exceed a completely "natural" or bioavailable alternative. In my experience, the most successful and integrated small-scale farms have been those which are willing to make compromises and work with what is available to them/ within their means.
I also think that a crucial and fundamental aspect of permaculture is the notion of biomimicry or reflecting and copying natural systems consciously with the intent of achieving a specific goal. Natural systems are virtually 100% efficient and integrated, so to observe and study the way they operate in the biosphere in which we wish to operate will undoubtedly provide us with insights that allow us to design efficient, integrated systems.
I believe that the bottom line is the ethical dimensions of Fair Share, Earth Care, and People Care. For too long in certain cultures, these most basic aspects have been denied or "pushed under the rug" and ignored. The result is the immense environmental degradation, social inequality and overall suffering present in the world today. These are the most important aspects of designing revolutionary, sustainable systems, and any system which does not hold these as it's highest concern is merely perpetuating the ill-fated and shortsighted view of the past. If these ethics are present, happiness and a full, wholesome life seems to be guranteed. Is it not the point of designing new systems, but to restore these dimensions to their fullest value in everyday experience?
What is your vision for the world utilizing the sustainable principles?
My vision for the world is that every being, be it human, plant or animal, has access to the basic components of existence that it needs in order to live a complete, meaningful and satisfying existence in which it is given the space to express its full potential. Many people decry that there are certain overwhelming problems which we could not surpass, or that we have already gone beyond the tipping point and are basically doomed. They point to things such as overpopulation or mass pollution as examples. These things are not the problem. The problem is that we have forgotten that we, human beings, are also part of a natural system. Nature is an inherent seeker of homeostasis, of balance, and therefore I do not believe that we should despair in the face of these things, as Nature will inevitably restore itself to balance over time. Rather, we should become conscious of these processes and the variables which are out of sync so that we might play a part in the restoring of them in a way which is favorable for the survival of our species. We should integrate our natural systems with the larger natural systems in which they are enveloped, in order to create a kind of resonance which will result in the thriving and enhanced vitality of the entire earthen community.
This is tied into my third question, "What is the highest possible purpose you can imagine and fulfill?" For myself, this highest possible purpose is to understand the psychological reasons that have led to our current situation, with all its suffering and themes of disconnection, isolation, and purposelessness. It is these themes which play out not only in the social-psychological sphere but also in our attitude towards nature. Sociological research suggests that the most important factor in determining our relationship with the land/environment we inhabit is our spiritual/religious views. In a culture that is largely without any core thread of spiritual significance, that is characterized by groping for meaning in an existential void, it is no wonder that we have come to disregard the land and to view it as equally purposeless and dead as our own selves. To restore the land, we must restore a connection with our own meaning, and relocate purposeful existence as the center of our daily focus or practice.
Week One Reflection
Erica Masten
What are your three Key Learning from Week One?
My three Key learning which stuck out to me was Earth Care an organic sustainably, with a balanced ecology. Second was People Care, which supports all people in every social background. With a every important lesson in learning that we can’t wait for the government to go along with the changes we are making. They will follow us if they choose to by learning from our wholesome actions. Third I learned Fair share, which follows the principle of designing a future that is healthy life style in order to live. With staying fair to everything that is here on earth with treating our plant with the respect it deserves. In my opinion these key learning are what every business should follow because it builds a strong community with a powerful connection to all.
What is the essence of permaculture and how would you like to apply it in your life/work?
The essence of permaculture that I would like to life by is making a system that flows with Earth rather then take away from her. I believe that if we lived in a place that had a natural flow of energy our mind, body, and spirit would connect to that force making us whole. I believe that this powerful way of design can affect all people with being true to them self with holding their own happiness. As human animals we take form of our environment. People tend to feel free and relaxed in nature for many reasons. If we create a design that flows the natural flow in nature can we feel just as relaxed in our home setting?
What is the highest possible purpose you can imagine and fulfill?
My highest purpose that I can see in my minds eye is this beautiful Eco Village that follows the laws of nature. People with different social backgrounds all cohabiting together with working for the highest good. Our main attraction would be our school that is for all children and adults of spiritual gifts. This Community school is for everyone that is willing to learn about what it truly means to be human and to work with our gifts in an extraordinary way. Bring our bright ideas and visions into the tangible world. With always honoring our planet and the universe. We will build a place where divine purpose of all can be found and nurtured. We would also have an outstanding café that would feed our village along with our visitors. Our food will come from our community farm that will be grown from the helping hands everyone on the village.
My three Key learning which stuck out to me was Earth Care an organic sustainably, with a balanced ecology. Second was People Care, which supports all people in every social background. With a every important lesson in learning that we can’t wait for the government to go along with the changes we are making. They will follow us if they choose to by learning from our wholesome actions. Third I learned Fair share, which follows the principle of designing a future that is healthy life style in order to live. With staying fair to everything that is here on earth with treating our plant with the respect it deserves. In my opinion these key learning are what every business should follow because it builds a strong community with a powerful connection to all.
What is the essence of permaculture and how would you like to apply it in your life/work?
The essence of permaculture that I would like to life by is making a system that flows with Earth rather then take away from her. I believe that if we lived in a place that had a natural flow of energy our mind, body, and spirit would connect to that force making us whole. I believe that this powerful way of design can affect all people with being true to them self with holding their own happiness. As human animals we take form of our environment. People tend to feel free and relaxed in nature for many reasons. If we create a design that flows the natural flow in nature can we feel just as relaxed in our home setting?
What is the highest possible purpose you can imagine and fulfill?
My highest purpose that I can see in my minds eye is this beautiful Eco Village that follows the laws of nature. People with different social backgrounds all cohabiting together with working for the highest good. Our main attraction would be our school that is for all children and adults of spiritual gifts. This Community school is for everyone that is willing to learn about what it truly means to be human and to work with our gifts in an extraordinary way. Bring our bright ideas and visions into the tangible world. With always honoring our planet and the universe. We will build a place where divine purpose of all can be found and nurtured. We would also have an outstanding café that would feed our village along with our visitors. Our food will come from our community farm that will be grown from the helping hands everyone on the village.
Week One Reflection - Miles Petersen
What is the essence of Permaculture and how would you like to apply it to your life/work?
Permaculture is a set of design principles which when properly applied to a prospective idea aim to create a product that functions in complete symbiance with the surrounding natural world. The word “permaculture” actually comes from the idea of permanent-agriculture, a human system that can flourish indefinitely under proper care. A homestead can be the perfect example of a human system designed for healthy coexistence with the natural systems, and in my later life this is how I would like to apply the ideas of permaculture I am learning now. My home and other human infrastructure on the land would ideally be sustained emissions free through the use of solar energy. Waste can be nearly removed from the equation by ensuring all items in the system can be healthfully returned to the land, recycled for another use, or maintained nearly indefinitely. By strategically rotating food crops and enriching the organic matter of the soil with cover crops, compost, and animal waste, the use farming can actually be regenerative to the land as well as simply sustainable. Harmful chemicals and other harsh realities of modern agriculture prove unnecessary when a manageably sized system can be thoughtfully cared for and balanced. The result of the extra work? Genuinely nutritious food, perpetually fertile soil, and the ensurance of a cleanly functioning system for years to come.
How can collaborative leadership support the transition toward a sustainable and thriving future?
The majority of humanities large scale problems are the result of failure to unite. Through millions of years of evolution physically and culturally we have become naturally selected (and perhaps in many cases societally accepted) as creatures that think only for our own individual benefit and immediate satisfaction day to day. We also have adapted a very strong attachment to the “us and them” mindframe, which divides our current human population into countless cultures, nations, sports teams, and systems of belief. Collaborative leadership is a way in which we are attempting to kick these old habits of competition and mutual distrust in order to move forward in a united cause. Through learning and experimenting with groups of people as with a variety of leadership dynamics, we can seek to become more effective in directing our focus where it is needed. If we could all get on the same page working toward the collective good rather than competing against one another for societal hierarchy as we are so accustomed to doing, than we would see mutual benefit across the planet’s human and non human systems. Only by being on the same team can we truly be sustainable as a planet, accounting for the global system, its people, and its resources, rather than presuming that the earth will always have enough to give.
What is your vision for the world utilizing the sustainable principles?
My vision for the future in which the world has utilized the sustainability principles is one in which we focus as a culture on self betterment, education, and how we can use the world around us as a model for our own. Schools from a young age would center on teaching practical life skills such as gardening, cooking, nutrition, and first aid, as well as individual financial skills and the functioning of our government. We would all be taught to analyze and create systems that work, whether permacultural or political. Inefficiencies and injustices in the cultural system would therefore be caught and discarded in place of better practices. Unutilized urban space would become productive and the expansion of our population and its concrete jungles will reach a standstill before slowly declining. Urban centers would be ripe with rooftop gardens and window planters, and the roads would take in solar energy and impart it directly to the vehicles. The natural world would be left to recover to its full health and the people would thrive.
Permaculture is a set of design principles which when properly applied to a prospective idea aim to create a product that functions in complete symbiance with the surrounding natural world. The word “permaculture” actually comes from the idea of permanent-agriculture, a human system that can flourish indefinitely under proper care. A homestead can be the perfect example of a human system designed for healthy coexistence with the natural systems, and in my later life this is how I would like to apply the ideas of permaculture I am learning now. My home and other human infrastructure on the land would ideally be sustained emissions free through the use of solar energy. Waste can be nearly removed from the equation by ensuring all items in the system can be healthfully returned to the land, recycled for another use, or maintained nearly indefinitely. By strategically rotating food crops and enriching the organic matter of the soil with cover crops, compost, and animal waste, the use farming can actually be regenerative to the land as well as simply sustainable. Harmful chemicals and other harsh realities of modern agriculture prove unnecessary when a manageably sized system can be thoughtfully cared for and balanced. The result of the extra work? Genuinely nutritious food, perpetually fertile soil, and the ensurance of a cleanly functioning system for years to come.
How can collaborative leadership support the transition toward a sustainable and thriving future?
The majority of humanities large scale problems are the result of failure to unite. Through millions of years of evolution physically and culturally we have become naturally selected (and perhaps in many cases societally accepted) as creatures that think only for our own individual benefit and immediate satisfaction day to day. We also have adapted a very strong attachment to the “us and them” mindframe, which divides our current human population into countless cultures, nations, sports teams, and systems of belief. Collaborative leadership is a way in which we are attempting to kick these old habits of competition and mutual distrust in order to move forward in a united cause. Through learning and experimenting with groups of people as with a variety of leadership dynamics, we can seek to become more effective in directing our focus where it is needed. If we could all get on the same page working toward the collective good rather than competing against one another for societal hierarchy as we are so accustomed to doing, than we would see mutual benefit across the planet’s human and non human systems. Only by being on the same team can we truly be sustainable as a planet, accounting for the global system, its people, and its resources, rather than presuming that the earth will always have enough to give.
What is your vision for the world utilizing the sustainable principles?
My vision for the future in which the world has utilized the sustainability principles is one in which we focus as a culture on self betterment, education, and how we can use the world around us as a model for our own. Schools from a young age would center on teaching practical life skills such as gardening, cooking, nutrition, and first aid, as well as individual financial skills and the functioning of our government. We would all be taught to analyze and create systems that work, whether permacultural or political. Inefficiencies and injustices in the cultural system would therefore be caught and discarded in place of better practices. Unutilized urban space would become productive and the expansion of our population and its concrete jungles will reach a standstill before slowly declining. Urban centers would be ripe with rooftop gardens and window planters, and the roads would take in solar energy and impart it directly to the vehicles. The natural world would be left to recover to its full health and the people would thrive.
Kaine Holloway
What is your vision for the world utilizing the sustainable principles?
My vision for the future is one where society fully embraces the environment as part of itself instead of a separate entity. That people change their focus from their selves to the world as a whole. The world needs to go to a state of unity with everything working/one as a part of the whole. To an extent this means I want the world to re adopt tribal philosophy’s and look at the world as sacred and not just as resources to build more capita. To me a sustainable future is one where there is no visible difference from nature and a metropolis. The world should become completely able to regain all resources that are used as fast or faster than can be used by both man and every other species that need them.
What is the essence of Permaculture and how would you like to apply it in your life/work?
To me the essence of Permaculture is unity doing everything one can without limiting the growth and opportunities of people and the environment around you. This can be shown in my life and work by me not isolating myself from the people around me and doing what is right for everyone around me even when it has a chance of negatively affecting me. Fallowing the essence of Permaculture means that I need to slow my technological growth to a more natural level realizing the consequences of constantly needing “the next big thing” life needs to become flexible able to adapt to the world changing around us not the world adapting to us.
How would you like to express yourself authentically as a facilitator/host of transformative change?
I would like to carry myself with controlled chaos looking at all opportunities that are available and taking in all criticisms to adjust and improve every aspect of my life. I want to be someone who not only knows that they are not perfect but someone who spends every opportunity to improve whether that means getting more comfortable with speaking up or just putting my all into everything I do instead of waiting to the last minute where I can barely do a subpar job. I want to carry myself with an aura of confidence where I can be ready for anything or at the very least get to a point in my life where I can learn what I need to in any situation I may find myself in. I no longer want to just blend into the shadows for in the shadows there is no room for personal growth or for me to help society grow to a world that I feel would be worth living in.
My vision for the future is one where society fully embraces the environment as part of itself instead of a separate entity. That people change their focus from their selves to the world as a whole. The world needs to go to a state of unity with everything working/one as a part of the whole. To an extent this means I want the world to re adopt tribal philosophy’s and look at the world as sacred and not just as resources to build more capita. To me a sustainable future is one where there is no visible difference from nature and a metropolis. The world should become completely able to regain all resources that are used as fast or faster than can be used by both man and every other species that need them.
What is the essence of Permaculture and how would you like to apply it in your life/work?
To me the essence of Permaculture is unity doing everything one can without limiting the growth and opportunities of people and the environment around you. This can be shown in my life and work by me not isolating myself from the people around me and doing what is right for everyone around me even when it has a chance of negatively affecting me. Fallowing the essence of Permaculture means that I need to slow my technological growth to a more natural level realizing the consequences of constantly needing “the next big thing” life needs to become flexible able to adapt to the world changing around us not the world adapting to us.
How would you like to express yourself authentically as a facilitator/host of transformative change?
I would like to carry myself with controlled chaos looking at all opportunities that are available and taking in all criticisms to adjust and improve every aspect of my life. I want to be someone who not only knows that they are not perfect but someone who spends every opportunity to improve whether that means getting more comfortable with speaking up or just putting my all into everything I do instead of waiting to the last minute where I can barely do a subpar job. I want to carry myself with an aura of confidence where I can be ready for anything or at the very least get to a point in my life where I can learn what I need to in any situation I may find myself in. I no longer want to just blend into the shadows for in the shadows there is no room for personal growth or for me to help society grow to a world that I feel would be worth living in.
Sierra Reinertson
How can collaborative leadership support the transition toward a sustainable and thriving future?
In discussing collaborative leadership, what stuck out to me the most was the article “Leadership: From Hero to Host”. This article made the point that “leadership” in our society, carries certain assumptions of power and order. “Leaders” have the answers, “followers” will do as they’re told, and in a world of intense chaos, “high risk requires high control”. This model can be seen in many businesses throughout the United States and other western nations. The boss holds the most power, makes the most money, and takes on the most responsibility. The workers below him either try to work up the ladder, or live happily doing menial jobs that require less thought and personal responsibility. This kind of dynamic, however, does not support a sustainable future, and instead “breed(s) dependency and passivity”. Collaborative leadership encourages the sharing of knowledge, ideas, and responsibilities. It requires that some control and order be let go in order to make room for innovations and critiques from all parties. As people spend more time with one another in decision-making processes, a sense of community is built. Community, in turn, makes people care about one another, it makes people think more about how their individual actions will affect their “whole”, and thus fosters sustainable resolutions.
What is your vision for the world utilizing the sustainable principles?
Local trade must be encouraged and global trade discouraged. Environmental factors must be incorporated into the economic systems of countries that see a redwood forest as logs, jobs, and cash as opposed to a sacred grove (David Suzuki). Education systems must be adopted that teach the importance of diversity in the world; that encourage art and imagination as opposed to memorization and monotony to mirror that goal of diversity. Mono cultures like the corn fields in the United States must be down-sized and mixed with other crops and animals to re-establish healthy soil. Political systems such as capitalism must shift towards more socialist principles to create a less steep hierarchy of control, which would encourage the sharing of wealth, resources, and responsibilities. People would be able to have enough time and resources to allow for reflection and play in life; enjoying the mysteries, wisdom, love and energy on this earth. Of course, implementation of these ideas would vary depending on location; these suggestions being aimed mainly towards western countries that continue greedy lifestyles through the abuse of more sustainable, second and third world areas and societies.
What is the highest possible purpose you can imagine and fulfill?
To help restructure cities to re-establish peoples’ connections with place and with each other. This could be done through encouraging community participation in local governing decisions. Or through creating affordable co-housing structures for those citizens of lower economic standing. Through working in volunteer groups that take urban-dwelling high schoolers out into nature and teach them about local edible plants and cool trails. Through facilitating neighborhood art projects that encourage people to get to know one another while making something beautiful together. Through helping to re-model education systems to allow students to learn what they want to learn through more experiential, imaginative, localized curriculum. Basically, I want to utilize my privilege and education to give back to a community that I care about; whether that be by helping marginalized groups to be a part of decision-making processes, or by making structural changes to encourage a fair distribution of resources. People care, Nature care, Fair share.
In discussing collaborative leadership, what stuck out to me the most was the article “Leadership: From Hero to Host”. This article made the point that “leadership” in our society, carries certain assumptions of power and order. “Leaders” have the answers, “followers” will do as they’re told, and in a world of intense chaos, “high risk requires high control”. This model can be seen in many businesses throughout the United States and other western nations. The boss holds the most power, makes the most money, and takes on the most responsibility. The workers below him either try to work up the ladder, or live happily doing menial jobs that require less thought and personal responsibility. This kind of dynamic, however, does not support a sustainable future, and instead “breed(s) dependency and passivity”. Collaborative leadership encourages the sharing of knowledge, ideas, and responsibilities. It requires that some control and order be let go in order to make room for innovations and critiques from all parties. As people spend more time with one another in decision-making processes, a sense of community is built. Community, in turn, makes people care about one another, it makes people think more about how their individual actions will affect their “whole”, and thus fosters sustainable resolutions.
What is your vision for the world utilizing the sustainable principles?
Local trade must be encouraged and global trade discouraged. Environmental factors must be incorporated into the economic systems of countries that see a redwood forest as logs, jobs, and cash as opposed to a sacred grove (David Suzuki). Education systems must be adopted that teach the importance of diversity in the world; that encourage art and imagination as opposed to memorization and monotony to mirror that goal of diversity. Mono cultures like the corn fields in the United States must be down-sized and mixed with other crops and animals to re-establish healthy soil. Political systems such as capitalism must shift towards more socialist principles to create a less steep hierarchy of control, which would encourage the sharing of wealth, resources, and responsibilities. People would be able to have enough time and resources to allow for reflection and play in life; enjoying the mysteries, wisdom, love and energy on this earth. Of course, implementation of these ideas would vary depending on location; these suggestions being aimed mainly towards western countries that continue greedy lifestyles through the abuse of more sustainable, second and third world areas and societies.
What is the highest possible purpose you can imagine and fulfill?
To help restructure cities to re-establish peoples’ connections with place and with each other. This could be done through encouraging community participation in local governing decisions. Or through creating affordable co-housing structures for those citizens of lower economic standing. Through working in volunteer groups that take urban-dwelling high schoolers out into nature and teach them about local edible plants and cool trails. Through facilitating neighborhood art projects that encourage people to get to know one another while making something beautiful together. Through helping to re-model education systems to allow students to learn what they want to learn through more experiential, imaginative, localized curriculum. Basically, I want to utilize my privilege and education to give back to a community that I care about; whether that be by helping marginalized groups to be a part of decision-making processes, or by making structural changes to encourage a fair distribution of resources. People care, Nature care, Fair share.
Madelyn Boge
What is the essence of Permaculture and how would you like to apply it in your life/work?
For me, when I think about permaculture, I like to strip away all of the details like principles, strategic sustainability, and collaborative communities and think simply on this; humans in harmony with the earth and all that inhabits this planet. From this simple thought, and through more technical permaculture concepts, I can then expand with what I believe to be the best way to heal this earth and humanity in the present, and for future generations. I have heard multiple times that all it takes is one person to make great change, though I do believe this to be true I also know that it helps when there are others standing by your side. So, it is my belief that through education and small scale community involvement, we would be most effective in implementing permaculture. There are similar thinking people out there and it is my hope to find ways to connect these communities, not only for the growth of their own sustainable endeavor, but to bridge a connection and spark a weaving thread amongst possible future sustainable and permaculture focused communities. In terms of education systems, in my own experience, there are more than enough resources, even in urban areas, for implementing permaculture and sustainability learning experiences for children of all ages. If we are to make change in a rigorous and somewhat narrow minded school system, the public must see permaculture as a crucial piece to our future on this planet. If permaculture were to obtain a strong and consistent following in the presence of small communities, I would hope change towards a more sustainable level, would happen rapidly. In my own life, because I grew up farming, gardening and in a family that tried to be as self-sustaining as possible, I find it rather easy and somewhat natural for me to live a sustainable lifestyle. Though I try to keep my background in mind in everything I do, there are ways I am looking to further my work with permaculture and sustainable living in the form of a complete sustainable, self-reliant living style that my family is in the process of making happen. By that I mean we will build a self-sufficient home and permaculture system on our property in Prescott Valley, Arizona sooner rather than later.
How can collaborative leadership support the transition towards a sustainable and thriving future?
In a society that is geared towards individualism and the freedom that comes with that individualism is so widely broadcasted, I think it is important to state that, though knowing oneself is one an empowering and important part of life, it does not mean we have to lose all sense of community. In my own experience, the communities in which I have been a part of that were the most successful where the ones where collaborative leadership took place. Sharing the same common vision with the group that you are working with is vitally important and is something that collaborative leaders should strive to keep moving towards. Change is inevitable, in fact, it is the river itself in which life flows. I think even more important is adaptability, something that is easy when we accept change as an ever present thing. With a common vision, adaptability and unrelenting perseverance of the heart and spirit, I believe that the transition towards a sustainable and thriving future could made possible and more obtainable with collaborative leadership.
What is your vision of the world utilizing the sustainable principles?
As I said above, my vision is a world where humanity is in complete harmony with the earth and all that inhabits this planet. I believe that when humanity discovers how natural it is for us to live cohesively with the earth, then great change will be made. Though I do not believe happiness is something we peruse, it is, in a broad sense, something we create for ourselves every day, our society says it is something we need to obtain. By having a successful career, filling our days with friends and family or endeavoring into the unknown, we strive to find this phantom; happiness. Still, the United States is suffering from an epidemic circling through a good portion of our population in the form of depression, steady suicide rates, and in overall unhappiness. It seems to me that we are going against our own nature by pursuing materialistic and ultimately unhealthy forms of happiness. I dare to ask people to question their methods of obtaining the often elusive idea of happiness. Perhaps, if we were to stop racing towards the end we could stop, look around, and appreciate the world we live in. Then get to work creating the future we need, the future that we deserve. Let us be in complete harmony.
For me, when I think about permaculture, I like to strip away all of the details like principles, strategic sustainability, and collaborative communities and think simply on this; humans in harmony with the earth and all that inhabits this planet. From this simple thought, and through more technical permaculture concepts, I can then expand with what I believe to be the best way to heal this earth and humanity in the present, and for future generations. I have heard multiple times that all it takes is one person to make great change, though I do believe this to be true I also know that it helps when there are others standing by your side. So, it is my belief that through education and small scale community involvement, we would be most effective in implementing permaculture. There are similar thinking people out there and it is my hope to find ways to connect these communities, not only for the growth of their own sustainable endeavor, but to bridge a connection and spark a weaving thread amongst possible future sustainable and permaculture focused communities. In terms of education systems, in my own experience, there are more than enough resources, even in urban areas, for implementing permaculture and sustainability learning experiences for children of all ages. If we are to make change in a rigorous and somewhat narrow minded school system, the public must see permaculture as a crucial piece to our future on this planet. If permaculture were to obtain a strong and consistent following in the presence of small communities, I would hope change towards a more sustainable level, would happen rapidly. In my own life, because I grew up farming, gardening and in a family that tried to be as self-sustaining as possible, I find it rather easy and somewhat natural for me to live a sustainable lifestyle. Though I try to keep my background in mind in everything I do, there are ways I am looking to further my work with permaculture and sustainable living in the form of a complete sustainable, self-reliant living style that my family is in the process of making happen. By that I mean we will build a self-sufficient home and permaculture system on our property in Prescott Valley, Arizona sooner rather than later.
How can collaborative leadership support the transition towards a sustainable and thriving future?
In a society that is geared towards individualism and the freedom that comes with that individualism is so widely broadcasted, I think it is important to state that, though knowing oneself is one an empowering and important part of life, it does not mean we have to lose all sense of community. In my own experience, the communities in which I have been a part of that were the most successful where the ones where collaborative leadership took place. Sharing the same common vision with the group that you are working with is vitally important and is something that collaborative leaders should strive to keep moving towards. Change is inevitable, in fact, it is the river itself in which life flows. I think even more important is adaptability, something that is easy when we accept change as an ever present thing. With a common vision, adaptability and unrelenting perseverance of the heart and spirit, I believe that the transition towards a sustainable and thriving future could made possible and more obtainable with collaborative leadership.
What is your vision of the world utilizing the sustainable principles?
As I said above, my vision is a world where humanity is in complete harmony with the earth and all that inhabits this planet. I believe that when humanity discovers how natural it is for us to live cohesively with the earth, then great change will be made. Though I do not believe happiness is something we peruse, it is, in a broad sense, something we create for ourselves every day, our society says it is something we need to obtain. By having a successful career, filling our days with friends and family or endeavoring into the unknown, we strive to find this phantom; happiness. Still, the United States is suffering from an epidemic circling through a good portion of our population in the form of depression, steady suicide rates, and in overall unhappiness. It seems to me that we are going against our own nature by pursuing materialistic and ultimately unhealthy forms of happiness. I dare to ask people to question their methods of obtaining the often elusive idea of happiness. Perhaps, if we were to stop racing towards the end we could stop, look around, and appreciate the world we live in. Then get to work creating the future we need, the future that we deserve. Let us be in complete harmony.
Nick Balik
Reflection Questions: Week One Learning Labs
1. What is the essence of Permaculture and how would you like to apply it in your life/work?
The essence of permaculture is the design of an ecologically sound way of living. It encourages us to be resourceful and self-reliant. Permaculture = Permanent Agriculture. Permaculture Ethics- Earth Care, People Care, Fair Shares. Permaculture helps connect each of us more deeply to nature’s patterns and wisdom. It’s essentially about creating beneficial relationships between individual elements and making sure energy is captured in, rather than lost from, a system. Its application is only as limited as our imaginations. There are 12 permaculture principles that are constantly being modified and will continue to be changed as time goes on; this is another attribute to permaculture being adaptive to needed changes. I have been practicing different ways of permaculture without truly realizing it. About three months ago I made the personal choice to switch to a plant-based diet. By doing so the true energy lost caused from the laws of thermodynamics are cut exponentially. Entropy is still and always will apply but the energy from the sun is now closest to me in my new eating habits. The implications of this change have great significance upon the earth in a positive way. By switching to an almost vegan diet I diminish a large support for highly destructive animal processing industries. Also my diet allows for me to connect with a circular flow of the nutrient and energy cycles easier. There is still much more room for improvement and that it the beauty of it all. Constantly growing and changing; isn’t that why I’m on this earth to begin with? Other ways I would like to apply permaculture to my life is revolved around limiting my own consumption of resources; water, food, energy, non-renewable metals, etc. Conversely while still enjoying the growing process of higher education a applying it to my internal self.
2. How would you like to express yourself authentically as a facilitator/ host of transformative change?
Currently I reflect upon myself has having a loss of connection with some of my most prominent strengths and weaknesses. By creating a more constant focus on self-improvements while staying open-minded towards others and new ideas I can find more peace within myself. When this peace becomes easier to obtain my abilities to connect and communicate to others will come more naturally and thus allowing for deeper meaningful relationships for self-actualization to occur. I would like for my intrinsic-self to be able to express itself in a compassionate and constructive way where the views are focused on the whole. I would like to be able to confront conflict and provide solutions where tradeoffs are in consideration. I want to be an implicit peace maker with progressions in this endeavor. Also I want to use as much humor and positive energy as possible.
3. What is the highest possible purpose you can imagine and fulfill?
My purpose is to enjoy my time here on earth while maintaining and working towards an ever-changing balance within myself; physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. In order to do so this must fit the constraint of causing no lasting harm to the beings amongst this planet. This endeavor will leave a lasting ripple in the oceans of time upon this earth long after I am gone. My biggest and most fulfilling goal I see for myself is creating the 22nd Century City essentially a city that is built around the idea of no automobiles, minimal meat consumption, and allows for self-actualization to occur regularly. The design of this city has been developing for over five years. And the results of this idea are to embrace the challenges tided to a growing population on a planet with finite resources.
1. What is the essence of Permaculture and how would you like to apply it in your life/work?
The essence of permaculture is the design of an ecologically sound way of living. It encourages us to be resourceful and self-reliant. Permaculture = Permanent Agriculture. Permaculture Ethics- Earth Care, People Care, Fair Shares. Permaculture helps connect each of us more deeply to nature’s patterns and wisdom. It’s essentially about creating beneficial relationships between individual elements and making sure energy is captured in, rather than lost from, a system. Its application is only as limited as our imaginations. There are 12 permaculture principles that are constantly being modified and will continue to be changed as time goes on; this is another attribute to permaculture being adaptive to needed changes. I have been practicing different ways of permaculture without truly realizing it. About three months ago I made the personal choice to switch to a plant-based diet. By doing so the true energy lost caused from the laws of thermodynamics are cut exponentially. Entropy is still and always will apply but the energy from the sun is now closest to me in my new eating habits. The implications of this change have great significance upon the earth in a positive way. By switching to an almost vegan diet I diminish a large support for highly destructive animal processing industries. Also my diet allows for me to connect with a circular flow of the nutrient and energy cycles easier. There is still much more room for improvement and that it the beauty of it all. Constantly growing and changing; isn’t that why I’m on this earth to begin with? Other ways I would like to apply permaculture to my life is revolved around limiting my own consumption of resources; water, food, energy, non-renewable metals, etc. Conversely while still enjoying the growing process of higher education a applying it to my internal self.
2. How would you like to express yourself authentically as a facilitator/ host of transformative change?
Currently I reflect upon myself has having a loss of connection with some of my most prominent strengths and weaknesses. By creating a more constant focus on self-improvements while staying open-minded towards others and new ideas I can find more peace within myself. When this peace becomes easier to obtain my abilities to connect and communicate to others will come more naturally and thus allowing for deeper meaningful relationships for self-actualization to occur. I would like for my intrinsic-self to be able to express itself in a compassionate and constructive way where the views are focused on the whole. I would like to be able to confront conflict and provide solutions where tradeoffs are in consideration. I want to be an implicit peace maker with progressions in this endeavor. Also I want to use as much humor and positive energy as possible.
3. What is the highest possible purpose you can imagine and fulfill?
My purpose is to enjoy my time here on earth while maintaining and working towards an ever-changing balance within myself; physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. In order to do so this must fit the constraint of causing no lasting harm to the beings amongst this planet. This endeavor will leave a lasting ripple in the oceans of time upon this earth long after I am gone. My biggest and most fulfilling goal I see for myself is creating the 22nd Century City essentially a city that is built around the idea of no automobiles, minimal meat consumption, and allows for self-actualization to occur regularly. The design of this city has been developing for over five years. And the results of this idea are to embrace the challenges tided to a growing population on a planet with finite resources.
The Future of Today
Shannon Radke
“Enough, For all, Forever”
~African Delegate, Rio+10
This simple quote depicts the very essence of permaculture; one that is sustainable, regenerative, and thriving for ourselves and for our futures. Permaculture creates the very framework for harmonious and efficient ways of living.
Having spent time in Africa and the ranches and farms of Cochise County, permaculture is such that I desire to apply in my life’s work. In Douglas, AZ, there is a collective group called Malpai Borderlands who work in partnership with the Maasai tribe in Kenya. As one, they share knowledge of agricultural and environmental management. My dream is very similar. I also want to follow this cultural prosperity by combining agricultural, environmental, and artistic aspects; but in an educational setting.
My hope is that I can use programs, such as equine assisted learning, that are enriched with each of these aspects. I desire to learn and teach both here in the States, and in other countries. There is no “we” or “them” when it comes to knowledge; only “us.” With “us” comes the possibility for positive and lasting change.
This vision, like many others, can only be accomplished through collaborative leadership. Collaborative leadership is a way of looking at cause and effect from the different lenses of each involved or affected. It creates the future in the here and now. Due to population increase and resource degradation, our food supplies are growing more and more scarce. Permaculture is the only transition towards any sort of sustainable or thriving future. Collaborative leadership assesses this current reality, discusses actions to solutions, creates a vision of success, and repeats the process until the envisioned future is obtained. Yet, it takes involvement and educational truth.
In Uganda, I once witnessed sixteen trees cut down for the purpose of a temporary shade canopy. Their leaves and bark were stripped away and later burned. Three months from that moment, the rains would come and heavy mudslides would rumble down this very mountain destroying crops and dwellings. In three months, a village would be devastated; homeless and hungry all because it lacked sixteen trees on the slope above.
In this place, where fifty percent of the population is age fifteen and under; there is huge potential for generational growth and change. However, war and other factors have created a generation that considers only today. This is why it is more important than ever to share the knowledge stored within a living system.
For, who can speak for the future if they do not understand the consequences of today? While my example takes place in a land unknown to the majority, does it not apply to each of us as a whole? In every corner of the world, we are killing what sustains us because we do not know the truth.
The truth is, that when a system does not have enough variety in its parts; it dies. With it dies the possibility of reconcilable change. As humans, we have the ability of conscious evolution; adjusting our own purposeful change. However, if we cannot alter the course we are currently on, we will perish right along with the very system we assisted in destroying.
You see, strategic evolution, collaborative leadership, and permaculture are both interrelated and connected. We must adjust course so that the needs of the present do not compromise the needs of our future. We must replenish our resources more so than we are extracting them. We must work together towards a future that would be sustainable, regenerative, and thriving. The only possible solution, is that of permaculture. If the generation of today does not come together towards this common goal; all will be lost for our children and children’s children.
Our future begins today. Let each of us strive towards enough, for all, forever.
Having spent time in Africa and the ranches and farms of Cochise County, permaculture is such that I desire to apply in my life’s work. In Douglas, AZ, there is a collective group called Malpai Borderlands who work in partnership with the Maasai tribe in Kenya. As one, they share knowledge of agricultural and environmental management. My dream is very similar. I also want to follow this cultural prosperity by combining agricultural, environmental, and artistic aspects; but in an educational setting.
My hope is that I can use programs, such as equine assisted learning, that are enriched with each of these aspects. I desire to learn and teach both here in the States, and in other countries. There is no “we” or “them” when it comes to knowledge; only “us.” With “us” comes the possibility for positive and lasting change.
This vision, like many others, can only be accomplished through collaborative leadership. Collaborative leadership is a way of looking at cause and effect from the different lenses of each involved or affected. It creates the future in the here and now. Due to population increase and resource degradation, our food supplies are growing more and more scarce. Permaculture is the only transition towards any sort of sustainable or thriving future. Collaborative leadership assesses this current reality, discusses actions to solutions, creates a vision of success, and repeats the process until the envisioned future is obtained. Yet, it takes involvement and educational truth.
In Uganda, I once witnessed sixteen trees cut down for the purpose of a temporary shade canopy. Their leaves and bark were stripped away and later burned. Three months from that moment, the rains would come and heavy mudslides would rumble down this very mountain destroying crops and dwellings. In three months, a village would be devastated; homeless and hungry all because it lacked sixteen trees on the slope above.
In this place, where fifty percent of the population is age fifteen and under; there is huge potential for generational growth and change. However, war and other factors have created a generation that considers only today. This is why it is more important than ever to share the knowledge stored within a living system.
For, who can speak for the future if they do not understand the consequences of today? While my example takes place in a land unknown to the majority, does it not apply to each of us as a whole? In every corner of the world, we are killing what sustains us because we do not know the truth.
The truth is, that when a system does not have enough variety in its parts; it dies. With it dies the possibility of reconcilable change. As humans, we have the ability of conscious evolution; adjusting our own purposeful change. However, if we cannot alter the course we are currently on, we will perish right along with the very system we assisted in destroying.
You see, strategic evolution, collaborative leadership, and permaculture are both interrelated and connected. We must adjust course so that the needs of the present do not compromise the needs of our future. We must replenish our resources more so than we are extracting them. We must work together towards a future that would be sustainable, regenerative, and thriving. The only possible solution, is that of permaculture. If the generation of today does not come together towards this common goal; all will be lost for our children and children’s children.
Our future begins today. Let each of us strive towards enough, for all, forever.
This adobe cabin overlooks beautiful scenery at Juniper Wells Ranch
Jake Kadota
What is the essence of Permaculture and how would you like to apply it in your life/work?
in an essence Permaculture is a way of thinking along with doing that can be applied to most systems humans create,this is done through a set of principles and ideas these principles make systems more sustainable and efficient ultimately doing better for the world instead of worse.I see many practical applications of permaculture in my current life and future but overall i believe that just knowing the values and principles of permaculture will be one of the most beneficial applications .Because the amount of things you could apply the values to is more or less limitless.The development of necessary physical skills such as planting crops or raising livestock will come in and out of my life however they would play an essential role in my dream of eventually living off the grid.
What is your vision for the world utilizing the sustainable and thriving future?The vision i have of a future shaped by the sustainable principles is one in which the inhabitants feel apart of the natural world instead of in charge.This way of thinking will give responsibility to all inhabitants to create a more sustainable world.A world in which energy is renewable and clean and the people of the world have access to quality locally sourced markets. A world in which everything we create is shaped by what's around us , a place where instead of fighting and killing nature to create structure we use it to guide and nurture us This place would be a collective in which inhabits work to form a better community not self. People in this vision work together for the benefit of the other. They share,teach and support each other all for the greater good of the community. Ultimately my vision is one in which people can live in a way that does more good than bad to the planet and communities around them.
What us the highest possible purpose you can imagine and fulfill?
The highest possible purpose i see for myself would be a combination of the skills i value the most, working to express the ideas and values i believe are most important.At the current point in my life this would look like a film or photo gallery depicting some message about nature. Ultimately i would inspire viewers to make a change in their lives by visually sharing a story or problem they were unaware existed. But my skills and the things I'm passionate about are always evolving and changing so it could honestly be anything as long as it reaches an audience and has a positive change in the viewer.The highest purpose for anyone is to make meaningful positive change on the community around them which would then hopefully inspire more people to create positive change creating a very beneficial society of people working at there highest possible purpose at all time.Sadly in our society today we are raised being told that the things we are good at are the best ways to make money for some people this is true but for others it's nearly impossible and these skills often take a backseat in the individual's life but the skills we are all gifted are so much more than that .Thus placing the person in a field in which their highest purpose is more or less unachievable.
Michael Aresty
Three Key Learnings from Week One
I’ve lamented many times before in my educational journey that I seem to “major in depression.” I could not count the number of times I’ve walked out of a classroom having discussed a huge problem facing humanity or the planet and feeling a little like Atlas with the world on his shoulders. So much to fix, such bing problems, and I’m just a college student. Permaculture instead of looking always at the problems and imagining large solutions to big problems, gives us a framework for how we can make real change immediately in our own lives. It also provides you with the tools necessary to broaden that scope and do something about problems that affect other people/beings lives as well. I feel hopeful when I study permaculture, because I see common sense solutions. This hope is because it teaches that humans don’t have to always take from and reduce something else in order to build ourselves up. With permaculture we can be positive influences on the world, and if we are skilled at it, we can even regenerate past wrongdoings and make them right once again.
I had never given much thought to different type of structures. My fathers company, every company I’ve ever worked for and every organization I have interacted closely with is structured in one form or another of the pyramid structure. I had never really concisely really even questioned if there were other ways of organizing that could make more sense for different organizations. I’m excited to keep exploring the benefits or organizing in different ways and perhaps get into more detail on how each structure affects motivation, mobility, productivity, and end results.
The amount of insight that I was able to take away from the “game” that we played in class was incredible to reflect upon afterwards. When I was younger I was not very competitive. But basically everything in my life has rewarded becoming competitive and fostered that nature in me. Be it sports, school, or work related, not trying to be better than others, usually left you behind. It was very interesting to see the implementation of something designed to be so non-competitive, by rewarding everyone winning. I would like to also explore how this can be applied to a future business. How can everyone can win together, be it employees, customers, or perhaps even competitors.
What is the essence of permaculture and how would you like to apply it in your life/work?
For myself, the essence of permaculture lies in the three principles: Fair Share, Earth Care, and People Care. Looking through the lens of these principles at your home, work, habits, designs, and relationships greatly increases the likely hood that the legacy of our lives in this world, will by and large be “good” and beneficial to those around us be it humans or other living things that also call this crazy planet home. This requires living intentionally by analyzing what is important to you, and then acting and living out those principles in a way that makes sense to yourself. Permaculture is intentional and practicing it is an agreement with its principles.
I know that I am going to start my own business in the next few years. As I near graduation I reflect on all that I have learned here at school and outside of school in the last four years. The problems are vast, but so to then are the opportunities for solutions. This last semester I crafted an independent study around social entrepreneurship and took sustainable economics which really gave me a look into how business can be used as a tool to solve problems in the world, and doesn’t have to be this “boogey man” like word that it sometimes is in environmental circles. As I decide what problem I want to solve with a socially responsible and sustainable business model I believe that using some or all of the permaculture principles and design philosophies will be of a huge benefit to ensuring success both financially and at solving environmental and social problems.
How can collaborative leadership support the transition toward a sustainable and thriving future?
David Chrislip the author of The Collaborative Leadership Fieldbook - A guide for citizens and civic leaders says, "Collaboration needs a different kind of leadership; it needs leaders who can safeguard the process, facilitate interaction and patiently deal with high levels of frustration.” These skills will be required to tackle the large scale problems that can be listed by the dozen that plague humanity. This will require collaboration from all of the human race to solve complex problems and an ability to work across government, business, and nonprofit areas with the general population as well. It is a beautiful and important thing when individually someone decides to help solve a problem by say, not eating meat because of its ecological impact. However, it is only through changes to the systems that got us to where we are now that we can reach enough people to make changes on a scale we need for this sustainable and thriving future. This is one of the reasons why I went and worked for a 10,000 employee energy giant this last summer. I realized that starting my own solar company is one solution, however the problem company still exists. I decided instead to try and learn about the system that I thought was problematic and try to make an impact from the inside. Both forms of systemic change are needed in order to shift the status quo to a paradigm that makes sense ecologically and socially.
in an essence Permaculture is a way of thinking along with doing that can be applied to most systems humans create,this is done through a set of principles and ideas these principles make systems more sustainable and efficient ultimately doing better for the world instead of worse.I see many practical applications of permaculture in my current life and future but overall i believe that just knowing the values and principles of permaculture will be one of the most beneficial applications .Because the amount of things you could apply the values to is more or less limitless.The development of necessary physical skills such as planting crops or raising livestock will come in and out of my life however they would play an essential role in my dream of eventually living off the grid.
What is your vision for the world utilizing the sustainable and thriving future?The vision i have of a future shaped by the sustainable principles is one in which the inhabitants feel apart of the natural world instead of in charge.This way of thinking will give responsibility to all inhabitants to create a more sustainable world.A world in which energy is renewable and clean and the people of the world have access to quality locally sourced markets. A world in which everything we create is shaped by what's around us , a place where instead of fighting and killing nature to create structure we use it to guide and nurture us This place would be a collective in which inhabits work to form a better community not self. People in this vision work together for the benefit of the other. They share,teach and support each other all for the greater good of the community. Ultimately my vision is one in which people can live in a way that does more good than bad to the planet and communities around them.
What us the highest possible purpose you can imagine and fulfill?
The highest possible purpose i see for myself would be a combination of the skills i value the most, working to express the ideas and values i believe are most important.At the current point in my life this would look like a film or photo gallery depicting some message about nature. Ultimately i would inspire viewers to make a change in their lives by visually sharing a story or problem they were unaware existed. But my skills and the things I'm passionate about are always evolving and changing so it could honestly be anything as long as it reaches an audience and has a positive change in the viewer.The highest purpose for anyone is to make meaningful positive change on the community around them which would then hopefully inspire more people to create positive change creating a very beneficial society of people working at there highest possible purpose at all time.Sadly in our society today we are raised being told that the things we are good at are the best ways to make money for some people this is true but for others it's nearly impossible and these skills often take a backseat in the individual's life but the skills we are all gifted are so much more than that .Thus placing the person in a field in which their highest purpose is more or less unachievable.
Michael Aresty
Three Key Learnings from Week One
I’ve lamented many times before in my educational journey that I seem to “major in depression.” I could not count the number of times I’ve walked out of a classroom having discussed a huge problem facing humanity or the planet and feeling a little like Atlas with the world on his shoulders. So much to fix, such bing problems, and I’m just a college student. Permaculture instead of looking always at the problems and imagining large solutions to big problems, gives us a framework for how we can make real change immediately in our own lives. It also provides you with the tools necessary to broaden that scope and do something about problems that affect other people/beings lives as well. I feel hopeful when I study permaculture, because I see common sense solutions. This hope is because it teaches that humans don’t have to always take from and reduce something else in order to build ourselves up. With permaculture we can be positive influences on the world, and if we are skilled at it, we can even regenerate past wrongdoings and make them right once again.
I had never given much thought to different type of structures. My fathers company, every company I’ve ever worked for and every organization I have interacted closely with is structured in one form or another of the pyramid structure. I had never really concisely really even questioned if there were other ways of organizing that could make more sense for different organizations. I’m excited to keep exploring the benefits or organizing in different ways and perhaps get into more detail on how each structure affects motivation, mobility, productivity, and end results.
The amount of insight that I was able to take away from the “game” that we played in class was incredible to reflect upon afterwards. When I was younger I was not very competitive. But basically everything in my life has rewarded becoming competitive and fostered that nature in me. Be it sports, school, or work related, not trying to be better than others, usually left you behind. It was very interesting to see the implementation of something designed to be so non-competitive, by rewarding everyone winning. I would like to also explore how this can be applied to a future business. How can everyone can win together, be it employees, customers, or perhaps even competitors.
What is the essence of permaculture and how would you like to apply it in your life/work?
For myself, the essence of permaculture lies in the three principles: Fair Share, Earth Care, and People Care. Looking through the lens of these principles at your home, work, habits, designs, and relationships greatly increases the likely hood that the legacy of our lives in this world, will by and large be “good” and beneficial to those around us be it humans or other living things that also call this crazy planet home. This requires living intentionally by analyzing what is important to you, and then acting and living out those principles in a way that makes sense to yourself. Permaculture is intentional and practicing it is an agreement with its principles.
I know that I am going to start my own business in the next few years. As I near graduation I reflect on all that I have learned here at school and outside of school in the last four years. The problems are vast, but so to then are the opportunities for solutions. This last semester I crafted an independent study around social entrepreneurship and took sustainable economics which really gave me a look into how business can be used as a tool to solve problems in the world, and doesn’t have to be this “boogey man” like word that it sometimes is in environmental circles. As I decide what problem I want to solve with a socially responsible and sustainable business model I believe that using some or all of the permaculture principles and design philosophies will be of a huge benefit to ensuring success both financially and at solving environmental and social problems.
How can collaborative leadership support the transition toward a sustainable and thriving future?
David Chrislip the author of The Collaborative Leadership Fieldbook - A guide for citizens and civic leaders says, "Collaboration needs a different kind of leadership; it needs leaders who can safeguard the process, facilitate interaction and patiently deal with high levels of frustration.” These skills will be required to tackle the large scale problems that can be listed by the dozen that plague humanity. This will require collaboration from all of the human race to solve complex problems and an ability to work across government, business, and nonprofit areas with the general population as well. It is a beautiful and important thing when individually someone decides to help solve a problem by say, not eating meat because of its ecological impact. However, it is only through changes to the systems that got us to where we are now that we can reach enough people to make changes on a scale we need for this sustainable and thriving future. This is one of the reasons why I went and worked for a 10,000 employee energy giant this last summer. I realized that starting my own solar company is one solution, however the problem company still exists. I decided instead to try and learn about the system that I thought was problematic and try to make an impact from the inside. Both forms of systemic change are needed in order to shift the status quo to a paradigm that makes sense ecologically and socially.