Research - PC design food garden vs conventional - needing help to find research data

[marionseath]

HI fellow PC researchers,

I am really interested to establish connections with PCulturalists who may be able to assit with my studies in Cape Town, South Africa.

I am completing a masters dissertation at University of Cape Town, which is titled "A Comparitive Analysis of Two Organic Food Garden Designs - Permaculture Design and Conventional Design." The variables to be measured and analysed include soil/water typology and amounts, planting/maintenance/harvesting techniques, as well as crop yield and nutritional benefits. During the initial stages I need to complete a literature review. I am experiencing difficulty locating scientific articles supporting or disputing the use of PC design. Are any PCulturalists able to assist me with access to relevant data?

Looking forward to your response,

Marion Seath.

[mossbackfarm]

Hi Marion

The resounding silence that ensued from your post is probably a goodly portion of your answer...I'm a research ecologist by training, and I was looking for some of the same references a few years ago, and came up with nothing. It was before google became a research tool, however, so maybe you'll rustle up something I couldn't

I'd love to hear the results of your study!

Thanks

Rich

[Mont]

I'd see if David Holmgren, one of permaculture's co-founders, has any such material. His website is http://www.holmgren.com.au

[Chook Nut]

Hi Marion,

Welcome to the forum.... must apologise i did see your post and knew of a contact in Suid Afrika(sp) but forgot to look up her email for you. Due to circumstances,(mainly my slackness), i haven't been in contact with her for awhile.

Linet Stockdale is a name of the person i have been in contact with there. There is a website she provided me with of a company that deals with organic agriculture. That site is http://www.jains.com , apparently they are an Indian company expanding into South Africa.

You can also try OAASA (Organic Agricultural Ass. SA) and see how you go.

I am reluctant to give Linet's email without her permission, so i will contact her now for you. That way she may be able to give you more of what you are after!

Not sure how helpful this may be for you but worth a go!

Good luck

Dave