I want to learn

[a young mind]

Hi, this is my first post and i'm certain it wont be my last. I am a 19 yr old student of Horticulture currently living in brisbane but have a goal to one day own some acreage somewhere in northern New South Wales. I have been interested in permaculture for over a year now. It all just makes so much sense. So many people that I know, some far older than me, just don't seem to have values and priorities compatible with permaculture ideals. I just can't understand it. As I obviously have next to no money now, being a student, I can only study and learn the principles of permaculture, which I have been through books. I think though, I need some hands on experience to really have a good understanding. Can someone please tell me where I can go to view some good farms around SE Queensland. Thanks.

[d_donahoo]

dear 'young mind'.

i'd say participating in this forum is an excellent start. you may also want to subscribe to the permaculture list serve that has contributions from those leading the permaculture charge...you can get there from http://www.permacultureinternational.org (i think...top righthand corner)

i'm a permaculture 'newbie' myself...and i think it is important to remember permaculture is not just a method of organic garming, but a set of ethics and principles for living - a framework for a direction communties and society can head. it is more about design and establishing how systems (predominantly eco-systems) intreact...so to complement you're reading - you can start acting permaculturally in your own life.

if you have a backyard or a balcony do your own permaculture design. think about proximity to the kitchen to limit the need to travel far to get your food for the salad. start looking at your energy consuption and how can you make this more efficient. look around you on your weay to uni - are there vegie shops you could drop into and ask for some of their scraps to add to a compost pile in your backyard. if you live in uni accom or flats - look at developing a community project with those who live with you to grow your own food together. permaculture is as much about growing those links and relationships as it is growing food.

so yes - time on a permaculture property would be good to get a macro perspective of how a permaculture property would work - but there are probably many local backyard permaculture set ups that are also worth a look!

permaculture international has also recently announced that they have training frmaework that has been accepted by teh Australian National Training Authority and soon you will be able to study permaculture through the TAFE System (something to think about)

i'm interested how you cope studying horticulture (who still teach many practices and principles that are the antithisis of permaculture)? is it difficult to reconcile the different approachs? i do not under-estimate the value of what you learn in horticulture...as much is and does benefit permacultral gardening activity - i'd just be interested.

so - in your study and personal exploration of permaculture think of the principles like observe and interact, small and slow solutions - you don't need to go straight out to the big farm. there are many excellent reasons that permaculture fits better into a suburban situation - where travel can be done on foot or by bike and much more sustaiable systems can be etsablished thanks to proximity. the likes of Crystal Waters has taken the energy and commitment of many (some have come and gone, i'm gathering) to create...

best of luck on the journey - there are plenty of well-versed, well-published and very active permaculturists around here - use them...

cheers

There are a few city farms and community gardens in Brizzy that you might want to get involved with. Northey St City Farm on Breakfast Ck just near the hospital and the showgrounds, or Beelarong over in East Brisbane. Green Corner out in Ashgrove or somewhere like that. Probably (hopefully) more have sprouted up since I lived there.
Then there's wwoof. they keep a list of organic farms that provide food and keep to willing workers. they are based in Buchan in Victoria, they have a website.
I concur with D.Donahoo. If we are to develop a permanent culture, a stable human civilaization we need to rethink and enact a new set of values and ethics. Few people, even in permaculture movement are doing this, I'm afraid...
Share the Surplus! :O

[a young mind]

In reply to your questions Dan, I would must say that yes certainly some of the practices taught here do not fit in with permaculture ideals, for instance one section of my study involves learning the theory behind large-scale boomspraying of pesticides onto crops. While this is something I know is unnecessary and unethical permaculturally, everything I learn gives me the knowledge and understanding to choose which path I want to take.

As permaculture theories and philosophies are so vast and ever developing,I am so thankful that I have begun to discover permaculture at my age so I have so much more time to really become acquainted with them.

You mentioned too about permaculture being taught at Tafe, I am actually studying at Tafe at the moment and have become fairly close with one of the teachers who will be teaching PC. Unfortunately I missed my chance with it this semester though I will be doing it for sure next year. :laugh:

[d_donahoo]

i agree with the age thing.

i am 25 and am fortunate enough to have 8 acres to start the process of designing my own permaculture home and lifestyle with my young family.

to conserve resources - work out how to live a home-based lifestyle within a strong community - to raise children in a healthy organic environment and grow, preserve and cook sumptious foods!

cheers

[Chook Nut]

Hello young mind,

I can vouch for Northey Street City farm being a great place to look at permaculture in practice. I havent been to Beelarong yet as i mostly go to the Northey St Organic markets on Saturdays. They have free tours there and are welcome to wonder around anyway.

I am curious as to which TAFE you are going to study permaculture with... the reason being i studied my PDC through Brisbane Institute of TAFE out at Grovely.

Can you tell me where you are going to study it and who will be your teacher please? I actually work for TAFE with students and often get a lot of questions about where to study Horticulture. Permaculture is often done as an elective for the Dip of Hort and is very popular. I wish to know whether you are studying other than at BIT as i dont know any other TAFE who offers it in Qld.

The great thing about it being offered through TAFE is the cost in $..... You can study it privately for up to $1,200 dollars but TAFE is about $190!.... a huge difference and more convenient than having to try to book 2 weeks holiday from work to do it.(for me anyway)

Good luck in your pursuit of permaculture.... you will get lots of good advice from places like this.

Dave

[a young mind]

Oddly enough I am studying at Grovely, what a coincidence.

[derekh]

Reading this post earlier this week motivated me to search for TAFE courses here in Brisbane. Being quite a newbie and living on the northside (Narangba) I thought I had better start at the beginning before I progress to a PDC - so I enrolled in a Cert II in Horticulture. Basic I know, but it's a start.

Thanks "A Young Mind" for the motivation of an "Old (43) Mind".

derek