Permaculture is a design framework for growing food in a way that mimics healthy natural ecosystems.
The idea first got its name in the 1970s. Much of it is not new, but a reassertion of traditional wisdom and practices, which has since become a global movement that’s about living in harmony with each other and the planet.
Permaculture design puts things in the right places, so they work together and support each other. The goal is to create food growing spaces that look after themselves, use minimal resources and are gentle on the earth.
Permaculture at OrganicLea
At OrganicLea’s Hawkwood Nursery, you’ll find several permaculture practices in place.
We use companion planting, which is where certain plants grow side by side to their mutual benefit. We’ve built compost toilets, collect rainwater, and recycle materials whenever we can. We deliver our produce by electric vehicle and work with local organisations to share food with families in our area.
Hawkwood is a Permaculture Association LAND project, part of a national network of model demonstration sites.
‘History is littered with societies that over-exploit their resources, they are all now extinct. We are rapidly moving to the same situation. But by designing rationally, we can set up the systems we need for good living in such a way that they don’t destroy or pollute. Permaculture is the most coherent system yet devised.’
Steve Reed, permaculture designer and teacher.
And we don’t just follow permaculture practices for food growing, we try to include them in everything we do.
Creating meaningful connections
Everyone and everything in a community matters, just like every plant and animal has a place in nature. Healthy communities, like successful ecosystems, thrive on strong connections between people.
Caring for people is at the heart of what we do. We organise ourselves in a way that values everyone’s ideas and helps people work together, rather than having strict hierarchies. We want everyone to feel welcome and have a chance to get involved, no matter their background, and our projects are designed to build links between different people and groups.
We bring people together through activities that focus on growing, sharing, and enjoying local food. We believe in creating simple, welcoming ways for people to connect, and we hope our events and projects help make those connections happen.
Plus, we encourage self-reliance and productivity by teaching people how to grow their own food and share their skills. The more local people get involved, the stronger and more sustainable our project becomes. We also make it easier for people to share what they grow or make with others in the community.
Most importantly, we want everyone to feel included. We offer supported volunteering opportunities, so that even those who might need extra help can contribute and learn new things. We also help other community groups grow their own food, making it more accessible for all.
We invite you to join in — come to one of our OrganicLea Open Days, take part in our training schemes, or come and volunteer with us.