074 – Sepp Holzer’s Permaculture preface-ch 1

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Paul Wheaton talks to Kelda Miller, a permaculture instructor in the Pacific NW who spent two years at the Bullock Brothers Homestead, and they review Sepp Holzer‘s Permaculture (the book). The forward to the book is by Patrick Whitefield, who wrote the Earthcare Manual, which is used in a lot of PDCs. Kelda makes a plug for a piece of property for sale that could use more community members, north of Mt. Rainier. Contact: kelda@riseup.net, or look up the Greenlife Eco Retreat.

Paul and Kelda talk about the cost of permaculture design courses, and how Kelda offerred one for $450, which is really inexpensive. They mention Michael Pilarski (Skeeter)‘s PDC next spring. They then get more into talking about Sepp, and how his main principle is to observe nature, (and observe and observe and observe), and then to profit. Kelda talks about vipassana meditation, and how it helps her be more in her body, which greatly opens her up to be able to observe nature. Paul shares his observation technique.

Sepp will often be inspired to do something with nature through his dreams. Fukuoka, Mollison, and Holzer all agree on the importance of stopping working and sitting down. Paul shares about Sepp’s use of “the monk” and the cultivation of natural life force in his water when it runs a certain way. People go there just to drink the water. The book talks about the importance of our own independence and our ability to innovate. Kelda would like to hear from Veronica, Sepp’s wife, on her experience of everything. Sepp is a powerful advocate against GMOs, and even plant hybrids. Paul keeps politics out of the forums, but talks a bit with Kelda about social justice.

Sepp diversifies his income. Kelda talks about permaculture and money. Paul gets angry about the hostility of permaculture folks when they tell people what to think, especially about selling their food being wrong. Sepp Holzer made enough money to pay off all of his fines, and double the size of his farm, the Krameterhof. Sepp is not intimidated and does not stay quiet, which makes hima “rebel farmer.” Paul and Kelda finish with the quote that “nature is perfect,” and that our job is to gently nudge it and observe.

Relevant Threads

Sepp Holzer Forum
Generating Income from a Holzer style agriculture
Holzer Style Bee Hive

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