Hey everyone, my name is Abby. I’m originally from Massachusetts, but consider myself a native Vermonter. Until recently I’ve been a nomad; I’ve lived in or visited forty six states. I like agricultural education, integrity, building community and photography. Like Adam said, none of that really matters…on to what I’m excited about!

In college I used to confound my family with my idealistic perspective on the world. I rooted for the underdog and questioned every system I deemed unjust. Whenever I challenged the current cultural paradigm, they would acknowledge my perspective, but then skeptically say, “show us another way.” Recently I rediscovered an idea that answers that question, and it just so happens to be the one of the things that I am irrationally exuberant about!

I am excited about permaculture. Permaculture is a number of things; a complex concept that defies tidy definitions. Austrialians Bill Mollison and David Holmgren coined the term, and it means a blend of permanent agriculture and permanent culture. It’s a series of principles that focuses on “consciously designed landscapes which mimic the patterns and relationships found in nature…[where] communities, food systems, and living systems are integrated and mutually supporting as opposed to separated, exploitative, and destructive.” (Holmgren, Pathways to Sustainability) Basically, this is a fancy way to say that permaculture is…well, everything! More specifically, permaculture has two main ideas: a design system and a lifestyle ethic.

Permaculture is a design system whose beauty comes from it’s simplicity and focus on “what works.”It’s a way of thinking that acknowledges and encourages interactions between elements of an ecosystem instead of treating each seperately. Because of this, there is no such thing as waste in a permaculture design system, only an unused resource. Within this system work is minimized, productivity increases, and the the health of the environment is maintained or improved.

Permaculture has evolved into a lifestyle ethic which seeks to create a culture that is sustainable and inclusive for all. This aspect of permaculture is most exciting to me. When I first learned about permaculture years ago, I thought it implied a radical change in lifestyle. I wasn’t ready to own land or to be a farmer, so I couldn’t see how I could incorporate it into my plans. Recently I’ve discovered that permaculture doesn’t neccessarily imply land ownership, homesteading or a wealth of knowledge about ecology, it’s about living with intention.

These days my plans don’t include living off the land, but I have been thinking more about the sustainability of my daily choices. This summer I’ll be growing some of my own vegetables and hopefully getting my eggs from a small flock of hens housed in a nearby backyard. I’m looking forward to deepening my knowledge of permaculture and living with more intention….I’ll be sure to share my discoveries!