New members tell us how permaculture inspires them

by Nicola, Membership Coordinator

This month we got in touch with new members to ask them what it is about permaculture that inspires them, and what they hope to gain from Permaculture Association membership. New members Jenny Goldsmith and Alma Carey-Zuniga sent us their views. Here's Jenny:

What inspires me about permaculture is the inspiration it provides for people thinking up innovative solutions to live sustainably - such as people like me, a typical urban dweller with a very small garden.

New member Jenny Goldsmith

Here's a photo of my garden in full flow this year (8 by 5 metres) where I have applied principles like forest gardening and polyculture to grow all sorts of veg and fruit - I even have a mini orchard of apple trees. Not to mention my compost heap, wood shed for wood burner stove, bike shed, clothes line - its amazing what you can get in a small space. 

Jenny's beautiful urban garden - abundance in a small space!

Since I completed my PDC in June, I keep seeing permaculture opportunities everywhere, and am now contemplating whether I have time to fit in a permaculture diploma.

Thanks very much, keep up the good work spreading the word! - Jenny Goldsmith

Thanks Jenny! We definitely think you should consider the Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design. Its the next step after the Permaculture Design Course, and with over 350 apprentices and 30 tutors across Britain, its a vibrant network that will help you put your permaculture theory into practice and develop a range of new skills. With a minimum of two years to complete, and no restrictions how long to spend developing your designs, there's no pressure as to how much time it takes you to accredit.


We asked new member Alma Carey-Zuniga what inspired her to join the Association this year:

I am delighted to be welcomed so nicely into the Permaculature Association!

I joined up looking for people who want to share ideas and experiences related to making lifestyle changes within the bounds of existing legal guidelines. Current building (planning) regulations and food production standards are geared toward perpetuating over-processed and long-term unsustainable lifestyle choices -- yet, if there is any hope for change, it must come from within our current constraints -- which is why groups like this one are some of our most vital contemporary cultural resources. Within groups like this, we can learn from experience, theorise without risk of censorship, and experiment in a manner that can be documented, so that when things work well, our findings are not dismissed - Alma Carey-Zuniga

Building a strong evidence base for permaculture and improving permaculture practice are the key aims of the Permaculture Association's Research team.

We encourage members to get involved with research by participating in our research projects and trials, volunteering as a research assistant, sharing their own research or making a donation - find out more here!

Want to let others know what inspires you about permaculture, and what you hope to gain from your Permaculture Association membership? Get in touch; send your quotes and photos to Nicola

Join the Permaculture Association today and join a network of people using permaculture to change their world - www.permaculture.org.uk