Experience Permaculture Farming
in Sustainable Travel

A sustainable way of farming is known as permaculture. To understand what is permaculture and permaculture farming, let’s look at one of the quotes by the father of the movement, Bill Mollison- “Permaculture is the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems.”

Permaculture farming is the sustainable and self-sufficient growth of the agricultural ecosystem. It is an approach to managing the land and preserving a settlement arrangement that flourishes the ecosystem. Its initiative is to conserve local culture and rehabilitate nature-friendly farming practices like using organic crops and eco-friendly fertilisers.

The word permaculture comes from two words- permanent and agriculture. Later, agriculture was adjusted to permanent culture to include the social aspects as well. 

The twelve principles of permaculture farming:

1. Observe and interact

Permaculture observes the land and analyses the part of the ground that receives the most sunlight, wind and rain objectively and then tends to the correct planting method. 

2. Catch and store energy

It implements the practice of storing resources for future use like collecting rainwater or saving summer vegetables to enjoy in winter.

3. Obtain a yield

Permaculture encourages us to utilise every resource. For instance, collecting the weeds along the footpath as food for your chicken. 

4. Apply self-regulation and accept feedback

While climate change has its influence on biodiversity but permaculture’s objective is to focus on the individuality of a land’s ecosystem and implement farming practices that are suitable for the land.

5. Use and value renewable resources and services

Sustainable practices and the use of green energy such as choosing cardboard or a newspaper as an alternative to plastic bags and enriching the soil by building up microbes with compost rejuvenates nature. 

6. Produce no waste

The initiation to decrease producing waste by taking time while cleaning. Food or vegetable scraps can be utilised as manure or food for chickens. Exploiting the permaculture garden tools at their best.

7. Design from patterns to details

Permaculture urges understanding the structure of the land and planting vegetables through a utilitarian approach. 

8. Integrate rather than segregate

In permaculture, the idea of sharing is encouraged rather than self-sufficiency for an individual household. It aims for community sufficiency. 

9. Use small and slow solutions

The practice and its approach are new but with time it begins to exhibit a positive outcome. 

10. Use and value diversity

Apply eco-friendly fertilisers and pesticides, as an ecosystem is incomplete if the smaller living organisms cannot benefit from farming.

11. Use edges and value the marginal

Exploiting the vacant land at its finest. For instance, the edges of the driveway or footpaths or vacant and unattended lands can be planted with herbs like nettle or dandelions.

12. Creatively use and respond to change

With climate change and global warming, nature is also undergoing changes and so is their preference for sustaining. Understanding the change and approaching what suits them at the present instead of relying on past practices.

Where to Enjoy Permaculture Farming

Here’s where you can enjoy being involved in permaculture farming during your sustainable travel:

Crystal Waters Eco Village, Australia

If you wish to understand what is permaculture by being a part of activities, you can visit Crystal Waters Eco Village in Australia. Located near the headwaters of the Mary Rivers, this sustainable village has been implementing the principles of permaculture farming for 34 years. A vacation spent in this eco-village includes experiencing weekly or monthly village markets, different workshops on permaculture and music clubs. While staying here, visit the flowerpot coffee shop, sourdough bakery and Friday nights ‘Baba Bistro’.

Finca Del Sol, Santa Cruz, Nicaragua

Settled at the foot of the lofty mountains, Volcan Maderas on the island of Ometepe of Santa Cruz, Nicaragua is Finca Del Sol. Enjoy the benefits of sustainable and organic permaculture farming at Finca Del Sol. Also experience activities like ecotherapy and various educational programs and services associated with rejuvenating nature. The unique serenity of the extinct volcanic mountain amidst the dry tropical forest leaves a positive impact on your soul.

Macaw Lodge, Costa Rica

Nestled amidst the hills and lush green forest of Cerros de Turrubares, is the Macaw Lodge. Understand what is permaculture, agroforestry and sustainability measures. Experience the biodiversity of the Central Pacific region and re-discover the freshness and the scenic beauty of nature at this sustainable accommodation. Activities like bird watching, hiking and a visit to the mandala crop system, permaculture garden and waterfall. At Macaw Lodge, you also get to see green energy utilised at its best that rejuvenates your mind.

The main focus of such permaculture eco-villages is to uplift the economic status of the regional population while simultaneously providing services to their guests that is indifferent to the daily activities in urban life. With the implementation of ecotourism, both the biodiversity and the travellers connect with each other and nourish and rejuvenate both sides.

Would you like to receive more inspiration directly to your email inbox?
Please click here to register for Ecotourism World newsletter!