Permaculture

"Permaculture (permanent agriculture) is the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability and resilience of natural ecosystems.  It is the harmonious integration of landscape and people providing their food, energy, shelter, and other material and non-material needs in a sustainable way."

This paragraph, written by permaculture co-founder Bill Mollison is the most succinct definition I've found for what we're trying to do on our farm.  We want to be the best stewards possible for this little parcel of 'Eden' that we have acquired.  We will not fall into the regular human patterns of chemical fertilization and use of herbicides and pesticides that are trashing our planet.  We will build good soils organically and provide good habitat for both domesticated livestock and indigenous wildlife.

We are attempting to be as self-reliant and sustainable as possible.  We are off-grid except for a municipal electricity feed and DSL for internet.  (I suppose we are also on-grid for our mobile-phone reception.)  We are on well and septic.

Energy security, water security and food security are basic considerations for establishing the infrastructure necessary for what we are doing.  We'll grow produce year-round, building greenhouses and establishing micro-climates.  Chickens will be our first livestock and we'll follow them with ducks.  We want a pond or two and will raise fish aquaponically.  Rainwater harvest and solar panels will be key components of our process.