Hungry for Change
Donation protected
Journey with me as I explore alternatives to food production through a two-part series on Permaculture Design Principles. I'm seeking support to cover the cost of attending first a permaculture design certificate course and then a teaching course both in July 2016. I intend to share what I've learned with you and look into the feasibility of starting a business with a major focus of teaching and training.
Why?
After struggling with the labor of pulling weeds all summer and my desire to remove harmful pesticides and herbicides from my garden, I discovered a growing method that tips the scales of agriculture of its head (more on this in a moment).
For many of those who know me, my love of gardening and nature developed at an early age. I was fascinated (and still am) with the way a seed can grow into something beautiful and useful (beyond just the ornamental value).
See, I wasn't like other 12 year olds...I was more interested in a garden than in sports. In fact, I asked for a tree as my birthday present that year! The idea that my hard work and determination could bring about a harvest to be shared spurred me onward. With the help of my uncle and great uncle, I convinced my dad to let me tear up a little space between the garage and our neighbor's garage to convert into a garden.
Fast-forward some twenty-odd years, and I'm still that boy who's interested in tinkering in the garden (BTW--I never really did learn how to throw a ball right).
So back to where permaculture comes in. I'm extremely passionate about learning, testing and sharing the concepts behind this alternative farming concept called permaculture, or permanent agriculture. These design principles focus on using nature to develop and defend itself. Some refer to this as bio-mimicry; following nature's cues to maximize its potential. For example, you can use companion crops to invite beneficial insects and ward off destructive ones. This eliminates the needs for harmful chemicals while creating a garden bed with more nutrients and greater yields!
Two years ago, I decided to put this into practice, much to my fiance's chagrin. For my 34th birthday, I bought myself nine fruit trees to put in our not-so-large Schaumburg backyard. We quickly realized we were going to need a bigger space. So, we found a home on an acre, moved the nine fruit trees and began employing these principles since Spring. Many of you have seen pictures of the fruit tree guild and cardboard mulching taking shape.
I'm looking to take that next step to gain access to the knowledge and resources to further my reach beyond the backyard. Will you help me satisfy my hunger to change the way our food is grown?
Why?
After struggling with the labor of pulling weeds all summer and my desire to remove harmful pesticides and herbicides from my garden, I discovered a growing method that tips the scales of agriculture of its head (more on this in a moment).
For many of those who know me, my love of gardening and nature developed at an early age. I was fascinated (and still am) with the way a seed can grow into something beautiful and useful (beyond just the ornamental value).
See, I wasn't like other 12 year olds...I was more interested in a garden than in sports. In fact, I asked for a tree as my birthday present that year! The idea that my hard work and determination could bring about a harvest to be shared spurred me onward. With the help of my uncle and great uncle, I convinced my dad to let me tear up a little space between the garage and our neighbor's garage to convert into a garden.
Fast-forward some twenty-odd years, and I'm still that boy who's interested in tinkering in the garden (BTW--I never really did learn how to throw a ball right).
So back to where permaculture comes in. I'm extremely passionate about learning, testing and sharing the concepts behind this alternative farming concept called permaculture, or permanent agriculture. These design principles focus on using nature to develop and defend itself. Some refer to this as bio-mimicry; following nature's cues to maximize its potential. For example, you can use companion crops to invite beneficial insects and ward off destructive ones. This eliminates the needs for harmful chemicals while creating a garden bed with more nutrients and greater yields!
Two years ago, I decided to put this into practice, much to my fiance's chagrin. For my 34th birthday, I bought myself nine fruit trees to put in our not-so-large Schaumburg backyard. We quickly realized we were going to need a bigger space. So, we found a home on an acre, moved the nine fruit trees and began employing these principles since Spring. Many of you have seen pictures of the fruit tree guild and cardboard mulching taking shape.
I'm looking to take that next step to gain access to the knowledge and resources to further my reach beyond the backyard. Will you help me satisfy my hunger to change the way our food is grown?
Organizer
Ken Stepps
Organizer
Bloomingdale, IL
