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Commenced:
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01/05/2014 |
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Submitted:
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22/05/2014 |
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Last updated:
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07/10/2015 |
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Location:
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Bush, La, US |
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Website:
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http://www.gofundme.com/bethechangepermiefarm |
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Climate zone:
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Sub tropical |
Crowd funding to get my property on the path to permaculture.
Permaculture: "It's a wardrobe within which all of human knowledge can be hung. It is an all encompassing science of strategic, functional, and sustainable design that directly benefits the people, the earth, and its inhabitants." Bill Mollison Permaculture has a very clear definition of sustainability. A sustainable system produces more energy than it consumes, enough in surplus to maintain and replace that system over its lifetime. At Be The Change Permaculture Farm, I plan to operate in such a way that fulfills these principles of permaculture. The main reason that I am asking for help is to raise the money needed to purchase a piece of property to finally implement my dream of having a permaculture farm. It is very hard to get funding from conventional institutions for the purpose of starting a farm. Especially a young beginning farmer like myself. For instance, the USDA loan programs are set up as such that if you receive one of their loans than you have to farm in such a way that they see fit for a certain number of years before you can do what you want. I don't know about you but I don't like being told what to do. To make a finer point I don't believe farming in the conventional manner is the way of the future or in our best interest. Using chemicals for fertilizer and pesticides on monoculture crops on big-ag industrialized farms is the antithesis of the definition of sustainability. By practicing permaculture you use the lands contour to collect and harvest water. You use nitrogen fixing plants to help support other plants in your system. You create a food forest system that supports itself over time. The farm sustains itself while never depleting resources and in the meantime provides you with an abundance of fresh healthy food for you, your animals, and all who come to the farm for fresh produce. The funding goal that I have set, if reached, is enough to buy the property out right and to cover the percentage this crowd funding site collects. Even if I don't reach the ultimate fundraising goal I hope to collect enough to use for a down payment through a local lendor. So let me tell you about the property: It is about 4 1/2 acres of rolling hills with a 7 stall barn. The barn has a kitchenette, bathroom, and an office. I plan to remodel the office into living quarters. The property use to be an alpaca farm so there is also adequate fencing that divides the property into seperate pastures. In southeastern Louisiana, we have a lot of flat land. This property is in an area where the flat land turns into slow rolling hills in which you are deep in the countryside with clean air and fresh water from the aquifer the parish sits on. Although it is in the country, it is not too far from the city. It is my hope that not only will people come to the farm to purchase produce but I will be able to provide local business with fresh produce as well. In the greater New Orleans area there are so many spectacular restaurants and local grocery stores that are really trying to support local food producers especially ones trying to grow sustainably. I would not say that Louisiana is known for growing organically. Conventional farming far outweighs what is being produced organically. That is why I want to take this on. More and more people are becoming aware of what is in their food and taking charge over what they put in their bodies. That is why the farm is called 'Be The Change because I know that I can be the change that I want to see in this world. To provide healthy food for my friends and family. To teach others the principles of permaculture so we can all heal this planet one person at a time. However big or small your donation, I want to thank each and every one of you in advance for helping me fund this project. So I can be the change and fulfill the dream that I have been dreaming of for so long.
Note: The various badges displayed in people profiles are largely honesty-based self-proclamations by the individuals themselves. There are reporting functions users can use if they know of blatant misrepresentation (for both people and projects). Legitimacy, competency and reputation for all people and projects can be evidenced and/or developed through their providing regular updates on permaculture work they’re involved in, before/after photographs, etc. A spirit of objective nurturing of both people and projects through knowledge/encouragement/inspiration/resource sharing is the aim of the Worldwide Permaculture Network.
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MemberA member is a permaculturist who has never taken a PDC course. These cannot become PDC teachers. Members may be novice or highly experienced permaculturists or anywhere in between. Watch their updates for evaluation. |
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Permaculture MatchmakerOne of these badges will show if you select your gender and the "I'm single, looking for a permaculture partner" option in your profile. |
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PDCPeople who claim to have taken a Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) course somewhere in the world. |
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PDC VerifiedPeople who have entered an email address for the teacher of their PDC course, and have had their PDC status verified by that teacher. Watch their updates for evaluation. |
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PRI PDCPeople who’ve taken a Permaculture Research Institute PDC somewhere in the world. |
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PDC TeacherPeople who claim to teach some version of PDC somewhere in the world. |
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PRI TeacherWith the exception of the ‘Member’ who has never taken a PDC, all of the above can apply to become a PRI PDC Teacher. PRI PDC Teachers are those who the PRI recognise, through a vetting board, as determined and competent to teach the full 72-hour course as developed by Permaculture founder Bill Mollison – covering all the topics of The Designers’ Manual as well as possible (i.e. not cherry picking only aspects the teacher feels most interested or competent in). Such teachers also commit to focussing on the design science, and not including subjective spiritual/metaphysical elements. The reason these items are not included in the PDC curriculum is because they are “belief” based. Permaculture Design education concerns itself with teaching good design based on strategies and techniques which are scientifically provable. PRI PDC Teachers may be given teaching and/or consultancy offerings as they become available as the network grows. |
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Aid WorkerThe individual with this badge is indicating they are, have, or would like to be involved in permaculture aid work. As such, the individual may or may not have permaculture aid worker experience. Watch their updates for evaluation. |
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ConsultantThe individual with this badge is indicating they are, have, or would like to do paid permaculture design consultancy work. As such, the individual may or may not have permaculture consultancy experience. Watch their updates for evaluation. |
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Community ProjectCommunity projects are projects that help develop sustainable community interaction and increase localised resiliency. |
