I am a micro farmer in Derry NH, who specializes in pastured poultry and duck eggs. I have been gardening as far back as I can remember. My father is deep into organic farming and gardening, and I am definitely living his dream now.
I came to permaculture resistant, since I had already worked so hard on our current system. I first learned of permaculture through Jack Spirko, and The Survival Podcast. At first, I didn't understand what the big deal was. But once I started learning about what was possible concerning abundance and care of the land, I was turned on to it 100%.
Currently, I am learning everything I can. I have taken two workshop/classes. The first workshop I attended was at the Spirko Homestead where we learned how to construct wood core beds, and shoot contour lines. The other class was an Urban Design class from Nicholas Burtner and Jack Spirko at the Spirko Homestead. I have not yet taken a PDC. I was going to take one locally, but I really like Nicholas Burtner's teaching style. I am now torn on weather to take a local class, or travel to TX to take a class from him.
Currently I am designing my mother's urban home in West Texas, and I hope to move forward with a slow process of implementation (due to a lack of funds) within the year. I believe that project will take 1-3 years to complete. It will, however, show the folks in that town the abundance that can be created in such a dry environment. Also, producing abundance for my mother, will be awesome! In addition, I am designing my own property.
I am very interested in how permaculture can be slowly phased into modern agriculture. An all or nothing approach will not be effective with farmers who have done things a certain way for generations. They simply have too much at steak to change everything right away. I believe one of the most effective ways to convert struggling farmers is to show them that permaculture works. I know several farmers who are stuck. Both in their ways, and financially. Their land has been depleted, as well as their will. I believe a slow introduction to permaculture will slowly change their thinking, and help them to convert to better practices. Once some farmers begin to adopt permaculture principles, and prove they can work. I believe strongly, we can overcome the disaster of modern ag practices in America.