We learnt so much over our twelve day Permaculture course on the Wild Olive Farm. Our facilitators, Hazel and Andrew Mugford and Avice Hindmarch were inspiring and brimming with knowledge. They were all so enthusiastic and energetic, which when digging a swale before dinner time with a motley crew, that were dreaming of their next delicious meal can really transform the situation.
Our group of budding permaculturalists was made up of a really colourful circus of people. We merged together by a strong desire to understand a better, more ethical and economic design system for being and existing in a harmonious relationship with nature and other surrounding elements. Some members of the group already had a farm or small holding, others were in the transition of moving from city to country side and some folks were quite happy to be starting small right on their front stoep. Some say Permaculture is common sense and one would have to agree, but common sense for those who already understand the nature of the outdoor environment and the glorious exchange between plants, animals and humans. Perhaps if we were all still connected to the natural seasonal cycles and the cosmic inter-play between earth, sky and planets our need to go on courses to relearn these principles of common sense earth dwelling would be unnecessary.
For the last stretch the majority of the worlds focus has been on industry and economics and has turned a damaging blind eye on the environment and the maintenance of the earth as a living organism. However more and more we see the fail harvest of distorted farmers and the torrential pollution which flows not only through the water ways and air but the minds of the people causing the destruction. We have seen the earth kicking back and lashing out in response to the abuse, the floods, the tsunamis, the earthquakes, the desertification, deforestation, dried up rivers, lakes, dams, infertile over grazed land, poisoned food and tasteless tomatoes and all to feed the money hungry, consumer driven societies of yesteryear.
Well one cant be afraid, it is fear that has driven this horrid greed campaign to start with. There is more than enough, the earth is bountiful and abundant and managed in a conscious fearless way we can make the shift we all desire. The only way is forward, and utilizing Permaculture principles, Biodynamic practices and Organic methods of living and farming, the earth will heal herself.
Every week around the world there are Permaculture courses going on, more and more people are rising up and moving forward and the movement is gaining strength and momentum, galloping onward towards a happy horizon. The old system is falling down and people are starting to look a bit deeper and observe closer what is occurring in our world.
Like our old friend Mahatma Gandhi said “One must become the change they wish to see.” And so we learn together on these inspiring courses how we can change, relearn and go forth and share this news of abundance that is starting to embrace us all.
So we are going forward with what we have been taught, and we wish to travel with it through our beautiful home country South Africa and share what we have learnt. We wish to be like the bees and pollinate as we go the places that we visit so we can all share and make some delicious honey.
Love and light and fertile flight
Gervaise and Justin
