Conference Proceedings Chapter Five - People Care Stream
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Establishing A Strong Local Permaculture Network

Geoff Lawton (Australia)

A group of certificated permaculture designers or an individual designer can begin the process. A locally identified permaculture group name, using the name permaculture will attract attention. Decide on points of contact to inform the local community, this can be with newspaper adverts, carefully placed notices or local radio. Organise sites to meet and teach from, with times for regular monthly or weekly meetings. Set up a permaculture education and information service offering consultancy and design service, introductory courses weekend and midweek.

Advertise a permaculture design certificate course taught part-time and as soon as there is enough interest locally, plan to teach at least two part-time design certificate courses per year. Aim to develop a collection of slide shows, photo albums and promotional material as posters and displays. Obtain access to sites for demonstrations, reference and hands-on workshops where permaculture can be practically taught.

PET (Permaculture Energy Transfer) is a great group-building activity, where energy is exchanged to complete permaculture projects for participating group members.

Identify group members who are keen to become activists and members prepared to serve on a committee to form a non-profit community group. Establish an accessible bank of information, newsletter, seed-saving and plant production for sale at meetings. If possible, buy, access or liberate a photo-copier to produce cheap promotional material.

As the membership increases try and identify members with skills that will benefit the running of the group. There will be a need for some professional skills, accounts, insurance, architects, etc. With the growing membership, the ability to promote permaculture and profit the group increases, with it, our effect locally and globally.

Keeping a simple action orientation strategy caters for the continuous stream of new members who are always keen to see the practical side of permaculture. Specialist sub-groups will naturally evolve as the numbers and diversity increase, but the main focus should always be how best we can effect beneficial change on our local community. This whole process of establishing a strong local permaculture network can be achieved within two years.