What is permaculture?
As a combination of the words “permanent” and “culture,” permaculture focuses on the growth of sustainable and self-sufficient agricultural ecosystems. As a series of everyday practices, learning and experiencing the lifestyle enabled me to connect to the Earth, give back to the community, and enhance my own sustainable methods.
Optimizing Irrigation Systems
The irrigation project was my fluids class come to life! Using gravity, the curvature of the earth, and, of course, flow rate, we designed a system to efficiently water all the plants on the two-acre permaculture farm as well as conserve and reduce the overall cost of water.
Sharing with the Community and the Earth
In addition to sustaining ourselves on the production, we would give the surplus of food out to our community through a weekly farm stand. Anything that was left over at the end of the day was subsequently returned to the Earth via compost piles.
Connecting with the Earth
While working on a farm and being in the mud all day, I really learned how to get down to Earth (pun intended). I will carry with myself always the humbling experience of witnessing the life cycle plants and a resounding respect for the Earth that sustains us.
