Facilitators-Handbook-For-Permaculture

Workshop Module 7: Farming 207

Step 1

Ask the participants to split up into 3 workgroups (see the appendix for ideas about using
a creative group creation techniques).

Step 2

• Each group chooses 2 cards at random, 1 animal card and 1 plant card.


• These cards represent the 2 productive systems that the groups will integrate
  into their basic farm models.


• The groups can integrate the 2 new systems any way they choose, but the
  facilitator should list the following guidelines for the groups to refer to when they
  are working on creating their designs:
  
  
  • Can the waste products from each system, like manure or plant materials,
    be reused by other parts of the new farm system?
  
  
  • How many times can energy and resources, like water or fences, be reused
    or shared in the farm design?
  
  
  • How many ways can the different systems work together for the benefit of
    the whole system? E.g. trees providing shade for animals, animals providing
    pest control for vegetables, aquaculture run-off providing nutrient rich
    water for other crops, etc.
  
  
  • Other elements or techniques such as legume trees, nursery, drying and
    storage facility, etc can be added if the groups decide it is necessary or
    beneficial.
  
  
  
  

Step 3

• Each group is asked to create a simple map to help explain their plan.


• If time provides, they can also include a list of ideas of all the things they want
  to produce in their integrated systems.


• Each group should be able to explain how the different systems work together.

Step 4

After each workgroup has completed their designs, they can present them to the entire
group for feedback and other suggestions.