permaculture

Workshop Module 7: Farming 201

Field activity : Identify windbreak locations

Method : Site visit and mapping

Tools : Clipboards, notebooks, pens

References : PC Book MOD 7 – Farming;

PC Book MOD 2 - Natural Patterns and Permaculture Design

Objective : Participants practice locating windbreaks

Preparation

The facilitator can locate an appropriate site for the participants to practice the following
exercise. This could be the site of the workshop or farmland close by.

Running this exercise

Take the participants to the site and give the following questions and ideas to help them
identify good locations for windbreaks,

Factors for windbreak location:

• Where do strong winds come from?


• Where do these winds come from most often?


• What needs protection from strong winds? E.g. house, animals, crops, fruit
  trees, etc.


• The area of land that is improved by windbreaks depends on how high the
  windbreak is, for example:
  
  
  • A 5m high windbreak will slow the wind for more than 100m of land behind
    the windbreak.
  
  
  • A 10m high windbreak will slow the wind for more than 200m of land.
  
  
  
  


• Roots of windbreak trees will reduce productivity of crops grown next to the
  trees.


• Shade from large trees when they are fully grown can affect crops (note: very
  tall trees are not usually needed for windbreaks).

Each participant can draw simple maps to show their ideas for the best
windbreak location at the site.

When they have finished they can present their ideas and discuss the results
with the whole group.

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