permaculture

346 Facilitator’s Handbook for Permaculture Workshops

Running this exercise

Step 1

• Ask the participants to split up into smaller workgroups.


• A representative from each group can choose a ‘base product card’ to provide
  their group with a starting point for the exercise.

Step 2 - Workgroups define the products

Apply the following questions to each base product.

• Product questions:
  
  
  • What products can be made without value adding?
  
  
  • What other products can be made using value adding?
  
  
  
  


• Resource questions:
  
  
  • Where will the base material for making the product come from?
  
  
  • How will this support the local community?
  
  
  • What tools are needed for making the products?
  
  
  • What skills are needed for making the products?
  
  
  
  

Step 3 - Asses the viability of the idea

Once the questions have been answered the groups can use the answers to decide:

1. Whether they think that the products are a good idea for a local cooperative to
   produce and sell.


2. If yes, why?


3. If no, why?


4. How to maximize the potential for success of the viable products.

Step 4 - Presentations for comments and feedback

Each group can present their findings to the whole group for comments and feedback.