Permaculture Education – Going the Full Cycle

"Permaculture Education: Going the Full Cycle" is a cutting edge project for the year 2019.

While the core of the project is educational in nature, it also has far reaching environmental and health implications - both on a local and global scale.

The proposed initiative is based in Pai, an intriguing mountain valley in the far north of Thailand, populated with people from all walks of life. The project is run by Ben Grear, Australian born and has the support of Pai Seedlings Foundation.

THE FOOD WASTE CRISIS

As the global demand for food continues to rise, chances are you have noticed a decline in taste and nutritional QUALITY over the years, along with a hefty increase in the amount of WASTE that is being produced as a result of ever-increasing global consumption. Recently, it was estimated that roughly ONE THIRD of the food produced for human consumption is wasted every year.

THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION

Food is Life, and knowing where your food comes from is one of the safest ways of protecting your loved ones from harmful chemicals, herbicides and pesticides that poison our food today.

Alongside this, having an understanding of practical waste-reduction methods has the potential to reduce environmental damage, protect scarce natural resources, provide economic benefits, and reduce our reliance on raw materials and energy

Having an understanding of the permaculture cycle is key.

A core focus of this project is about introducing people to the fascinating and transformative techniques of self-sustainable food production and waste reduction, so they can take home these practices and introduce them to their family, friends and community.

When it comes to ensuring long term positive change, we believe that effective education isn't just about telling people what not to do, it's about offering alternatives.

THE DEMAND FOR ALTERNATIVE METHODS

Shrinking arable land availability and a continually growing demand for food has opened the doors to alternative farming methods.

Aquaponics - even though developed in the 1970's in the UK - has in the last ten years leapt to the forefront of alternative methods. It uses one tenth of the water of conventional farming and can be custom built for many and varied applications, size and need.

In aquaponics - fish and plants live in a symbiotic relationship. The fish provide nutrition for the plants and the plants provide clean water for the fish in an enclosed circulating cycle.

Aquaponics systems can be set up anywhere in the world and are ideal for producing highly nutritious food with zero chemicals.

Ento, or Insect Farming is the way of the Future. These insects reduce organic waste by converting organic waste into food and nutrition.

Black Soldier Fly and their Larvae, BSFL, are at the forefront of the food waste crisis that is affecting our world today. The implementation of BSFL is a textbook example of how to dispose of organic waste safely, therefore removing any potential of the biological hazard that present day waste management exists with, such as anaerobic digestion (rotting) and methane gas.

Organic food waste is placed into a BSFL Harvester and three products are produced. 1/ Larvae with very high protein and nutrient value. 2/ Liquid Fertilizer of unparalleled organic performance. 3/ Frass. Plant nutrient technology and immunity booster, a truly great product.

The larvae are fed to the fish, the fertilizer is put on the outdoor gardens and the frass is applied by topdressing the garden beds.

A CENTRE FOR LEARNING: PAI SEEDLINGS FOUNDATION

Merging aquaculture, aquaponics and ento farming into the existing methodology of Pai Seedlings Foundation will create an exceptional centre for permaculture learning.

Volunteers, teachers, speakers, scientists, and other knowledgeable members of the public will come together for the benefit of all, growing and refining the knowledge-base and adding further techniques to the learning centre.

To offer such diversity at one location is a huge advantage for people wanting to gain quality learning and a highly practical understanding of permaculture techniques.

A GLOBAL INITIATIVE WITH LOCAL BENEFITS

Looking after our local community here in Pai is also a priority. In addition to the far reaching educational benefits, ten percent of the produce grown is donated to nearby schools to promote nutrition and learning.

Establishing this learning centre in Pai will add to the many and varied learning opportunities in the Pai Valley, as well as bringing valued revenue into this high tourism-dependant community.

HOW THE FUNDS WILL BE USED

The funds will be used to build a ten meter by ten meter aquaponic greenhouse along with two outdoor ponds for the development of aquaculture gardens as well as fish and crayfish breeding to be established before for the 2019 high season of Pai commencing in October.

The funds will cover expenses and running costs while the greenhouse, gardens and education centre are being established. By November 2019, we envision we will have completed the October Workshop and Go Get Funding will be replaced by funding raised through the learning centre and through the sale of quality, ‘home-grown’, organic produce.

WE'D LOVE YOUR SUPPORT

The circle of life is dependent on passing down the knowledge of nature to the next generations.

If you believe that education, improved food and health, reduced waste and a more sustainable way of living are key to a better future - and you want to be part of making this exciting initiative a reality - we would love your support.

Thank you for your time and please, stand by for weekly updates.

Sincere Regards,

Ben Grear