Permaculture is a holistic approach recreating the complexity of an ecosystem while removing motorization from crops and gathering several plant varieties with complementary properties in the smallest possible area. Permaculture reduces the pressure of farming activities on lands and increases fertility, reinforcing sustainability in farming and food production, eliminating chemical input to recreate biodiversity and reducing fossil fuels.
The overall objective of SAFE’s action is to increase the knowledge and use of the permaculture approach in order to contribute to the development of a more environmentally and climate-friendly agricultural system.
As regards advocacy, SAFE is actively building a network of associations active in the field of permaculture, to coordinate and elaborate a common lobbying strategy at EU level. As regards awareness-raising, SAFE has organised, in collaboration with local partners, Open House Days in permaculture farms in four EU countries. During these events, farmers gather to be trained on permaculture farming and consumers get to see real, functioning permaculture structures.
Countries Involved in SAFE’s Awareness-Raising Campaign on Permaculture
• Italy 2018
Open Day in Abbasanta, Sardegna (14 October 2018)
SAFE’s Italian partner ‘Accademia Italiana di Permacultura‘ organized an Open Day event at the Campo scout San Martino in Abbasanta, Sardegna on 14 October 2018. Throughout the day, several workshops, training sessions and practical demonstrations took place, to introduce attendees to the practices and ideas of permaculture.
• Romania 2018
Permaculture Urban Gardens in Bucharest – Open House Day (23 September 2018)
SAFE’s Romanian partner ‘Institutul de Cercetare in Permacultura din Romania‘ organized an Open House Day at Gradinescu (Gradina Comunitara din Bucurestii Noi) in Bucharest on September 23, 2018. Several workshops and training sessions for farmers (including practical aspects) about permaculture were organized, followed by a visit of the Urban Garden of Bucurestii Noi to illustrate the lectures.
• Slovenia 2018
Open House Day @ Fair AGRA (26 August 2018)
SAFE’s Slovenian partner ‘Drustvo za Permakulturo Slovenije‘ organized an Open House Day at the International Agricultural Food Fair AGRA Fair in Gornja Radgona on August 26, 2018. This event took place during a 6-day exhibition in a farm dedicated to permaculture, presenting permaculture to the public. Several workshops and trainings were scheduled:
• First lecture (10:00 – 11:00): Introduction
General information about permaculture and regenerative farming.
Lecturer: Primož Turnšek and Aljaž Plankl
• Second lecture (11:00 -12:00): Permaculture and animals
How to raise animals in environmentally friendly and animal friendly way Lecturer: Primož Krišelj, permaculture farmer (http://www.ekosustar.si/)
• Third lecture (14:00 – 15:00): No-till farming
How to grow grains and other field crops without soil tilling?
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Rok Mihelič – Biotechnical Faculty of Ljubljana
• Fourth lecture (15:00 .16:00):
How to organically and efficiently grow vegetables on a small farm?
Lecturer: Peter Studen, permaculture farmer (http://brevkinasvezina.blogspot.com/)
All important farming practices (grain production, animal production, vegetable production) were covered by the lecturers. They had the opportunity to present efficient ecological alternatives related to permaculture. The lecturers also described their practical experiences as farmers and their ways of selling produce to consumers.
• Belgium 2018
Portes ouvertes PermaWET-Eglise – Open House Day (21 July 2018)
SAFE’s Belgian partner ‘Waterloo En Transition‘ organized an Open House Day in Waterloo (Belgium) on July 21, 2018. This event combined an open farm tour presenting permaculture to the public and a training on permaculture for farmers by Professional Cultivator Renaud Castiaux (Les Portes du Radis). Participants discovered many different workshops:
- The Use of composting in permaculture
- Apiculture in permaculture
- The Use of ponds in permaculture
- Vegetable gardens in permaculture
Where? In Espace citoyen de transmission de savoir-faire en permaculture (Rue de l’Église 56 – 1410 Waterloo)
When? Saturday 21 July from 10.00 to 16.00.
(Infos at permawet.eglise@gmail.com)
