Tag Archives: permaculture

Episode-903- Water in The Landscape

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Modern Survival| 23 Comments
Episode-903- Water in The Landscape [ 1:23:30 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Water is Life!

Water is Life!

Water is so critical to our lives, it is one of the five primary survival needs along with food, shelter, energy and security.  It provides for irrigation, hydration, fire suppression, cooking, sanitation and more.  Yet have you noticed 99% of suburban landscapes are devoid of water other than swimming pools and sprinkler systems.

We have lost on of the key pieces of what water can do for us do to this.  Did you know that water can move nutrients and fertility around your property?  In doing this it can actually catch and rebound energy before it atrophies off your property.   Join me today as we discuss these concepts and more.

On the Show Today We Discuss…

  • The death of water in the land scape
  • Well, rain, tap, the truth vs. the hype
  • The rules of using and moving water
    • Water always moves at right angle to contour
    • Slow water creates life
    • Fast water becomes oxygenated
    • For water to move across land without erosion it must be wide, shallow and slow
    • Water is the greatest creator of biodiversity we know of
  • Methods of controlling, moving, managing water
    • Swales
    • Key line plowing
    • Contour paths
    • Earth berms
    • Hugulkultur
    • Terraces
    • Ponds (large and small)
    • Locks
    • Stream flows
    • Seeping pathways
  • Tools of the trade
    • Handheld Site Level – 15-20 dollars
    • A-frame level – free to about 20 dollars in materials
    • Dumpy level – advanced tool several hundred dollars
    • Laser level – pro tool or improvised sanity check

Resources for Today’s Show

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

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Episode-901- Learning From the Holzer – The Good and the Bad

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Modern Survival| 59 Comments
Episode-901- Learning From the Holzer - The Good and the Bad [ 1:21:55 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Wheaton and Holzer on an Earlier Project

So I traveled about 2,000 miles to meet one of my absolute heroes in permaculture and sustainable agriculture.  The experience was not really what I expected.  The knowledge I gained was worth all the effort, planning and time away but the way I gained it was the more surprising part.

To sum it up, I learned a lot from what Sepp did but not much from what he said.  I also am very excited to be planning my own events in the future and have to say I learned a lot about what not to do by the organization “Place of Gathering” when I run my events.

Tune in today to hear…

  • What we are doing isn’t hugelkultur (sort of)
  • What hugelkultur really is and why it does and doesn’t matter
  • Why I think even most permaculture practitioners have “limited thinking”
    • The lesson of Vettezuki
    • The lesson of the rose hips
    • The lesson of Permaculturist A vs. Permaculturist B
  • The role of water on a farm, more than irrigation
  • The lesson of the excavators
  • The best seeds, you can’t get in America, yet
  • Polyculture to the max, you really don’t get it till you see it
  • Recipes vs. observation vs. common decency and strait answers
  • Teaching, doing or both, what are we good at
  • The dangers of “hero worship” and how to avoid it
  • The need to actually listen to those who have done it

Additional Resources for Today’s Show

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

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Episode-900- Paul Wheaton and Jack Spirko on the Sepp Holzer Seminar

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Modern Survival| 41 Comments
Episode-900- Paul Wheaton and Jack Spirko on the Sepp Holzer Seminar [ 38:55 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Today I have the pleasure of  doing a face to face podcast with my good friend Paul Wheaton of Permies.com and Richsoil.com.  We will cover some of the many highlights of the Sepp Holzer seminar so far.

Excuse the brevity of the show notes, as Paul and I must head back to the location to listen to Sepp quite literally right now.

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Episode-898- Permaculture Design Considerations (TSP Classic Originally Epi-606)

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Modern Survival| 12 Comments
Episode-898- Permaculture Design Consierations (TSP Classic Originally Epi-606) [ 1:21:30 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Today’s Episode was originally broadcast a episode 606 in February of 2011.

In this episode we look at 11 design considerations when designing a permaculture food system. Honestly though permaculture or not these considerations really should be considered with all landscape development. Unfortunately they are largely ignored or misunderstood in America today.

By taking these 11 components into consideration you will see your property in a new light whether it is 1/10 of an acre, 10 acres or a 1000 acres. Of course there are more considerations and interactions than these 11 but by considering these factors in your design you will end up with a functional, productive and sustainable design.

Join me today as we discuss…

  • Climate
  • Slope
  • Energy Patterns
  • Total Land Area
  • Desired Output
  • Wildlife Interactions
  • Zones
  • Layers
  • Time to Develop
  • Time to Maintain
  • Water Availability

Resources for Today’s Show

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

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Episode-895- Will Bratton and Sam Bagot on Open Source Agriculture

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Modern Survival| 18 Comments
Episode-895- Will Bratton and Sam Bagot on Open Source Agriculture [ 55:00 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Sam Bagot and Will Bratton are woking togehter on an open source agriculture project called horto domi.   Horto domi is an open hardware raised-bed garden unit with environmental control and monitoring via web-interface thanks to Arduino Ethernet. DIY sensors, such as those collecting moisture and temperature data help monitor the environment within the dome and will eventually be used to automate conditions.

The goal is to grow whatever you want, whenever you want, wherever you are. Horto domi is Latin for ‘Garden at home.’ It’s a statement to healthful food independence, a “neo-renaissance” tip of the hat to Arduino, and it sounds like horticultural dome. Particular consideration was taken in this prototype’s design to maximize the mineral and nutrient value of the beyond-organic produce and minimize environmental contamination risks.

Sam and Will are looking for Kickstarter funding that will satisfy all the elements necessary for an open hardware publication per the definition provided by FreedomDefined.org/OSHW. However, with additional funding they will be able to pursue further open source innovation, development and publication. They hope our community will support their idea for using contemporary open technology to achieve relative food independence so that we may all better address the goal of individual and community self sufficiency.

Resources for Today’s Show…

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

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Episode-854- Shalali Infante on Micro Farming Livestock

Posted on March 7, 2012 by Modern Survival| 49 Comments
Episode-854- Shalali Infante on Micro Farming Livestock [ 1:13:28 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Shalali Infante of PintsizedFarm.com

Shalali Infante of PintsizedFarm.com

Shalali Infante has a 1.5 acre semi-urban homestead where her family keeps 3 mini-Jersey milk cows, they breed mini-Jerseys.  They also raise American guinea hogs and Nigerian dwarf goats (though they are phasing out the goats)  They also raise pastured chickens in the summer for sale and for our yearly chicken needs.

On top of this they produce 100% of all their meat and dairy needs. They do rotational grazing and supplemental feed.  They feed no grain to the ruminants and only feed sprouted grains to their hogs.  The chickens do get an organic prepared feed.

Shalali and her family also produce many of their vegetables (increasing every year) and do not buy oil (except olive oil for salad dressing) as they use lard and butter and tallow.  They also do some butchering workshops.

Again this is all accomplished on 1.5 acres!

Shalai joins us today to discuss backyard livestock and sustainability of food production with some of the sustainability coming from producing food for others and utilizing the income from that to feed your animals.

Resources for Today’s Show…

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

 

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Episode-850- Natalie Bogwalker on Firefly Gatherings, Permaculture, Primative Skills and Homesteading

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Modern Survival| 19 Comments
Episode-850- Natalie Bogwalker on Firefly Gatherings, Permaculture, Primative Skills and Homesteading [ 1:09:19 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Natalie Bogwalker of The Firefly Gathering

Natalie Brings Fire to Life

Natalie Bogwalker practices and shares skills she considers vital to humanity’s future.  She lives in a lovely, growing homestead nestled deep in community in the Southern Appalachians.

She is the co-founder and director of the Living Skills School and the Firefly Gathering.  She has taught and given talks at schools, universities, and gatherings all over the country.

You can learn more about Natalie and Firefly Gatherings at www.WildAbundance.net and www.FireflyGathering.org

Today Natalie joins us to discuss permaculture, primitive skills, homesteading skills and their importance for survival along with how they improve your quality of life from day to day even when nothing goes wrong.  I think you will especially enjoy the way Natalie links the concepts of permaculture, homesteading and primitive skills in a very holistic and logical manner.

Resources for Today’s Show…

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

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Episode-833- David Consolvo on Establishing and Growing a Survival Orchard

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Modern Survival| 28 Comments
Episode-833- David Consolvo on Establishing and Growing a Survival Orchard [ 1:05:46 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Trees Can Produce for Decades or Even Centuries

Photo Credit to London Permaculture via Flickr

Note – At times there is a lot of distortion on David’s end in this interview.  I never head it during the recording.  It isn’t constant please excuse the few occurrences as the content of the show is exceptional.

David Consolvo has been growing his orchard in Virgina for over 23 years now.  He originally began planting his orchard in a quest for better health and nutrition.   Over the years he has found it to help his health both physical and mental in other ways simply by the joy of working in it, watching his trees grow and having the security of food close at hand.

Over the years Dave has also become a prepper and is a long time listener of our show.  He has a root cellar he calls a “fruit cellar” and has integrated his ability to produce food into his emergency planning.

Join David and I Today as We Discuss…

  • What are some common beginner mistakes in planting an orchard
  • What are some of the best varieties to keep dependence on inputs low
  • Which fruits grow best in which climates
  • How can you have your own fresh fruits year round
  • How can you self propagate trees/bushes/vines
  • What nut varieties get into the earliest production
  • What “exotic varieties” have done well in the US so far
  • Uses for trimmings and prunings from your trees
  • Combating disease, insects and deer

Additional Resources for Today’s Show

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

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Episode-831- Seed Starting Primer for 2012

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Modern Survival| 38 Comments
Episode-831- Seed Starting Primer for 2012 [ 1:17:17 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Starting Seeds

Starting Seeds is Easy

I get a lot of questions from people who are looking to start plants from seeds vs. buying plants at the nursery.  Many people struggle with seed starting for a variety of reasons so I am dedicating most of today’s show to help you master the skill of taking tiny seeds and turning them into food and medicine producing plants.

The reality is starting seeds can be frustrating if you don’t do it correctly but it doesn’t have to be difficult as long as you follow the blueprint Mother Nature has laid out for us.  Once you do that starting your own makes producing your own food extremely cost effective.

Join me today as we discuss…

  • Understanding how seeds germinate in the wild (this answers so many questions)
  • What are the needs of a seed
  • Cubes, pots, paper and peat
  • Why starting indoors is a good idea
  • Light and not all light is equal
  • The role of the greenhouse and getting by without one (sort of)
  • Building a simple grow light
  • Mist watering and watering from the bottom
  • Creating constant temperatures
  • Culling and “pricking out”
  • Starting seeds in pots that are generally considered “direct sow”
  • Seeds that should almost always be direct sowed
  • Hardening off seeds
  • Potting up the why and how
  • Holding back in ground planting until you are sure
  • Mulch is your friend

Additional Resources for Today’s Show

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

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Episode-828- Steve Solomon on Organic Mythology and Soil Health

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Modern Survival| 49 Comments
Episode-828- Steve Solomon on Organic Mythology and Soil Health [ 1:27:23 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Steve Solomon author and founder of SoilAndHealth.org

Steve Solomon founder of SoilAndHealth.org

Steve Solomon writes books on food gardening.  He officially “retired” at the age of 44 after selling the mail order seed business he built up with great success in the 1980s.  Today he makes his home in Australia where he grows the majority of the food they consume.

Steve considers himself a political libertarian and sees his role in life to be “encouraging others food self sufficiency and better health.  He describes his methods and books as “beyond organic” or even as “outside organic”.

Today he joins us to discuss why the quality of our food has been in decline for centuries.  The importance of mineral amendments in not just growing a lot of food or good looking food but growing highly nutritious food.  Why you should definitely do a soil test on the land you are growing on even if you are getting good or even great production and more.

Steve will even explain why although organic food may be free of many toxins it is often no more nutritionally valuable then conventionaly grown produce.  He will even challenge the definition of “heirloom seeds” in a quite convincing manner.

Additional Resources for Today’s Show

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

 

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