What Is Permaculture?

 Masanobu Fukuoka (1913-2008) was a Japanese farmer and philosopher who revolutionized agricultural practices with his "natural farming" or "do-nothing farming" method.  After a transformative spiritual experience, Fukuoka rejected conventional agricultural science and dedicated his life to developing and promoting a system that mimicked nature's principles. His methods, detailed in his influential book "The One-Straw Revolution," center around no-till practices, eliminating the need for fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. Fukuoka championed the use of clay seed balls for efficient and natural seeding, a technique now widely adopted in various movements. His work, recognized with prestigious awards like the Ramon Magsaysay Award, has inspired generations of farmers and proponents of sustainable living, significantly influencing the permaculture movement by advocating for a harmonious relationship between humans and nature. 

 In the 1970s, a unique partnership blossomed between Bill Mollison, a seasoned naturalist and lecturer, and David Holmgren, a young student passionate about sustainable agriculture. Their collaboration at the University of Tasmania led to the birth of permaculture, a term they coined to describe a harmonious approach to agriculture and design inspired by nature's wisdom. While Mollison, the charismatic visionary, provided the initial framework, Holmgren, the meticulous thinker, helped refine and develop their shared concepts into a comprehensive design system, culminating in their seminal work, "Permaculture One."  This collaboration, though intense and relatively short-lived, laid the groundwork for a global movement towards sustainable living that utilizes natural farming and agricultural practices.