What's Wrong with Permaculture, Anyway? Navigating the Complexities of Permaculture: Unpacking its History, Contradictions, and Ethical Challenges

This episode of "The Poor Proles Almanac" takes a critical look at permaculture, a system of agricultural and social design principles aimed at creating sustainable human settlements. While acknowledging its potential benefits, the hosts, Andy and Elliott, express concerns about its evolution, particularly its appropriation of indigenous knowledge and its susceptibility to right-wing ideologies. The episode challenges listeners to grapple with permaculture's ethical complexities and consider how to engage with its principles in a responsible and respectful manner. Permaculture: Origins and Evolution The hosts trace the origins of permaculture back to Bill Mollison and David Holmgren's work in the 1970s. They explain that Mollison, inspired by the interconnectedness of the Tasmanian rainforest, sought to develop a system of agriculture that mimicked natural ecosystems. Mollison and Holmgren's collaboration led to the publication of "Permaculture One" in 1978, introducing the concept to a wider audience. However, the hosts highlight that many of permaculture's core principles, such as multi-crop systems, perennial plantings, and the integration of trees, shrubs, and herbs, were not original to Mollison and Holmgren. They acknowledge that these practices were rooted in indigenous knowledge systems that predate permaculture by centuries. The episode emphasizes that Holmgren himself recognized the influence of indigenous cultures on his work and drew inspiration from earlier agricultural thinkers like J. Russell Smith, Toyohiko Kagawa, Masanobu Fukuoka, and P.A. Yeomans. The Permaculture Design Course and the Spread of Knowledge The hosts discuss the establishment of the Permaculture Institute in Tasmania and the development of the Permaculture Design Course (PDC), a training program designed to disseminate permaculture principles. They point out that the PDC's "train the trainer" model, similar to commercial fitness programs like P90X, allows graduates to teach others, creating a rapid expansion of the permaculture network. While acknowledging the value of making information accessible, the hosts express concern about the PDC's lack of quality control, noting that the qualifications to teach a PDC are relatively low. This, they argue, has led to a wide variation in the quality of instruction and the potential for unqualified individuals to present themselves as experts. Pseudoscience and the Problem of Information Overload Andy and Elliott raise concerns about the rise of pseudoscience within the permaculture movement, particularly with the proliferation of information online. They cite examples like the "stacking method," a permaculture technique that involves layering multiple plant species in a small area. While this method appears efficient in theory, they argue that it often fails in practice due to competition for sunlight and resources, leading to decreased yields and unmanageable growth. The hosts link the spread of misinformation to the lack of rigorous scientific validation within permaculture circles. Furthermore, they critique the reliance on anecdotal evidence and "old wives' tales" as justification for certain practices, such as companion planting and the use of specific plants to deter pests. They emphasize that scientific research often contradicts these claims and highlight the dangers of promoting unsubstantiated information. They point to the lack of accountability on platforms like YouTube, where individuals can disseminate inaccurate information without consequence, often motivated by financial gain. Permaculture's Complicated Relationship with Colonialism and Capitalism The episode confronts permaculture's uneasy relationship with colonialism and capitalism. The hosts argue that permaculture, despite its emphasis on sustainability and interconnectedness, often falls into the trap of commodifying nature and perpetuating colonialist patterns of appropriating indigenous knowledge. They express concern that the movement, primarily led by white individuals, profits from repackaging and selling traditional practices while failing to adequately acknowledge the source of this knowledge or address the historical injustices that indigenous communities have faced. They highlight the irony of white permaculturists traveling to countries formerly colonized by Europeans and teaching indigenous people about their own traditional farming practices, often charging high fees for consultations and workshops. The hosts draw parallels to "voluntourism," where well-intentioned individuals from developed nations engage in short-term projects in developing countries, often with limited understanding of local contexts and needs. The Permaculture Movement's Political Divide The episode also explores the political divide within the permaculture movement. The hosts observe that permaculture's emphasis on self-sufficiency and resilience has attracted individuals with right-wing leanings, particularly those who embrace homesteading, "rugged individualism," and a distrust of government. They note that this segment of the permaculture community often espouses white supremacist or hyper-religious views, creating a stark contrast to the movement's purported values of inclusivity and environmental stewardship. They contrast this right-wing faction with the more left-leaning individuals who see permaculture as a way to challenge capitalist exploitation and promote social justice. This political polarization, the hosts argue, complicates efforts to address the ethical issues within permaculture and makes it difficult to hold the movement accountable for its appropriation of indigenous knowledge. The "Pro Models" Miniseries: A Search for Solutions The episode introduces a new miniseries called "Pro Models," which aims to explore indigenous farming practices from around the world. The hosts express their hope that this series will shed light on pre-colonial agricultural systems and offer insights into how to live in harmony with the natural world. They also express a desire to engage in a process of "de-centering whiteness" within their own lives and within the larger permaculture movement. They acknowledge the difficulty of reconciling with the legacy of colonialism and finding a path forward that respects indigenous knowledge and sovereignty. They raise questions about land ownership, reparations, and the challenges of "re-indigenizing" landscapes that have been drastically altered by European settlement. They also acknowledge the complex emotions involved in this process, particularly for individuals of European descent who are grappling with their own complicity in systems of oppression. Conclusion The episode concludes by emphasizing the need for open and honest dialogue about the ethical challenges within permaculture. The hosts encourage listeners to engage with these issues critically, to listen to the voices of marginalized communities, and to work towards creating a more just and sustainable future that honors the contributions of indigenous peoples. They leave listeners with a set of questions to ponder: What does it mean to be a responsible steward of the land? How can we learn from indigenous knowledge without perpetuating colonial patterns of appropriation? And how can we build a more inclusive and equitable permaculture movement that centers the voices of those who have been historically marginalized? For sources, transcripts, and to read more about this subject, visit: www.agroecologies.org To support this podcast, join our patreon for early, commercial-free episode access at https://www.patreon.com/poorprolesalmanac For PPA Writing Content, visit: www.agroecologies.org For PPA Restoration Content, visit: www.restorationagroecology.com For PPA Merch, visit: www.poorproles.com For PPA Native Plants, visit: www.nativenurseries.org To hear Tomorrow, Today, our sister podcast, visit: www.tomorrowtodaypodcast.org/   Sources: https://www.kcet.org/shows/tending-nature/the-indigenous-science-of-permaculture https://www.treehugger.com/permaculture-doesnt-work-says-plant-biologist-4856091 https://www.lillklobbpermaculture.com/2018/06/30/a-response-to-curtis-stones-what-permaculture-got-wrong%E2%80%8A-%E2%80%8Adispelling-five-common-myths/ https://medium.com/@urbanfarmercstone/what-permaculture-got-wrong-dispelling-five-common-myths-e904d570db70 https://medium.com/permaculturewomen/permaculture-on-the-edge-d69cad1b6ce0 https://www.resilience.org/stories/2016-02-19/decolonizing-permaculture/