Permaculture
Vision and
Innovation

Permaculture
Vision and
Innovation

Permaculture
Vision and
Innovation

Permaculture
Vision and
Innovation

Permaculture
Vision and
Innovation

What is Permaculture?

Popularly seen as a ‘cool’ form of organic gardening, permaculture could be better described as a design system for resilient living and land use based on universal ethics and ecological design principles. Although the primary focus of permaculture has been the redesign of gardening, farming, animal husbandry and forestry, the same ethics and principles apply to design of buildings, tools and technology.

Applying permaculture ethics and principles in our gardens and homes inevitably leads us towards redesigning our ways of living so as to be more in tune with local surpluses and limits.

Permaculture is also a global movement of individuals, groups and networks working to create the world we want, by providing for our needs and organising our lives in harmony with nature. The movement is active in the most privileged and the most destitute communities and countries. Permaculture may be Australia’s most significant export for humanity facing a world of limits.

from David Holmgren’s book RetroSuburbia

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In this video, produced by The Food Forest, in 2010, David reflects on how permaculture can be used as a template for survival and abundance

MORE ABOUT DAVID
Permaculture could be better described as a design system for resilient living...
~ David Holmgren, Permaculture Co-originator
When we work with nature instead of trying to impose our will, the solution is often found within the problem.
~ David Holmgren, Permaculture Co-originator
It is not the project but the living process that will be the measure of our actions.
~ David Holmgren, Permaculture Co-originator
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Latest Writings

The Politics of Permaculture by Terry Leahy

David Holmgren August 22, 2021

Terry Leahy’s introductory book is certainly not the last word on understanding and participating in the politics of permaculture, but it is an excellent start in showing how permaculture thinking and action can contribute to a better society in times of challenge and change. In introducing permaculture to the general public, his portrayal is sensitive and sympathetic but without the slightest hint of evangelistic fervour. He points to both strengths and weaknesses, in language that is clear and direct with the very minimum of academic jargon. His methods of enquiry are transparent and rigorous, deserving respect from his academic peers and the wider progressive intelligentsia, many of whom are unaware or even dismissive of permaculture as a social movement. It is hard to imagine a better portrait of the movement to inform both its participants and those curious about it.

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Pay As You Feel

RetroSuburbia

Online Version

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RetroSuburbia-The Downshifters Guide to a Resilient Future

Permaculture Design Course

with David Holmgren, Beck Lowe & Guests

March 2022 Rocklyn Ashram, Central Victoria

Register your interest >

Pay As You Feel

RetroSuburbia

Online Version

RetroSuburbia-The Downshifters Guide to a Resilient Future

start reading today

Permaculture Design Course

with David Holmgren,
Beck Lowe & Guests

March 2022
Rocklyn Ashram
Central Victoria

Register your interest >

Featured Videos

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Changing Habits for Self-Reliance and Resilience

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David Holmgren — Sustainable Living Festival 2018

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David Holmgren — Decolonise Your Lawn

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About Holmgren Design

David
Holmgren

David Holmgren - At home (Melliodora in Hepburn, Central Victoria), David is the vegetable gardener, silviculturalist and builder. Within the international and growing permaculture movement, David is respected for his commitment to presenting permaculture ideas through practical projects and teaching by personal example, that a sustainable lifestyle is a realistic, attractive and powerful alternative to dependent consumerism.

David Holmgren is the co-originator of the permaculture concept following publication of Permaculture One, co-authored with Bill Mollison in 1978. David is globally recognised as a leading ecological thinker.

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Melliodora
Publishing

melliodora-publishing-book-titles

Melliodora is a small specialist publisher dedicated to producing a limited range of books and other media by David Holmgren and other authors. Our titles aim to support individuals in their personal permaculture journeys.

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Melliodora
Property

Mellidora Property Aerial Shot

Melliodora is a 8700m² (2¼ acre) property situated on Dja Dja Wurrung Country in Central Victoria. It is one of the best documented and well known permaculture demonstration sites in the world.

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Latest News

Pandemic Brooding translated into French

MegU September 28, 2021

David’s latest writing, “Pandemic Brooding: Can the Permaculture movement survive the first severe test of the energy descent future?” has now been translated into French, which you can download as a PDF at the top of this page: https://holmgren.com.au/writing/pandemic-brooding/

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Win a permaculture book hamper!

MegU September 9, 2021

Here’s your chance to go into the draw to win this exciting permaculture book collection.
To enter simply complete one of the following:
Sign up to the Holmgren Design newsletter
Share a Writing, Presentation or Interview from the new Holmgren Design website on social media. (For Facebook tag Melliodora Hepburn Permaculture in your post, for Twitter tag Holmgren Design.)
Buy a copy of this version of Permaculture One

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From the Archive

RetroSuburbia Roadmap

The continuing pandemic restrictions are an opportunity for Melburnians to create their own roadmap to something new, rather than reverting back to normal, when restrictions are eventually eased.

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Permaculture gives us a toolkit for moving from a culture of fear and scarcity to one of love and abundance.

~ Toby Hemenway

Permaculture Design Course

with David Holmgren, Beck Lowe & Guests

March 2022 Rocklyn Ashram, Central Victoria

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Enter your details below to get your free PDF of RetroSuburbia chapter 25.

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