Join the Revolution

Revolution is a strong word. It implies many things, most of them challenging but I use it deliberately, this my friends is a revolution, a seismic change is underway and we all need to get behind it. The more we take part the more we get to shape it and the corresponding outcomes.

One thing is for sure is that the immense challenges we face are not going to go away by us ignoring them.

Revolution? I am actually quoting Prince Charles of all people, not your textbook revolutionary, but those are the first words of his recent book “Harmony”.

“This is a call to revolution. The Earth is
under threat. It is losing its balance and we
humans are causing this to happen.”

Revolution is a strong word and I use it
deliberately. The many environmental and
social problems that loom large, cannot be
solved by the very approach that caused
them.” HRH Charles

I am no great royalist or in the habit of quoting their words but this statement cannot be overlooked. It is highly significant. Charles has been environmentally inclined his whole adult life and mainly laughed at in the tabloids for talking to plants or whatever, but it is undeniable that he has a deep understanding of the natural world and he is absolutely correct to raise the most urgent of concerns. Carrying on our current path will lead us to self destruction, a whole new way of thinking is required, tinkered at the edges, making eco bricks from plastic at best slows our demise by a moment or two, something much more fundamental is required of us all.

Don’t look to Government, this is beyond their remit, they care about GDP, banks and corporate access to minerals and markets, the change will come from the bottom up and we will have to drag our government kicking and screaming into the new paradigm. This we have to do and with some urgency too. 2019 is the tipping point year, we really have left this to the very last minute and it is going to take everyone to get us to where we need to be.

This is also no overnight event, this is a 30 year revolution we have before us, that is how long we have to de-carbonise our economy, maybe a lot less. To set a course to a sustainable future we must halve global emissions this decade, failing on that means we will have left it way too late to even have a chance. We have delayed and delayed, but the time for action really is upon us. 2019 is the year we set a course to a very different destination.

Please come along to find out more, meanwhile listen to this.

Alexandra Ocasio Cortez overturned a long standing incumbent to gain a seat in congress. At 29 she has a radical outlook for the future, her ambition is exciting. Radical, Bold. I want to hear a lot more of this kind of talk. I see her rapid rise in politics as a reflection of the changes coming.
You might wonder what we are proposing, what is the agenda, simply that we begin meaningful conversations across the community about the problems we face. Poverty, debt, a contracting economy, Brexit but the overarching issue is climate and that we have to halve our emissions and as rapidly as we can. I like the idea coming from Extinction Rebellion, that of forming peoples’ assemblies, we need to demand the government at every level do their job, they should be working for us and being held accountable by us much more. They are failing us as they are still subsidising oil companies, holding back renewable energy development while pushing for investment in fossil fuel extraction.. there is simply no excuse for this and we will have to hold them to account.

Dw-khZxVsAA17tP.jpg large
Globally each and every region needs to recognise that this is an emergency and immediate action is called for.

Climate emergency – unveiling next steps of our response

Climate change, the science

In year one of the One School One Planet we screened this video at the school, as a baseline for understanding of climate science. Chaired by HRH Charles, introduced by David Attenborough and presented by Professor Johan Rokstrom it is an

‘invitation on a transformational journey’  Professor Johan Rokstrom

We have also invited our community to watch the ‘Overview Effect’ which documents the impact of viewing the Earth from space has had on many of the astronauts and space shuttle crew who have been in orbit.

Some Key Quotes from those who have viewed Earth from space

It is not just fixing an economic or a political system, but it our whole world view, our basic understanding of who we are that is at stake

A part of that is to come up with a new picture, a new story, a new way to approach this and to shift our behavior in a way that it leads to sustainable way instead of a destructive approach. Right now that seems very difficult to see how it is going to be, but we are going to have to work on it.

An a grand scale we are all basically living in this ecosystem called earth and everything that you do on side of the ecosystem affects the other side and that is a new way of living for most of humanity

Emergency is not too strong a word

Sadiq Khan has moved targets forward by 20 years to bring London to carbon neutral status by 2030 instead of 80%b reductions by 2050 as previously targeted

Link to the presentation we will be discussing and answering questions about on Thursday 20th Dec at the Cross Keys Llanfyllin high street

One School One Planet – Keys presentation 001

One School One Planet is a Sector39 led project over three years to find ways to link school curriculum, climate action and community development together, using permaculture. We feel you cant teaching about climate change and ecological problems without also responding to them. Showing how to respond the problem, whilst also exploring the nature of the problem itself.

Greta Thunberg COP24 from David Fopp on Vimeo.

Everyone should hear Greta thunberg’s speech at COP24.

South Sudan refugee project: Using Permaculture design to rebuild lives

maaji permaculture group
s39 team permaculture uganda
S39 Team Bidibidi

June to November have been a momentous time for our training teams here in Western Nile. In just 6 months we have been tasked with the challenge of introducing permaculture methods in this untamed region where refugees greatly outnumber the indigenous population.

In partnership with Norwegian Refugee Agency Sector39 has led a 6 month training program for refugees and host community members. Many of the trainees are not experienced farmers or gardeners, more typically cattle herders and grazers. Here in Western Nile they have been given a plot of land and challenged to supplement their basic food aid with what they can grow in kitchen gardens, using organic and permaculture approaches

This is a 15 minute narrated slideshow with thoughts about the final phase of the project with thoughts on how it can be best continued. (below)

Interviews and testimonies

This first interview is with NRC translator and host community member Julius, he has fully involved himself in the project although he wasn’t present at the initial training. He makes some very perceptive observations about the impact of the project and has taken on many of the ideas and insights himself as he can observe them working effectively.

Audio testimony from a Maaji 3 team member

Zone 4 BidiBidi have the aspiration of securing a 2 acre plot to develop a permaculture enterprise and demonstration center. The map below is the product of group discussion and consultation over several days. We have already worked together to create a small training plot right next to the church we have been using as a classroom.

We would hope very much to have the opportunity to support these pioneers over the establishment phases of this project.

Community liaison link and permaculture team member Rashida outlines the plan for a demonstration plot for Zone 4 Bidibidi

 

s39 permaculture
Sector39 training and action support team, Maaji, October 2018
Much elation on completing the training, hopefully just the beginning of much bigger things to come.

 

Food forest, perfect tropical permaculture

 

The permaculture team members Maaji settlement

Slides of the Maaji team design presentation

permaculture s39
A creative vision, Permaculture Training Centre Maaji, Uganda

Permaculture Training Centre Maaji

This audio track is a presentation from the members design team which focused on building and the carpentry skills as an enterprise within training centre sketched above.

Fuel Efficient Stove project

This slideshow and narration explores progress developing and promoting fuel efficient stoves with the community  members.

Next steps

Proposal: This  project would benefit from support for a minimum of two years.

– ambition is to establish a permaculture training centre which will transition into a stakeholder owned and managed fully independent enterprise.

exploring a training and Enterprise development model that can be self replicating and able to generate much of the resource need to sustain from within its own internal economy.

The vision is to work closely with the members from the training to create a new and wholly refugee (stakeholder) owned enterprise that will serve as a permaculture training and demonstration hub for the region. It would incubate several related enterprises that initially would be the service providers for the training centre.

Building livelihood, enterprise and food security is the aim and to create a thriving learning hub at the centre of this new emerging community. We envisage the centre acting as a hub for training and outreach across the Western Nile region, developing many of the resources and skills needed to create a shift in the prevailing methodology for food and livelihood security.

Project proposal summary document below

NRC S39 permaculture project outline

 

Kampala meeting, permaculture network meeting

The Sector39 team decided to hold a small networking meeting to develop Uganda networks and were graciously offered to host the meeting at St Augustine’s International University, by Prof. of agriculture Charles Ssekyewa. The Sector39 team consisting of Helen, Gerald, Ali, Steve and Grace organised the event and around 20 people
turned up, students, lecturers and people from other organisations that work in the regenerative/permaculture sector.
The meeting began at 2pm with Steve Jones opening with thoughts on permaculture work in UK, specifically food waste composting and linking that to horticulture training and community development in Wales.

Permaculture in development presentation This was followed by a presentation on the work of Sector 39 in conjunction with NRC on permaculture with refugees from South Sudan and host Ugandan communities. We developed a ten day training programme which was delivered to 40 people from the refugee and host community, who will in turn become advocates and trainers for their peers. The intention is to reach a further 200 people through a trainer of trainers programme.

The floor was then open for attendees to talk about their own projects. We heard from Eustace Sajjabi from AFIRD (Agency for Integrated) Rural Development and Kiyimba Mugagga, from SCOPE (Schools and Colleges Permaculture Programme) Uganda. They spoke about their work in permaculture
in schools and the work of creating school gardens and food forests to provide nutrition and knowledge to pupils and teachers. They also spoke of the need to bring permaculture into the curriculum of schools across the whole of Uganda, following in the examples of the work in the Zimbabwe schools curriculum.
We had associates from
Kulika Uganda, Magdelene Amujal and Harriet Ndagire. Kulika is an organisation working with small scale farmers to promote ecological and organic farming systems. They have a permaculture demo site in their offices in Kampala and are looking towards teaching
more about permaculture to their farmers.
Rogers Wasibi came from
Mbale to represent The Mount Elgon Coffee and Honey Cooperative. They have been working with the Size of Wales project to diversify the local community into agroforestry and reforestation projects in the hilly areas of Mount Elgon, where there is a large
coffee growing industry. Prices of coffee can fluctuate massively leaving people economically exposed. Coffee is an understory shrub so can work well in conjunction with other trees. Rogers is interested in learning more about permaculture and how it can help
his cooperative of honey and coffee producers.
We heard from Gerald Jagwe
and Hellen Aanyuaujo about their work on developing the first East African Permaculture Association. They are beginning to focus on creating regional hubs that can be representatives of all areas across Uganda. They are in the early stages of formation, but
it’s an exciting and inspiring idea to network permaculture graduates and teachers across Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya.
We also heard from Prof.
Charles Ssekyewa about the development of the new agriculture department at St Augustine’s University and their interest in organic systems and permaculture. There is a hope from Charles that this meeting won’t be the last and that this could be the beginning
of a regular yearly meet up.
We heard from Benoit Musabyimana
from BAC AGRITECH Ltd, a company in Rwanda. He is looking to begin organic waste recycling/composting centre in Kigali, using the compost to promote organic agriculture to local farmers.
We had around 6 agriculture
students from the University that were interested in finding out more about permaculture.
Michael Kanaabi, from
NACRRI (National crops resources and research institute) talked about the need for more research on permaculture farming to create quantitative data on permaculture for small/large scale farmers. There were also ideas floated around that would make use of
students looking for research projects that could help create that much needed hard data and evidence of the benefits of permaculture systems.There was also a note that there was a lack of examples of larger scale (10/20 acres) permaculture projects.
We thank everyone for
attending and a big thanks to Dr. Elizabeth Westaway for promoting this meeting on social media. We really hope to continue this next year and to build on ideas together in the future.

 

 

PDC new format

llanfyllin workhouse
Llanfyllin Workhouse in the Wales Borders region is an ideal venue for short courses and events

The Permaculture design certificate course is 80 hours of intensive study, practicals, demonstrations, site visits and group work that serves as a foundation in permaculture design. It is an essential, energising and life changing course for most participants.

Sector39 have been delivering these courses since 2006 reaching 100’s of people and in many locations and venues. The most tried and trusted format for this course is the two week residential course, that literally immerses participants in the permaculture ideas and practices and is designed to create a personal shift from ideas to action. I always like to say permaculture is much more something you do than something to talk about and the whole purpose of the course is to create a momentum or tipping point that propels people from aspirations of change to really making that happen.

However, for many two weeks is a prohibitively long time to take time out from work/ life commitments and increasingly it is hard for our facilitation team to commit in advance with many other commitments competing for attention. I have been thinking hard about how to get around this and to make the courses accessible to all, as well as wondering how to make the most of the great facilities and working permaculture projects and examples we have in our area here in Mid Wales.

4 Part rolling PDC:

The idea is to plan a rolling on-going course, spread over 4 long weekends a year that can serve as a refresher, an introduction or form part of a full PDC process. Sessions will run from Friday to Monday with a weekend in the middle that is open to all comers and will be themed around site visits, demonstrations and practical work as well as slots for people to present on their own projects, develop ideas and recruit participants.

A typical weekend might look like this:

  • Friday: 10.00 am to 6.00 pm. PDC sessions covering core syllabus areas working towards the certificate.
  • Friday evening, all Saturday – up til Sunday 4.00 pm: Permaculture action weekend. Open to all, past graduates and potential future participants.

Participants can therefore join at any stage of the course and those completing all 4 units will be awarded their Permaculture Design Certificate.

We are very keen to receive feedback and interests regarding this new proposed programme. Please get in touch

Practical Permaculture Videos

Using an A frame to find a level line for water trapment

From PDCUG18, a full permaculture design course at Sabina School, Kyotera, Uganda 2018.

Video filmed and edited by Nina Moon. Practical sessions led by Ritchie Stephenson and Grace Maycock for sector39 permaculture.

Permaculture Action, weekend workshops

@Llanfyllin Workhouse, led by Sector39

Permaculture Action Weekend Workshops
Due to the popularity of the PDC Non Residential Course field trips to Llanfyllin Workhouse over the years, S39 is now hosting the following Action Weekends:
  1. September 7, 8, 9th
  2. November 30th – Dec 2nd
  3. April 13, 14, 15th.
The Weekends will provide all previous PDC members from the residential and non-residential courses the opportunity to:
  • Reconnect with Permaculture Principles and utilise them in a practical way
  • Reunite with course colleagues and meet new ones from other groups
  • Follow the progress and development of the project through the changing seasons and years
  • Practice skills, learn new ones and engage purposefully in a positive way in nature
  • Spend time with like-minded people, share stories and information in a social setting
  • Move from thinking to doing, building confidence and experience by engaging with a developing site

The Action Weekend is £25 per person per night and includes Dinner, Bed and Breakfast at the Bunk House.

Lunches are not included but there are numerous places to go for midday meals in Llanfyllin as well as the option to have Lunch together on the Sunday at an additional cost of £10.00 per person. Participants are welcome to bring along any produce or beverages they wish to consume or share during Dinner and Breakfast at the Workhouse.
Depending on the response to these residential weekends, we may organise future larger scale events at the Workhouse such as a Harvest Party or Solstice Celebration to encourage our Permaculture Community to connect, grow and hopefully blossom into the future!

wh
Historic image of the Llanfyllin Workhouse

The Workhouse is a community owned historic building that literally used to be a poor house. Part of it is now a bunkhouse and it’s a fun place to stay for a weekend with a group of 10-15 people.

Image from our 2009 2 week PDC at the Workhouse

  • Workhouse bunkhouse is £15.00 per person per night
  • Sector39 donation for weekend £25.00 minimum

Food: Evening meal provided by Sector39, please bring and share your own produce or cooking for lunches, snack and to augment main meals.

Sunday roast in the Cain hotel Llanfyllin option also @ £10 extra

More on the venue:

http://www.the-workhouse.org.uk/

What is there to see in Llanfyllin area?

Sector39 and community partners have been advancing permaculture projects in the area for many years. As well as the magnificent Workhouse we have

  • Cae Bodfach heritage orchard
  • Garth Organic garden
  • Treflach farm
  • Tan y Fron Housing co-operative
  • Dragons Housing co-op and shop
  • Permanent Housing co-operative
  • One School One Planet project
  • Cross Keys community space
  • Cultivate horticulture project Newtown

and much more to visit and experience!

Permaculture for Development workers

For more effective humanitarian, refugee and international development programmes, please join Chris Evans, Gisele Henriques and Guests for the 5-day Permaculture for Development Workers (P4DW) course on 11th-16th September 2018 at Applewood Permaculture Centre, Herefordshire, UK:

https://www.facebook.com/ApplewoodPermacultureCentres/videos/2202180516721161/

Permaculture is the conscious and ethical application of ecological principles in the design of sustainable human habitats. This course aims to introduce the use of permaculture design to improve the appropriateness and effectiveness of “development” through the application of ecological principles and design processes to programme design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
Using case studies from different continents, and cutting edge development theory to illustrate how permaculture has been (and can be) successfully applied at all scales (household to community to larger regions), the course will provide an inspiring and pro-active set of tools to help international development-focused individuals, community-based organisations and non-governmental organisations run effective programmes.

https://www.applewoodcourses.com/uk_courses/permaculture-for-development-workers/

Join us in September 2018 and help transform the development paradigm with permaculture!
Please share this information widely throughout your networks.

Regretfully, there are no funds for scholarships/travel assistance.

Permaculture on the front line

Permaculture and refugees initiative is a Norwegian Refugee Council funded project, led by Sector39 training team.

Images from the third Action Support visit to the Maaji region of Northern Uganda.  Sector39 led on the training for these settlers in Uganda; in return for training and in field support the 20 participants are preparing to work as outreach permaculture trainers for their region. Each has the target to reach 5 more individuals in the region and to support them to set up their own training and demonstration plot to support the uptake of permaculture design ideas and techniques.

In support of this work Sector39 are developing a training manual that focuses on the Holmgren permaculture principles and ethics.  Permaculture is a design system for solving problems, not a set of techniques to be blindly replicated.  We hope that individual trainers will learn how to adapt ideas to fit individual circumstances. So far there has been a great deal of enthusiasm for the work and many participants have already been successful in reaching out to and recruiting the next tier level of trainers.

Here is the first draft version, we plan to translate this into 5 languages.

b4This is a new approach to training in these circumstances. The intention is to create pathways from reliance on external aid donations to resilient communities meeting much of their own needs from local resources.

Green team, ready to take permaculture to the masses

Another awesome moment to witness, the zeal and commitment from these Gentlemen and Ladies. They are now a part of the “Green Warriors” ready to take on the bull by the horns. Well done S39 team and yes NRC, much appreciation for keeping the promise. Gerald Jagwe, S39 trainer

https://www.gofundme.com/refugee-enterprise-support?sharetype=teams&member=496036&rcid=r01-153744812937-ab3544e92efd4e8f&pc=ot_co_campmgmt_w