22 Jun, 2020 | Permafund News
In 2018 the Integrated Rural Development Society (IRDS) of the Salem District, Tamil Nadu successfully applied for a Permfund micro grant to conduct training workshops for 50 tribal farmers from the Mannur, Alamarathukadu, and Poomarathupatti villages in the Kalrayan Hills.
Farmers with an interest in permaculture and new agriculture methods were identified with the help of farmer leaders before being introduced to the project’s goals and main activities.
Seed varieties shared during workshop
A series of workshops were conducted covering permaculture and organic agriculture methods to maximise return from the same land in multiple ways, the control of weeds by intercropping, making liquid fertiliser to increase micro-organisms in the soil and water harvesting to improve soil moisture.
Liquid fertiliser demonstration
Seeds and seedlings were distributed to increase the diversity of vegetable and indigenous grain crops being cultivated. The project has helped the farmers lessen their reliance on outside inputs and improve their harvests for better food security.
Intercropping increasing yields
On behalf of the tribal farmers, the IRDS team has expressed their sincere thanks to Permaculture Australia and Permafund for the partnership, cooperation and support that’s enabled the organisation to implement this important project in their community.
The activities of the Integrated Rural Development Society include raising awareness of the importance of protective, preventive health practices including providing clean drinking water and good sanitation. Other major issues addressed by the organisation are the empowerment of women, environmental protection, HIV and AIDS awareness and health development through alternate medical practices such as naturopathy and yoga practices.
Tax deductible donations to Permafund support permaculture-oriented projects like this in Australia and overseas.
For more information please contact permafund@permacultureaustralia.org.au.
A variety of crops fill the fields
5 Jun, 2020 | Permafund News
Farmers working plots as small as a third of an acre have agreed to implement permaculture techniques as part of a matched grant program around Begnas Lake in Nepal.
Hillside farms overlook Begnas Lake
With the Nepal Permaculture Group they are creating a local hub for a network of farmers who are cooperating to discover and demonstrate the advantages of organic farming.
In the 2018-19 grant round Permafund helped kick off a farm improvement project with a workshop for farmers in the Kashki district.
The main objectives of the workshop were to:
- introduce people involved in permaculture and similar philosophies to the network and provide a forum for sharing their expertise and experience.
- identify the skills in the networks of organic food marketing in Nepal
- find ways to establish an organic produce & market network in Pokhara
- build a local Resource Centre to promote permaculture and related philosophies
- work as a pressure group to advocate and lobby for a more sustainable society.
The farmers produce fruit, vegetables, medicinal herbs and livestock
Beekeeping adds to the mix of produce
The farmers agreed to
- continue to improve their farms for at least seven years while also receiving technical and other support from the state government,
- coordinate and collaborate with other farmers in their areas,
- keep records on costs and benefits to help analyse the difference between a conventional & a model farm
- base their work on organic and permaculture principles
- to report on their farm’s progress on a quarterly basis
- to establish their farms as model farms in their area with at least two farms to be utilised as local resource centres.
The support from Permafund has helped the Nepal Permaculture Group coordinate the resource centre and model farm initiative which is encouraging and empowering farmers and inspiring their communities.
Livestock plays a key role
All contributions to Permafund, whether single or recurring donations, are very much appreciated. For more information please contact the Permafund team permafund@permacultureaustralia.org.au
4 May, 2020 | Permafund News
In the 2018-19 grant round, Permafund supported the Women’s Organisation for Rural Development (WORD) in India with a micro-grant for their project to help marginal farmers cultivate grains and indigenous millets and create a seed bank for future crops.
Based in the Indian Namakkal District of Tamil Nadu, the project reached 225 farmers in targeted villages where rain-fed agriculture is predominant. In the growing season 150 farmers were provided with sorghum and millet to cultivate on their land and 75 farmers sowed maize. All of the harvests improved food security for the villages.
Harvested seeds saved for the next crop
The farmers’ harvest returned double the quantity of grains and millet seeds to WORD’s seed bank ready for the July 2020 to February 2021 growing season.
The Women’s Organisation for Rural Development has expressed their sincere thanks to Permaculture Australia’s Permafund for their support and partnership with WORD and the farmers in their area.
WORD officially formed in 1991 based on an 80’s movement of young women inspired by the spirit of the Gandhian Boodan Movement of the 60’s. That movement had attempted to persuade wealthy landowners to voluntarily give a percentage of their land to landless people.
Among the motivations for WORD has been the appalling plight of the Dalits, who are among the most marginalised and deprived populations. Another challenge is the rising degradation and depletion of the natural resources which marginal villages rely on for their livelihoods.
One off and recurring donations to Permafund are assisting community-oriented organisations like this in Australia and around the world.
For more information please contact the Permafund team at permafund@permacultureaustralia.org.au
2 Oct, 2015 | Permafund News
So here it is… an open invitation to spend the weekend of 21-22 November in a superb permaculture homestead… your opportunity to meet fellow permies and the Permafund Committee to brainstorm how best we can help others.
WHEN: Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 November 2015
(Arrive Friday afternoon and depart Sunday afternoon)
WHERE: Valley’s End Farm – NSW Central Coast – Jilliby, NSW 2259
The upcoming Annual Permafund Meetup — Gathering Momentum is a rare opportunity for the existing Permafund Committee and its supporters to gather in one space, share our stories, reflect on our progress, refresh our purpose and discuss the directions Permafund is to take in the near future.
Let’s admit it too, it is pure joy to be able to see one another, talk permaculture and aid work, enjoy some nice food and share whatever we have to help others.
The Gathering is also a wide-open-door for new people to come along, share their thoughts, skills, time, and have a good time too.
Permafund at a glance
Permafund is the committee that manages the registered charity of Permaculture Australia.
Since 2012, it has supplied supporting funds in the form of grants to over 15 projects overseas and at home. Funding is provided on application, each is assessed on need, on their alignment with permaculture principles and ethics and on their viability.
We ask the question “What does good Permaculture aid look like?”
Permafund is about ‘sharing the surplus’, whether it is money or time:
- money — in the form of donations, is redistributed to permaculture-worthy projects that have the potential to drastically help communities in need, both overseas and at home
- time — is what the Permafund crew is offering in managing the charity, the incoming donations and the fair redistribution through our grants process.
Activities planned for the Gathering (the basis of an agenda)
- invite new members and ideas
- appraisal of the 2015 grants funded work and reflection on the directions for 2016-2017
- report back on IPCUK and conversations with other groups
- review of Permafund’s volunteer administration, processes and general organisation
- workshop ‘village planning design’ — this mini workshop will explore the usefulness of this permaculture tool in aid work
- Permafund in Haiti — considering the ongoing work options
- skype calls to key stakeholders including recipients of past grants.
Permafund Committee: John Champagne, John McKenzie, Boyd Attewell, Jed Walker, Virginia Littlejohn, Christine Carroll, Alexia Martinez, Bruce Zell, Miles Durand, Sarah Gorman.
Venue
Valley’s End Farm – a Permaculture Homestead
Jilliby NSW 2259 (address supplied upon registration)
Tel: 02 4355 1275
www.valleysendfarm.net
Valley’s End is a permaculture homestead in its third year of establishment. It features animal systems, extensive veggie patch, fruit forest, pastures, forests and lots of wildlife.
The homestead is located on the NSW Central Coast, 10 minutes to Wyong train station and shops, 20 minutes from the beach. Walking tracks start from the property which is backed by the Jilliby State Conservation Area and the Watagans State Forest.
Accommodation
The homestead can accommodate up to six people inside the house and an almost unlimited number outside in tents, combi vans or caravans! There is ample parking space.
The house is on rainwater tanks and there is an outdoor compost toilet.
Food
Easy wholefood lunches and dinners prepared by our host.
Depending on the final number of participants, we may require some outside catering. To be confirmed.
Telecommunications
There is a faint mobile coverage with the Optus network, slightly better with Telstra… but, we have ADSL2+ so you’ll be able to update your facebook page and skype your mates!
How to get there
Train: Get off at Wyong Station on the Central-Newcastle line and we’ll pick you up, or someone else would.
Drive: Drive to Tuggerah M1 exit then turn left (Yarramalong). At the next T-intersection, turn right (Wyong, Dooralong, Wyee). Then take Hue Hue Road heading towards Dooralong/Wyee. At the Jilliby Cemetery, turn left on Jilliby Road. The homestead is a few kms down the road.
Participation fees
The host will provide all meals, plus some transportation as well as the use of the facilities. We ask that a contribution of up to $50 per person be paid to compensate for these expenses.
What to bring
- sleeping bag
- camera
- snacks you can’t live without
- broad brim hat, sunscreen, insect repellent
- your own medication including epi-pens
- notebook & pen
- any presentation you may like to give.
[button_link url=”http://permacultureaustralia.org.au/2015/10/05/2015-permafund-meetup-registration-form/” target=”_blank” style=”blue” title=”” class=”” id=”” onclick=””]Register now[/button_link]
5 Jun, 2014 | People in Permaculture
Lessons Learnt Report — Permaculture, Livelihood and Nutrition Project, Sri Lanka
Supported by World Vision 2008-2012.
Report prepared for International Permaculture Conference Cuba 2013 by John McKenzie & Sarah Gorman
Here is a very good read on how permaculture improved livelihood and nutrition of rural householders in Sri Lanka…
Summary
The aim of the Permaculture Project was to improve farm yields for small-holder farmers in rural districts of Sri Lanka. The project promoted mixed crop food gardens and animal raising to improve household nutrition and offer micro-enterprise opportunities. The project was funded for four years and targeted a selected 1156 smallholder households in six different districts.
Participating households received training using adult education techniques such as farm visits, farmer group meetings, training workshops and leader farmer mentoring. Direct benefits were provided; seed, chickens, fruit trees and cement for building sanitation improvements. A small number of cows and goats were supplied to each community as a start-up grant to establish Animal Banks. Each household decided for themselves how they’d implement their improvements and how they’d use the crop yield either for home consumption or for sale.
Findings
The participating households were keen supporters of the project. Near 87 % of households surveyed reported the project had assisted them and they would be continuing the techniques. Many households reported their food gardens were producing all the vegetables they needed plus surplus to share or sell.
In all six project communities the farmers had begun organising themselves and groups were forming around seed saving, animal banks and leader farmers. They spoke about networking with each other to share and increase their effectiveness, about forming local registered organisations and the possibility of forming a national organisation to promote seed saving and food gardens. The training was nominated by the participants as the project’s most useful element.
The evaluation posed the question; “Were they ready for the project to move to another community?” In each of the community meetings held the response was positively that they had the knowledge and enough organisation to continue the work themselves and project staff could move to another district and teach them there.
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