Global research network

I'm looking forward to the harvesting of ideas from the PIRN (Permaculture International Research Network) meeting on Thursday. Chris Warburton-Brown will share with us all in October. More about the Network in the link shared by Graham.

Some of the discussions were continued today too. Research was chosen as a theme of interest by several people. We were asked to review where we are now, challenges, and opportunities, and to suggest what we would like to achieve over the convergence and what we would like support with.

Several key ideas that came out of these early discussions are:
* Making research accessible for practitioners to understand. We recognise that the Permaculture Digest 'translates' recent academic articles into normal English. permaculture-research.blogspot.co.uk/

* Finding research papers: scholar.google.co.uk/ works just like google but searches published papers and books. It often links to an online .pdf. If you have to pay for it, first send a polite email to the 'corresponding author' (usually noted on the first page) expressing your interest. Most often they will be happy to send you a copy.


* How is research something that we can all be involved with? It shouldn't be something that academics "do" to others, but a beneficial, leaning experience on all sides. It should be beneficial to all those who take part in it.

* Can we evidence existing permaculture practice? We recognise that there is a lot of evidence and information already existing but held within discreet topic areas. As an example of how this could be done - to examine the content of the PDC by recruiting experts in each of the areas to look at the existing academic evidence in their subject areas that might underpin (or contradict) this.


What are your ideas? Do you agree with this? Feel free to share your thoughts and comments.

: )
Naomi

Hi Bob,
that is so true! For example, I would like to investigate polycultures but traditional (academic) approaches just can't cope with the range of variables that would come from investigating polycultures in 10 different people's gardens/farms and instead needs to have 10 plots where any other thing that could affect the results (like soil, temperature, moisture, light, how often they are harvested etc.) are kept exactly the same. My feeling is that then the 'controlled' results don't well represent the real-world. We desperately need some tools that are more flexible! This is a big challenge.

For your other point, are you saying that you think having more student projects working with practitioners is a good way forward? Perhaps a system where practitioners say how they are using land and what they would like investigated, that links to universities/students who are interested in studying that? With the results shared back online? That would be really cool! Student dissertation projects are guided by an experienced academic, so would draw on that expertise in research design too and help build those connections. I'll feed that back into the discussions here at the IPC this afternoon.

: )
Naomi

There are 3 groups I am to varying degrees connected with that are doing research and documenting the science. One is Savanna Institute in Champaign, Illinois. This group was started by Kevin Woltz 3 years ago who is doing his PHD with the University of Illinois. His research is based on Mark Shepards book Restoration Agriculture. He started out with 5 acres on campus as a demonstration site and has 25 or more sites in 3 states documenting results.

Another one is PFI Practical Farmers of Iowa. The founder did a 3 year research project on corn and soy comparing input costs and profit using unsustainable practices versus some sustainable practices, the results were unsustainable practices averaged $600 plus/acre loss versus $160 plus/acre profit. There are over 300 members who are members and following suite. Farmers helping farmers. Joel Salatin has lectured with them.

I am most active with BFI Bionutrient Food Association founded by Dan Kitridge of Massachusetts. There are over 100 practicing farmers documenting real science points growing nutrient dense food at optimum production levels i.e. 1,200 pounds of tomatoes from a single plant.

I am just getting started with consulting with corn and soy farmers to start their transition to sustainable practices. Without changing their mono crops getting them to key-line plow, cover crop, add locally sources amendments (rock dust from quarries)based on soil tests that specialize in complete soil analysis as outlined in the BFI program. This first part of the transition is to increase profits and get them to see success at least in of of their fields. Once they SEE the results they will want to incorporate it into additional fields and from there we can continue the transition process to regenerative farming.

Part of the plan is to work with universities in Michigan (to start) who will partner with farmers and land owners to grow Industrial Hemp. Early this year S.A.R.E. approved all universities in the USA to grow Industrial Hemp for research purposes. Industrial Hemp is known to remediate soil and can be part of the transition process. One part of the plant is used in hempcrete which can also benefit farmers by having a use for it on site to insulate their pole barns.

I am a Permaculture Designer trained and certified by Koreen Brennan. Certified by Mark Sheppard on Restoration Agriculture. Certified Member of the Bio Nutrient Food Association and soon to be certified in Hempcrete sourcing, making and installing. I am the CEO of ALARM America Land Acquisition and Restoration Management, CEO of Legacy Design ("Sustainable Civilization Designers") and CEO of ECO Earthworks Construction Organization.

I am in the process of closing on a 34 acre property in Onaway, Michigan as headquarters for my 3 companies and a research/demonstration/education site. My first target is to find those farmers in the northern 22 counties of Michigan who are open to transition and start the education and consulting process.

I am a researcher who links with the real world.
I am not interested in evaluating the techniques taught in the PDC. I believe they are a good start for anyone new and have personally been enlighted by what Koreen has taught.

It appears there are more Groups that have networks and research going on in various practices and locations. Those designated as demonstration sites or plan to be could be used to enhance research.

Results in terms of statistics that measure defined valuable final products are the evidence of good practices around Permaculture. I would not suggest climate change be a part of this as it would be a long term statistical analysis that is from my point of view a sub-product and a side benefit. I do understand that it is extremely important and the data can be accessed in the future through the weather reporting agencies that currently do this.