Permaculture as a Catalyst for Agroforestry Adoption Perennial Production Systems on Diversified Farms Dr. Rafter Sass Ferguson Dr. Sarah Taylor Lovell Multifunctional Landscape Analysis and Design Lab University of Illinois at Urbana-Champagin multifunctionallandscape.com North American Agroforestry Conference 2015 Ames, Iowa
Overview Introduction What is permaculture? Objectives Methods Results & Discussion Synthesis
permanent ~ agriculture A Perennial Agriculture for Human Settlement David Holmgren Bill Mollison Founded 1975
international distribution Projects on Permaculture Global http://permacultureglobal.org/projects
912 Responses to 2012 web survey (English only) Grassroots Engagement with Transition to Sustainability: Diversity and Modes of Participation in the International Permaculture Movement. Ferguson RS, ST Lovell. (In Press) Ecology and Society.
the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems. Mollison 1988, p. ix Permaculture for agroecology: design, movement, practice, worldview. A review. Ferguson RS & Lovell ST, 2014. Agronomy for Sustainable Development 34:2, pp 251-274.
PRACTICES CONCEPTS AGROECOLOGY many distinctive elements common elements agroforestry agrobiodiversity semi-natural landscape elements PERMACULTURE distinctive approach or emphasis design framework land use & livelihood diversity synergies between components multifunctionality nutrient cycling reduced tillage biological pest control crop rotation intercropping alternative crops perennial polycultures integrated water mgmt
Overview Introduction What is permaculture? Objectives Methods Results & Discussion Synthesis
How are permaculture farmers assembling livelihoods around diversified and alternative production? Quantify the nature and scope of income diversification: perennial production systems, other production and nonproduction enterprises Quantify adoption of AF practices for farmstead and commercial use Synthesis: does permaculture play a role in catalyzing adoption and supporting producers?
Overview Introduction What is permaculture? Objectives Methods Results & Discussion Synthesis
Methods Data Collection
Field Research: Jun 2013 - Jan 2014 48 sites 5-12 hours / visit crowdfunded at $10,000 / 175 donors
Field Research: Jun 2013 - Jan 2014 48 sites 5-12 hours / visit crowdfunded at $10,000 / 175 donors
Methods Analysis 1. Characterization - farm characteristics - agroecosystem mapping (ongoing) 2. Classification and clustering (3. Modeling returns to labor)
Overview Introduction What is permaculture? Objectives Methods Results & Discussion Synthesis
Results and Discussion Characterization
Scale Gross Income Acres in Production $2000 - $800,000 farm-based income 1.5-1500 acres in production
Age and Experience Years Farming Age of Farm 2-40 years of farming experience 1-100 year old farms
Agroecosystem mapping (ongoing) OR TN 14 ha 0.6 prod CA 1 22 ha 3.3 prod 28 ha 5.6 prod VA CA 2 3 ha 1.8 prod 779 ha 483 prod
OR seed production 28 ha 5.6 prod open and woodland pasture mixed annual/perennial
TN 14 ha 0.6 prod multi-species silvopasture forest garden w/ poultry water management
22 ha 3.3 prod 40 ac 30 prod water management pollination services water mgmt/terracing
VA annual production 3 ac 1.8 prod contour cultivation mixed annual/perennial drip irrigation & low tunnel
CA 2 779 ha 483 prod large up-slope reservoir orchard silvopasture rangeland
Prevalence of AF practices on 48 permaculture sites for home and commercial use
Results and Discussion Clustering
Clustering of 36 farms based on distribution of gross income across enterprises classes $300K Enterprise class $200K cultural material animal $100K perennial annual $0 cultural/ production animal base cultural service base small mixed production integrated production mixed
Overview Introduction What is permaculture? Objectives Methods Results & Discussion Synthesis: catalyzing adoption and supporting producers
Permaculture farmers are...
Permaculture farmers are... implementing AF at a high rate
Permaculture farmers are... implementing AF at a high rate managing highly multifunctional landscapes
Permaculture farmers are... implementing AF at a high rate managing highly multifunctional landscapes facing same hostile environment as other AF producers and diversifed farms
Permaculture farmers are... implementing AF at a high rate managing highly multifunctional landscapes facing same hostile environment as other AF producers and diversifed farms using a familiar set of strategies to survive (non-production enterprises)
Neither magic wand nor pyramid scheme!
Neither magic wand nor pyramid scheme! Permaculture is not...
Neither magic wand nor pyramid scheme! Permaculture is not... enabling farmers to simply avoid or overwhelm the constraints of a hostile environment
Neither magic wand nor pyramid scheme! Permaculture is not... enabling farmers to simply avoid or overwhelm the constraints of a hostile environment Permaculture is...
Neither magic wand nor pyramid scheme! Permaculture is not... enabling farmers to simply avoid or overwhelm the constraints of a hostile environment Permaculture is... fostering the narratives and values that inspire and motivate AF & diversified producers
Neither magic wand nor pyramid scheme! Permaculture is not... enabling farmers to simply avoid or overwhelm the constraints of a hostile environment Permaculture is... fostering the narratives and values that inspire and motivate AF & diversified producers providing social capital for cultural enterprises (i.e. education)
Neither magic wand nor pyramid scheme! Permaculture is not... enabling farmers to simply avoid or overwhelm the constraints of a hostile environment Permaculture is... fostering the narratives and values that inspire and motivate AF & diversified producers providing social capital for cultural enterprises (i.e. education) connecting farmers with communities and networks
Thank you. Acknowledgements The Agroecology Scholars Program and the JB Turner Fellowship The Multifunctional Landscape Analysis and Design Lab Group My lab assistant Devin Renee Jen All 175 donors to my field research All 48 farmers who took the time to participate
Results Model