I'm off to Cloud Cuckoo Land Festival now, but thought I'd better whack this presentation I did at the London Permaculture Festival up first. I gives a brief history of United Diversity plus details of our exciting plans going forward. The sound isn't too good so when I get the time I'll do a full transcript with links any everything, but for now, enjoy! … [Read more...]
Josef’s Journey to John O’Groats
Since this journey has ended up being a major milestone in the development of United Diversity I though I had better re-post this write up I did for the Brake The Cycle blog here too. Enjoy! (note: click on images to enlarge) Last month I cycled about 1200 miles, from the south-easternmost tip of mainland England (Land's End) up to the north-westernmost tip of mainland Scotland (John O'Groats). I thus completed one half of the Brake the Cycle End to End challenge! :) It was the UK's coldest … [Read more...]
What is Permaculture?
We've written before about Permaculture Principles, and the video above is a great intro, but what exactly is Permaculture anyway? Wikipedia says: "Permaculture is an approach to designing human settlements and agricultural systems that are modelled on the relationships found in natural ecologies." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permaculture The Permaculture Association says on its homepage: "Permaculture works with nature to make a better world for all. By observing the natural world we can … [Read more...]
Email to Toby Hemenway re: Piracy
NOTE: I've had a series of increasingly great responses from Toby - please see the comments Toby Hemenway, a leading permaculture author sent me a message with very very thinly veiled threat to sue me for including his great book Gaia's Garden here https://files.uniteddiversity.com/Permaculture/ (someone else has also put it up on Scribd) Here is the text of his message: at https://files.uniteddiversity.com/Permaculture/ you have a pirated copy of my book, Gaia's Garden. My publisher, Chelsea … [Read more...]
The London Orchard Project
I love this project. "The London Orchard Project is a fresh initiative promoting orchards and fruit trees in London. We are working with Londoners to plant and harvest apple, pear and plum trees all over the city, and help us all to rediscover the pleasure of eating home-grown fruit." Please help them raise funds to expand their fantastic work and for more info visit their great website. Inspired? Why not start your own food project? … [Read more...]
Community Algae Lab
Algae! A truly green crop for a sustainable future. Scenedesmus algae bottles We are the Shipyard algae lab community. We have created the world’s first community algae lab for the development of open-source, DIY-oriented algae technology, to facilitate the co-operative pursuit of this new form of agriculture — and we invite you to come learn how to raise algae and transform them into exciting products! … [Read more...]
Will The Brixton Pound Buy A Brighter Future?
by Leo Hickman Tomorrow the Transition Town movement launches a currency designed to boost local trade and bring communities closer together A Brixton market stallholder . . . 'It's Monopoly money,' says one. 'I won't be having anything to do with it'. Photograph: Graeme Robertson It has all the makings of a taxing pub quiz question: what links dub poet Linton Kwesi Johnson, environmental scientist James Lovelock, black civil rights activist Olive Morris and comedian Chris Morris with … [Read more...]
Sheet Mulching: Greater Plant and Soil Health for Less Work
Sheet Mulching by Craig Elevitch and Kim Wilkinson - Permanent Agriculture Resources Why Mulch? Agriculture with mulch in the tropics promotes plant health and vigor. Mulching improves nutrient and water retention in the soil, encourages favorable soil microbial activity and worms, and suppresses weed growth. When properly executed, mulching can significantly improve the well-being of plants and reduce maintenance as compared to bare soil culture. Mulched plants have better vigor and, … [Read more...]
Why use Compost Tea?
Compost tea is used for two reasons: To inoculate microbial life into the soil or onto the foliage of plants, and to add soluble nutrients to the foliage or to the soil to feed the organisms and the plants present. The use of compost tea is suggested any time the organisms in the soil or on the plants are not at optimum levels. Chemical-based pesticides, fumigants, herbicides and some synthetic fertilizers kill a range of the beneficial microorganisms that encourage plant growth, while compost … [Read more...]
City Repair LA
Mark Lakeman stares down the new Bimini Street salamander.Portland architect and activist Mark Lakeman, founder of the City Repair movement, is in Los Angeles for a week of lectures and activities. Lakeman believes in actions that correct what he believes is our disassociation from nature and our alienation from each other. He's a passionate opponent of the grid, the imposition of street networks and regimented thinking that he traces back to Roman imperialism. He's probably most famous for … [Read more...]
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