Decolonizing Permaculture.

Decolonizing Permaculture. Sylvia DiBlasio wrote an article with this title. It needs to rip through the Permaculture Community worldwide. See the link below for her article and invitation to connect.?

As I stated in Issue #2 of Abell’s EcoVerse, Permaculture is a white man’s term to define his slow dawning understanding of natural systems that is endemic to all Indigenous and many marginalized people. Bill Mollison was a brilliant scientist, but he has been lionized to the exclusion of far more ancient cultures, including the Northern Europeans.

?I use the word endemic as we do in gardening, meaning “it never really went away” - like a weed, which is a good thing. Weeds are usually undervalued, highly nutritious and medicinal plants. A good read on this is a book by Susun Weed titled, Dare to Be a Green Witch.

Like the colonized and marginalized people around the world, the weeds are thankfully still here (mostly) and are already rich in knowledge. We have much to learn by befriending, assisting without inserting our “knowledge”, and speaking up for those under attack by colonization. Transparency here: my personal experience is that all living things are sentient. I speak of people, plants and animals on equal footing in this statement.

So: Permaculturalists have largely run off to isolated intentional rural communities and left urbanites to fend for themselves. I’m not saying Permaculture isn’t needed in rural areas- just that it was founded by white Australians and has been almost exclusively shared with other white people through a system of paid classes, college grade literature, and buddy networks that never reach outside their comfort zones.

So my fellow Permies, here’s a place to start or continue your allied education:

pine bark colored preying mantis getting ready to lay her eggs. photo by Lisa Abell

https://www.permaculturewomen.com/decolonising-permaculture/ a newsletter where women can connect and reclaim their innate knowledge and wisdom without needing to “Certify” as a Permaculturalist

https://www.permaculturewomen.com/silviadiblasio/ Sylvia DiBlasio on People Inclusive Permaculture

https://workthatreconnects.org/user/gracelynn-lau/ Grace Lynn Lau on healing from colonialism.?

Painting of ChickaDee by Lisa Abell

5 Black-Owned Urban Farms:

1. Three Part Harmony

This small-scale agroecological farm is located on a 2-acre bit of land in northeast Washington, DC. Owned and operated by Gail Taylor, Three Part Harmony supplies both community and school gardens.

1. True Living Well Center for Natural Urban Agriculture

Committed to cultivating good food, good health, and well-being to Atlanta’s urban community, True Living Well Center’s mission is to feed people right where they live. Atlanta’s most well-known urban farm, they have year-round farmers’ markets, as well as training programs that offer personal gardening assistance.

3. Mill Creek Farm

Founded in 2008, Mill Creek Farm has brought fresh produce to West Philadelphia for years. After acknowledging the need for basic resources in the area, Mill Creek Farm became dedicated to cultivating a healthy environment. They work with neighbors to provide fresh produce and educate others on the benefits of growing food yourself.

4. Wood Street Urban Farm

The Chicago Urban Agriculture Mapping Project has established more than 800 growing sites. One of the more popular sites is the Growing Home’s Wood Street Urban Farm Stand. Growing Home has been growing fresh produce and providing opportunities to underprivileged individuals for years.

5. Five Seeds Farm

Family-owned and operated, this Baltimore urban farm focuses on the idea that “true food security is achieved when you control your own food.” They supply fresh foods to restaurants, farm stands, and more. Five Seeds Farm is committed to bringing fresh produce to people who need it.

I cannot find the author of this information, but it was contained in an article in BlackBusiness.com

For Nashvillians: Thomas Brand, Plano Produce, Downtown Farmer’s Market

Decolonizing Permaculture. Start with Your Sweet Self Sister.