I’ve been learning about permaculture from an Australian couple visiting here. CGT is working with them to try to develop a healthy and sustaining eco system that benefits everyone. The concept stems from a healthy forest model. They farm land so that it will have the greatest yield for years to come. Thus, permaculature = permanent agriculture. This is quite cutting edge and has proven to work great once people catch on and develop their land and natural resources in this way. It’s all organic, working with only natural resources, which produces better food crops, healthier soil and better the entire environment. I have found it quite fascinating. When I do finally settle down, I’m interested in having a permaculture garden of my own, but more importantly this concept can revolutionize an indigious people. Many unmodernized tribes are not able to survive when industry and commercialism sweep through their land. People groups that were once thriving now are faced with deforestation and a demand for money. Permaculture can give an advantage to these people.
CGT has some mountainous land that they are using as a test site to see how well the permaculture idea works for the Ahka. We spent a day digging a ditch that follows the contour of the land and will work as a way of retaining water. The area we were working was beautiful. Mountain views in every direction sparsely spotted with teak and grass huts. The digging work was not easy as the slope was quite steep and covered in slippery, high grass. In the morning and afternoon I helped by driving a pickup truck to bring children to work on the land. The dirt, rugged roads clung to the sides and peaks of the steep mountains. It was quite a responsibility driving those kids, but I really enjoyed it.
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