Permaculturist Returns to Vineyard

The word permaculture is a portmanteau of permanent agriculture, and describes a set of design principles that utilize the relationships inherent in natural systems to increase the sustainability and self-sufficiency of everything from a vegetable patch to a working farm to a human settlement. While the term itself was coined in the 1970s, many of the core ideas of permaculture draw upon the techniques used by ancient and indigenous cultures, and so it is only appropriate that Sassafras Earth Education would host an evening with Dick Pierce, one of the country’s premiere permaculture design specialists. According to Mr. Pierce, “Permaculture is about designing and living more sustainably — using nature as the model and grand designer. It starts with knowledge of [your] ‘place’ and patient/long-term observation of nature.”

The talk is this Saturday, Sept. 12 at the Island Co-housing Common House in West Tisbury, and is free and open to all. For details on the talk, call Sassafras director Saskia Vanderhoop at 508-645-2008, or visit sassafrasmvy.org/site/welcome.html.

Additionally, Mr. Pierce will be teaching an intensive 12-day permaculture design course at the youth hostel in West Tisbury beginning at noon on Monday, Sept. 14 and running through Sept. 25, from 9 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. each day. Cost for the course is $600, with discounts for seniors, two-in-a-family and full-time Islanders. For details on the course, visit dickpiercedesigns.com.