Working with nature: reflecting on our permaculture workshop

There couldn't have been a better day to explore permaculture than the final weekend of winter. Under beautiful blue skies, we gathered at the Bloom at Doon market on Saturday 29 August for our Introduction to the 12 Principles of Permaculture workshop with Kylie Smith.

It was a wonderful opportunity to slow down, learn and think about how we can work with the natural world around us to create productive, resilient and beautiful places.

The 12 principles of permaculture

Kylie took us through the 12 principles of permaculture, exploring how they can be applied in practical and accessible ways.

One of the things that makes permaculture so valuable is that it isn't limited to a particular type or size of property. The same principles can be applied on a large farm, in a suburban backyard or even on a small balcony.

At its heart, permaculture encourages us to look at what we already have, understand the systems around us and work with nature rather than against it. This is something that closely aligns with the work we do through Landcare.

For Landcare, much of our work is about recognising and working with the natural assets already present in our landscapes. By understanding our environment and using resources thoughtfully, we can support healthy ecosystems while also creating productive and aesthetically pleasing places to live and farm.

Permaculture also offers benefits beyond the physical landscape. Taking the time to observe, connect with nature, grow food, work with our hands and think creatively about the spaces around us can all contribute to our sense of connection and wellbeing.

Small changes, big ideas

One of the highlights of the workshop was the practical approach Kylie brought to the principles. Rather than being something that needs to be complicated or overwhelming, permaculture can begin with very simple actions.

Kylie left participants with a weekly challenge for each of the 12 principles, encouraging us to put what we'd learned into practice.

Some challenges were as simple as observing your space before making changes. Taking a little time to understand what is already happening – where the sun falls, where water collects, what is growing and what wildlife is visiting – can help us make better decisions about what comes next.

Other challenges encouraged us to think about how we can reuse and recycle what we already have.

These small actions can change the way we look at our homes, gardens and farms, helping us to see opportunities and resources that might otherwise be overlooked.

Continuing the conversation

The conversation didn't end when the workshop did!

Following the session, Kylie and Rhiannon from Up2Us joined Mansfield Community Radio Inc. 99.7 for a chat about all things Landcare, Kylie's passion for permaculture and her farm, Compounded Pastures.

It was a lovely opportunity to continue the conversation about how permaculture and Landcare intersect, and how the principles we explored can be applied to the places where we live and work.

A huge thank you to Kylie for sharing her knowledge, enthusiasm and practical ideas, and to everyone who joined us at Bloom at Doon.

We hope participants left with not only a better understanding of the 12 principles of permaculture, but also a few new ideas to try at home – and perhaps a different way of looking at the landscape around them. 🌿

Observe. Connect. Work with nature. Start small.

This project is supported by the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority through funding from the Victorian Landcare Grants and the Victorian Landcare Program.