Class 3 - Food

Today we stepped out of the classroom again to visit the neighboring South Coast Farm that is situated right next to the Ecology Center.  I believe its a 2 acre farm that grows many different types of vegetables for distribution and sale throughout the community.  The owners have success in their business however their main expense is the cost of water for their property.  Recent re-zoning and water laws have increased the cost of their water exponentially.  For this they are looking into other solutions to harvest/source water.

Before continuing our food discussion, Evan wanted to ensure we had a clear understanding of a few key terms:

Agroecology - study of sustainable agriculture food systems within Ecology and Permaculture

Annuals - one year cycle, mostly vegetables, energy intensive

Perenial - longer lived, herbs, lower maintenance

Garden - typically be hand, diversity
Farm - mechanization, larger scale

Biodynamics - cosmic system for growing, (ie moon cycle) looking at micro elements also with the integration of animals

Organic - not using synthetic pesticides, herbicides that are chemically based

Biointensive - traditional European gardening (Alan Chadwick and John Jevans)

High cultivation and high yield - double digging, companion planting

Integrated Pest Management - if pests are present, observe first, find relationships between pests and predators

Cover crops - specific plants that feed our soil not necessarily us, planting these before rains/winters, wheats, grasses, legumes (not harvesting for 1/4 of year) cover cops at least once a year (you can also do this with green manure)

Biological Nitrogen fixation - symbiotic relationship with rizobiums

Intercropping - fruit tree, row of vegetables, herbs...repeat

Economic imperative - value added (cheese, preserves) and direct market (farm stands, markets, CSA) Interesting * CSA model is actually Japanese in origin

Agroforestry - integration of trees into farmscape

Genetic diversity - heirloom (open pollinated seed) and hybridization (hybrid vigor)

We spent some time studying Seasonal Planting and working on creating our own charts.  I like this idea as an activity for our students to introduce the concept of eating seasonally and planting the appropriate food at the right time.

The afternoon was spent discussing sprouting and its many healthy benefits along with microgreens and the many types of containers you can grow them in.  The interesting aspect of these microgreen containers is that they did not require soil but rather just a paper towel that stays damp/wet from the water source underneath.

Class 2 - Ecology 101

Today we met at the Canyon View Park in Aliso Viejo.  Since I have moved to SoCal, I have struggled with the notion of "traffic" and that the time it takes me to reach my destination is ever changing and never consistent or the same.  Needless to say, I was a few minutes late to our meeting spot and feeling flustered...until I saw this!

The Jacaranda tree reminds me of South Africa, where they are abundant.  I had no idea they grow here in California!  The purple flowers are so stunning and vibrant and the tree itself has such presence and energy...

We began on a casual stroll through the park led by a park ranger and friend of Evan.  He pointed plants out to us, and much to my delight I was able to supplement his comments with my recently acquired knowledge of local flora.  I've made friends with a teacher named Katie who is originally from New Zealand.  She is making strides in building a garden at her high school in Tustin.  Her and I enjoyed each others company as I pointed out my favorite plants like Buckwheat and White Sage.

Our goal of today's nature walk was to:
a) Become familiar with native plants - Willow, Black Mustard, Coastal Sage, Monkey Flower
b) Understand the concepts of Diaceous, Monoaceous, Invasives, Riparian Zone
c) Practice viewing things with two perspectives: whole and detailed

Journal Entries from our Nature Walk

Grand View -
There must have been water here as there is a carved canyon in front of me.  Looking at the hillside the flora is dense and somewhat uneven from the Sage, Toiyons, Oaks and brush.  The density is striking to me and reminds me of the rainforest.

It is very warm.  The sun is hot on my skin and there is a clear sky with only a few clouds.  There is a very gentle breeze that could almost go unnoticed.  The ground on the trail is very dry and harsh looking.  There must be plenty of water near here but the sun is unforgiving on these trails. 

There are a pleathora of red ants below me, flies and bees around me and lovely song birds and hawks above.  A few lizards here and there and plenty of spiders.

Through the canyon is a creek that provides a dense habitat for flora and fauna.  It was very dark through the creekbed as the larger trees provide shade and cover.

In this view the native plants seem to be flourishing well.  There are not any open spaces, the invasive plants seem to be at a minimum and the not all the plants look to be too dry.  Most seem to be vibrant and many  have water storage in their waxy leaves.  Color wise - many shades of green, some orange/red hints here and there and the Buckwheat seems to be the only plant in bloom.  Smells of Sage and dirt are predominant.

Detailed View -

Small pocket on a trail looking in...Only one type of plant grows under or next to Poison Oak, yet the Poison Oak grows under anything that provides shade.  There is an interesting spider web in the shape of a V or inverted cone, almost like a net, suspended on branches.  Does not have clear defined lines like others but looks like a sheer fabric, almost like chiffon.  Seems to be very strong as there are multiple leaves/small twigs caught in it.  Its flexible and moves gently with the wind.  I don't see a spider or any caught prey in it.

While I did not learn too many new plant species today, I did learn something very special:

Often when we take children on the trail, we encourage them to be as quiet as possible in hopes of seeing more animals along the way.  However, Evan introduced a beautiful concept that is more important and I look forward to implementing on my hikes.  Upon going into nature, take a deep breath and calm yourself.  As we feel energy from trees, the ground, and Mother Earth they will feel our energy as well.  If we are stressed or filled with anxiety we will then pass it onto the other organisms present.  Thus, it is important to clear the mind and then give thanks to Mother Earth for the abundance and for the opportunity to share in her grandeur.   

Class 1 - Principles of Permaculture

Today was our first meeting for the Permaculture Design Course (PDC) at the Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano.  The class is led by Evan Marks, Executive Director and Permaculture Extraordinaire.  We spent the morning introducing ourselves, our backgrounds and intentions for taking the course.  I was inspired by the many different stories that were shared and the dreams/aspirations of each student.  These are the change makers taking action in our society and contributing to a more positive future.  I'm stoked to for the opportunity to have met them and looking forward to spending the next 6 months together.

As a foundation, Evan started with the core principles of Permaculture and its elements.  I liked a bulletpoint in one of our readings that stated, "(Permaculture) This movement requires a Paradigm shift...a different way of seeing plants, landscapes and people.

Permaculture defined: "Permaculture principles focus on thoughtful designs for small scale intensive systems which are labor efficient and which use biological resources instead of fossil fuels.  Designs stress ecological connections and closed energy and material loops.  The core of permaculture is design and the working relationships and connections between all things.  Each component is a system performs multiple functions, and each function is supported by many elements.  Key to efficient design is observation and replication of natural ecosystems, where designers maximize diversity with poly-cultures, stress efficient energy planning for houses and settlement, using and accelerating natural plant succession, and increasing the highly productive 'edge-zones' within the system." - Lee Barnes, editor of Katuah Journal and Permaculture Connections


Principles:

1 - Location
2 - Function v. Elements - building stability by having multiple elements to serve one function
3 - Multifunctionality - every element should serve at least three functions
4 - Biological Resources - use what is available on the land
5 - Energy Cycling - finding yield from what otherwise may be seen as waste
6 - Accelerate Succession - stacking systems and managing them
7 - Small Scale and Intensive - intensive rather than extensive
8 - Diversity - mutually beneficial relationships
9 - Increase edge and natural patterns - these areas are most fertile and most alive, naturally
10 - Efficient energy planning - Zones and sectors - plancing elements in proximity to your house based on the a mount of times that you need/want to visit that area/element
    Zone 1 - 20 ft around you/home, most activity takes place here, including pathways, entrances etc
    Zone 2 - intensively cultivated, orchards
    Zone 3 - hardy trees/larger animals, areas visited less frequently
    Zone 4 - long term development, very little management
    Zone 5 - wilderness, unmanaged

Design  Process:

The design process should serve product yield, energy yield/saved, care of the earth, care of the people and return of yield.

To begin the process, one should make non-judgemental observations of the area...what kind of climate? Landforms? Location? Where are we in succession? 


Then observations of the existing resources should be made: water, drainage, aesthetics, soil, flow patterns, wind, sun, fire, sloping, pathways, habitat, adjacent properties and influences, energy, and more.

Create a map or use existing maps as the foundation of your design.  Then work with client to establish goals/needs (forage, fuel, buildings, food etc).  From this, then connect to larger community and encourage cooperation.  Can the needs/goals be met in this environment? Is it sustainable?

We wrapped up our discussion with an exercise in designing a home garden.  I'm having a hard time with the concept of zoning as many elements could/do overlap one another and also identifying what goes into which zone.  My classmate seemed to have a better understanding so this is what we created.