Permaculture embodies a sustainable approach to cultivation, utilizing holistic principles to design, establish, and manage plant ecosystems. It is derived from the term "permanent culture," representing a comprehensive philosophy aiming at sustainable agriculture that mirrors natural patterns and processes.

Key tenets of a permaculture garden encompass:

Biodiversity: A permaculture garden integrates diverse plant species, fostering a natural equilibrium within the ecosystem. The amalgamation of plants with varied functions enhances the garden's resilience against pests and diseases.

Water Management: Emphasizing efficient water usage, permaculture gardens employ techniques like mulching with straw or leaves to retain moisture in the soil, facilitating water conservation.

Soil Care: Permaculture underscores the importance of nurturing healthy soil as a fundamental aspect of sustainable gardening. Practices such as natural fertilization, composting, and avoiding disruptive activities like tilling or removing biomass contribute to maintaining nutrient-rich and well-structured soil.

Integrated Farming: Permaculture advocates for sustainable farming approaches, promoting the cultivation of complementary crops that foster mutually beneficial relationships, thereby reducing the need for artificial interventions and supporting natural growth processes.

Preservation of Local Biodiversity: Permaculture gardens foster local biodiversity by attracting a variety of plant, insect, and animal species, thereby promoting the preservation of the ecosystem's natural equilibrium.

Education and Community Engagement: Permaculture gardens often serve an educational purpose, disseminating principles of healthy living and encouraging community involvement. Community gardens serve as platforms for sharing knowledge, skills, and resources.

By adhering to permaculture principles, gardeners not only reap the rewards of their harvest but also contribute positively to the environment and the local community. Permaculture yields can substantially fulfil food requirements, with surpluses potentially generating additional income through sales. Moreover, agro-tourism ventures frequently accompany permaculture gardens, offering revenue streams through property rentals, bed and breakfast services, and paid workshops on various aspects of organic farming and natural resource utilization.

Among the many permaculture farms in Poland is one managed by renowned permaculture author and educator, Monika Podsiadła, situated in the village of Podlodek in Michów municipality, Lubelskie Voivodeship. With proper preparation and knowledge acquisition, individuals can establish their own permaculture gardens with relative ease, whether in urban gardens or rural settings. 
 

https://permakultura.com.pl/
https://mapa.permakultura.edu.pl/
https://www.permaculturenews.org/what-is-permaculture/
 

Direct SGDs: 
Goal 2. Zero hunger.
End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
 

Justification
The activity meets Target 2.3 and 2.4.

Target 2.3: By 2030, aim to enhance the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, with a particular focus on women, indigenous communities, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishermen. This involves doubling their productivity and earnings by providing them with secure and equitable access to essential resources such as land, inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for both value addition and non-farm employment.

Target 2.4: By 2030, strive to establish sustainable food production systems and adopt resilient agricultural practices that not only boost productivity and output but also contribute to ecosystem preservation. These practices should enhance the capacity to cope with climate change, extreme weather events, droughts, floods, and other calamities. Moreover, they should facilitate the gradual improvement of land and soil quality, ensuring their long-term viability. 

1. What is permaculture?
2. What principles are applied in a permaculture garden?
3. What non-agricultural functions can a permaculture farm perform?

Piotr Znaniecki
Fundacja SocLab