Permaculture is Growing in New Hampshire

Native bumblebee on garden flower at Inheritance Farm

Permaculture, originally defined as "Permanent Agriculture", is so much more than that. It is fostering a way of life that goes beyond sustainability, to practices which, by mimicking what we see in nature, can foster an environment that will not only survive, but will thrive for centuries to come. Two weeks ago, I attended New Hampshire's third annual New Hampshire Permaculture Day which was held at Inheritance Farm in Pittsfield. Due to another commitment, I was only able to attend for half a day, so I arrived first thing in the morning. The Farmhouse's back yard was transformed for the day with composting toilets and tents that were used by event sponsors and vendors, and also to provide a spot for attendees to sit during breaks.

The 2015 NH Permaculture Day was held at Inheritance Farm in Pittsfield

There were so many presentations of interest that I had a hard time choosing which to attend. I settled on an Introduction to Permaculture Practices and the Native Pollinator Walk.  Both were very well prepared and informative. The fact that over 250 attendees registered for this event demonstrates that more and more people have a desire to live a life in concert with nature and not one of control. It is encouraging to see this movement growing which gives hope for a future worth living.  

Angie Hammond from the U.S. Forest Service talks about the threats to New Hampshire's native pollinators while Amy Papineau, UNH Cooperative Extension holds a display showing a sampling of the over 200 identified bees in New Hampshire.