Permaculture Principles

Sorry for the lack of posts recently, but the internet here can be hard to get a hold of. Well here's what I've been up to for the past three weeks, starting at Hasera:

Hasera is designed completely with permaculture principles. This takes into account the design and placement of elements such as crops, the house, the kitchen, water, animals, etc. The major aspect of this sort of design is the combining and relative placing of elements to save on labor and resources.

The main framework for permaculture design is that of zones. A zone demarcates an area of the farm, and the relations and purposes served in that area. This design plan looks different depending on the unique needs and aspects of a particular place. Working at Hasera has given me a pretty good understanding of how things work here, so I can demonstrate how the zones work here:

Zone 0
This is home base. In this zone are the elements that are essential to everyday life or require daily or constant attention. This zone includes the house, kitchen, animal shed, and the office (during times when trainings are happening this includes the learning hall too). Zone 0 is often in the center of the land, with the other zones spiraling out respectively.

The front patio and house. The farm is on a north facing slope, so the patio was
designed with a slight slope towards the house to reflect sunlight and passively
warm the building, and to collect rainwater along a channel that leads to the
water harvest pond

The animal shed. One principle of permaculture is combining elements to
create harmonious relationships and save labor. Chickens take care of the bugs
that are bothersome to the cow and goats, and in return get a free meal. Also
note the pit on the right for easy manure collection

Zone 1
This zone is for the elements that need pretty consistent attention, such as a nursery or kitchen garden. Zone 1 should be placed so it can be seen without much effort, and should be easily accessible.

The kitchen garden, just under the kitchen itself

Covered nursery, directly visible from the house and patio

Zone 2
The next zone is for elements that need occasional attention. Most vegetable crops fall into this category. Also more intensive grains such as rice or wheat. This zone should be pretty easily accessible and observable.

Welcome to zone 2. Peep the ginger

Most of the vegetables are in this zone, which extends a few terraces up
behind the house

Zone 3
Zone 3 is for elements that may need to be checked up on once or twice a season, but for the most part are OK to be left on their own. Many less intensive grains (buckwheat, barley) are for this zone.

Ground apple, which produces a tuber that is sweet and
crisp, requires very little care

On the uppermost terraces, barley

Zone 4
Here are the elements that largely don't need checking up on. You don't have to visit this zone except for harvesting. Fruit trees are good for this zone, as is a food forest or other wild forage crops.

Zone 5
This zone is left completely untouched, for the moment. You don't expect anything out of it, and you don't put any work in. This doesn't mean that this zone serves no purpose. At Hasera, the outer perimeter of the land is left wild, and the tall trees such as bamboo make for a nice windbreak.