Relevant Permaculture Principles
All permaculture principles inform all aspect of the permaculture design and operations—these more so than others.
By taking the time to engage with nature we can design solutions that suit our particular situation.
By developing systems that collect resources when they are abundant, we can use them in times of need.
Ensure that you are getting truly useful rewards as part of the work that you are doing.
Small and slow systems are easier to maintain than big ones, making better use of local resources and producing more sustainable outcomes.
We can have a positive impact on inevitable change by carefully observing, and then intervening at the right time.
Our initial focus is on regeneration and bootstrapping
We will be establishing a plant nursery on the property, as well as building guest accommodation (B&B), plus establishing a conference facility as part of the farm operations. Our intention is that the plant nursery be a viable ongoing venture, as once established, will continue to be an ongoing immediate source of revenue, and contribute to the attractor “property as a destination” aspect.
The farm itself needs regeneration, and will be a while before it is fully productive, so these initial focus areas of our business plan for the farm will be the more immediate revenue focus.
Thus one key outcome is to attract people to the land for this work. The conference facility on the property is a key part of enabling this, along with the guest accomodation. Further accomodation capacity needs will be met through collaborative partnerships with local accomodation providers. The work we already do in This Human in design and regenerative design will be rolled out to Executive teams at this facility. The idea being that we create an immersive experience to complement the regenerative training and facilitation programs.
In addition to the regenerative efforts that the land needs - the property has not been actively used as a farm for 30 years, we need to rehabilitate the soil, water and plants. The soil is in poor condition, the water sheets off the land, and the property is covered in weeds (Ragwort and Blackberry are prevalent). So our initial focus for regeneration will be on the land infrastructure itself - the water catchment and storage, access roads, and trees.
Initial establishment focus:
- Finish the house - we will take up primary residence here next year
- B&B Accomodation - regenerative theme - escape, connect, immerse
- Plant Nursery - internal, retail and wholesale plant nursery - locally indigenous plants of the Baw Baw region
Initial permaculture operations:
- Farm Rehabilitation and earthworks
- Forest Rehabilitation
- Permaculture farm establishment
- Market garden and food forest of nuts and fruit and truffle trees?
- Chicken tractor for large scale composting (and egg production) in support of farm establishment and soil rehabilitation
- Sheep for grazing on the pasture; Goats for helping to manage blackberries
Later developments:
- “How to be the…” series - Launch the regenerative capability programs
- The Centre for Regenerative Futures - Conference facility and event space
- Community supported agriculture program - need dependable production
- Mistwood farm - cooperative farming
Permaculture Farm establishment
These initial focuses (first 3-5 years) allow time for the planning, establishment and realisation of the permaculture aspects of the property. The property needs regeneration and will be used as an example of what’s possible in support of the accommodation and conferencing parts of the plan, as well as an enabler and consumer of the Plant Nursery Product - for example, in the production of compost for the plant seedlings and younglings.
Mistwood is in Neerim Junction, Victoria, Australia.
The property is comprised of three main areas - Paddocks, Forest and Homestead. Hemp Hill Creek starts in the paddock (as a spring) and flows through to the Tarago River. Paddocks comprise about 40% of the land, with forests occupying 50% and the homestead area the remaining 10%.
There is access to electricity and sealed main road access.
