Permaculture Lens

Once we have the permaculture lens we start to see the world in a different light.  Manicured lawns reveal an exercise in futility and a major waste of resources such as water, gas, oil, human attention and their energy.  These patches of time wasters only represent a self indulgent pride filled endeavor with little green strands of grass to show for it all.  "Food Not Lawns" is the battle cry and we now find ourselves in the midst of a seed revolution!  Before starting this journey on the permaculture train I did not know about Mansanto and their monopolization of the world's seed supply.  They make genetically modified seeds that they promote as having better yields, reportedly will solve the world's famine problems, and even be a positive growth models for small farmers.  However Independent studies already show crop failures. http://www.i-sis.org.uk/IBTCF.php 

We need a seed revolution!  

They are attempting to monopolized the world's seed supply but the bees who pollinate the plants don't know the difference so when small farmers end up with their strand, agents come with guns a blazin' and destroy the small farms or they extort and intimidate the farmers into submission.  That's not much of a positive growth model for small farmers!  

Now Monsanto is even having laws enacted to prosecute those who save their own seeds, working with the FDA to make seeds a health hazard!

http://www.ethicalinvesting.com/monsanto/news/10040.htm

http://www.fda.gov/oc/speeches/2004/asta0629.html

Farmers in India are committing suicide by the thousands because of this Mansanto garbage.  Because of the seed patents, Monsanto is able to sell Bt-cotton seed 1000 times higher than normal prices.  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1082559/The-GM-genocide-Thousands-Indian-farmers-committing-suicide-using-genetically-modified-crops.html.

Never before have I understood the meaning of revolution more clearly.  

We also need a water revolution!  Water issues had entered my consciousness from living in the desert and seeing the absolute waste of water on frickin' golf course in places like Phoenix.  The one place on the planet that should not be allowed to have the most golf courses in the world is Phoenix, AZ, but that's the reality.  I felt paralyzed by my awareness of water waste and not knowing what to do about it other than taking shorter showers.  

Now I know a community of people, like Becky and Jenny, who go to the Rebuilding Center on Mississippi and build a water catchment system for their gardens.  That inspires me.    

Even though I had heard about soil depletion, I had no idea how to build soil back up.  Now I'm sheet mulching and cultivating my own soil in my front yard.  The more the issues facing our time are revealed to me, the more I realize how much more I need to learn.  The more questions raised, the more answers sought.  Sounds pretty straight forward, but without honoring the process and reflecting on the progress made from where I started, this daunting task ahead could get to be a bit depressing.  By taking a moment to reflect on lessons learned and mistakes made.  The more strength I gain to learn more and strive toward fearlessness in the face of making more mistakes.  Maybe our world is in the process of learning from our mistakes.  Let's hope and grow together.