Sharing knowledge

I spoke with a few people about how to make this project more known... in hopes of increasing awareness and inspiring people to undertake similar projects themselves. Because that is the most important thing with all of this permaculturing - getting more people interested and involved.

I always think about my ego when undertaking projects of this magnitude. I want to share this knowledge with others but I don't want to come off looking superior in any way - there's no point in that. But it's selfish not to bring forth this information to the public. As long as my heart is in the right place and I know deep down inside that I'm not doing promoting the project to boost my own ego, it's fine to make signs, fliers, and contact media outlets.

So that's what we did. Here's the sign that Kenzie and I made yesterday night.

Lot's of posing this morning in the yard - thanks Sean for taking pictures when you were in a rush for class!

Lots of love for the tree that's holding our sign.

And me being goofy, of course. I put up stand that has an information sheet about the project. Neighbors have been walking by and staring curiously at what we are doing. Now they can read a one-page handout about what's happening and why our yard looks the way it does. Below is a copy of the information sheet that neighbors have been reading (some of it is repeated what has already been said in past blog entries, so skim those parts if you want.) Happy reading!

Project description:

To all those who are concerned for our planet's future, who want to help heal the Earth in some way or another, here is an opportunity. My name is Ryan Harb I am 23 years old and I am a graduate student at UMass Amherst. The degree that I will be obtaining is in "green building," but more specifically, I am now focusing all of my energy toward the land.

To graduate with a M.S. in green building from UMass, one must complete a 6-credit practicum (internship) related to the field. I have always been a self-motivated person and decided from the start that I would create a project to serve as my practicum.

It had to be something big. It had to be something that would get people talking. Most of all it had to be educational; something that people would actually want to learn about which would benefit both the individual personal and the planet as a whole. The goals were clear and the project developed after months of consultation and exploration. 3 Willow Lane, will soon become model permaculture edible forest garden.

You might be wondering, "what is permaculture?" Originally the term was coined by an Australian named Bill Mollison (he merged the words permanent and agriculture). It involves "fixing" the soil, planting edible perennials (fruit trees, nut trees, berry bushes, and vegetables), utilizing the symbiotic relationships between certain plants, increasing the biodiversity and being low maintenance.

The process:

Currently we are in the process of sheet mulching, otherwise known as "lasagna gardening." Although it may look like we tilled (turned) the soil, we instead aerated the soil with digging forks (similar to pitch forks). On top of this is a 2-3 inch layer of compost which adds organic matter to the soil. The compost is then covered with a layer of cardboard. The cardboard prevents light from getting through and this prevents weed growth. Soon it decomposes which adds to the soil and attracts beneficial insects (worms especially love cardboard.) Wood chips are placed on the very top to hold in moisture and to weight down the cardboard.

Timeline:

Over the next few weeks, the remaining portion of the yard will be completed using the method described above. This yard will look like a bunch of wood chips for the next few months (or snow…) but when spring comes, the soil will be ready for planting. By late spring, the yard will be in full swing, with harvests coming as soon as next summer.

Want to help / learn?

Throughout October, myself and other students will be working diligently in the yard, making this transportation happen. If you would like to help, please join us! We have plenty of tools and work to be done. Call ahead if you would like, or if you have questions.

Questions?

Please contact Ryan Harb for any questions you might have.

E-mail: rharb@nrc.umass.edu

Cell: (978) 314-1176