Prep work
- Get authorizations to use a piece of land and to bring learners on it.
- Identify and engage a permaculture expert either on a pro-bono basis or through dedicated budgets.
- Buy required gardening materials.
Competences/activities to be practiced first by the teacher
- Some basic knowledge of gardening will be an asset for the teacher
Steps in the activity
- Creating the permaculture garden
- Ensuring learners contribute to maintaining the permaculture garden
Level 1: Creating the garden
- Engage the permaculture expert including to help with identifying the piece of land that may be the most appropriate for the project, and selecting gardening material for the learners.
- Follow the instructions of the permaculture expert to create the permaculture garden. The latter cannot be improvised.
- Allow some time in the classroom for the permaculture expert to introduce permaculture principles, and explain the benefits of the project.
- Alternatively or in addition, use the creation of the permaculture garden to introduce some elements of biology related to soil health, the process of soil restoration/ regeneration, and its connection to addressing climate change.
- Optional: encourage learners to create their own permaculture garden, on the basis of what they learn in school, in parallel to the activity undertaken in school or university. Their own permaculture garden can be on a balcony, within a small garden or in public spaces when allowed.
- Optional: Encourage learners to exchange stories as well as seeds and foods from their gardens.
Level 2: Maintaining the garden
- Assign roles to different learners to ensure that the permaculture garden is well taken care of, according to a calendar and list of activities agreed upon with the permaculture expert.
- Plan for regular visits of the permaculture expert so as to answer questions and ensure that the garden is being maintained as it should.
Dos and Don’ts
Do
- Plan well ahead in order to be able to prepare the soil before sowing seeds at the end of the winter or in the spring.
Don’t
- Don’t engage in a very ambitious project from the start as it may discourage learners.
Adaptations
In case no permaculture expert can be mobilized in the community, you can also start with a regular organic garden with the support of some parents, other local community members or a local association. Tending to any garden can provide benefits in terms of emotional, mental and physical health, as well as in terms of collaboration, community-building and experiences of interconnectedness
This activity can help learners take care of their climate emotions and traumas in a way that complements the tools and activities under competence area 1. This activity can also provide inspiration, skills and methods to support the implementation of tools and activities listed under 5.2. ‘Taking local action for climate-resilience’, particularly 5.2.3. ‘Supporting local climate resilience action’.
We invite you to adapt this activity to the specific needs of your learners, including by taking into account their neurodiversity. When adapting tools and activities for neurodivergent learners, please note it is not about treating others how you want to be treated, but how they want to be treated. Ask, listen, and stay open to different ways of learning and engaging.
References
This activity was designed by One Resilient Earth.
https://worldpermacultureassociation.com
Brain, R., Adams, J., & Lynch, J. (2017). Mitigating Projected Impacts of Climate Change and Building Resiliency through Permaculture: a Community ‘Bee Inspired Gardens’ Movement in the Desert Southwest, USA. WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment. https://doi.org/10.2495/sc170441
Gamble, M. (n.d.). 12 tips for a Thriving Edible Garden. https://permacultureeducationinstitute.ac-page.com/morag-12-tips
Podcasts from the Permaculture Education institute : https://ourpermaculturelife.com/category/podcast/
Reiff, J., Jungkunst, H. F., Mauser, K. M., Kampel, S., Regending, S., Rösch, V., Zaller, J. G., & Entling, M. H. (2024). Permaculture enhances carbon stocks, soil quality and biodiversity in Central Europe. Communications Earth & Environment, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01405-8
