Permaculture in Action: Community, Business & Regenerative Design
In Episode 95 of The Permaculture Vine Podcast, host Cormac Harkin sat down with Lindsay and Graham from Permaculture Canada and Neil Hegarty of Creosol Permaculture (based in Guatemala) for a dynamic discussion on practical permaculture, community resilience, and innovative business models. Here’s a recap of their insights.
1. Lindsay’s Projects: Hemp Homes, Soil, and Community Agreements
Lindsay shared updates on her work in Alberta, Canada, focusing on:
- Hemp Homes Canada: A new initiative to produce hemp-based building materials, leveraging Alberta’s thriving hemp industry.
- Soil Regeneration: Partnering with local farms like Highfield Farms to source aged mulch and compost for urban projects.
- Private Member Associations (PMAs): Exploring legal frameworks for community land ownership while emphasizing organic neighborhood collaboration over rigid structures.
“We need tools to rebuild community—like knowing your neighbors and sharing resources—before diving into complex land agreements.”
2. Graham’s Permaculture Farm: Perennials & Market Gardens
Graeme highlighted his Michigan farm’s progress:
- Greenhouse Expansion: Now used as a potting shed, though spring heatwaves required relocating citrus trees outdoors.
- Perennial Polycultures: Experimenting with asparagus-strawberry-garlic guilds to demonstrate profitable permaculture market gardening.
- Installation Boom: Spring brought a surge of landscaping requests, from edible hedges to rainwater systems.
“I want to show that permaculture isn’t just ecological—it’s economically viable for farmers.”
3. Neil’s Guatemala Model: Farm-to-Table & Conflict-Free Communities
Neil discussed his holistic approach in Guatemala:
- Restaurant + Education Hub: A farm-to-table café and permaculture school that funds regenerative projects.
- Avoiding “Cult” Dynamics: Rejecting forced consensus in favor of organic collaboration (e.g., bulk-buying bamboo with neighbors).
- Design School: Teaching a streamlined “PDC in 2 hours” method focused on applied design and business coaching.
“Most clients need income-first strategies—like freerange pigs—before diving into agroforestry.”
Key Takeaways
- Community Over Contracts: All agreed that shared labor and resources (e.g., tool libraries) work better than rigid legal agreements.
- Business with Purpose: Neil’s design school and Lindsay’s hemp homes show how permaculture can be scalable and profitable.
- Global Connections: From Canada to Guatemala to Ireland (where Neil will tour regenerative farms), local action has global ripple effects.
Listen to the full episode for more on Neil’s upcoming Austin event, Graeme’s raspberry-asparagus guilds, and Lindsay’s plant walks in Saskatoon!
🔗 Links: Permaculture Canada | Creosol Permaculture | The Permaculture Vine
What’s your biggest permaculture challenge? Share in the comments!
CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS
0:00 – Introductions & Updates
5:12 – Lindsay’s Work: Hemp Homes, Soil Amendments & PMAs
15:30 – Graham’s Michigan Farm: Greenhouse, Perennial Crops & Market Gardens
25:45 – Neil’s Guatemala Projects: Farm-to-Table, Community Design
35:20 – Avoiding Conflict in Eco-Communities
45:50 – Permaculture Business Models & Teaching Design
55:10 – Austin Event & Ireland Tour Plans
1:00:00 – Q&A & Closing
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