Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design
Criteria
Assessment summary sheet-interim reveiw process
Name: Sue Burton
Date of PDC: 05/06/2011
Date now: 25/11/2012
1.Demonstrating design skills.
I used several different design systems on my projects to see which ones worked well for me. I need a design system that is quick efficient, and presents information quickly in an easy to read format.
I used OBREDIMET on Project 2 and Project 3 click on links to go to design.
I found this design system a bit long winded and complicated and it also took more time to work through than I wanted, I need to be able to work through a design quickly, although saying that I learned a lot from using this design tool as it gave me a good grounding from which I was then able then trim down and extract the information I needed.
I tried a different design system SADIM on project 4 to see if it performed any better see Project 4 SADIM Click on link .
I found SADIM a lot easier and quicker to use and would use it again.
I also trialled Zoning techniques in project 1 to use as a design tool for my future projects. Project 1 click on link .
2.Applying Permaculture in my life.
I have trialled every project initially on myself first treating my self as zone 0. I have tried out different ideas and techniques to see if they work before moving the design out to groups of friends Zone 1 and then the wider community Zone 2 I hope ultimately to utilize the designs to build a small sustainable community.
This technique is working well for me and allows me to tweak the design and find solutions before taking the ideas and projects to a wider audience.
In order to work on these projects I practice Permaculture 24/7, it is a part of my life not something I practise one day a week.
Permaculture is a holistic science and with that in mind I have redesigned every area of my life from food, exercise spiritual connections, how I bring in money, and many other areas. Click on link to find out more
As I continue on my journey through Permaculture, I am constantly pushing my boundaries, learning more about my self and growing on a holistic level. I wish to share the information and knowledge I have gained with others to encourage their self-empowerment and growth.
3. Applying Permaculture to my projects
Project 1
Project 1 is the basis for all the other projects, I have tried to utilize skills I already pocess and revaluate my life in order to aline it in a more sustainable way, create a more balanced and holistic way of living and incorporate permaculture principles in to every area.
Dissemination
Project 2
Project 2 is about building community, taking out what I have learned about myself to a wider audience, bringing communities together, teaching through different techniques and methods to all abilities. Click on link to See Project 2
Many small groups have been created encouraging people to try different ideas and projects for themselves, promoting
self-empowerment.
Project 3
In Project 3 click on link. I explored how to help others push their boundaries and take responsibility for themselves, offer
self- help techniques to move through challenges and take control.
Project 4 was building an interactive website as an extension to project 2 this encouraged people to utilize the information on the website and advertise skills. push their boundaries and take responsibility for themselves Click on link Project 4.
Throughout the projects I have maintained working links with Orchard Barn a land based CIC( Community Interest Company) for whom I have achieved Land Learning status. I have also promoted their courses through project 2 and learned valuable skills through volunteering for land based projects.
The monthly meetings of Weaving the Web was set up for the Community to introduce lots of different and diverse subjects in to people’s lives, helping to expand their boundaries and empower them on a holistic level.
Each talk and demonstration is backed up with information about the subject, future workshops and private consultations.
The information is also added to the Weaving the Web website. This enables each individual access to pursue the subject of interest and expand their knowledge and boundaries. Active encouragement is offered to help other spin of groups to form.
It also assists the therapist or demonstrator by promotion of their particular subject forming a hub of people with skills and knowledge on the website and also within the network of Weaving the Web.
This information is also utilized when planning the Phoenix Gatherings a festival for the community exploring diverse and alternative subjects; music crafts arts and having fun.
4.Dissemination
I set up Weaving the Web in order to share information with a wide section of people, extend their skill knowledge and also mine at the same time. Share skill knowledge as a group and also utilise the group as a platform to present and share my Permaculture ideas.
I also gave presentations and Co taught courses to assist with my confidence in teaching skills. The website deign of Weaving the Web was also created to share ideas and information with people to network and promote their skills and therapies to a wider audience and become a platform from which ideas would be conceived.
5.Community Building Benefits to the Community
I have set up and become involved with several community projects:.
Project 2 weaving the web which was set up and run to encourage people to find out about and try different skills and methods to help self-empowerment. This community project covers many diverse subjects and also offers a chance for people to showcase their skills. It also incorporates many Permaculture ideas on how to use as little money as possible and utilize the skills and resources available.
The overall criteria for Weaving the Web is to empower the individual and therefore the whole community and ultimately their environment and the Earth, by taking responsibility and improving lives in a holistic and sustainable way.
Making positive changes starts with the individual then has a knock on effect into the community. To enable an individual to function as a complete person a holistic approach is required.
The subjects included in Weaving the Web are shown below:
Food
Exercise
Spiritual well being
Sustainable living (personnel living environment)
Music
Creative arts
Self-help and therapies
Networking and social support groups
Introducing and encouraging multi faith and multi cultural ideas and edges
This will be a blue print for the future venture to form a permanent base for a community based on Weaving the Web Gatherings
6. Symmetry
One of the reasons for setting up Project 2 Weaving the Web was to create a support system and hub for the Community creating a place where people could come to be supported and share different skill and knowledge sets
Project 7 setting up the permaculture your garden group sharing and supporting the group to complete their own garden projects. I also took part in shared peer reviews with the Diploma group taking turns to review each others projects. It also helped to keep the group focused and encouraged motivation both for me and my peers. Peer review is something I try and incorporate into all my courses as it encourages constructive feed back and motivation to keep going.
7. Evaluation and Costing's
Part of running a regular community based project is to ensure costing are kept to a minimum and that the financial side is
viable. I do this by requesting a donation towards running costs.
All projects whenever possible are funded from donated skills and resources that have been recycled or collected for free.
Click on link to go to outcome analyses
Dissemination