Giving Compass' Take:

• Food Tank explores permaculture — agriculture-based design science that incorporates a number of sustainability practices — and how it's had an impact in communities around the world.

• This is as much a people movement as an environmental movement, and the organizations profiled in this piece could serve as inspiration for green innovators everywhere.

• Here's more about the importance of representation in agriculture.


Permaculture is an agriculture-based design science built upon pillars of sustainability and interconnectivity. It can combine organic agriculture, renewable energy, ecological engineering, and a number of other sustainability practices to create a holistic, systems approach that empowers individuals and communities to be their own producers and live with minimal impact on the environment.

Permaculture can be applied in any region and under any condition. In some cases, as in Indonesia and El Salvador, permaculture movements manifest as a community response to political unrest, social and environmental crisis, and violence. In Scotland and New Zealand, permaculture serves as the basis of technological innovation and experimental living. Although there are many variations of permaculture practices, the primary ethics of permaculture remain constant: earth care, people care, and fair share.

Permaculture is a decentralized network of organizations working independently across the globe.

Read the full article about organizations upholding the ethics of permaculture by Anna Short at Food Tank.