This month, we’re featuring several videos from a well-known permaculturist, Ben Falk. Ben talks about regenerating soil, water and human health while addressing some of the primary resiliency challenges of the 21st century. In another video, Ben gives an overview of Whole Systems Design, LLC and the processes they work with to affect positive change. Located in Vermont’s Mad River Valley, the business leads by example to illustrate the basics of sound land-use planning – in other words, how to adapt successfully in human society to the world’s everchanging environmental conditions. Ben defines good design as 1. being a functional fit with humanity, climate, and resources; 2.Concentrating value from energy (sun/wind/life processes) and extending it over time; and 3.Utilizing time as a fundamental resource. In a nutshell, “good design” must go beyond doing “less bad” to becoming “regenerative” – improving the health of ecosystems, increasing biomass and biodiversity, and adapting to changing conditions resiliently.

Permaculture is a design science based on the observation and replication of patterns and relationships found in nature; it is an approach to designing sustainable systems of agriculture, community, economics, politics, and more.

Bring some food to share, if you’d like. Bring your own plates and utensils, and let’s try to make this a no-waste event! We’ll have plenty of time for a discussion about the film, or about whatever else is happening in Philly related to Permaculture and regenerative living!

Where: Repair the World 4029 Market Street Philadelphia
When: 7PM – 9:30PM, Tuesday June 14th