Copyright © 2014 Phil & Denise Williams Williams
115 Bluebill Drive Savannah, GA 31419 United States
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording recording or by an information storage and retrieval system – except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine, newspaper or on the Web – without permission in writing from the author. is book was published with the assistance of the helpful folks at DragonPencil.com DragonPencil.com
Farmer Phil’s Permaculture is dedicated to the spikey weeds of the future that blaze a new trail by transforming suburban lawns and monoculture farms into natural abundance for people, plants, and animals.
Eden was so excited to move to the country to live on a farm! Her dad said, “I’m tired of this rat race pulling me by the arm.”
She didn’t know he was racing rats. She was excited to take care of the chickens and play with the cats.
Eden was disappointed. It looked more like a factory than a farm. The crops were in rows, making it easy for the pests to do harm.
It was sad and grey. Her dad said, “My goodness was I led astray?”
One day Eden was walking along their fence, and she found a hole. She peered through and what she saw warmed her soul! The bees buzzed, the chickens scratched, the fish swam, and the flowers bloomed.
A man noticed Eden looking through. He sauntered over and said, “How do you do?” “My name is Eden and I’m blue.” “I’m Farmer Phil, is there anything I can do?” “Your farm is so beautiful and bright. Daddy says, ‘our farm is a disgraceful sight.’” Farmer Phil replied, “You must observe to have a lovely preserve.”
Eden watched the chickens. They were cooped up with slim pickins. They had nothing to do, but fight and poo. They never saw the sun, the grass, or a bug. Eden thought they needed a hug.
Then she watched the sheep. They were bothered by bugs day and night. Eden thought, “They shouldn’t have to put up such a fight.”
Bite, Bite, Bite. Bo ther, Bot her, Bot her.
Eden went back to the hole in the fence. “Well hello Eden, how’s it going over there?” “I think things might be beyond repair. Observing doesn’t make sense on my side of the fence.”
“Eden, you’re smart. In what activities do you like to take part?” “I like to run in the sun and read a book in my nook.” Eden replied. “After watching the chickens, what do you think they like to do?”
“They like to go outside and scratch, but bugs are what they really love to catch!” “You see Eden a chicken wants to be a chicken, just like you want to be a little girl.”
Eden’s dad was unhappy and tired. He worked so hard, but his farm was uninspired. Eden ran over, “Daddy, Daddy I know what to do! Observing the animals gave me a clue.” “Eden, I don’t have time to play. I have to fix our farm... it’s in disarray!”
Eden opened the door to the chicken house. Her dad was unaware because she was quiet as a mouse. The chickens happily exited the cramped pens. Eden had never seen such happy hens. Eden’s Dad was very upset. “The chickens have to stay inside! How could you forget?” Eden said, “Look how happy they are. There’s no reason to fret.”
The chickens were happy being chickens. They left the feed, in favor of bugs and weeds. The chickens saw the sheep and knew just what to do. They jumped on their backs, eating the bugs, making the sheep happy too!
Eden’s Dad couldn’t win. His apple trees were filled with worms again. He asked, “Why is Mother Nature doing this to me?” Eden replied, “Don’t worry I’ll find the answer, you’ll see.”
, w o r r u B , w o r r u Bu r row, B um, Yum, Yum, Y pp les so Eat a l l the haa ve no ne. the peop le
Eden ran to the hole in the fence to find Farmer Phil. She was surprised to find him lounging on the hill. “Farmer Phil, Farmer Phil, my farm is in need!” “Eden, how are you? Mother Nature sure is beautiful, indeed.” “That’s just it Farmer Phil, Mother Nature is hurting us. Our apples are filled with worms, causing quite a fuss.”
“Eden, don’t worry, you’ll figure it out. I will give you a hint though, it’s not a bout . Let Mother Nature be your guide. Try working with her, and she will provide.”
Eden thought about what she learned from Farmer Phil. She wondered why the apple trees in the woods weren’t ill. Before long a light bulb lit up her mind. “Dad, Dad, the problem is how our farm is designed!” Eden’s dad perked up, “I hope your news will fix my mood.” “Dad, we need to turn the apple orchard into a forest of food.”
Eden’s dad was curious about Farmer Phil, so she took him to the fence. He loved what he saw and said, “This makes so much sense!” “Howdy neighbor, I’m Farmer Phil!” Eden’s dad replied, “Thank you for all your goodwill!” “No need to thank me, from the way things look. You’re already studying from nature’s book.”
Eden and her dad went on to build their own permaculture farm. The animals were happy and the food forest was filled with charm. Eden’s dad took the fence down. Together they spread permaculture throughout the town.
THE END
Farmer Phil’s Glossary Aquaculture is the growing of water plants and the raising of fish or other water animals.
Aquaculture is the most productive type of farming, far surpassing land based farming in protein, vegetable production, and soil building. Permaculture designs typically include aquaculture. Farmer Phil is raising fish in his pond. Cob is a building material made from clay, sand, straw, and water. This natural building
material is fire proof, uses energy wisely, and the materials are inexpensive. Farmer Phil’s home is a cob house. Food Forests are the orchards of the permaculture world. Permaculture designers copy
natural forests by including the seven layers of a forest, using plants that provide fertilizer to surrounding trees, and using many different plants to limit the insect problems of a typical orchard. Can you find Farmer Phil’s food forest? Herb Spirals are herb gardens built in a spiral pattern to take advantage of the many
microclimates (sun, shade, wet, and dry) that the pattern creates in a small space. In this system one can have many different herbs close to the kitchen for easy access. Farmer Phil has an herb spiral near his front door. Mandala Garden is a garden using a circular pattern of keyholes. This style of garden gives
lots of planting space and needs little pathway space. Be sure to check out Farmer Phil’s mandala garden! Monoculture is the growing of a single crop in an area. Most farms in the United States grow
single crops for easy planting and harvesting. Insects love this type of farming, because they can easily find their favorite foods in nice neat rows, just like the grocery store. Also, it causes soil erosion which is the washing or blowing away of the top layer of soil. Farmer Phil prefers to grow many different plants together. Permaculture is a way of designing with the goal of building systems that work with nature.
A permaculture garden will be more fruitful, require less work, and be wonderful for the planet. Farmer Phil says, “Permaculture is about caring for people and the planet.” Polyculture is the growing of many crops in an area. Growing many plants together can
produce more food that is better tasting, more nutritious, and without pest problems. Can you find where Farmer Phil uses polyculture? Swales in permaculture are ditches that are used to slow water down and grow trees. Can
you pick out Farmer Phil’s swales? Three Sister’s Garden is a Native American way of planting corn, beans, and squash
together. The corn holds up the bean stalks, and gives the squash the shade it likes. The beans add fertilizer for the corn, and the squash stops weeds from growing. Look for Farmer Phil’s corn and find the beans growing up the stalks, with squash on the ground. If you would like additional information about permaculture and the authors, please check out www.FoodProduction101.com
