Certified by the Oregon State University (OSU) Professional Permaculture Program and the Permaculture Institute of North America.
McClain’s Meadows offers design as well as a “boots on the ground” approach to both large and small projects. We will help you remove your lawn, implement a drought resistant garden, make a private forestland more accessible, clear overgrowth that fuels fire, or redesign your 100-area ranch to make better use of water resources.
Need a quote?
Contact Katie at (541) 573-1210 or katherine@mcclainsmeadows.org
Permaculture design is a whole-systems design approach to developing sustainable human settlements and institutions. Rooted in horticulture and agriculture, permaculture design also touches on regional planning, ecology, animal husbandry, technology, architecture and international development.
Core Principles of Permaculture – Permaculture is guided by several fundamental principles that serve as the foundation for its design philosophy:
- Observation: The first step in permaculture is to observe and understand the existing natural systems and patterns on the land. By doing so, practitioners can make informed decisions when designing their own systems.
- Design with Nature: Permaculture principles emphasize designing human systems that mimic the diversity and resilience found in nature. This includes creating beneficial relationships between plants, animals, and the environment.
- Multiple Functions: Every element in a permaculture design should serve multiple functions. For example, a fruit tree can provide food, shade, and habitat for beneficial insects, hence, every component is wisely chosen.
- Sustainability: Permaculture systems are designed to be sustainable in the long term. They aim to minimize waste, energy consumption, and environmental impact while maximizing yields; with zero synthetic material involved.
- Energy Efficiency: Permaculture encourages the use of natural energy sources and the reduction of inputs such as fossil fuels.
- Self-Sufficiency: Self-sufficiency is a key goal of permaculture. Practitioners aim to meet their basic needs for food, water, and shelter as locally and independently as possible.