I am constantly befriended by those who are into Permaculture, new or long interested, overwhelmed or intimated; waves of euphoric purpose not knowing where to channel. More and more concepts, ideas whirling into dizzying rejections — and our old comrade, fear.
I continually come across people proclaiming with shrugged shoulders "oh, I don’t know enough". That may be true, but for most these issues become paralysing. On the other end there are those who know too much and are paralysed by syntax and concept correction of the aforementioned delicates.
I will admit that in my emotive and fiery youth I almost collapsed into apathy analysing the complexity of world issues.
My solution? Building soils.
It was that easy. I read about how easy it was, how essential it was — so, well, if it was so easy and important, I’ll give it a shot. It was so easy and now so productive that it has infected so many around me. Those lost in the complexities of their worlds are giving it a go too.
But why is this so important?
We are awesome at complicating, rejecting and competing. The solutions are that simple.
The first time I built soil was one of the deepest experiences of my life. Not just because ‘soil is good’ but it completely shattered so much of my conditioning of feeling that I was unable or that the problems were too complex and impossible. It was a start to keep going and fired the courage to know I was able to make real positive change.
I’m not going to waste too much of your precious time here. I just wanted to remind you that you can do something extremely powerful that will not only transform your ground….
Find a spot… build some soil… and… keep going….
Permaculture world, meet Bob Nekrasov. I had the pleasure of meeting Bob at a Regenerative Farming field day in East Gippsland, Victoria- Australia a few weeks ago that I ran in conjunction with Permaculture Project I’m implementing down there.
Look out for more from this up coming PC Consultant & Educator! Great story Bob. Keep up the good work mate. Talk soon.
After my own heart! Thanks, Bob…
building soil in Pennsylvania…
What on earth?!
My favourite neighbour is contributing to my favourite AU permaculture website? It’s a small world. I’m very sad we’re losing you down here in the Dandenongs Bob, but I cannot wait to see your soil building experiments on a much larger scale in north NSW. Your genuine enthusiasm translates well through your writing, just as it does in person. Hope to see more from you!
Nick – thanks comrade! Look forward to our next chat/meet. Love what your doing with GLR. Hope we can build some soils together on the humus building battlefields up north soon!
Mick – Beautiful blog – first word that I catch is mulch! I will devour tonight…The more I know of others building soils comforts me.
Andy – Working on next article now but our comradery is as fertile as it gets – i’ll stil bloody miss you though.
I have felt that fear and still do, but I stumbled along after my PDC with Geoff. Decided I should do Hort at Tafe and found that to be a great kickstart. I have done a few things with permies along the way but I like venturing into the Hort world too and as such I do voluntary Hort work for the National Trust. All of this has been my way to understand the world of plants and soils. There may be much in Hort that I feel is wasted energy but at least I feel confident about a lot more things. I worried about companion planting for a long time, felt that I did not understand it or how to plant the plants together. Then I realised that I could just try it with a few plants, so I picked out the 3 sisters of corn, squash and beans. Gave it a go and it happened. Bill, said at the organic convention of 79, “just do it”. Meaning we don’t need to fear.
How True. Easy to overanalyse and procrastinate, but much easier to just do it. One step at a time, and what better step to take than to start growing topsoil.
Deano
It is too easy to do nothing. It is safe. There are no risks. Risking nothing means that you do not learn. You do not expand your horizons. Doing nothing is the worst thing you can do.
What do you risk by doing something? You risk breaking free from the bondage of procrastination. Liberate yourself and watch your actions snowball. By liberating yourself from your fears your actions provides the impetus to others to liberate themselves.
I have made a declaration to myself… When I am old and frail I will not look back on my life and say I wish I did this or that. I will look back and say I lived my truth. I did not watch life, I lived life.
Go Bob