The Permaculture Research Institute of Australia

I'm inspired to be actively engaged in permaculture because it offers a positive, proactive and practical approach to many of the challenges that we face at this point in history. It also just feels good and like the absolute right thing to be doing. Living permaculture is an awakening experience for me, it constantly shifts the way I look at myself and the world.

I have a background and training as an artist and love to create just for the sake of it. However the most satisfying creative work arises when creative inspiration and useful functionality are combined. Permaculture design puts these two together for me.

However it goes even further because the canvas and media which permaculture uses are living environments, plants animals, peoples lives, their homes, and communities. To responsibly and ethically work in these areas I feel my role as a teacher, designer and consultant is to constantly learn and apply what I know, listen, to ask relevant questions, and stay open to people's needs.

I grew up on an organic apple orchard and after a career as professional musician returned to my roots on the land. I started my permaculture training by self-learning and experimenting. For years I had yearned to visit Australia, the homeland of my favorite musical instrument, the didgeridoo. However, it was permaculture which provided the opportunity and purpose to make the trip and I went to study in Australia with Geoff Lawton.

I spent a year there with several teachers in different areas including Geoff Lawton and David Holmgren. When I returned to the US I went to work applying what I learned to our 10 acre property.

3 years later the new systems of trees, animals and people feel like they have passed the 'baby' stage and starting to support themselves.

I teach regular introduction courses and have been working with youth in our local alternative school. In fact, my first full PDC was taught to teenagers.