ANIMALS IN
PERMACULTURE: The Pros and Cons of including animals in our designs
Did you guess that our subtitle is pure nonsense? Of course there is no way to grow anything, anywhere without the help (or hindrance) of our fellow sentient beings! Even in a purely vegan "fruit and vegetable" garden, we need the help of the earthworms, the bees, the millions of tiny creatures in the soil. We also have to respectfully and humanely deal with large and small animals that sometimes compete with us for our food - the gophers, rabbits, birds, squirrels and rats - and most of us struggle with how best to do that.
And what
about the pros and cons of including larger animals in our designs as
well - modern or heritage chickens, ducks, miniature or full size
cattle, horses, sheep, pigs and rabbits - to help us work the soil,
provide "horsepower" and give us their eggs and milk, whether or not we
plan to eat them at the end of their lives? And how can we humanely
deal with their lifelong care and if we do eat meat, their ultimate
slaughter, not just "using" our animals, but allowing them to live out
their natural patterns and respecting their place with us in the
mysterious Whole.
We'll watch
some videos about animals in permaculture design and then have a
round-table discussion. Please share your thoughts and experience with
us on this important topic.