Permacultura in our EFA (agricultural family school)

My name is Gisely. I am eighteen years old and am a second year student in the Dom Edilberto Family Agriculture School (DEFAS IV).

During the practical classes in organic agriculture, the teacher asked us to indicate a barren and degraded area around the school and then to think of a solution for it. We found an area near the refectory that met the conditions described by the teacher; and decided that the best solution for it would be the setting up of a permaculture. Since that is a planning system for the creation of sustainable and productive human environments balanced and in harmony with Nature. So, we began to prepare the plot of land. We chose material that could be used, such as tires, plastic bottles, old wardrobes, roof tiles, among other things. We produced the necessary substrates and composts.  We chose the seeds we would be cultivating and began our production.

Permaculture is based on a philosophy of the highest principles of ethics, through constant and  thorough care of the environment and of people, always concerned in seeking to cause the minimum impact on Nature. In the beginning it was quite difficult, since we did not have the adequate know-how and practice; but later on, with the help of our monitors and with the daily practice, we were able to overcome all the challenges. Today, we have a very diversified and productive area of crops, especially vegetables, medicinal and fruit plants, as well as ornamental plants. We hope next year to enlarge our cultivation area and significantly increase our production.