10 Permaculture Projects in the USA

For those of us interested in living more sustainably, the term permaculture inevitably pops up as we research ways of growing our own food, building green, and reducing our waste. You may also begin to realize there’s a ton of literature out there on the subject (including this OGP list of this author’s favorites).

Undoubtedly, the amount of reading available could fill any interested party’s head with more theoretical information than could be reasonably filed away. But, sometimes, we simply need to see stuff in action. We need to know that movements, such as permaculture, are real in a tangible way.

For those curious about permaculture, it would help to have a list of those places that are putting theory into practice. Well, then, isn’t this convenient!

1. The Permaculture Institute

Source: Bruce Weaver/Youtube

Now located in St. Louis, MO, The Permaculture Institute is a hub for permaculture courses. It was founded by permaculture creator, Bill Mollison, and Scott Pittman in 1997, spurring off from work by the Permaculture Drylands Institute in Sante Fe, New Mexico. Since then, The Permaculture Institute moved to St. Louis and now has lots of ties to Costa Rica as well.

2. Permaculture Institute of North America

Source: Permaculture Institute of North America/Youtube

With hubs throughout the US and all of North America, The Permaculture Institute of North America is boarded and staffed by a collective of great permaculture figures in the USA and beyond. It offers numerous resources to budding permaculturalists, including courses, a jobs board, and info on national events.

3. Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute

Source: Jerome Osentowski/Youtube

Tackling high-altitude forest gardening in Colorado, the Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute has workshops, courses, and volunteer/internship programs. CRMPI is also a consultancy firm for building ecologically friendly greenhouses, golf courses, and more.

4. Whole Systems Design, LLC

Source: Ben Falk/Youtube

Whole Systems Design, LLC, is a permaculture design and consulting firm run by Ben Falk, author of The Resilient Farm and Homestead about the WSD Research Farm North. WSD has been involved in lots of projects around Vermont, including courses, workshops, and property designs.

5. Midwest Permaculture

Source: Midwest Permaculture/Youtube

With over 90 courses conducted and nearly 2000 graduates, Midwest Permaculture offers full PDC (Permaculture Design Certification) courses as well as mini-courses. The website has lots of free information. Bill and Becky Wilson’s homestead is in Stelle, Illinois, on the site of a former intentional community turned small town.

6. Earthhaven

Source: Earthaven Ecovillage/Youtube

“An aspiring ecovillage” in the mountains near Asheville, Earthhaven has nearly 30 years as a community now, with about 100 residents, including 25 children. The 329-acre site is open to tours, membership, and even camping. Earthhaven Ecovillage focuses on permaculture versions of community, building, and food production.

7. Ecovillage at Ithaca

Source: Flock Finger Lakes/Youtube

Established in 1991, EcoVillage at Ithaca has been seeking solutions for meeting human needs while solving economic, environmental, and social crises. The EcoVillage is open to prospective residents, which involves a careful process, as well as in-person private tours (for a $50 fee). They also offer a virtual tour through their website.

8. Occidental Arts and Ecology Center

Source: Occidental Arts & Ecology Center OAEC/Youtube

Founded in Sonoma County, CA, Occidental Arts and Ecology Center is an 80-acre site that operates as “a research, demonstration center, education, advocacy, and community-organizing center.” It was formed in 1994 and has an extensive network of partnerships and a long list of projects.

9. The Farm

Source: aPlantBasedDiet.org/Youtube

One of the few (and oldest) intentional communities to have survived from the hippy movement, The Farm has been a mainstay in Middle Tennessee for over 50 years now. Visitors are welcome to visit the community, which is situated on three square miles, and there is even a Welcome Center. Guided tours are available for a fee.

10. Bullock’s Permaculture Homestead

Source: Joseph P Kauffman/Youtube

Run by three brothers and their families, Bullock’s Permaculture Homestead has been around since 1981, very early on in the permaculture movement. Located on Orcas Island in Washington state, it is an amazing collection of permaculture designs in action. Tours are available, as are courses, workshops, and visits.

With its continual rise in popularity, permaculture has also become a university program and/or course at several big schools, such as Oregon State, Utah State, U of South Carolina, U of Michigan, and Cornell Online. In other words, it is out there to be found for those who are interested to learn.

Related Content:

• 5 Things You Need To Know About Permaculture
• 4 Easy Ways To Incorporate Permaculture Into Your Life
• Battery Park Redesigned To Be Sustainable Playground

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