To create a nutrient cycle for humans, plants and animals combined, we will:

  • Attract as many plant and animal species as possible by realising a variety of habitats. Therefore, edges will arise, which account for increased biodiversity.
  • Reuse human and natural wastes, in all its aspects, as plant nutrients and change the way that we view waste and redefine it as a collection of nutrients.
  • Optimize use of land area by growing in all possible directions (let beans grow with help of maize stems).

To create a water sustaining system, we will:

  • The best place to store water is within a healthy, well structured soil
  • Build ponds and swales that reduce erosion, store water and also create a new living space for plants and animals.
  • Use a natural watering system of flood irrigation to try and cut down on our use of on farm plastics
  • Install rainwater collectors on the roof of the house that will collect and can store the water that falls in the rain season.
  • Build helophyte(plant) filters that turn human wastewater into plant biomass.
  • Create an ecto-organic layer, by mulching, that will store water and reduces evaporation.
  • Groasis waterboxx. This system is designed to mimic the natural process of birds pooping out seeds, giving shelter and nutrients to the germinating seed. It consists of a dew harvester, a wick to lead the water into the ground and a cut-open bucket for  a small tree to grow in.
  • Porous capsule irrigation. This method feeds irrigation water into porous capsules buried in the ground (like clay pots). When the soil around the capsules is dry, it will draw water from the pots.
  • Minimize human water use.

We will try to obtain energy out of sustainable sources and reduce our energy consumption:

  • Solar panels
  • Wind turbines

Permaculture is an action-based philosophy which centers around three main values:  *Earth care *People care *Fair share

It is the design and maintenance of an agriculturally productive ecosystem which has the diversity, resilience, and stability of natural ecosystems. It integrates landscape and people harmoniously and provides food, energy, shelter, material- and non-material needs in a sustainable way.

At Toca do Coelho, we are working with nature to create an abundant and honest communal living space for everyone. We are using a holistic approach to stimulate both social and environmental development. We envision a place in which flora, fauna and people reciprocate in a sustainable and harmonious way.

Water management and soil improvement currently have our priority. The month of August will be used mainly to clear the land, to create space for a well-designed permaculture ecosystem. The future will bring ecological experiments, (adapted) technological development, innovative farming and building practices, nutritional explosions, artistic extravaganza, social cooperation, communal living and conscious creation- building on a beautiful future!

 

Agroforestry is the idea of farming in symbiosis and simulating the model of a forest. Within a forest there is almost prefect water infiltration through rich mulch layers and deep roots of trees, the soil is disturbed as little as possible thus keeping good soil structure and soil biology alive. The most productive landscape on the planet in terms of amount of biomass produced is a forest in which the canopy is 80% closed, it combines the leaves, fruits and wood products of trees with the climbers that thrive growing up among the branches, the bushes in between the trees basking in the dappled shade and then a herbaceous layer covering the forest floor and the tubers that hungrily wallow in the deep luscious soils.

 

We aim to take this model of a forest and make it a productive and abundant place for animals, plants and peoples alike. We want to shift our focuses and our livelihoods from exploitation of the earth to respect for the forest to cultivate our sustenance.

Agroforestry is an ancient practice, utilised by the civilisations of old which is now fast having to be relearnt and applied across the world in the face of our ecological and spiritual disconnection from nature. Due to this we are experimenting with plants from all across the world to develop the right system for our needs here in Toca., however we use native plants to Portugal wherever possible.

When we as humanity can find a way to grow our food without breaking our backs or the backs of nature only then can we say we truly are living. Toca is focused on cre

Learn more about permaculture at http://permacultureprinciples.com/ or join one of our upcoming workshops at Toca Do Coelho!