NOTHING HAPPENS FOR NOTHING.
PERMACULTURE, A LIFE-CHANGING TRAINING COURSE.
Unexpected circumstances made me available to participate in the "Introduction to Permaculture" training course offered at Jacynthe's farm from July 6 to 12, 2015, by Bernard Alonso, a renowned French-speaking permaculture practitioner who generously shares his passion and knowledge with people and communities in several countries and continents around the world. Bernard teaches permaculture training courses called CCPs for "Cours Certifiés en Permaculture" or PDCs for "Permaculture Design Certificate Courses." These internationally recognized training courses take place over two weeks and include both a theoretical and practical component in subgroups. Bernard's approach is oriented toward teamwork through the application of "human permaculture." And we are fortunate that this exceptional and highly sought-after individual has chosen to settle in Quebec, in the magnificent Eastern Townships region, in the Village of Frelighsburg.
Today's society pushes us to consume and overconsume. This is the basis of industrial society. However, more and more of us are understanding that it cannot continue like this, that it is not sustainable in the long term, that humans are destroying the planet, its ecosystems, its inhabitants. But there are solutions, including the application of permaculture, to help us achieve the goal of " living in this world as a sustainable ecosystem, where all living beings on this planet have their place without exception, not only the different ethnic groups, but also all life on earth, including the animal, plant, and mineral worlds. " It's a beautiful image, isn't it? It speaks to me a lot.
The Office of the French Language gives the following definition of permaculture: " A set of practices and ways of thinking aimed at developing a territory that is in synergy with nature, so that development is sustainable and ecosystems are respected, even strengthened ."
In simpler terms, we can also say that permaculture is copying nature .
Throughout the week, in addition to Bernard's valuable teachings, we also received visits from guests who had found their "niche" and their way of expressing themselves in life . This is certainly why listening to them was so exciting. It is interesting to mention that several were students of Bernard and today they live their lives expressing their passion .
* Lyne Bellemare, Artisanal Seed Producer , took us on a journey through the history of Montreal with a melon and alerted us to so-called "hybrid" seeds: it is surprising to learn that eating organic may not be as organic as we think. (www.terrepromise.ca & www.semences.ca).
* Francis Gendron of Solution Era explained the concept of earthships, ADAPT technologies, and solar greenhouses and houses . I think I can safely say that we all wanted to move into such a home by the end of his presentation (www.maison@solutionera.com).
* Nicole Desrosiers shared with us her passion for landscaping and edible plants (ndesrosiers@videotron.ca).
* Alexandre McLean, Urban Beekeeper, explained to us the basics of a healthy hive and the care to give to the bees . Some of us were able to taste honey directly drawn from the hives installed at Jacynthe's (www.alveolemtl.com).
* Using practical exercises, Mathieu Gallant and Marjorie Gignac taught us about Geobiology, the science that considers the energetic aspect of the planet and humans. Geobiology has several concrete applications, including the detection and mitigation of electromagnetic pollution in our homes. Geobiology can also be used in design (www.geosophie.com).
* And to close our week, a panel composed of Ingrid Schutt, Homeopath (www.homeopathe.ca), Luc Larivée, Aromatherapist (lariveel@videotron.ca), Vanessa Curutchet, Ayurveda practitioner (www.vanesaayurveda.com) and Véronique Bourbeau, Naturopath and Herbalist (veroniquebourbeau@yahoo.ca). Each explained to us how their practice could help us take care of our health and also, how these treatments could complement each other . This exchange and this beautiful sharing made us live a truly inspiring moment.
Did this training change anything in my life?
There are no prerequisites to follow this training and everyone arrives with their own background, level of knowledge and their own motivation. Some participants in my group, already owners of their residence or a vacant lot, were looking for and actually found concrete solutions related to the development of their property and the installation of sustainable solutions . Others, like me, wanted to learn how to apply the principles of permaculture to their lives . For my part, I intend to use the principles of permaculture to help me find my way, my mission in this life, thanks to the gift that Bernard reserved for us at the very end of the course, that of helping us find our "niche". Understanding our niche and expressing our role is far from trivial in life . I draw a lot of inspiration from this quote: "Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you do, you will succeed."
Did I know anything about plants or gardening before signing up for this training? Apart from maintaining my little plot in the community garden, no. Do I have a large plot of land or a house in the country? Not at all, I live in a 3rd-floor condo in the suburbs of Montreal. Can I apply the principles of permaculture in my life? Yes, absolutely, absolutely, because it's not just about plants, gardening, or where you live, and that's what's wonderful about permaculture. Quite frankly, I didn't expect to learn so much about so many different subjects and to end my days with stars in my eyes and a heavy heart at the thought that there would be an end to this wonderful week. And I didn't expect to meet such wonderful people or create such wonderful connections.
Since this training, I am even more aware of the world around me and the actions I take on a daily basis. I use water more consciously in the house. I look at our landscaping, our parks and our houses with another vision , a more critical eye. I do the grocery shopping with a little more reserve, a little in shock at all that we want to consume. I have an even greater respect for the generosity of nature . The earth is good and generous to us. It is up to us to take care of it, of it and of all its inhabitants.
Oh yeah... I got myself some dresses the week after our workshop, and I'm wearing them. It just goes to show that permaculture makes humans bloom too :)
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