Building community resilience in Leitrim through permaculture training

In the midst of international upheaval, a new course at the Organic Centre in Leitrim seeks to turn problems into solutions.

The ‘Introduction to Permaculture’ weekend on April 11 and 12, led by Philip Allen from ‘Lagan Valley Permaculture Networking’, aims to provide a solid understanding of how to design environmentally productive landscapes by building systems that work together in ways that mimic nature, while also fostering a stronger sense of community self-reliance and resilience.

This course is particularly timely in light of global turbulence, with systems under strain due to the war in the Middle East, exposing weaknesses in the current energy and food supply model.

Philip Allen has been teaching permaculture since 1992, is a community activist, and developed a city farm project in Belfast.

“This topical course will help you in this current climate moving towards community self-reliance and resilience. It's solution driven, helping turn problems into solutions,” said Philip.

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“People will gain tips and tricks for your garden but also for working together as a community. Its perfect for both gardeners and non gardeners alike.”

As well as demonstrating how to make a ‘no dig’ herb garden with a supporting pond, Philip will illustrate how each component of any system can be supported by a neighbouring component.

For example, runner beans climbing up an apple tree: the tree supports the climbing beans, and the beans fix nitrogen to support the apple tree.

The course will also touch on areas such as time banking, the LETS system, conservation, empowering people, food storage and organisation, and helping people ‘think outside the box’, according to Allen.

“It’s important to re-energise communities to work better together. While protest can affect change, permaculture can help empower you to build local, economical, cooperative networks,” added Philip.

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The course is a weekend event running over two days: Saturday, April 11, and Sunday, April 12.

More information and booking can be found here.

Those who are on income supports can receive a 15 percent discount by calling the Organic Centre on 07119854338.