Today, I am going to introduce you
to the Permaculture Action Network,
which is an incredible organization
that is mobilizing thousands
of people across the nation
to regenerate the land,
to live more sustainably
through permaculture and direct action
while creating more just and equal systems.
[music]
Being in an urban environment
and doing this type of work is key
to reaching a lot of people,
and showing people of all ages intergenerational,
the importance of knowing where
their food comes from,
and reconnecting the food with the community.
In an urban environment
we are densely populated,
and this is where we need it the most.
When we think of sustainability, we think,
okay, how can we kind of limit
the harm that we are doing
and keep things where we are at
more or less, but to be regenerative.
And say we need to go way beyond that.
There has already been so much damage done.
We need to heal that damage.
We need to increase biodiversity,
create more life afirming systems
So to regenerate is to really build back
that network of connections between
all organisms and living things.
For me a big part of permaculture
is actually understanding how
to communicate and understanding
what people's needs are
and understanding how to work together
to meet those needs so that we can
make environmentaly sustainable choices.
[music]
Permaculture Action Network is Rad!
They are a really amazing group of activists.
You can tell as a company
and as a network of people,
they are just very well versed
in how to do the work, how to move lightly
and gracefully within the communities
that they work with, how to gather people
and have a lot of different folks
in charge and in places of leadership.
Permaculture Action Network
partners with performing artists,
touring musicians, festivals, to mobilize
people from cultural events,
to days of direct action where we
are building regenerative systems like these.
We invite people to spaces to recognize
that they can learn new skills and become
resilient peoples amongst their communities.
To actually provide the necessities
of life and livelihood in their place.
Showing up after a tour is holy gratifying
to be able to get your hands in the ground
and plant a tree or weed a lawn.
You know, it is just really gratifying
on a very base level.
I think of it as sort of a triangle of energy,
where Rising Appalachia's
or whatever band or musician
is sort of a bugle call to the people
about an action day happening.
Permaculture action is well versed
in organizing in permaculture
and getting the tools needed
to make that happen.
And then they work very closely with
someone on the ground that owns the land,
or owns the house or the farm
or the community garden.
So it is kind of a triad of support
that works really well.
[music]
We are creating a dynamic environment
in which people can work on collective
liberation with one another.
And everyone benefits from the situation.
Regeneration means building back up the soil,
building back up the community.
The only way to do that is to have
diversity and good energy.
It is not an environmental movement.
It is a cultural movement.
By permaculture, to me it is kind of self explanitory,
but it has gotten confused.
It just means building a culture
that can sustain into the future.
I see the healing as an overall big
process in terms of people healing not
just their body, but healing their mind.
I think that is something that I have
been able to do and been showing people how,
so that they can appreciate the art
of a farmer or gardener so that
later on in life, that...
Hey, you can do this yourself.
Healing is being able feed your community.
Being able to gather together.
Being able to talk and share stories
and learn new skills.
It is really imporatant to us to
do this kind of work in a new way.
I think the quote that most stands out
in my mind is, "If you have come
to help me, then you are wasting your time.
But if you have come because you realize
your liberation is bound up with mine,
then let us work together."
That right there is what we are
trying to create through these action days.
That is what this movement is about.
Us creating our own futures that we want.
That is what regeneration is.
Constant learning is how we will
be able to adapt and regenerate.
[music]
In my nearly decade of working in sustainability,
the Permaculture Action Network truly is
one of the most authentic,
and really well designed,
and well thought-out organizations
that I have come across.
They are not just working on sustainability.
It is about true equality and justice as well.
These things really cannot be seperated.
They are all together.
I hope that you will support their
work and get involved.
There are links in the description
of this video in order to be able to do that.
If you want this to get out there
and inspire more people,
make sure that you like this video,
comment, and share it with people
who would be inspired by this.
Many more videos are to come.
Make sure to subscribe to this channel
as well, if you have not already yet.
I love you all very much
and I will see you again real soon.