guildfordcycads

I’m brand new to this stuff. The only other plants I’ve ever owned have been succulents and one air plant which died when I left the house for too long. I’ve now got a flourishing (?) indoor space while I wait for the warmer season to come (which is looking like it’s gonna be a lot sooner given that every single week for the past 2-3 months has been the record high and given that we have had a total of 2 inches of snow for the entire winter despite normally getting up to 3 feet within a single day on a regular basis) but I’m running out of space quick especially because I’m waaaay hyperfixating on it right now and as a result am buying WAY more seeds than I will be able to use with the space I have. I started picking up planting a couple months ago when I planted some garlic and grams just for fun and once they started to take off, I had began to start worrying about food insecurity for my family and my neighbors, especially because there’s only one person in the household who makes any real money (I’m employed but it absolutely would not be sustainable in that event) so I want to be able to grow a ridiculous amount of food in a symbiotic, fully self-sustaining food forest where everything helps everything around it and where I can create a hobbit hole greenhouse to keep it sustained year-round much like Ogden’s Chad Midgley and his winter citruses.

I live in a 7a area in Utah, currently in a really bad drought, and my soil, as you can see, is absolutely dead. Additionally, the front yard is a mess but only because my mother decided that she would try to get rid of an entire network of bush in the front.

Another thing – I’ve been asked to help design the garden for my local homeless shelter, and I think I have the know-how I need to get the job done, but I still definitely need to learn more.

I would really really like to have one or two people with a decent amount of knowledge in permaculture and sustainable ecosystems collaborate with me on this with each step of the way, I have a harder time than most people doing/learning things like this.

Have 3 dogs that use the lawn for whatever they want (rocketing back and forth the whole thing and creating a dust cloud the size of SpongeBob’s Dirty Bubble). Soil is dry, semi-acidic, and rocky. One of them happens to also have a black hole where both her stomach and brain should be, and as a result, she is (and I can not stress this enough) CONSTANTLY sniffing the ground searching for something to eat, even though she not only eats her own “specialty” food, but she also eats the other dogs’ food even when we’re looking right at her, so… keep that in mind

I have a ridiculous amount of seeds and plants in pots right now and even more on the way. I’m trying to mostly focus on native plants like serviceberry, yarrow, and golden currant, but I also want a balance of familiar foods that I can feed my family, give away to my friends, and sell at a market. I can list the seeds + the other ones I have growing indoors if needed.

I’m using AI to generate those images based on what I have been reading and trying to to come up with a good design.

The idea is this:

A 4-5 hactares of land. Rows of trees (olive, figs, pomegrenade, citrus, apple and pear).

For olives for example, 7m spacing between trees, 10 meters between rows.

The 10 meters between rows would be left for 2.50meters each side (5 meters total) for the nitron fixing shrubs, rosemary and lavender, artichokes… around the trees.

while the the remaining space (the 5 meter alleys) would be left for machinery if needed, and growing alfalfa for rotational grazing for sheep.

From a perma culture point of view, does this make any sense of all? What would you add or remove from this equation, or maybe improve?

How does one introduce chicken into this? Should I have a chicken tractor, or a stationary coop? from my understanding it does not make much sense to let the chicken in the alfalfa alleys because the MANURE is too hot? as opposed to the sheep’s?

Hello everyone,

I’m 25 years old, from Germany, and I’m currently looking for an opportunity to work and live on a permaculture, biodynamic, or Demeter-oriented farm, either in the USA or Eastern Europe.

I’m at a point where I’m intentionally moving toward a more grounded and practical way of life one that’s closely connected to land stewardship, ecological responsibility, and meaningful physical work. Permaculture and biodynamic approaches resonate strongly with me because of their long-term, holistic view of soil, ecosystems, and community.

I have several years of hands-on experience working on a Demeter-certified farm, where I was involved in maintaining and working with traditional orchard meadows (Streuobstwiesen) as well as vegetable cultivation. This included general field work, seasonal tasks, maintenance, and supporting daily farm operations. I’m comfortable with physically demanding work and working outdoors in all weather conditions.

In addition, I’ve completed a vocational apprenticeship as a painter and decorator, which has given me a solid background in practical skills and maintenance work. I also studied Digital Film Production and hold a Bachelor of Arts (editing/color grading), but my current focus is very much on outdoor, hands-on work and contributing to everyday farm life rather than creative or office-based work.

I’m reliable, physically capable, adaptable, and motivated to learn. I’m happy to help wherever needed general farm labor, animal care, field work, maintenance, or seasonal projects. Ideally, I’m looking for something longer-term, where trust, responsibility, and skills can grow over time.

I’m currently based in Germany but open to relocating. On-site accommodation would be ideal, though I’m flexible and open to discussing different arrangements depending on the situation.

If you run a permaculture or biodynamic farm or know of someone who might be looking for committed help. I’d really appreciate hearing from you. I’m happy to answer questions or share more details via DM.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Recently saw a tropical homestead that packed 150 plants into 800 square meters. That’s a lot of food. Not to mention having things like nitrogen in our own pee and the ability to compost.

It makes logical sense that the earth can’t support an infinite population, but I feel like the conversations on overpopulation are happening a bit prematurely, don’t you think?

Presentation at the 2026 Organic Association of Kentucky Conference exploring the revolutionary philosophy behind Geomancer’s work at Kilrush Food Forest and the local advocacy that made this project possible, including how young farmers and those without access to land can organize themselves effectively to grow food and ecologically regenerative green spaces in their own communities.