Permaculture Principle No. 4: “Apply Self-Regulation And Accept Feedback”

Permaculture, in simple terms, is a way of designing and creating systems – like gardens or farms working in harmony with nature.

The word “permaculture” itself comes from combining “permanent” and “agriculture” or “culture,” reflecting a focus on sustainability and long-term thinking.

Permaculture was co-founded by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren in Tasmania, Australia, in the 1970s. Both Mollison and Holmgren played significant roles in developing and popularising permaculture.

Bill Mollison, an Australian ecologist, researcher, and teacher, was a driving force behind the development of permaculture. He observed natural ecosystems and traditional agricultural practices, inspiring the creation of a holistic design system.

David Holmgren, also an Australian ecologist, collaborated with Bill Mollison in refining and expanding permaculture principles. Holmgren’s contributions have been crucial in shaping the design framework and principles of permaculture.

In a nutshell, permaculture is like learning from nature’s playbook to create sustainable, efficient, and harmonious systems that support both the environment and people.

It’s about being smart, observing, and working together with the Earth to create a better way of living.

There are 12 Permaculture Principles and we will be looking each each one every month over the year and how we use it in our garden

Permaculture Principle No. 4:

“Apply Self-Regulation And Accept Feedback”

Permaculture Principle No. 4, as articulated by David Holmgren, one of the co-originators of permaculture, is “Apply self-regulation and accept feedback.” This principle emphasises the need for systems and individuals to regulate themselves and to be receptive to feedback, which is crucial for sustainability and improvement. Here’s a detailed look into this principle, broken down into explanation, application, and expected outcome:

The principle “Apply self-regulation and accept feedback” focuses on the importance of monitoring and adjusting processes, behaviours, or systems to align with ecological and sustainable goals.

Self-regulation refers to the proactive steps taken to minimise negative impacts on the environment and on others.

Accepting feedback involves observing outcomes and effects that result from actions, and using this information to inform and adjust future actions. This principle draws on the understanding that sustainable systems must not only be efficient but also resilient and adaptable to changing conditions.

In Individual Practice:

Resource Use: An individual might monitor their energy and water usage, aiming to reduce waste. By measuring consumption regularly, they can identify trends and areas for improvement.

Gardening and Farming: Gardeners or farmers might apply this principle by observing the health of their plants and soil. Feedback mechanisms could include soil testing and plant health assessments, which inform whether adjustments in watering or pest management are needed.

In Community and Design:

Community Projects: In community gardens or local sustainability projects, feedback can be collected from participants and neighbours to improve the project’s reach and impact, adjusting practices to meet community needs more effectively.

Design of Living Spaces: Architects and urban planners can design buildings and public spaces that adapt to climate and local environmental conditions. Using feedback from users about the functionality and comfort of spaces can guide future designs.

Ecological Sustainability:

By applying self-regulation and accepting feedback, systems are continually adjusted to minimise ecological footprint. This leads to more sustainable practices that contribute less to pollution and degradation of ecosystems.

Increased Efficiency and Resilience:

Systems that adapt based on feedback become more efficient over time, as resources are better allocated and waste is reduced. Additionally, these systems tend to be more resilient to external shocks, whether ecological, economic, or social.

Enhanced Community Well-being:

In a community setting, engaging stakeholders through feedback loops increases participation and satisfaction, leading to projects and systems that better serve the community’s needs and values.

By actively engaging with this principle, individuals, communities, and organizations can create a dynamic process of learning and adaptation, which is essential for the development of sustainable and resilient systems. This reflects a deep permaculture commitment to care for the earth, care for people, and a fair share of resources and opportunities.

There are 12 permaculture Principles we will be looking at each one every month

When looking at implementing the design into our garden we looked at setting our sections up into different areas that suited, we have

1. Food Forest Area
2. Raised Bed Area
3. Kitchen Courtyard

This is a shot of our home showing the surrounding area. We are on a hill, at the top of the hill and behind us the fields you see are an even steeper hill

This is a long term project that will take time to grow and fill out, but we are adding to it each year and still getting harvests from the berries. last year was our first year getting some apples from the trees. Observing and self regulating as we go along.

Take a look at some of the starting blogs for more details of how we got started and what we have added A Little About Us and Where The Food Forest Has Started From – 2022 Update and Food Forest Area- New Fruit Trees Planted For 2023

PDC Permaculture Design Certificate

Peter received his Permaculture Design Certificate online in 2019 with Oregon State Uni. Certified by the Permaculture Institute of North America. Taught by: World Renowned Permaculturist Andrew Millison

Peter designed our garden using the Permaculture Design processes and the 12 Permaculture Principles.

Katrina started her Permaculture Design Certificate PDC PRO in 2024 to continue the process and pass all the knowledge onto Clayton and others.

Katrina & Clayton and family live in East Ayrshire and share their daily life in the garden on instagram. They practice permaculture principles in the garden, reducing & repurposing waste whenever they can. Katrina shows how home educating in nature has helped Clayton thrive.

Clayton Completed The Grow and Learn Course with the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society Last Year. This year he started the Level 2 Nurture Course. Clayton has just turned 16, Autistic, Non Verbal & has been Home Educated for the last 6yrs.

They featured on BBC Beechgrove Gardens Ep23 2022, and returned to the show for an update in 2023. Katrina & Clayton are also columnists for ScotlandGrows Magazine and Author of the new children’s book: Clayton’s New Garden Journey: A Story of Autism and Growing available on Amazon

Author of the new children’s book series: Clayton’s Garden Journey: A Story of Autism and Gardening and Sowing, Growing, Weather and Seasons Weekly Gardening Record Book available on Amazon