Maximum Yield USA February/March 2020 | Page 12

bare ROOTS VOLUME 22 – NUMBER 1 February /March 2020 Featured Contributors CB Chris Bond’s research interests are with sustainable agriculture, biological pest control as well as alternative growing methods. He is a certified permaculture designer and certified nursery technician in Ohio and a certified nursery professional in New York, where he got his start in growing. EH Eric Hopper has more than 10 years of experience in the hydroponic industry as both a retail store manager and owner. He continuously seeks new methods and products that could help maximize garden performance. Eric resides in Michigan where he and his family strive for a self-sufficient and sustainable lifestyle. Contributors + Monica Mansfield Philip McIntosh Dr. Lynette Morgan Sally Nex Maximum Yield is published bi-monthly by Maximum Yield Inc. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without permission from the publisher. If undeliverable please return to the address below. The views expressed by columnists are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect those of Maximum Yield or the editor. Publication Agreement Number 40739092 Printed in Canada 2339 A Delinea Place, Nanaimo, BC V9T 5L9 Phone: 250.729.2677; Fax 250.729.2687 ADVERTISING SALES [email protected] EDITORIAL [email protected] DESIGN & PRODUCTION [email protected] ACCOUNTING [email protected] Maximum Yield is available at Maximum Yield is distributed direct to retailers via FedEx®, with distribution support from our partners: A PERMACULTURE DL Wholesale dlwholesale.com Hydrofarm hydrofarm.com Permaculture is the design and creation of gardening ecosystems that are both self- sufficient and sustainable. The point of permaculture is to design a whole system that mimics natural scenarios in which a garden can sustain itself and the gardener. This process of gardening is organic, but it goes beyond simple organic gardening with a set of principles and a focus on working with nature instead of against it. Derived from the terms permanent and agriculture, permaculture focuses on emulating processes found within natural systems. By mimicking natural scenarios and connections between plants, insects, animals, and soil biology, permaculture seeks to create a thriving ecosystem with minimal input from the gardener. Originally defined in 1974 by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren: The conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems. Permaculture has since expanded its definition and now includes many branches: ecological design; ecological engineering; regenerative design; environmental design; construction; integrated water resources management; sustainable architecture; and self-maintaining agricultural systems modeled from natural ecosystems. Check out Monica Mansfield’s article on page 34 for more information. 12 Maximum Yield