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Path to Permaculture

for Home, Community, and Planet

Path to Permaculture
This book is 75% completeLast updated on 2026-08-24
Rhonda Baird

We are having a moment. We are well into systems collapse whether that be ecological, built environments, or social. Our global community is challenged by war, disease, and climate disruption. This is both challenging and the ground of new possibilities. Our task is to see and navigate toward something better for ourselves and future generations of life on this planet. 

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About

About

About the Book

This is permaculture text which covers the fundamental elements of design.

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Author

About the Author

Rhonda Baird

"What is going on in the world? What can I do about it?"

I grew up close to the Earth among an extended family that relied on the forests and lakes to provide when factories were closed or times were tough. I balance learning, practice, and creativity.

  • Co-originated Indiana Forest Alliance and served as its executive director for two years a decade later.
  • Community organized and offered support in: south-side Chicago, Milwaukee, labor, domestic violence, and homelessness
  • Studied American History--Labor and Social Reform Movements as well as South Asian Religions and Gender Studies
  • Teaching and practicing Permaculture Design since 2005; adjunct faculty at Indiana University since January 2018.
  • Homeschooled my kids through elementary school and tended a permaculture system (to this day)
  • Studied at the Tracker School, Art of Mentoring, and other Nature Connection programs
  • Served on the editorial guild for Permaculture Design magazine from 2008-2021; served as senior editor from 2017-2021
  • Studied and practice sociocracy through Sociocracy for All Network, participate in the permaculture circle for SoFAN; serve as its Operational Leader
  • Co-originated the Great Rivers and Lakes Permaculture Institute and supported diploma design and field advising for the Permaculture Institute of North America

Contents

Table of Contents

Chapter One - What is Permaculture?

  1. Introduction
  2. Why Permaculture, Why Now?
  3. Where Permaculture Started
  4. The Evidence Is In
  5. What Is Permaculture?
  6. Three Core Ethics and a Number of Principles
  7. Permaculture Aphorisms and Principles (Mollison)
  8. Permaculture Principles (Holmgren)
  9. Systems Thinking
  10. Weaving in Another Thread: Caretaking
  11. Permaculture Practice: Observation
  12. Patterns in Nature and Culture

Chapter Two - Earth Systems

  1. The Logic of the Planet
  2. Ecosystems
  3. Climate
  4. Biogeography

Chapter Three - Water

  1. Water Is Precious
  2. Fresh Water
  3. Permaculture Design and Water
  4. Water Storage
  5. Catchment Systems
  6. Wetland Systems
  7. What About Wells?
  8. How Much Water Do You Need?
  9. Designing Water Cascades

Chapter 4: Trees and Forests in Permaculture Design

  1. The Role of Trees in the Ecosystem
  2. Threats to Forests
  3. Biomass
  4. Wind
  5. Temperature
  6. Precipitation
  7. What Trees Provide and Need
  8. Putting It All Together: The Life of the Forest
  9. References
  10. Footnotes

Chapter 5: Soil

  1. What Is Dirt?
  2. Soils of the World
  3. Building Healthy Soil
  4. Healthy Soil, Healthy Plants, Healthy People
  5. Footnotes
  6. Fact-Check & Logic Notes

Chapter 7: Microclimates

  1. In Your Garden
  2. Factors That Shape Microclimates
  3. Identifying and Working With Microclimates
  4. Applying Microclimates in the Home
  5. Applying Microclimates in the Garden
  6. Playtime
  7. Footnotes
  8. Fact-Check & Logic Notes

Chapter 8: Food and Nutrition; Garden Design

  1. Nutrition
  2. Design for Nutrition
  3. Garden Design for the Seasons
  4. Footnotes
  5. Fact-Check & Logic Notes

Built Environment

  1. What does care of the Earth look like when looking at the built environment?
  2. Settlement Patterns
  3. Building Design Patterns and Improvements for Sustainability

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