Hello, I'm Spencer. Can't believe I haven't spent any time on this site before. I've been missing out, what a great resource!
Here's a little bit about myself: I'm 37 y/o, grew up in Missouri. Have mostly worked and lived in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Hawaii. I've also worked seasonally in California, Vermont and the Appalachians. Been doing conservation/restoration work, trail work, river & ocean guiding, farming, archeology surveying, and permaculture consulting & installations most of my adult life.
Received my PDC license in 2017. Created, started, managed and completed the Lasagna Acres permaculture project (more info including design plans, maps, before/after pics, etc. on link in attachment at bottom) on the big island of Hawaii from 2017-2022 (informally started work on this project seasonally in 2012, before the final five years of full-time commitment).
In the permaculture world, I specialize in earthworking of all types- building trails, dry stone masonry, erosion control, pond construction, creating new gardens and farm plots, patios, stairways, terraces, foundations, etc... without the use of heavy machinery.
I also specialize in food production, from vegetable and other annual crops to orchard care.
My experience in the agriculture and permaculture world ranges from being a general farm-worker/laborer, harvester, caretaker of farm animals, farm manager, to working in a food hub as a salad master, produce sorter/packer, and doing food distribution & deliveries.
Some of my favorite types of permaculture work besides designing implementations, are hands-on projects like building aquaculture set-ups (I love working in and with water!), rock-work projects (stairs or terraces especially), and creating new growing spaces. I just love playing in the dirt!
I'm currently in northern Arizona with a small backyard kitchen garden, working on some archeology surveys and invasive grasses projects, after a needed break form running a farm full-time for several years.
I am now ready to take on the next big permaculture project. Most of my experience on the ground has been in Hawaii (sub-tropical climate) and the desert southwest (desert, mountains, up to the alpine), but I'm looking globally for the right spot! My girlfriend, Nikki also has willing and helpful hands and will be joining whatever we get into next. She is a food scientist and has a lot to offer.
I love doing the whole homestead thing and all of that, but currently at this stage of my life, I have a lot of energy and ambition that is more fulfilling to help others complete their vision of living more sustainably and treating the land as best as possible. I'm not intimidated by large scale projects and big plans, and I want to help others with grand visions. I love the implementation side of permaculture, not just the design process. There's room for both, but I feel like I have the most to offer through hands-on permaculture implementations. If you're looking to start something from scratch or dial-in and improve an already existing system, I'm interested. So please reach out if you think I might be a good fit for your next project.
Edit: I'm having trouble with adding a link, so please email me at
spencerp5446@live.com if you would like to view some of my work.
