Justin Grothe

Hey Thomas, thanks for your response mate. The reason I have 2 threads going is I am a wee bit of a luddite and wasn't aware of correct procedure. All good now though as you have informed me hey...

I wasn't aware of a Permaculture course being held in Chengdu recently! I do go there a bit though so I reckon I could find out some things through my friends there...

The whole picture of farming in these very rural communities is so unbelievable when you consider that China and other Asian communities have been farming sustainably for far longer than any western nation. Something obviously happened to change that and whatever it is (I suspect the green revolution where the only green about it is the green in the companies pockets), it has got its claws into modern farming techniques and is an uphill battle to change. Tis a most worthy battle though I believe, otherwise we wouldn't be doing it...

Appreciate the seed exchange idea. If I get lucky I will let you know mate...
Anyway I have a load of emails to get through and just finished my day in the field so will leave it at that...

Will post another update soonish...

Cheers
Justin

Greetings planet healers, just a quick update from the Panda mountain Reserve in the Sichuan Province in China!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolong_National_Nature_Reserve

I mentioned previously a need for some advice, ways to source Organic open pollinated seed and/or anyone in this part of China for some help here at Wolong. Recently I managed to get some materials to construct a couple of hothouses for growing different varieties of vegetables, have been to Chengdu to network with some people there regarding the local endemic trees for the re-vegetation of the eroded mountain sides, and to come up with some sustainable creative solutions for stopping the grazing of existing forests. And we need a solution to the rubbish/plastic burning that goes on regularly...

So basically I still have a need for some assistance up here from anyone that can offer it, be it advice, practical hands-on or some contacts for seeds etc... Most especially, I wish to find where to source seeds in China...

Cheers everyone, keep on healing!!

Justin

Hello all you Permies out there. Keep up the good work! We WILL change the world...

I am volunteering at the Wolong giant Panda reserve 2.5hrs out of Chengdu, China.
I only arrived 4 days ago but have already begun meeting the local farmers.
This place is a very important site for reintroduction of Pandas into the wild. Since the 2008 earthquake, the locals have done a lot of rebuilding and spirits are high here. Alas the Gov has basically abandoned the place and so local farmers do what they can to survive. They mostly grow Gov issued GE corn, potatoes etc. Also they graze stock into the remaining forests and the biodiversity of the place is dwindling. The introduced Japanese Larch is monoculturing and taking over as well. So you see much to do...

I was wanting to connect with anyone in China who has a passion for restoration, Pandas, organic farming and more who could offer some advice, come up and help me communicate (I do not speak Mandarin unfortunately) YET, or otherwise help create a positive solution to the above probs...

Thanks for listening