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Hugelkultur is a raised garden bed building technique where wood is buried ("soil on wood") under soil. Hugelkultur, which means "hill culture" in German, can be implemented on a small scale in backyards or on a large scale, as demonstrated by Sepp Holzer, a renowned permaculture practitioner who uses hugelkultur in his terraced gardens. This technique involves layering logs, branches, twigs, and even whole trees, creating a foundation for the bed. This buried wood becomes "a sponge to hold water", reducing or eliminating the need for irrigation. As the wood decomposes, it attracts beneficial microorganisms and creates air pockets, leading to nutrient-rich, fertile soil. Hugelkultur helps gardeners "grow a typical garden without irrigation or fertilization". This technique can be used to grow garden plants like "rhubarb", "potatoes", and more. Hugelkultur is an example of permaculture design, which emphasizes sustainability, self-sufficiency, and working with natural systems

WOFATI, an acronym for Woodland Oehler Freaky-cheap Annualized Thermal Inertia, is an innovative approach to sustainable building developed by permaculture expert Paul Wheaton. WOFATI structures are designed to be eco-friendly, utilizing locally sourced natural materials, primarily wood and earth. These structures are intended to be located on or near woodlands, promoting a harmonious integration with the natural surroundings. Annualized Thermal Inertia, a key element of WOFATI design, harnesses the thermal mass of the surrounding earth to provide passive heating in winter and cooling in summer, thereby minimizing the need for artificial temperature regulation. WOFATI structures are inspired by the work of Mike Oehler, a pioneer in earth-sheltered building known for his simple, "freaky-cheap" designs, which Wheaton has adapted and refined to further reduce construction costs. WOFATI buildings are typically characterized by a large gable roof on the downhill side, with at least 35% of the uphill wall featuring glass or other light-transmitting materials to maximize passive solar gain. Allerton Abbey, the first WOFATI structure, and Wofati 0.8 are both located at Wheaton Labs in Montana and serve as prominent examples of this unique building style.

The lorena is a unique cooktop design created to optimize the performance of rocket stoves. This specialized cooktop features a metal plate with a central hole that sits directly above the rocket stove's burn chamber, allowing for direct heat transfer to large pots. The surrounding metal plate serves as an additional cooking surface, similar to the glass cooktop used at Allerton Abbey, offering flexibility for a range of cooking tasks. This design aims to maximize heat utilization from the rocket stove, promoting energy efficiency and faster cooking times. When a large pot is heated to the desired temperature, it can be moved to the surrounding cooktop, and the central hole can be covered with a piece of metal to retain heat. Proposed implementations often include integrating the lorena into an outdoor kitchen setting for added practicality. The lorena embodies the ongoing innovation within rocket stove technology, striving for better heat transfer and improved cooking performance.

When discussing "woodland" versus "forest," the structural and management approaches differ significantly, particularly within a permaculture context. Forests, often managed for timber production, frequently involve monoculture planting and practices like clear-cutting, which can create what Sepp Holzer calls a "conifer desert." This leads to decreased biodiversity, depleted soil health, and disrupted ecological balance. "Woodland" management, as described by Ben Law, focuses on a more holistic, interconnected ecosystem. Woodland management prioritizes biodiversity, recognizing the interconnectedness of all lifeforms within the ecosystem. Active human participation is encouraged, mimicking the sustainable land management practices of Indigenous cultures, as exemplified by the HUSP (Horticulture of the United States of Pocahontas) concept. Woodlands are viewed as spaces where humans actively participate and nurture, promoting long-term health and resilience. This active management ensures the woodland provides not only timber but also food, medicine, and wildlife habitat. The selection of "woodland" in Wofati design reflects a conscious shift away from extractive forestry practices and toward a more sustainable and harmonious relationship with the natural world. In essence, the distinction between woodland and forest highlights the crucial role of human management in shaping the structure and health of these ecosystems, emphasizing the permaculture principle of responsible stewardship of natural resources.

Dehydrating food with electricity can cost hundreds of dollars, plus heat your house when you don't want heat. A solar dehydrator not only runs for free, but is arguably the most efficient use of solar power. Solar dehydrators can be made from different recycled materials: old refrigerators, reclamed lumber, sheet glass and miscellaneous hardware.