Getting the word out

I have never been one to push my views out there with my neighbors, but I have been looking for non preachy ways to get the word out regarding permaculture.   I appear to have found an approach that works for me.  I narrow things down to one specific issue and open dialogue with someone regarding that issue and seeking their help.  

For example,  if I have a neighbor burning leaves, I do not confront them regarding their leaf burning.  In fact I wait until leaf burning season is over.  I then approach them for help in solving my problem.  In this example the conversation might begin something like, “ You know Joe, in the past leaf burning has not been much in an issue for me, but now my wife is developing asthma, and I am trying to figure out how to get rid of the things without burning.”   This normally leads to a discussion where they come up with a solution to fix my problem.  Of course, during the discussion I am shaping the solution in baby steps. In the end, the person I am talking to is proud they have fixed my problem. And, more often than not, they change their own practices as well.

 At no time do I use the words permaculture, environment, organic, or any other buzz word.  At no time do I suggest that they change anything.  I seek their help in getting me to change.

Now, I am not saying this works for everyone.  But, over the past 5 months or so I have had a half dozen of these conversations with overall decent results.

John said, " At no time do I use the words permaculture, environment, organic, or any other buzz word.  At no time do I suggest that they change anything.  I seek their help in getting me to change.

I feel you are on the right track by asking for their help.  Generally, people want to help.  I had a boss one time that wanted me to use the word "help" when I placed business calls.  He had been in a previous life in the yellow page business.

John said, "in the past leaf burning has not been much in an issue for me, but now my wife is developing asthma, and I am trying to figure out how to get rid of the things without burning.

I like this also and your approach is really good.

For me, I would probably say something like "can I have your leaves for my compost pile"

This sounds like an effective "long game" for working with neighbors who might be put off but those buzz words. After neighbor 1 suggests that you mulch the leaves, you can come back afterwards explaining how much it seemed to help your plants, and then you can ask for their leaves if they aren't already using them. Plus the next neighbor you mention it to can be told "neighbor suggested I..." before you ask for their leaves, so you are part of "a team" with neighbor 1, so neighbor 2 may be more willing to join the team.

Perhaps with a few conversations like that, you might have developed Wheaton Eco Scale 1 neighbors who don't even know it.