what questions do you want to ask Permaculture Voices Speakers?

So as I have said, I am going to be attending Permaculture Voices 2 in just a few weeks!! I have been talking with my buddy Chef Seth (permaculture chef who has cooked at PV and Wheaton Labs AND a speaker) and we were brainstorming about ways to bring this conference to the many many people who won't be able to attend.

So... we have been brainstorming and one thing we KNOW we are going to do is little interviews of the attendees and the speakers.

So for those of you who cant go this year (or people who are going), you probably have some specific burning questions you want to ask. What are those questions?

We obviously can't promise that every question will be asked, but put em all here and we will try to pick the best ones! The little interviews we will be doing will be short, so it's probably best to keep that in mind when proposing questions.


So yeah, what are your thoughts?


THIS IS GOING TO BE SO AMAZINGGG!

What is the most expert advice you would like to offer, and see out there?
How would you best set up an eco-retreat/educational center to be able to feed yourself first and then interns or short term visitors?
Favorite info sites?
Favorite sites worldwide to meet up in the future for more retreats/trainings.

Thanks Kelly!

Anyone else got any?

Cassie,
Here are my questions of:

Marcin Jakubowski
What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned on maintaining momentum for an idea?

Allan Savory
How do we equip “everyday” farmers who have made a change to holistic management in order for them to convince their neighbors to change?
Do you see a role for measuring Brix values of your pastures?

Grant Schultz
Introducing swine into an orchard or silvopasture setting can help both the orchard and the animal. How can we make a determination as to how long to let swine forage before they do damage?

Dr. Elaine Ingham
I practice cold, long-cycle composting. Can you elaborate on any downside to this technique other than the time issue?

Adam Klaus
If we’re looking for a breed that consumes less pasture, I assume we’re talking about a smaller breed. Considering the homestead-level operation, what are some of the smaller bovine breeds you might recommend for hardiness Zone 5-6 in the Midwest of the U.S.?


And Cassie, would it be a good guess to say you’re an Archer fan?

Dan Grubbs wrote:
And Cassie, would it be a good guess to say you’re an Archer fan?

Great questions for the speakers! And no, I've never even seen Archer. Why? haha

Cassie Langstraat wrote:And no, I've never even seen Archer. Why? haha

There is a character in one episode that drives the other characters nuts by always saying, in a protracted way, "AMAAAAAZZZINNGG!"

Dan Grubbs wrote:
There is a character in one episode that drives the other characters nuts by always saying, in a protracted way, "AMAAAAAZZZINNGG!"

Ha! Well nope, I wasn't aware of that. Just really freakin excited for PV2. haha

Great idea, little 5 minutes interviews. OK, so, what to ask. Each and everyone that you question must answer this: List the top 5 things people can do or should do to start living a more permaculture life. And, what is the big item that got them involved in Permaculture in the first place? Those two would be very interesting. Thanks for the question. Rich.

Ask Jack Spirko or Mark Shephard to list the business diagram for starting a permie retreat-eco-village, educational center. Like... start with an llc.... He once described the legal business model, but I want more details or clarity! the permaculture land development company!!!

Great ones everybody. Anyone else?

I hate to say it, but I'm with Kelly. I want to hear some more about this legal mumbo jumbo as it relates to business.

In addition to basic business/ tax write off stuff I'm interest in hearing about liability. Like what happens when you fuck a landscape or property up? I mean no one ever intends to, but I know people botch jobs sometimes. I don't do landscaping but I've seen landscapers screw up. When your playing with things like water tables that seems like it could be serious. Do they carry insurance? I'm interested not only in peoples successes in this but also their failures as well as worse case serious. God I hate the web of adult businessdumb but it does seem to work for making the money stuff.

Landscapers definitely carry insurance to protect them from those kinds of claims. Many jurisdictions require licensing if you are in the business of landscaping...makes me wonder if insurance might even be a requirement in some areas.

I want to hear the "elevator speech" that presenters may have/give. How do you do justice to the field in a conversational summary? I've been in the permaculture world for a little over a year, and I still struggle to give a concise explanation (particular to the complete layperson) when people ask me, "Permaculture, what is that?"

I wouldn't mid hearing stamets get way more technical than he usually does. Like, the chemistry behind fungal enzyme catalysts? That'd be cool. Fungal life cycle and the 8 ways spore swap (or however that stuff works). I've seen him speak several times and I personally want more than the intro level spiel.

Also, what with the liability and business questions. How long does liability extend. Like, what if 15 years later someone swears your earthwork caused that landslide.

If you get a chance to interview Mark Sheppard I'd really like to know what his annual revenues are from his on farm nut and fruit (ideally separate to compare) tree crops.

Zach, there is an interesting discussion of Mark Shepard's operations on Facebook going the last few days. Some good insights. Maybe you already saw it.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Regrarians/permalink/378917592295014/