Alan McGill

With much of the planet trying to wean themselves off Russian natural gas, the timing on this is excellent. I'm pondering how we can get the resources all over.

Can you build RMH's from a bombed out Russian tank and remains of bombed out buildings?

Hi Kim,
Welcome. I got a notice about your post because I participated in the old one. What's up with you?

Andrew Cegielski wrote:How about a geodesic dome? How big do you want the structure to be? I can easily move my PVC domes around. They can be staked down and covered easily enough. I posted about my domes last November.

https://permies.com/t/151167/built-affordable-geodesic-greenhouse

I'd really like to see you try one of these and I'd be happy to help you along the way. Cheers!  

How about a dome from EMT steel conduit. They are sturdy. The dome shape sheds wind. I have covered mine with used billboard  vinyl tarps which are UV resistant. desertdomes.com  and domerama.com. what's the square footage you need? How many humans do you have to move them?

Yury Smirnov wrote:

carla beemer wrote:Welcome Yury! Have you ever used the Fokin hoe with a short handle, so it could be used while kneeling!

Well, originally it was made by V.Fokin with a long handle for a reason. He, being handiсapped himself (problems with spine), found it much easier to work with a long handle - does not need to bend his spine.
However, some of our customers also asked about short handles, (50-60 cm) and following their requests, we can provide short handles as well.  

Helo Yury, I garden from a wheel chair. One of my favorite tools is a short handled hoe. This looks like it could replace that tool and expand the effectiveness of my labor. Do you know of people using a Fokin hoe from a wheel chair? Thanks, Alan McGill

Searching the internet for percolation equipment, I came across this post. Even though it's 5 years old, I thought someone might find this solution helpful:
https://www.homesciencetools.com/product/separatory-funnel-squibb-style-1000-ml/

And here's a 2 liter setup specifically designed for percolating herbal extracts.
https://www.voyagebotanica.net/products/2-liter-percolation-cone-for-making-extracts?fbclid=IwAR2uwEmMf76MEZNucBcBZ7lEj5C6xbZE3Be8xz69GpwH2hOyTz5tRBYGW4M

Joe Braxton wrote:This might give you some ideas...


http://www.aprovecho.org/public/Publications/Still-The.Winiarski.Wood.Fired.Agricultural.Food.Dryer.pdf

Browsing this topic 5 years later, , I found the new link to the PDF:
http://aprovecho.org/?paybox_id=141

Hi Jen,

thanks for the reply. I'm sorry to take so long getting back to you. I don't have internet access where I'm currently living.

Your design is nicely drawn. I have to confess, I'm having trouble understanding your design, what's path and what's beds. As to getting folks to help, I'm still learning about that myself. My missing leg is more obvious than fibromyalgia, but I still have an ongoing task of communicating my needs and creating a situation where people can help and not lose something in the process. We always want everyone to be better off.

That said, I am finding that people are generally willing to help. What helps is when I'm organized enough to let people help as little or as much as they are inclined to do so. I'm really working on that one. It seems like you have a real handle on the work you want done, so if you were to break it down into specific tasks, folks will be able to pick a task they're willing to take on.

Another idea is a work party, pot-luck or other such gathering of friends. This can be fun!

I've been able to do some barters with friends who helped me with some painting in return for my design work. Maybe you could make a pie, design a rain garden, or do some other work in return for the physical work.

I'm surprised that you're not finding permies to be friendly and welcomin, but who knows.

One other thought, your design doesn't have to have a permaculture label on it. Having a water harvesting, healthy food producing garden seems like enough.

Thanks again for sharing your challenges. Please keep us posted. I think we can establish beneficial relationships and healthy interactions where everyone wins.

Hi Jen,

Thanks for sharing some of the challenges you're facing on your permaculture path. I can relate to the urgency you feel to get your systems in place before your condition degrades even more.

Do you have partners in this project? Are there friends or colleagues who can help you with the installation?

Have you considered bartering?

There are so many tasks to be done, it seems likely we can come up with ways to get the help we need while leaving everyone involved better off for the effort. Isn't this the basis of permaculture - establishing beneficial relationships.

If we do that between plants and soil and sun and wind, why not between humans as well?

Good luck with this.

I'd love to see your plans. I'll bet we can come up with ways to help get what you need done.

Cheers,
Alan

I'd like to add my vote for a new "Adaptive Permaculture" forum. The thread that's going now at https://permies.com/t/32966/permaculture/Adaptive-Permaculture-integrate-folks-disabilities#312626 has shown a tremendous interest in and need for ongoing conversation and solutions. Matu Collins started another thread specifically devoted to the autism spectrum - https://permies.com/t/32991/permaculture/Permaculture-Autism-Autism-Spectrum-Disorder.

Disability is a large diverse topic. And we are all "differently abled" from time to time. As we grow communities we will have to deal with these issues. A dedicated forum where we can share solutions will be a great resource.

C. Hunter said

Permaculture has the potential to be really, really transformative, not because of anything mystical 'dirt is good for disabled people', but because a lot of the whole concept of systems design, of making nature work for you, means that lower labor inputs open farming/homesteading/sustainable living up to people with disabilities. My little dream intentional community is kind of a goal with the idea of being both accessible to individuals with disabilities but also of providing community support from a self-advocate POV, rather than an imposed top-down theraputic structure.

Hey, C. Hunter, Thanks so much for sharing your thinking on this. I really get your message about incorporating the individuals (PWD's - I had to think a minute to get what that is - People with disabilities, right?) who'll be participating in your project in the planning phases. It's so important. But, what if you don't know who they are, yet? I'd love to hear more about your

little dream intentional community

As with any permaculture design, things will look really different depending on the designer, and the needs of the participants. I'm really looking for something that will begin to show some options, some examples of what accessibility might look like in a permaculture designed landscape. How will a one-legged guy be any use? Or a blind person? or someone on the spectrum?

Back in the late 70's I lived in a housing co-op which included a deaf man. As part of our agreement for living there, we agreed to participate in sign language classes. It was clearly stated up front that we were committing to this. And it was by and large a good experience for all.