How Can Permaculture Support Local Currencies?

“I’ve been practicing permaculture in my backyard for a couple of years now. It all started with the simple idea of growing my own food, and now I’m hooked! But lately, I’ve been wondering how I can use my permaculture principles to help support our local currency here in Christchurch. I want to do it in a way that uplifts my community and creates connections, but I’m not sure where to start. Any advice?” Thanks, Patrick, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Understanding the Link Between Permaculture and Local Currencies

Permaculture and local currencies might sound like two entirely different worlds, but they actually can be two sides of the same coin, supporting each other in meaningful ways. Permaculture is all about creating sustainable systems that work with nature, and what better way to extend that idea than into the economic system of your local community? By integrating local currencies, you’re essentially giving your community the tools to thrive economically while encouraging sustainable practices—a win-win!

Let’s take a closer look at how these two concepts can support each other, Patrick, while also lending a helping hand to the folks in your community.

Why Local Currencies Matter

Before we dig into the nitty-gritty, let’s quickly cover why local currencies matter. Local currencies are alternative monetary systems intended to keep wealth circulating within a specific community rather than leaking out to big corporations or external economies. Think of them as the economic equivalent of composting—reinvesting the nutrients back into the soil, or in this case, the local economy.

In many communities, local currencies work alongside the national currency, encouraging people to spend their money locally. This can help small businesses survive, foster a sense of local identity, and even lower carbon emissions since people are more likely to buy nearby instead of online or from afar.

How Permaculture Principles Apply

The guiding principles in permaculture, including *care for the earth*, *care for people*, and *return of surplus*, can be directly applied to local currencies. For instance:

• Care for the Earth: Local currencies can encourage community members to buy sustainable products, such as locally grown food or eco-friendly goods.
• Care for People: They help build stronger communities by encouraging cooperation, trust, and mutual support, much like a well-designed permaculture garden.
• Return of Surplus: Local currencies can keep resources flowing in the community, preventing economic “runoff” to larger, more distant markets.

Building Community Resilience Through Permaculture and Local Currencies

One of the most significant advantages of permaculture is its ability to build resilience—both in your garden and in your local community. Adding a local currency into the mix can make that resilience even stronger.

Resilience in Practice

Let’s say you’ve got a bumper crop of zucchinis in your permaculture garden. What do you do with them? Sure, you can preserve some and give some to friends, but what if you could also trade them for a service you need, like lawn mowing or sewing repairs, using a local currency? This not only puts your surplus to good use but also strengthens social ties and keeps services circulating within your community.

Patrick, imagine you could set up an informal “time bank” using the local currency where people trade services or produce. This type of resilience-building helps communities survive and thrive, even in tough economic times.

Practical Ways to Connect Permaculture with Local Currencies

Create a Community Exchange System

If your local currency isn’t already part of a community exchange system, consider starting or joining one. These networks allow members to trade goods and services without using national currency. People in the network can then use local currency to pay for items, or even skills, like gardening advice or permaculture workshops. Think of it like a farmer’s market, but with the added benefit of using your local currency.

Host Workshops and Events

One simple but effective way to contribute is by hosting permaculture workshops. Charge an entry fee—payable in the local currency—and share your skills. This not only promotes permaculture but also encourages people to use their local dollars (or whatever your local currency is called).

You can set up events with themes like “How to Start a Permaculture Garden,” “Composting 101,” or even “Urban Beekeeping.” Remember to involve other local businesses—get them to cater with their goods, or even sponsor a segment, to create a web of local currency use.

Selling Your Produce

Another simple way to integrate permaculture into your local currency is by selling your excess produce directly to your neighbors or at a local farmer’s market that accepts local currency. For example, if you’ve got a whole patch of strawberries that’s just exploded with fruit, pack them up in little baskets and sell them for your local currency. It’s a small yet impactful way to keep wealth circulating within the community.

Collaborate with Local Businesses

Work on collaborating with local businesses that share your values. For instance, if there’s a local café that likes to rotate their veggies with the seasons, you might work out a deal where they buy your surplus—which you grew using permaculture practices—using the local currency. They’re getting fresh, sustainably grown produce, and you’re supporting a local business while keeping that local currency moving.

Set Up a Local Market Garden

Patrick, here’s an idea—start a local market garden! If you’ve got the space and the community interest, you could pool resources together to create a larger permaculture garden that supplies local cafés, restaurants, and even individual families with fresh produce. Payment can be accepted in local currency, which not only encourages its use but also rewards those who are passionate about food sovereignty and sustainability.

Challenges You Might Face—and How to Overcome Them

All good things come with challenges, and integrating permaculture with a local currency is no exception.

Community Buy-In