demonstration - Blog - SCOCO Network2024-03-29T10:50:56Zhttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/demonstration“The Permaculture Convenience Store” – Vision Plan by Willi Paul, Planetshifter.com Magazinehttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/profiles/blogs/the-permaculture-convenience-store-vision-plan-by-willi-paul2014-04-19T14:55:51.000Z2014-04-19T14:55:51.000ZWilli Paulhttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/members/WilliPaul<div><p></p><div class="field field-type-image field-field-image"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item odd"><img src="http://www.planetshifter.com/uploads/imagecache/standard/centerspace_32.png" alt="" title="" height="364" width="504" class="align-center" /></div><div class="field-item odd"></div></div></div><p><span class="font-size-4"><strong>“The Permaculture Convenience Store” – Vision Plan by Willi Paul, <a href="http://www.planetshifter.com/node/2177">Planetshifter.com Magazine</a></strong></span></p><p></p><p>Most are familiar with the neighborhood convenience store. Candy, cigarettes, caffeinated power drinks, chips, etc. Isn’t it ironic that these sellers of junk food and smokes are “filed under convenience?”</p><p></p><p><strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convenience">Convenience goods</a></strong> are widely distributed products that "require minimal time and physical and mental effort to purchase." Convenient procedures, products and services are those intended to increase ease in accessibility, save resources and decrease frustration.</p><p></p><p>But what would most folks say is a healthy alternative to consumer convenience? My vote is <strong>efficiency</strong>:</p><p></p><p><strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Efficiency">Efficiency</a></strong> … describes the extent to which time, effort or cost is well used for the intended task or purpose. It is often used with the specific purpose … to produce a specific outcome effectively with a minimum amount or quantity of waste, expense, or unnecessary effort.</p><p></p><p>Here’s the pitch: We need to start “ <strong>thinking in Transition</strong>” defined as foregoing convenience for programs and design that incorporate healthy neighborhood services that support healthy food and sustainable land use.</p><p></p><p>Some support: from <strong><a href="http://www.patternliteracy.com/resources/ethics-and-principles">Permaculture Principle 6</a></strong>: Make the least change for the greatest effect. Find the “leverage points” in the system and intervene there, where the least work accomplishes the most change.</p><p><strong>Consider a 7-11 Store</strong>? Is this a valuable neighborhood service provider or something else? A 7-11 store was just closed by that corporation with the <a href="http://www.smdailyjournal.com/articles/lnews/2014-03-18/embattled-7-eleven-may-close-its-doors-san-mateo-city-officials-property-owners-and-operators-negotiating/1776425119903.html">approval of the neighborhood</a> in San Mateo.</p><p></p><p>Cold beer coolers aside, we need more urban permaculture / Transition-based Food Coops or start-up incubators or training accelerators.</p><p></p><p><strong>The Permaculture Convenience Store</strong> -</p><p></p><p>Components:</p><p></p><p><strong>Seed Exchange</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>Demonstration Plot & Plant Nursery</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>Local and Regional Organizations Directory</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>Permaculture Design Consultants Directory</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>In-house Education</strong> - Classroom Space</p><p></p><p><strong>Free Book Exchange</strong> - Spirit, Technical and Nature Titles</p><p></p><p><strong>Neighborhood Fair Wage Jobs Program</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>Design Plans</strong> - Tool Sheds, Compost Bins, Rocket Stoves, Gardens, etc.</p><p></p><p><strong>Tools & Supplies:</strong></p><p></p><p></p><p>+ Sickles<br />+ Machetes<br />+ Knives<br />+ Shovels<br />+ Weeding Hoes<br />+ A-frames (contour ID)<br />+ Twine<br />+ Boards for Raised Beds<br />+ Cutter / Snips<br />+ Swiss Army style grafting knife<br />+ Spades<br />+ Chicken Wire<br />+ Forks<br />+ Water Buckets<br />+ Greywater tanks & hardware<br />+ Compost starter & bins<br />+ Hay bales<br />+ Orange flagging<br />+ Recycled Lumber</p><p></p><p><strong>Conclusions –</strong></p><p></p><p></p><p>The Permaculture Convenience Store is a transformed “Old Fashioned” neighborhood hardware store with a Transition spirit twist. The rich interaction between new principles, garden tools and neighbors will foster a <strong><a href="http://wp.me/s14SHM-2584">new global mythology</a></strong> !</p></div>