Permaculture is a way of farming that works with nature to create a diverse ecosystem that produces an abundance of food. Another way of thinking about permaculture is as “permanent agriculture.” It focuses on rebuilding and improving the soil through natural means as opposed to removing nutrients from the soil and then attempting to add them back in through chemical fertilizers. Permaculture practices are regenerative and sustainable, rebuilding agricultural land so that it can continue to produce for generations to come.

On our farm, we raise dairy cattle, beef cattle, Berkshire pigs, layer hens, and meat chickens. A permaculture practice that we use is rotational grazing. We rotate our animals across our pastures by species. Each species contributes to the health of our soil and pastures. The cattle prune the pasture grasses by grazing and fertilizing them as they progress through the fields. The pigs further work the cattle’s manure into the soil and add their own. The poultry follows the larger animals, breaking up concentrations of manure and sanitizing our fields by foraging for insects and larvae that the manure attracts. Each species plays a role in the health of our land.

Our permaculture water system is designed to work with nature and keep our pastures thriving through the dry season. We’ve already built a pond to capture spring melt and a contour swale network to spread that water across the landscape; this summer we’ll install a solar-powered pump and begin planting the swales with edible perennials like fruit and nut trees, berries, rhubarb, and asparagus. Together, the water and plantings support healthier, more resilient pasture—providing nutritious forage, habitat and food for wildlife, and shade that keeps grasses and livestock cooler during hot summer months.

Permaculture helps farms and communities thrive by building resilient local food systems in an uncertain world. By working with nature—conserving water, improving soil health, and growing a diverse mix of foods—permaculture supports long-term food security and reduces dependence on fragile supply chains. It’s also good for people and animals: the result is delicious, nutrient-dense food from livestock raised outdoors in a more natural way, while regenerative practices like our swale-and-pond water system and frequent pasture rotations nurture the land without relying on chemical fertilizers or pesticides.