permaculture

American  

[pur-muh-kuhl-cher] / ˈpɜr məˌkʌl tʃər /

noun

1. a system of cultivation intended to maintain permanent agriculture or horticulture by relying on renewable resources and a self-sustaining ecosystem.

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permaculture British  

/ ˈpɜːməˌkʌltʃə /

noun

1. the practice of producing food, energy, etc, using ways that do not deplete the earth's natural resources

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Other Word Forms

• permaculturalist
  noun
• permaculturist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of permaculture

First recorded in 1975–80; perma(nent) ( def. ) + (agri)culture ( def. )

Example Sentences

Every fall, Mary Bull prepares for the olive harvest at her small-scale permaculture farm, Chalice Farm, in Sonoma County, California.

From Salon • Nov. 2, 2024

Worm castings are “the only fertilizer I use,” says Souyoultzis, who studied holistic garden design and permaculture design at Bastyr University in Kenmore and completed Seattle Public Utilities’ Master Composter/Sustainability Stewards program.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 8, 2023

Although there are a number of established, Black-led permaculture programs in the Golden State, many Black Californians are not taught about their ancestral connection to sustainable land management and civic design, she says.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 16, 2023

Last year, the couple converted their yard into a permaculture farm — an elaborate system of lakes and gardens meant to replicate self-sustaining ecosystems in nature.

From New York Times • Jun. 9, 2023

It’s more that the Ranch’s library is practical, filled with books about permaculture, carpentry, animal husbandry, and some about making your own essential oils, natural cleaning supplies, and body products, and other stuff like that.

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy