93. LIVE Permaculture Monthly with "Permaculture Canada" – April

Regen World 2024 Highlights + Spring Planting Tips!

 

In this lively episode of The Permaculture Vine Podcast, hosts Cormac Harkin (Vine Permaculture), Lindsay Brandon (CEO, Permaculture Canada), Graham Towerton (COO, Permaculture Canada), and special guest Travis Holzem (Food Forest Design Minnesota) discuss:

 

Regen World Experience – The team shares highlights from attending Regen World in Austin, Texas, including networking with permaculture leaders like Matt Powers, Julia from Thriving Roots, and Rebecca Birdwell. They discuss the event’s focus on regenerative business models, AI in sustainability, and quantum discussions.

 

Client Lessons & Design Challenges – Cormac reflects on a lost client due to pricing miscommunication and balancing client preferences vs. optimal permaculture design. Graham and Lindsay share insights on flexibility in guild designs and soil health strategies.

 

Spring Planting & Zone Updates – The group discusses climate zone shifts, microclimate strategies, and early-season planting (despite unpredictable spring weather in Minnesota and Michigan).

 

Travis’s New Platform – Travis introduces Food Forest Design Network, a CRM and lead-generation tool for permaculture designers/installers, aiming to streamline business operations and expand food forest projects nationwide.

 

Upcoming Projects – Lindsay and Graham tease a large community land project in Indiana, soil consulting, and California designs, while Cormac promotes local seed swaps and community tool-sharpening events.

 

CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS

0:00 – Intro & Welcomes

0:08 – Regen World Recap (Austin experiences, AI, and panels)

12:05 – Client Design Challenges (Cormac’s pricing lesson, balancing client needs)

20:33 – Climate Zone Shifts (USDA updates, resilient plant strategies)

30:47 – Spring Planting Plans (Travis’s Minnesota snow woes, Graham’s greenhouse starts)

40:12 – Travis’s Food Forest Design Network (CRM tool demo, installer collaborations)

50:55 – Upcoming Projects (Indiana land project, California designs, soil consulting)

58:30 – Final Thoughts & Community Events (seed swaps, tool sharpening) 💬

 

Comment: What’s your biggest spring permaculture challenge? Let us know below!