The Permaculture Podcast Agroforestry and Food Forests with Byron Birss
8 snips
Aug 25, 2024 
Byron Birss, a former novice turned food-forest designer and agroforestry practitioner, shares his inspiring journey from Oregon to New Zealand. He discusses his initial struggles in creating a food forest and emphasizes the importance of ecological literacy. Byron reveals his passion for teaching, integrating food forests into schools, and shaping sustainable agriculture through optimism and hands-on learning. With insights into centropic agroforestry and the benefits of low-maintenance designs, he encourages open-minded exploration and community-building in permaculture.
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Transforming A Former Kiwi Orchard
- Byron inherited a site that had been kiwi monoculture and partially diversified by a previous owner.
- He used existing trees to experiment and gradually transform the block into a productive food forest.
Focus On Your Handprint
- Don't dwell obsessively on global negatives; focus on the positive handprint you can leave.
- Pour energy into purposeful, local action that creates tangible solutions each day.
Ecology Is The Foundation
- Byron favors the terms food forest and agroforestry over permaculture design.
- He argues ecological literacy (naturalist skills) underpins successful design work.