What we’re about
Permaculture aims to regenerate healthy, productive landscapes and communities by consciously applying ecological principles to the design of human habitats. It is a theory, a mindset, and a lens for looking at the world in order to create a sustainable and just planet for all. Permaculture’s three ethics - Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share - and its twelve principles are used to design systems that create and foster healthy relationships. Through this discipline, each of us can take greater responsibility for ourselves and our world by developing life skills for sustainable living to become active participants and producers.
“Permaculture gives us a toolkit for moving from a culture of fear and scarcity to one of love and abundance.” -Toby Hemenway (permaculturist & author)
What we do: We build community, share ideas and learn how to move forward mindfully and in tune with the ethics of Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share. Through the Seacoast NH Permaculture Meetup and other partner organizations we bring people together by offering workshops, speakers, movies, discussions, swaps, potluck meals and other events.
"We don't know what details of a truly sustainable future are going to be like, but we need options, we need people experimenting in all kinds of ways and permaculturists are one of the critical gangs that are doing that." -Dr. David Suzuki (geneticist, broadcaster, environmentalist)
Our mission: Seacoast NH Permaculture Group empowers individuals and communities to work together to create resiliency through the use of Permaculture in the NH seacoast area and beyond. We inspire and teach each other by sharing skills, knowledge, and regenerative practices, nurturing our connections and celebrating our work.
“You cannot save the land apart from the people or the people apart from the land.” -Wendell Berry (farmer, environmentalist, author)
Land Acknowledgment: Indigenous cultures, past and present, have been an inspiration to our learning and the development of permaculture. To honor them and to deepen our connection to and understanding of the land we are living on, we share that the Seacoast of NH is the traditional ancestral homeland of the Abenaki, Pennacook and Wabanaki Peoples. We are grateful to them for stewarding this area so beautifully for thousands of years and continuing that work now. They invite us to join their efforts – see indigenousnh.com to learn more.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Fruit Tree Grafting - Class + 3 treesBixby-Bolker Homestead, Dover, NH$25.00
Grafting is the primary method used to make new fruit trees that resemble their “parents.” Learning this art can save you money on fruit trees and greatly expand your selection of varieties! Peter Bixby, local homesteader & small orchard keeper, plus a patient teacher, will instruct us in this technique. All participants will leave with 3 grafted apple trees.
COST: is on a sliding scale of $50-75, which includes taking home 3 grafted trees and all the supplies you'll need to make those (rootstock, scionwood, grafting tape, wax). There is a nonrefundable deposit of $25 per person to sign up. Use paypal here or by check: Seacoast Permaculture, 219 France Rd, Barrington NH 03825. Please bring cash or check for the remainder that day.
ALSO AVAILABLE: If you want to graft more than 3 trees, you can reserve more rootstock when you sign up: $5.00 each additional rootstock. We have a limited supply of this - first come, first served. The rootstock is Geneva 890, a newly released rootstock good for the home orchard.
Grafting knives: Grafting knives are designed with a single bevel, which provides a straighter cut than a typical knife, which has a double bevel. If you already have your own, please bring a knife. There will also be some there to borrow for the workshop. If you want to buy your own, Peter recommends these options:
https://www.fedcoseeds.com/ogs/list-grafting (both right and left handed grafting knives available. Left handed is more expensive)
https://www.amleo.com/c/grafting-knife (the Victorinox folding knife is the best price-wise. The cheaper Victorinox fixed blade knives don’t work well. I have not tried the other knives they offer.)FURTHER WORKSHOP DETAILS:
Grafting is the primary method used to make new fruit trees that resemble their “parents.” Apples do not breed anywhere near true from seed, and to get the exact characteristics of a stone fruit variety, you also need to graft. In this workshop, we will discuss some of the general principles of grafting and fruit tree propagation, and then learn the technique of whip and tongue grafting, which is the most straightforward technique for doing a small number of grafts for a homestead setting.
We will practice the technique on plain sticks until we are confident with our skills, and then do three grafts of actual apple scions onto semi-dwarf rootstock, which you will then take home and care for and, with any luck, get fruit from in a few years. We will just work with apples at this point because they are more forgiving of imperfect technique than stone fruit. We will also take a look at some grafts Peter has done on his own trees, and discuss how to take care of the young grafted trees until they are strong enough to be planted into permanent locations.
Peter will have scionwood available from his own trees: Gravenstein, Macoun, Enterprise, Florina Querina, King David. You are welcome to bring your own scionwood. Scionwood should be first year growth, not diseased, and kept cool or cold and damp until used. It should be collected this year, and labeled with the variety. If you know someone with an orchard with a variety you like, arrange to get the wood when they are pruning in February or March.
- Seed to Soil Garden ConferenceTuckaway Farm, Lee, NH
Piscataqua Seed Project and Seacoast Permaculture present the 6th Seed to Soil Garden Conference! Join a community of gardeners working to preserve our agricultural heritage and share their love of gardening to all generations. We celebrate our love of plants and our common desire to steward the land, be it a small urban plot or an expansive community garden. Whether you’re just planting your first seeds or tending a thriving homestead, this gathering is a place to learn practical skills, share wisdom, and experience hands-on learning.. Through workshops and conversations, we cultivate a deeper connection to the land and each other.
COST & REGISTRATION: $30 for community members, $18 students/low income. We also offer Supporter option for $45 for those who can give more to help support the conference, the seed bank and other pro-gardening activities in the area.
You must register ahead of time at this link.
SCHEDULE:
This years conference will feature several round table discussions and hands-on workshops.
9:00AM Conference Registration opens
9:30AM Welcome and introductions
10:00AM Cooking demonstration with Linh Avens and Elizabeth Haskett: Dock Seed Cornbread from the Ground Up.
11:30AM Potluck lunch and community group sharing. Please bring a dish to share that serves 8-10 people.
12:30 – 1:30PM Workshop 1 with Hannah Traggis: Working in Partnership, a Community Garden Effort to Alleviate Food Insecurity
1:45 – 2:45PM Workshop 2 with Akilah Campbell. The Zuri Wingi Beautiful Abundance Heritage Harvest Project.
3:00 – 4:00PM Workshop 3 with Alison Magill. Inviting Wild Plants into your Kitchen and Garden.
4:00 – 5:00PM Seed swap and community group sharing.Sponsored by The Piscataqua Seed Project, Seacoast Permaculture, The Commons at Tuckaway Farm, & The Well Cultivated Life
