Permaculture is a student-led club working to maintain the gardens and keep the environment healthy. Permaculture is not a school funded club, so they raise their own money and contribute it towards water bills, plants and equipment. Josh James, the president of permaculture, works occasionally with Profound Microfarms and is working towards bringing aquaponics and big projects onto the property.
“Permaculture is for growing food sustainably and making those processes last,” freshman Caroline Wilkins said.
The permaculture club strives to maintain and grow organic, sustainable and permanent agriculture. Students in permaculture put in hours outside of school and on weekends with hopes that it would change the local environments in the coming years, and that soon, the property would be able to sustain life with minimal input.
“[Profound Microfarms] have been immensely helpful in aiding the club with knowledge about both agriculture and financing our property and projects, and we look forward to working closely with them as the club progresses,” James said. “Their experience provides a great opportunity for us to be the best we can be.”
Profound Microfarms is a locally owned business that grows and sells greens, herbs and flowers. Permaculture students toured their facilities last year to learn more about growing plants and different types of agriculture. Beyond just plants, Profound Microfarms delves into aquaponics. Unfortunately, aquaponics would take steady funding and consistent maintenance.
“We raise money for the club through attending the Lucas farmers markets,” said junior Edward Sutton, who’s been in the permaculture club for almost two years. “We sell the fruits and veggies that we harvest and get together on Fridays before the market to bake different goods to also sell.”
Every other week, permaculture has a stand at the local Lucas farmers market to raise money to support the club through the year. When there’s enough member effort, and it’s a good growing season, roughly $1,000 can be raised in just one day. Support from the community at farmers markets is put towards projects like the upcoming monarch butterfly garden.
“The permaculture club is a great opportunity for students to learn more about or connect with nature in a beneficial way to the environment and world as a whole, and it also serves as a good opportunity to socialize and develop real world skills,” James said.
