Draft Guidelines for Jakkalskloof Permaculture Community
The following guidelines have been agreed to by the Xhabbo Farm Trust (XFT) and the Jakkalskloof Permaculture Community (JPC) to provide a framework through which we can develop the land assets, build infrastructure and coordinate the social & economic affairs of the community
Our vision is based on a self-reliant and resilient farming community based on the principles of permaculture. Therefore the vision drives the community’s development in a direction that is towards greater individual and collective self-reliance and resilience. The direction is also towards increased diversity and improved rehabilitation & potential of the farm.
It should be noted that these guidelines are just that, guidelines. These guidelines may be modified at the discretion of the Trustees during the pioneering phase of the development. Input from the Pioneering group is encouraged so that these guidelines may be made as practicable as needed. However we do need to acknowledge that situations change and that the boundaries of these guidelines are not fixed. There is likely to be continued modification, initially by the Trustees and the Pioneering community, and later by the Community of full members.
It is the Trust’s duty to clarify, hold and ensure that the founding objectives of the XFT are upheld, after due consideration of input from the Full Members of the Community.
Social and collective governance
This guideline is to cover the interactions of all individuals associated with the farm.
We are to strive to:
- Be open to sharing our concerns and opinions, as well as respecting and considering other people’s opinions and perspectives.
- Take responsibility for our own issues and not expect the community to solve these for us. If requested the community members may provide assistance to one another, but they do not hold that responsibility.
- Be open to change and innovation.
- Resolve conflict via an agreed consensus process.
Economic
This guideline draws on the following principles:
- Resilience based on diversity and multi-tasking and skilling
- Working to a business plan and Freedom from debt
- Diversity of supply and surpluses
- The keeping of good records
This relates to both individuals and the community as a whole, as we aspire to achieve a cash flow to meet our own and the farms operational and capital requirements as reflected in the development plan.
We are to keep detailed records of income and expenditure on an appropriate system that is regularly backed up.
Depending on the structures used to accommodate the community and the Trust there may need to be an annual external verification of the accounts.
The community is responsible for meeting all legislative requirements affecting them.
Individuals are to develop a draft business plan for their proposed business activity and seek comment from the community and the Trustees, before developing a final business plan for acceptance.
The individuals are to keep full records of their income and expenditure for their businesses so that they and the other members may learn from their experiences.
Self-reliance
Our vision implies that we will strive to continuously reduce our consumption and levels of waste, increase our reliance on products from the farm and generate surpluses [good and services] to trade with or sell to local people. This will increase our degree of self-reliance and interaction with local people and communities.
Self-reliance is to be achieved by regularly reviewing our dependence on external sources for our basic needs and updating our plans to reduce this dependency.
It is not the intention that we should aim to be completely [100%] independent of all external inputs, but we will monitor and strive to achieve 100% independence for at least our basic needs in the medium term.
Our needs refer to water, food, shelter and energy. We have set the following specific objectives.
1. To obtain 100% of our water from rain and farm resources.
2. At least 50% of our food requirements are to be generated on site or via trade with other local producers by 2013 and 80% by 2015.
3. All domestic electrical energy use is to be from sustainable local resources [e.g. biomass, wind or solar power] by 2013.
4. Energy [fuel] for cooking and farm implements and transport should be generated from farm resources by 2020.
It will thus be important for us to monitor our usage and set objectives and targets to optimize our self-reliance.
A critical component in achieving this objective is to recognize that the unexpected will occur and so a high degree of resilience must be built in to our plans, which can be achieved by:
- having a wide range of species of plants or options to supply basic needs,
- building up surplus stocks,
- ensuring that community members are multi-skilled so that they can fill in for one another,
- ensuring that vital equipment is robust and repairable and that spares are available,
- not incurring debt, and
- increasing our networks and interdependence with neighbours and surrounding communities,
- growing the strength of the interpersonal relationships within the community, and
- regarding “wastes” as a resource.
We are to produce a rolling short and long term plan on how we are going to achieve the desired degree of self-reliance. It is unlikely, given the unexpected events that will occur that the plan will unfold as intended. However the value of such plans is in their creation, which will help stimulate ideas and discussion, set priorities and be a basis for planning and monitoring.
Land Management
This guideline relates to the way that the land under the control of the Community is to be managed.
- The principles of permaculture are to be applied to the management of this land. These principles are recorded in the book “Permaculture Principles & Pathways Beyond Sustainability” by David Holmgren Published in 2002 ISBN 0 646 41844 0 and include:
- Maximal retention and no waste of water.
- Minimize soil erosion.
- Increase the extent of diversity of species and ecosystems, while eliminating invasive species.
- Seek the multi-functionality of introduced species.
- Eliminate the introduction of harmful substances onto the farm – either to systems, species or ourselves.
- The Concept Plan and Detailed Design generated by Permaculture Africa are to be used as a baseline for the development and use of the farm. Deviations from these plans may be made with clear motivation. All agreed changes to the plans are to be recorded, together with the rationale for the change. This record is to be made in a document that is to be kept up to date.
- Work to a documented plan, both for the rehabilitation and development and use of the land.
- Work to an annual and three year rolling budget.
Infrastructure
This guideline aims to address the principles that underlie the development of all infrastructure on the property.
All buildings and infrastructure on the farm are to optimize the use of materials available from the farm.
Sustainable construction methods and design practices are to be encouraged such as passive solar heating and cooling of buildings.
Proposed buildings must have plans drawn up that are approved by both the Community and the Trust. Such plans will need to comply with local council regulations and where these do not; the appropriate approvals must be obtained. This may apply for the use of certain building materials (earth) and sanitation technologies such as dry composting toilets.
The effect of any new building or infrastructure on the following factors is to be considered:
- Soil erosion
- Water retention
- Functional utility
- Maintenance
- Diversity of use
- Cost – both financial and in terms of member’s time
- Aesthetics
- Locality
- Use of external goods and services
- Ecological impacts
- Foregone opportunities
The aim is to minimize the negative effects and optimize the positive ones.
