This concept, which comes from the words permanent, agriculture, and culture, means a lot of things to a lot of people. It was coined in the 1970s in reaction to developments in agriculture worldwide that emphasized a reliance on pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Originally, permaculture referred to an agricultural system that would work in harmony with local ecosystems and emphasized perennial, rather than annual, plants. Over the years, it has grown into a larger lifestyle philosophy, and a global grassroots movement devoted to preserving resources and meeting all human needs-including food, shelter, and transportation-in a way that is sustainable and respectful of the Earth.

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