The Potential of Permaculture, part 1: Cities & Suburbs

Permaculture holds great promise and potential as one of the main solutions to a more resilient and ecologically sustainable human–Earth relationship. As a design science, permaculture can help us transition our cities, suburbs, farms and forests to capture and store greenhouse gasses, while generating energy, food, and ecological services. Join us for our two-part series, moderated by Alan Wight, as we dive into the revolution already underway in our region.

In Cities and Suburbs, learn from experts Amy Stross and Braden Trauth as they discuss the theory, networks, and permaculture practices happening in Cincinnati and our surrounding suburbs. Participants will see suburban lawns transformed and gain a sense of the local educational offerings, the nursery and plant resources available, and the online forums that support this important work.

Alan Wight, Ph.D., is on faculty at The Christ College of Nursing. He runs their Service Learning Program and leads the Mt. Auburn Gardens Initiative & Collaborative. Alan also works with the University of Cincinnati, as their School and Community Food Forest Liaison, and teaches Fruit and Nut Production for Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. His current project, Edible City: An Art Atlas, explores Cincinnati's foodshed, past, present, and future.

Amy Stross specializes in permaculture gardening and edible landscaping and enjoys teaching and speaking about these topics. She holds a master’s degree in education and has received certification in both Permaculture Design and Community Garden Development. She has run the Tenth Acre Farm website since 2013, and her first book, The Suburban Micro-Farm: Modern Solutions for Busy People was first released in December 2016.

Braden Trauth is the Program Coordinator for the Horticulture Program in the College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning at University of Cincinnati. He has been teaching and consulting about permaculture since 2007 with the Haitian Ministry of Agriculture on behalf of USAID, the Earthship Academy, and across the United States. He cofounded the Cincinnati Permaculture Institute and its edible landscaping nursery, Growing Value, for the past 12 and 10 years, respectively.