Courses - Home Food Systems

Principle Based Permaculture Design

Welcome to ‘Principle Based Permaculture Design,’ a transformative journey into the heart of sustainable living. This comprehensive course explores the foundational ethics and principles of permaculture, offering you a roadmap to design resilient, regenerative systems.

Chapter One: Holmgren’s Principles and Mollison’s Ethics

Embark on your permaculture journey by understanding the prime directive and the three core ethics of permaculture as defined by Bill Mollison. This chapter lays the groundwork for a principled mindset, emphasizing the responsibility to care for the Earth, care for people, and the return of surplus. Discover the ethical foundation that shapes every permaculture design.

Chapter Two: Design Principles 1-4

Delve into the first four design principles that form the backbone of permaculture. From the art of observation and interaction to the essential concept of catching and storing energy, obtain a deep understanding of how these principles guide sustainable design. Learn the importance of obtaining a yield and applying self-regulation, ensuring your designs align with the principles of resilience and harmony.

Chapter Three: Design Principles 5-8

Explore the next set of permaculture design principles, focusing on resource efficiency, waste reduction, and pattern-based design. Understand the significance of using and valuing resources, producing no waste, designing from patterns to details, and integrating rather than segregating. These principles offer a holistic approach, guiding you towards systems that are not only sustainable but also regenerative.

Chapter Four: Design Principles 9-12

Delve into the principles that advocate small, slow solutions, the importance of diversity, and the strategic use of edges. Understand the principle of using and valuing diversity, practicing risk reduction, and acknowledging the power of edges in design. Embrace the principle of creativity and adaptability, emphasizing the ability to improvise, adapt, and overcome challenges in your permaculture journey.

Chapter Five: Using the Principles, Directive, and Ethics in Active Design

Put theory into practice as you explore five practical ways to use permaculture ethics and principles in active design. These applications range from viewing your property through the lens of all 12 principles to setting priorities for time-based implementations. Learn how to apply the foundational limits of ethics and the prime directive to create designs that are not only resilient but also better for both you and the environment.

This course empowers you to create designs that thrive, harmonizing with nature. Whether you’re a seasoned permaculturist or a beginner, join us on this journey to cultivate resilient, diverse ecosystems.

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Back Yard Cover Crops and Soil Secrets

HomeFoodSystems

Backyard Cover Crops and Soil Secrets is a comprehensive course designed to teach home gardeners and small-scale farmers the powerful benefits of cover crops. Taught by Jack Spirko, host of The Survival Podcast, this course covers essential concepts from soil functions to choosing the best cover crops for each season. Students will gain practical knowledge on improving soil health, water retention, and carbon management while learning methods to optimize their planting cycles. The course also offers a deep dive into techniques for terminating cover crops, ensuring long-term garden productivity. By the end of this course, you’ll understand the critical role of cover crops in sustainable gardening.

Chapter 1: Introduction to the Concept & Soil Functions

This chapter introduces the concept of cover crops, their historical significance, and why they are vital to soil health. It also covers the six functions of soil, soil spheres, and the importance of roots in maintaining fertility.

Chapter 2: The Role of Biology in the Carbon & Water Cycles

This chapter explores how plants move carbon into the soil and the relationship between soil biology and carbon. It explains the long and short water cycles, emphasizing the need for healthy soil structure.

Chapter 3: Tillage vs. Healthy Soils

Learn about the harmful effects of tillage on soil health and how it disrupts the carbon cycle. This chapter focuses on ways to protect the soil, emphasizing the importance of living roots, minimal disturbance, and biodiversity.

Chapter 4: Fall/Winter Cover Crop Options

Discover the best cover crop options for the fall and winter seasons, including rye, peas, grasses, legumes, and brassicas. Learn how to select and manage cover crops that boost soil fertility during colder months.

Chapter 5: Spring/Summer Cover Crop Options

This chapter provides an overview of the ideal cover crops for spring and summer, like buckwheat and cowpeas. It covers grasses, legumes, and their role in building soil health during warmer seasons.

Chapter 6: Methods of Termination

Gain insights into various methods for terminating cover crops, including crimping, flaming, mowing, tilling, and grazing. Learn which techniques are most effective based on climate and crop type.

Chapter 7: Matching Benefits with Context & Goals

This chapter teaches you how to match your cover crop selections to your garden’s specific needs. It covers how to evaluate your soil, choose the right cover crop mix, and plan for long-term sustainability.

Chapter 8: Flowers as Cover and Insectaries

Learn how flowers can be used as cover crops and insectaries. This chapter highlights 16 species of flowers that attract pollinators, predators, and help control pests while beautifying your garden.

Chapter 9: Developing Mixes, Species Selection & Planting Methods

The final chapter covers creating cover crop mixes tailored to your garden’s needs, understanding seeding rates, and the best planting methods for success.

Enroll Now

Enroll in “Backyard Cover Crops and Soil Secrets” today and take the first step toward creating a healthier, more sustainable garden. Whether you’re a home gardener or a small-scale farmer, this course offers practical knowledge and proven strategies to enhance soil fertility, water retention, and biodiversity. Unlock the full potential of cover cropping and soil management—enroll now and explore our other courses to continue growing a more resilient, productive garden.

Obtain a Yield

Catch & Store Energy

Produce No Waste

Small Slow Solutions

Use & Value Resources

“Though the problems of the world are increasingly complex, the solutions remain embarrassingly simple.” ~ Bill Mollison

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Backyard Biochar

HomeFoodSystems

Unlock the transformative power of biochar in our ‘Backyard Biochar’ course. Dive into sustainable soil enhancement, learn to create biochar, and discover how this ancient technique elevates your gardening practices. Cultivate a healthier, more resilient garden and embark on a journey to sustainable home food production.

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Simplified Bioreactor Composting

Jack Spirko

Welcome to “Simplified Bioreactor Composting: Converting Your Waste into Plant Superfood with Fungal Dominant Compost the Easy Way” at HomeFoodSystems.com! In this transformative course, we delve into the heart of sustainable waste management and soil revitalization.

Chapter One – The Origin of the Concept

Discover the roots of our simplified bioreactor composting approach. We explore the original Johnson-Su method, its challenges, and the goals set by the pioneers. Embrace the philosophy that simplicity is the key to tackling complex global issues.

Chapter Two – What Do We Use to Make Compost

Get your hands dirty with the building blocks of our method. We’ll break down the materials needed per bioreactor, explore various composting ingredients, and showcase our simplified designs that eliminate unnecessary complexities.

Chapter Three – Deep Litter Systems for Livestock

Extend your learning beyond the backyard as we explore how deep litter systems can be a game-changer for livestock management. From coop strategies to alternatives for those without a coop, we share insights to keep your animals and your soil thriving.

Chapter Four – Building & Managing Active Compost

Take a step-by-step journey into the construction of your own bioreactor. From choosing the right location to adjusting water flow, this chapter covers the entire build process. Learn how to maintain and monitor your compost for optimal results.

Chapter Five – Using Finished Compost

Your compost is ready; now what? Explore practical applications, from direct garden use to creating compost tea. Uncover the various ways to utilize the finished product for soil enrichment, plant health, and even as a potential income source.

Whether you’re a seasoned homesteader or just starting, this course simplifies the intricate world of composting. Join us in converting waste into a potent elixir for your garden, guided by the principle that the solutions to global challenges are often embarrassingly simple. Let’s embark on this journey to cultivate resilience and sustainability, one bioreactor at a time.

Course Introduction Video

How I Make My Own Bioactive Potting Soil