PDC Homework 1.4 Recycling

For 5 items, made from different materials, suggest possible re-use and then various options for recycling in either the home or community.

Reuse - Glass bottles are reused as food/spice storage containers, drinking vessels, and measuring standards (cooking and rain gauges). Bottles can later be used in cob construction to allow different colors of light to illuminate a room. Bottles can also be used to create an alarm to deter garden pest (rabbits). Recycle - Crushed and uncrushed glass can be used as an insulator in a cob oven or rocket stove. Crushed glass can be used for mosaics.

 

Reuse - Plastic/wooden fruit crates can be reused as stands for small printers, storage for socks and other under garments. The crates can also be used to sift soil or sand. The crates can be reused at your local farmer’s market. Recycle - The plastic can be recycled with your local sanitation company.

 

Reuse - Toothbrushes can be used to clean tough areas in the bathroom or kitchen. Recycle - After the bristles are worn, the body of the toothbrush can be used as a math manipulative or resource for arts and crafts.  

 

Reuse - Wooden broom handles be used as the limbs of a scarecrow or roosting bars for chickens. They can also be used as trellises. Recycle - They can also be cut to be used as measuring sticks. After they are too weathered to be reused, they can be used as kindling or markers in a garden. They can also be chipped into mulch or bedding or animals.

 

Reuse - Clothes are passed down to younger children, Recycle - later they can be cut up and used as cleaning rags. Clothes that are not suitable to be used as cleaning rags can be made into doll clothes, or rag rugs. Natural fibers can be used in compost.

PDC Homework 1.3 Farm Relationships

Legend

A - Composting toilet provides fertilizer for orchard trees and plants

   - Trees provide food, apothecary, and oxygen for animals and humans

   - Trees provide leaf mulch for composting toilet

B - Orchard trees and plants provide food, apothecary, and oxygen for animals and humans

   - Horses fertilize ground and provide transportation of food to root cellar and family house

   - Humans harvest the produce from the orchard and load on cart for animals to take to root cellar/house.

C - Beehive – bees get pollen from the orchard.

- Orchard is pollinated by the bees.

D - Family house uses the honey

   - Horse and cart transport to house fertilizing ground as they go.

E - Border trees and vegetation provide oxygen, grazing and shade for animals (goats, sheep, cows, horses)

   - Border trees function as wind and sound barrier

   - Animals fertilize border trees and vegetation

F Grain is transported in horse and cart to the family house

G - Horse and cart transport harvests from orchard to root cellar and family house

   - Horses fertilize ground as they transport and graze while cart is loaded.

H Border trees provide oxygen and firewood if needed for the family home and food/apothecary

I - Horse and cart take grains to chickens

  - Horses are exercised and fertilize the ground as they transport.

J - Vegetable and fruit scraps from the family house are fed to the chickens 

  - Chickens provide eggs and meat to the family house

K- Playground provides recreation for the family and exercise

  - Family is regenerated and works better in house and on farm

L- Manure from chickens used to fertilize garden area

  - Some of the garden produce goes to feed the chickens

M - People from family house tend the garden

  - Produce from garden goes to family house

N - People from family house get fish from pond

   - Fishing from the pond reduced overpopulation and associated problems

O - Trees provide oxygen, shade, and food/apothecary for people and animals

   - Trees reduce the evaporation rate of the pond

   - Trees create a micro-climate for specific plants and wildlife

P - People from family house exercise the horses

   - Horses provide recreation, exercise, and transportation for the people.

Q - People from family house work in the garden

   - Garden provides food for the people.

R The well provides water for the people in the house, and they maintain and pump water from well

S Well provides irrigation for the grain crops and gardens

T - Well provides water for the animals

   - Horses transport water to other gardens and orchard as required.

U - Livestock graze and fertilize field and provide manure for adjacent grain crops

- Grain crops provide feed for the animals

V Horse and cart transport grain to barn to store for animals

W - Trees provide oxygen, shade, and food for the animals

    - Animals provide fertilizer for trees

PDC Homework - 1.2 Guidance for Tutor

HOMEWORK (Guidance for your tutor)

We hope to implement what we learn from this design course in our daily lives and teach the principles and techniques to others. We bought 51 acres of land in Northeastern New Mexico, which has been traditionally used as grazing land for cattle. We need to develop a Permaculture design for the land, and are eager to apply Permaculture techniques, making it a practical learning site and eventually, a demonstration site for teaching and development. 

We are focusing on a specialist field within Permaculture, where its practice is linked to the religious teachings and lifestyle of Islam. Permaculture is an integral part of our way of life. We will look at the various practices within Permaculture to ensure that they are religiously compliant, and for those that aren’t, we will look for suitable alternatives. One example is from the soils video made by Geoff Lawton, where various types of animal waste were used to make compost. One of them was pig waste, and as pigs and their by-products are considered unclean in Islam unless they’ve gone through a chemical change where they are no longer in their original form and no longer considered pig, we must look for a suitable alternative to see if the compost can be made just as well without it.  If we do find a successful alternative, this information will be passed on to other Islamic organizations and Jewish organizations, as they both hold the same restrictions with regards to pigs.

In the meantime, we plan to use as many techniques as we can here in Saudi Arabia. It is not only good practice for us, but also beneficial to our lives and practice of Islam here. We have a small planted area and chicken run, which we hope to continually improve upon and make more efficient with Permaculture techniques.

PDC Homework - 1.2 Ethics

How does each ethic apply to you? What more can you do in developing these ideas in your home, work, and community?

As we are Muslim, and believe Islam is a way of life, not just a religion, the ethics of Permaculture are an intrinsic part of our belief/way of life. All of humanity was created from one couple, Adam and Hawaa (Eve). Adam was created from the Earth, and as such, when we care for the Earth, we are caring for ourselves. We came from the Earth and will return to the Earth. What better way to honour our Lord and ancestors than to care for our origin. Without knowledge and caring for of our origin, we cannot have a future. 

Care of the Earth – The ethic of care of the Earth coincides with our religious beliefs. In Islam we are taught that humanity is the vicegerent of Allah (God) and as such, great responsibility comes with this great honour. We only have one Earth, and if we do not care for it, we are committing genocide. We must begin on the individual level, and let the practices spiral-out to the local community, county, state, nation, and global spheres. Our neighbor should be viewed as the 40 houses in front of, behind of, and to the left and right of us. When we get to know all of these people, and they do the same…change will replicate itself.

We look at care of the Earth from layered perspectives. We consider nurturing and replenishing the earth through effective Permaculture techniques, such as composting, mulching, harmonious planting, swales, and encouraging compatible grazing and fertilizing. We also consider caring for the Earth in the materials we use, make, and buy. For example, in not purchasing harmful detergents, synthetic materials, plastics, and chemicals, we stop the cycle of poisoning the Earth. In growing soap nut trees, we provide natural cleaners for body, clothing, and house that have no negative effect on the Earth. At the same time, the tree generates oxygen, provides shade, and adds to the beneficial diversity of plant life.  Caring for the Earth extends to using tools and machinery that neither pollutes from its raw materials, in its manufacture, from its use, or from its disposal at the end of its useful life.

Care of People – In addition, Allah (God) says in the Quran: O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah (God) is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah (God) has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things). 

What can be more righteous or honourable than caring for humanity? To care for the Earth, in itself cares for the people on the Earth. In growing organic foods, we no longer poison mankind. In growing diversely and establishing food forests, we feed ourselves and others. In teaching care of the Earth, as well as showing respect and consideration for others’ needs, we propagate a culture of peace and harmony.

Give away surplus – We have purchased 51 acres in Roy, New Mexico. The population of the village is 234. With only one grocery store, and 24.3% of the population living in poverty, we intend to have “Friday Food Fairs”, to give away surplus and host tours of our farm. We do not believe the surplus is limited to food, but includes knowledge. We plan to share our surplus of knowledge as well. By sharing with our neighbors, we hope to build the bonds of community and improve the quality of living of the people.

Life Ethic

We value the fact that everything has a place on this earth and has a right to be here. Each and every component, from the tiniest insect to the greatest beast is part of the perfect balance of nature. 

Reduce Consumerism

Islam prohibits wasteful spending, accumulation of unnecessary things, and focus or priority on worldly things.  “The Story of Stuff” helped us see a bigger picture regarding consumerism. We have, over  the past ten years, made numerous changes to our lifestyle and shopping habits. Practically, we never buy new unless absolutely necessary. For clothing, we considered various options, but found that being in Freecycle groups, checking Craig’s List, and buying from second hand and consignment shops has served our family perfectly for almost all our clothing needs. When we find new/nearly new Birkenstocks, Born shoes, and UGG slippers for $1.00 at the Goodwill, we cannot imagine spending $60 upwards for a new pair! In fact, the quality of our clothing improved greatly because we found far more expensive clothing given away and being sold for 75 cents a piece than we would have considered buying. We can be selective, choosing only natural fibres, to ensure that they will go back to the earth after their usefulness is exhausted. We have gone back to cloth: hankies, napkins, tablecloths, cleaning cloths, sanitary pads, toilet cloths, and reusing old clothes and socks for cleaning, making rag rugs, dolly clothes, and other crafts.  We make from scratch, including our own shampoo, household cleansers, and deodorant. We use fruit crates for storage, reuse whatever we can, and constantly seek ways to take care of our needs through natural means such as growing medicinal and soapnut trees, bamboo for its wide variety of uses, etc. Our goal is to live off the land, enjoying what it produces and what those in our immediate area produce, and being satisfied with that, rather than always seeking more. 

Co-operation rather than Competition

We are striving to live in harmony with the earth, tuning ourselves into its symbiotic nature, its built-in survival and regeneration abilities. We look at how we can work with the earth, with our surrounding rather than disturbing and destroying them. For example, we currently live in Saudi Arabia, where our climate is extremely hot and arid. We have three date palm trees and several henna bushes planted on a small patch in our courtyard area. The ground was dry, parched, and needed extensive watering for any effect on the plants. However, we bought straw bales and spread a thick layer over the ground to give cover and retain the moisture. It has made a huge difference, meaning we water just once a week and harvest a beautiful date crop and thriving bushes.  As the straw breaks down, it composts benefiting the earth below even further and adding to its regeneration.  We also housed chickens on that patch, with a thick straw bed underfoot. They can make natural nests in it, whatever scraps (rinds, vegetable scraps that were not eaten, etc.) can be turned over in it to compost along with their manure, and it becomes more and more attractive to insects that they can feed on.

The land we bought has traditionally been used as grazing land for cattle. It is all grassland, with very slightly rolling hills. We plan to look at what is growing there, along with the grass, and see how we can incorporate food forests, trees and shrubs for shade, natural fencing, in harmony with what is already there. We understand that building our house on an elevated part of the land will ensure run-off and give the best exposure for passive solar design. In addition, taking advantage of the fact that the land is at a notable drop from the road, we can direct it through swales to irrigate the land and fill the seasonal lake bed. One of the biggest things we look forward to learning during this course is how to make the most of our surroundings through co-operation and harmonious existence.

Permaculture Design Certification Coursework

We are in the process of taking a Permacukture Design Certificate course (PDC), which will enable us to make the best use of the land in harmony and synergy with nature inshaa Allah. We will post our various homework submissions here so perhaps they may benefit others and show another aspect of our preparation and what is involved.

 

The posts will be labelled as PDC Homework and then the Unit/Reference, inshaa Allah.

My Dream of Sunnah Living

BismIllah.

This is my dream of Sunnah living.

Clothing: A wardrobe of simple dresses, tunics and skirts (waistwraps) made of completely natural fibers. I'm talking about cotton, linen, silk, wool, and leather. A beautiful linen abaya - the large overcloak that is not sewn closed. I will simply put my abaya over me, just as they did in the time of the Prophet, salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam, and hold it to cover my face when necessary - no sewn and tied niqab - just my abaya doing the job. Soft, simple, all leather sewn khuffs and slip on shoes.

Personal hygiene: Miswak toothbrush, honey and olive oil for my skin treat. Soap nuts, ground sidr, lote, or laurel leaves for cleansing. My shampoo made of herbal infusions, soap nuts, and a little home-pressed oil. Alum stone or homemade, herbal deodorant. Water - the best perfume, and homemade flower and herb waters. Antimony - the best make-up. Wudhoo from a clay bowl or pitcher of water, ghusl with the same quantity of water the Prophet, salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam used.

Home: A cob house, made of clay, sand, and straw...with a beautiful earthen, oiled floor. Kitchen stocked with steel and cast iron cookware. Not a piece of plastic in sight. Large pottery or steel platters for the food and a cob oven to bake bread. Sitting on a mat on the floor to eat...with our fingers. Sleeping on all cotton mats with simple neck roll pillows. No electricity outlets except in the kitchen and one for the computer. Solar power - off the grid, no reliance on other than Allah's sunshine for our energy inshaa Allah.

Surroundings: Land...our 51 acres with a well for water, composting toilets, gardens and orchards to feed us fruits and vegetables and provide apothecary.. Cows, sheep, and goats for milk, wool, and meat, chickens for eggs, homemade cheeses, yogurt, pickles, sundried fruits and veggies.

Days: Waking in the morning in perfect time to pray tahajjud because I made dua' the night before and Allah woke me. Praying, reading Qur'aan, waiting to hear the roosters crow. Gathering together in the central masjid for the fajr prayer and sharing 'ilm. Simple breakfast of fruits and yogurt with others. Out to the land, a family/community affair - to tend to the animals, gather eggs, milk, pick vegetables and fruits for the day's provision. Lessons, Qur'an, crafting, love between me and my husband, children, sisters... communal prayers and meals, natural building, d.i.y. projects, sharing of skills and talents.

Livelihood: Five small cob cottages and a campground - for a Muslim retreat; a form of income, and a beautiful Islamic respite for couples. Summer camps... a mini Damaaj in New Mexico,activities, learning, growing, in a halal and positive environment. Empowerment projects, to teach other Muslims how to live self-sufficiently. Islamic cottage industries - Sunnah Threads, selling homemade Islamic clothes, Healing Earth Herbals, selling herbs, remedies, and personal care products, Organic produce, Halal slaughtering, homemade foods for sale. All projects that our children can grow into and earn a living from, never having to rely on working for non-Muslims for their income or their sustenance. Never having to compromise their Islam for a dollar to buy food or a roof over their head.

Well, I could go on and on...and although it seems like a fairy tale, we are working towards it and Allah is our Guide and Facilitator. Our lifestyle continues to head that way.We have taken a complete cob house building course and are currently doing our Permaculture Design Certification course. We visited different farms and sites to learn and gain ideas, and have contacted others to learn from their experience. We extensively researched details on the livestock and growing seasons, including lists of the things we plan to grow inshaa Allah.

It is a dream that, with Allah and pure intentions, has the beginnings and potential to become a reality. We hope to leave a legacy for generations to come, bi ithn Illah.

Oh Allah, You have inspired us to this...guide us and make it a reality - ameen.

Our Future Animals and Why

For the past 5 years, we have been seriously researching which animals to have on our farm. As we want to be as self-sufficient as possible, the choices must give us the maximum benefit with the minimum effort. Here are the animals and a description of what they will be used for...

Sussex Chickens – These chickens are dual-purpose. That means they are good for meat and egg production. The hens weigh about 3.2kg (7lbs), and produce 240-260 eggs per year. Since we have a 50/50 chance at getting males and females from the eggs, we will use some of the males for meat production. Basically, we will incubate 10-15 eggs per month to be raised as meat. The eggs that become females will be used in egg production or sold.

Dorset Sheep – These sheep are dual-purpose also. They are good for wool and meat. We were looking for a triple purpose sheep, but it seems the breed that we wanted is not imported into the United States. The Dorset is a prolific breeder. It can produce 4-5 lambs per year. The gestation length is 142-152 days. After they have one set of kids, they can be bred again. Ewes weigh 70-90 kg. (150-200 lbs). Rams weigh 100-120 kg. (225-275 lbs).

Miniature Jersey Cows – This is dairy breed, so we will only use it for milk production. They stand 107-122 cm (42-48 inches) at the hips, and weigh 136-317 kg. (300-700 lbs). They produce 2-3 gallons of milk per day. Miniature Jerseys are not a new breed, nor a bred down replica of the Jersey cattle we see today. They are descendants of the original Jerseys imported from the Jersey islands and Britain many years ago with the same size and conformation of the original Jersey breed. These cattle are safer because of their smaller size. Also, they eat 1/3 less than a standard size cow. 

Hereford Bull – This breed is for meat production. Herefords are one of the most highly adaptable breeds of cattle in the world. A Hereford's thick hide, light-and-dark coat color, and ability to live off of grass and hay alone, make it able to adapt so readily to the different climates it lives in. Herefords are known for their great temperament and docility, and because they require little management in terms of feeding, they are one of the best breeds to raise on ranch or rangeland-like conditions. Plus, we love beef stew!

Nubian Goats – Nubians are large, with does weighing at least 135 pounds (61 kg) and 175 pounds (79 kg) for bucks. The minimum height of the breed, measured at the withers, is 30 inches (76 cm) for does and 35 inches (89 cm) for bucks. Anglo-Nubians can live in very hot climates and have a longer breeding season than other dairy goats. Considered a dairy or dual-purpose breed, Anglo-Nubians are known for the high butterfat content of their milk. Nubians are remarkable in temperate zones of agriculture in being able to deal with temperatures as low as 0 °F (−18 °C) with open faced shelters. They readily attach to their new human owners with simple neck and side stroking. Nubians love human interaction and will call for their owner.

Anatolian Shepherd - With acute hearing, exceptional eyesight, and the strength to take down wolves and bears, the Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a superb guardian of his flock. I think we will call him Maximus.

Koolie - Specifically, it is a herding dog, a subcategory of a working dog. A dog which has a natural instinct to cast out (i.e., circle widely), round sheep and bring them back to their owner. They are used for “heading” sheep and also for quiet careful work at close quarters at lambing time or for “shedding” (cutting out) sheep. Known to be patient, temperate, dedicated, with a strong sense of willingness and devotion; the Koolie is not naturally aggressive but can demonstrate dominance. They show an untiring enthusiasm for work and an admirable hardiness when the job or circumstance requires. Unlike other working breeds, which are noted for their crouched form or style and preference for either yard or field work, Koolies are at ease working in closed surroundings such as yards or trucks and being out in paddocks and droving. As well as working anything from ducks to bulls, like all dogs of their kind they will herd family members and children in the absence of other charges.

American Paint Horse - is a breed of horse that combines both the conformational characteristics of a western stock horse with a pinto spotting pattern of white and dark coat colors. They were developed from a base of spotted horses with Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred bloodlines. The American Paint Horse's combination of color and conformation has made the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) the second-largest breed registry in the United States.