BLOG
Stories, articles, and updates from the Ranch community.
After completing a Permaculture Design Course (PDC), natural building workshop, or any other educational opportunities at a place like Rancho Mastatal, many students find themselves wondering how to turn their newfound knowledge and passion into a career. This transition from student to professional is a common challenge in the permaculture world.
Permaculture is a macro-concept that involves many different topics, methods, systems and ideas. Ideas like moving back to the land, using nature as our guide, applying ecology in our productive systems, reconnecting with the cycles of nature, approaching life holistically, creating stable local economies, regenerating the landscape and our relationships with others, investing in resiliency and interconnectivity; are in the heart of permaculture.
Here at the Ranch we are usually 13 people living and working together in community. Healthy communication is something we actively practice. Conflicts, disagreements and misunderstandings inevitably arise in our setting. How do we navigate these sometimes treacherous waters so that everyone's needs are met?
The people part of our work is arguably the trickiest. Even though it takes experience, know-how and intelligence to design and install orchards, build buildings, and manage water, I’d say that they all pale in comparison to the work that’s required to create a holistic and healthy human environment in which to live.
After more than 20 years, we have been able to identify some trends that have led to our survival as a business and a community. The following advice is appropriate, and perhaps some of it even necessary, if you expect to live successfully in a communal work and living environment doing land-based work.
