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[Prepared for 1994 renewal of temporary permission.
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Penrhos Home Page
[Prepared for 1994 renewal of temporary permission.
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TARGETS SET FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS
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A. Education
The continuation of the development of educational courses in Permaculture design expanding on our existing reputation.
a) We are at present aiming to achieve a rate of about 12 low-impact, (2-4 people), weekend courses per year averaging œ200 profit per course and two main courses, (10-15 people) averaging œ800 profit per course. Generating an annual income from courses of approximately œ4000.
b) In addition we intend to continue our local talks to interested bodies and organisations, establish teaching connections with local schools, provide educational opportunities for local people at reduced rates and hold occasional open days.
c) We also intend to provide a proportion of these courses through the medium of the Welsh language, (we have already given talks locally in Welsh), and aim to establish a pool of Welsh speaking Permaculture Designers and teachers.
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B. Produce
To continue the development of the capabilites of the site as a nursery for plant species and materials.
a) The further development of the nursery for native plant species grown from local seed for use in amenity, conservation and productive plantings in the immediate area in order to preserve local genetic resources. Sales would be of both plants and seeds.
b) The continuation and enhancement of nursery areas for high value plant species for sales through our existing marketing resources, (in particular Future Foods and the Permaculture network). Examples here include Sweet Cicely seed, (currently œ2 for 10 in the Henry Doubleday Research Association catalogue; we produced approximately 2000 in 1994), and the tuber Occa, (currently œ2.50 for 5 in the Future Foods catalogue; we grew approximately 500 in 1994)
c) The further implementation of plant stock to produce specialist organic foods for sale within existing local retail outlets and restaurants. In particular soft fruit and berries, (Vacciniuum sps especially) and fresh herbs.
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C. Design Practice.
The enhancement of the existing Design Practice and in particular the further modeling on site of plant systems for adoption and adaptation locally on larger scales in order to provide farmers with greater opportunities for diversification. In particular over the next three years;
a) The establishment of a sustainable marsh flow-through system with products including berry crops, coppice, fish, crustaceans and water fowl.
b) The refinement of a productive animal fodder system with shelter, timber, soil conditioning, conservation and amenity as secondary products.
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D. Horses.
The continuation of the training and use of horses for timber extraction on environmentally sensitive sites locally, in particular the Forest Nature Reserve which surrounds us.
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E. Computer Network.
Connection to Computer networks via existing phone lines and using existing hardware on site.
a) To establish a presence on various networks such as the Internet in order to disseminate information on Permaculture and related subjects without the need for high production and distribution costs. Information would include articles, species lists and other relavent data.
b) To allow for the aquisition of up to the minute data.
c) To facilitate the sales of goods and services and provide further opportunities for income such as teleworking.
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F. Viability.
1. Our intention has always been to develop a poly-income which is not wholly dependant on one particular course of action. We also intend to remain flexible in order to be able to take advantage of changes in attitudes and markets. Having said that, we feel that the targets given above arise out of our own expertise, the unique qualities of the site and the local situation and are achievable within the next three years.
2. Certain of the targets are easily measurable in terms of financial statements and bank balances. Others are less easily modelled now but after three years it should be clear whether they have worked or not.
3. The targets have been given in order of emphasis based on what has already worked at Tir Penrhos Isaf. However, we feel that as the system develops in time, the educational aspect will be lessened and the produce value increased.
4. We believe that the achievement of these targets will demonstrate the long term viability of the holding. If the forms of income substitution and community integration outlined in our application are also taken into account then we feel the sustainability of the holding is assured.
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