(YT)Geoff Lawton

Can You Grow Food in a Refugee Camp? Small Systems That Change Everything

(YT)Geoff Lawton — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 06:01:01 GMT

In this Q&A, Geoff shares real-world experience working in refugee camps across the Sahel and beyond, where water is scarce, space is tight, and survival is daily life. From simple reed beds to wicking beds and worm farms, Geoff explains how tiny, low-cost systems can clean water, grow food, and rebuild trust—one square meter at a time.

Key Takeaways:

00:00: Even in conflict zones and refugee camps, the raw materials and urgent need make small regenerative systems highly impactful.
00:43: Limited space, scarce water, and food insecurity can all be addressed by stacked systems: reed beds clean greywater, wicking beds grow food efficiently, and worm farms recycle waste into fertilizer.
01:53: Just 1m² of reed bed, worm farm, and wicking bed can produce food, clean water, and nutrients—demonstrating how tiny interventions scale trust and results.
02:42: Simple solutions like shade covers or small shelters extend growing seasons, reduce water use, and protect plants from harsh heat or cold.
03:35: Start small, show tangible results, and engage locals. Once trust is earned, these systems can expand beyond the camp to regenerate larger landscapes.

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About Geoff:

Geoff is a world-renowned permaculture consultant, designer and teacher who has established demonstration sites in many of the world’s major climates. He’s dedicated his life to sharing permaculture design and inspiring people to care for the earth, care for each other and return the surplus.

About Permaculture:

Permaculture weaves land, resources, people and the environment into a single, supportive system. It mirrors how nature works—no waste, no shortcuts, just smart relationships. The tools are wide-ranging: water harvesting, soil building, energy systems, forestry, natural building, aquaculture, appropriate technology, community development and more. Whether you’re on acreage or in an apartment, these principles scale beautifully.

#permaculture #regenerativeagriculture #foodsecurity #watermanagement #refugeecamps #sustainableliving #soilhealth #growyourownfood #climateadaptation #humanitarian #resilience #offgridliving #greeningthedesert

The Weedy Garden Journey | Discover Permaculture: The Podcast

(YT)Geoff Lawton — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:16:42 GMT

In this conversation, Geoff, Ben, Eric, and Sam sit down with David from The Weedy Garden as he shares how he went from knowing nothing about gardening to documenting one of the most compelling garden journeys online today.

From a lockdown turning point to building a thriving garden from scratch, this episode moves beyond gardening into something deeper — purpose, honesty, and the tension between making a living and staying true to your values.

Learn More & Join the Community:
🌐 Visit the podcast homepage to listen with your preferred platform: https://www.discoverpermaculture.com/podcasts/discover-permaculture-the-podcast
🎓 Explore Geoff's online courses: https://www.discoverpermaculture.com

Key Takeaways:

00:04:32 – 00:05:41: The moment everything changed — lockdown, scarcity, and a shift in direction
00:05:41 – 00:08:30: Starting from zero and being introduced to a new way of thinking through Geoff
00:14:20 – 00:15:30: What nature teaches when you slow down and observe
00:15:13 – 00:16:33: “Plastic life” vs real life — a deeper realization
00:22:36 – 00:23:15: Why storytelling can communicate more than instruction
00:23:49 – 00:25:30: The attention economy and the pull toward fear-based content
00:34:39 – 00:36:30: The challenge of making a living without compromising values
00:36:30 – 00:40:48: Burnout, honesty, and rebuilding trust with an audience
00:40:02 – 00:40:48: A shift toward generosity and community
01:04:49 – End: Why the garden becomes something you can’t walk away from

🌏 Guests

David Trood (AKA Weedy) — Known for his project The Weedy Garden, is a photographer turned gardener documenting the transformation of his weedy hill in Northern NSW, Australia. With no formal background in horticulture, his work is driven by curiosity, observation, and a deep commitment to learning directly from nature. Through poetic visual storytelling, he has built a global audience by sharing not just how to grow food, but how to reconnect with the living systems that sustain us. His approach prioritizes authenticity over growth, offering a rare and honest perspective in the digital landscape.
🔗 Website: https://www.theweedygarden.com
📸 Instagram: @theweedygarden
▶️ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheWeedyGarden
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theweedygardenaustralia

Ben Missimer — Ben is a regenerative designer and technologist who uses LiDAR, drone imaging, and GIS tools to reveal the hidden patterns of the land. From remote landscapes to urban projects, he transforms terrain data into actionable designs that restore ecosystems. His work combines science, technology, and permaculture principles to guide landscapes from degraded to abundant.
🔗 Website: https://www.pearlriverecodesign.com
📸 Instagram: @benmissimer
▶️ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@benmissimer/videos
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PearlRiverEcoDesign

Eric Seider — Eric is a permaculture consultant, designer, and educator since 2008. He has helped communities around the world create resilient systems, working across deserts, forests, and urban landscapes. As the leader of the Permaculture Community Group in Fair Oaks, California, he cultivates a local hub for education, hands-on learning, and collaboration. Eric turns ideas into thriving ecosystems and empowers others to do the same.
🔗 Website: https://www.ericseider.com
📸 Instagram: @ericseider
▶️ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EricSeider
📘 Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ericseider22
🌾 Permaculture Community Group: https://www.permaculturefairoaks.org
🌿 Community Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/permaculturefairoaks/

Sam Parker-Davies — Sam is a global permaculture designer, teacher, and consultant with projects spanning deserts, forests, and mountains across 12+ countries. He blends hands-on implementation with deep design thinking, helping communities regenerate both ecosystems and the social systems that depend on them. Sam’s teaching and consulting showcase how practical permaculture can create abundance in even the most challenging environments.
🔗 Website: https://samparkerdavies.weebly.com
📸 Instagram: @samparkerdavies
▶️ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sam.parkerdavies
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sam.parkerdavies/

#permaculture #organicgardening #gardening #localfood #foodforest #soilhealth #homestead #growyourownfood #sustainability #natureconnection

Memory Lane: Overwhelmed by Specialization

(YT)Geoff Lawton — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 16:24:59 GMT

When Should You Use Keyline Farming Instead of Swales? (And Can They Work Together?)

(YT)Geoff Lawton — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 18:44:20 GMT

Keyline farming and swales are two powerful water-harvesting strategies in permaculture design. But when should you use one instead of the other?

In this Q&A, Geoff explains the key differences between swales and keyline cultivation, how each system manages water in the landscape, and why they are often used together rather than separately. If you’re designing for pasture, trees, or whole-farm water management, this insight can help you choose the right approach.

This video is taken from Geoff’s 2019 Online Permaculture Design Course, which includes weekly Q&A sessions where he answers student questions. Learn more about Geoff’s courses at: https://www.discoverpermaculture.com

Key Takeaways:

00:00:04 – 00:00:32: The question: When should you use keyline farming instead of swales, especially on land where both systems are possible?
00:00:32 – 00:00:56: Swales and keyline can be combined. Swales harvest and store water along a defined contour line, while keyline cultivation spreads water across a broader area.
00:00:56 – 00:01:26: Keyline systems are typically used for grazing pasture. Swales, on the other hand, are designed to support trees and diverse planting systems.
00:01:26 – 00:01:50: Once trees are planted, keyline ripping becomes difficult because machinery like the Yeomans plow can’t move through established tree systems.
00:01:50 – 00:02:21: Swales are often built along keyline patterns between key points, even though they are not installed using a keyline plow.
00:02:21 – 00:02:46: The main difference in outcomes: swales lead toward tree-based systems, while keyline cultivation primarily improves pasture.

About Geoff:

About Permaculture:

#permaculture #keyline #keylinedesign #swales #waterharvesting #permaculturedesign #regenerativeagriculture #soilhealth #landrestoration

Efficiency: Industrial Agriculture Vs Local Food Systems | Discover Permaculture: The Podcast

(YT)Geoff Lawton — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 01:28:41 GMT

What does “efficiency” really mean in food production? Geoff, Ben, Eric and Sam discuss the hidden costs of industrial agriculture and explore how regenerative systems can produce more with less by working with nature, not against it.

🌏 Guests

#permaculture #organicgardening #regenerativeagriculture #soilhealth #foodsystems #growyourownfood #sustainableliving #foodsecurity #localfood #homesteading