"Nothing is...

as stifling to success in agriculture as inflexible adherence to someone else's rule."


-Eliot Coleman


I've been reading this guy alot lately, upon recommendation of my future boss and of other farming/horticulture sources i've consulted over the last few years. In my opinion, his views and practices comes as close to permaculture as an organic, commercial/market gardener can get. 
Having had a crush on permaculture for some time, this appeals to me. Because most folks in the U.S. are unable* to incorporate permaculture techniques at home;we end up paying Whole Foods (i.e. whole paychecks) prices for some things or just going conventional for the rest, because it hurts the pocket. 
However, for folks who have the time and energy to invest in their living spaces, i would recommend Food Not Lawns** or anything written by Eliot Coleman, really. He lives in Maine, a primarily zone 5 region, but  makes it clear that variations on his particular experiences are easily incorporated to vastly different climates. (Denver/Boulder is a dry zone 5)
Because I am embarking on a new life of farming, I am anxious to really feel the differences between my city-dwelling life and that of the country (sitting on a tiller, hand-harvesting, hand-weeding, washing, driving trucks, pruning, picking, being covered in dirt CONSTANTLY.) My mother will be thankful that i finally have good reason to smell like a musky rat... besides not bathing. here you go, mom. 
I am thoroughly excited about growing things i've never attempted: Asparagus, Mache, Artichokes, Burdock Root, Daikon, Boc Choy (pac choi), etc...


O', I will miss this crazy city. 
Denver...you smashed-up, gritty anarchist visionary-lover. 
In a way, I am abandoning the projects I still love. Freeschool, Denver Zine Library, CopWatch potlucks, trips to Pablo's Coffee and the best bike shop ever.  
I will miss the collectives of all creeds and colors and phobias and obsessions. I will miss Terese. I will miss the stenchy Ol' Platte. 
But open land awaits. It beckons to kick my bright-eyed ass, straight to China. Will I come back for seconds? Hell yes, i will.
Making decisions. 
Making transitions. 
Taking steps.


*By unable, I mean, that the majority of folks either work WAY to much just to break even or don't have the energy, knowledge or opportunity to realize how they might grow their own food and how easy it really can be.

**Food Not Lawns outlines how one can adopt permanent culture on a household, or even Appartment size, level. It is good for ideas, but should be translated to one's particular situation and with things in mind (such as climate, availability of seed, knowledge of land and water-rights, etc). I would also recommend 'The Urban Homestead' by Kelly Coyne & Erik Knutzen, which can be found at the library.