Update: Permaculture Plantation in South Georgia

An 1800's plantation gets a permaculture master plan to sustain ecological services on the property and cycle nutrients from bio-intensive forest gardens and livestock. Plans include a residential permaculture training facility with Eco-village, agrarian preschool, wellness; yoga; and fitness center, and vast edible landscape. The master plan is dynamic and changes with each trip. Many considerations are worked out as we build a sustainable system.

The wells in this area must go down 400 feet. The water table is at 190 feet. A local excavator said this area has been getting drier for 25 years. We are adding 10,000 gallon cisterns and numerous ponds and swales to hold what water does appear. All the gutters on the buildings need to be replaced and expanded to catch heavy rains from gulf hurricanes. A network of ceramic drain pipe connect the property to an off-site disposal. This will be diverted back to large ponding areas.

Deep red clay is covered by a thin few inches of silty top soil. A key-line plow or sub soiler could help improve ground water and ground cover.