Yarducopia’s PermaFestival
In Fall of 2024 we kicked off a series of monthly permaculture potlucks, films and discussions. During these gatherings, we heard requests for permaculture classes in Anchorage as well as places to gather and discuss ways to collectively take action and improve Anchorage using a permaculture lense. The PermaWhat and PermaAction Cafes formed to meet these needs. Below are details for future and past events.
2026 PermaFestival Film and Workshop Series
Dinner starts at 5:30 pm
Film/Workshops start at 6-7:30 pm
Thursday, March 12 - Designing Abundance: Permaculture Food Forest Tours - Register Here - Journey through the seven layers of a food forest! This film compilation explores how designed, multi-layered landscapes mimic nature to create resilient, edible ecosystems. See how permaculture can transform an ordinary lawn into a carbon-sequestering, productive paradise that feeds the community and the soil.
Monday, March 30th - Growing Your Own Oasis: A Food Forest Design Workshop - Register Here - Ready to turn your yard into an edible ecosystem? Jason Bibee leads this intensive class on the essentials of food forest design and implementation. From plant selection to site layout, you’ll learn the tips and tricks needed to start your own project. Includes hands-on practice with seasoned designers to help you build a resilient, productive sanctuary.
Thursday, April 9th - Backyard Design Workshop. Register Here. The workshop will cover ermaculture principles and techniques for creating a regenerative garden in your backyard. We will spend time learning the foundations and then put them to work on designing in your space.
Monday, April 27th - From Dirt to Dinner: Film shorts from Indie Alaska - Register Here - Fundraiser for AK Public Media! Dive into the resilient world of Alaska's food producers through this collection of personal stories, featuring farmers, foragers, and gardeners. Indie Alaska has compiled a series of short videos that show the dedication and passion required to grow and gather in Alaska's unique climate. Suggested donation at the Door of $20.
Films we've already shared
2025
- Together We Grow (38 minutes / link to film on YouTube)
- Living the Change
- Inhabit
- Indie Alaska compilation of local food producers (link to Indie AK film collection on YouTube)
2026
- Planet Local - A Quiet Revolution - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHAXdrLagwY
- Radical Neighboring - The Farm Where Nothing is For Sale - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dynQV-oKM0E
- Kiss the Ground - https://kissthegroundmovie.com/
- The New Peasants - https://www.happenfilms.com/films/the-new-peasants
Permaculture Guidelines
Permaculture Prime Directive: The only ethical decision is to take responsibility for our own existence and that of our children's.
Permaculture Ethics
- Earth Care
- People Care
- Fair Share
- Future Care (slightly contentious)
Permaculture Principles
- Observe AND Interact
- Catch and store energy
- Obtain a yield
- Apply self regulation and accept feedback
- Use and value renewable resources
- Produce no waste
- Design from patterns to details
- Integrate rather than segregate
- Use small, slow solutions
- Use and value diversity
- Use edges and value the marginal
- Creatively use and respond to change
PermaAction Cafe
PermaAction Cafes are monthly gatherings at the Seed Lab (downtown) to share a meal, discuss project ideas, and work in groups on these projects.
The overarching intent of these working group is to improve Anchorage and have positive impacts not just for ourselves but for future generations.
PermaWhat?! What the Heck is Permaculture Class Series
Classes covered the basics of permaculture: the prime directive, three ethics, and 12-ish principles. Check out this curriculum summary by scrolling down or clicking here.