Join us for this monthly Permaculture Meetup—a gathering for anyone interested in permaculture and designing systems that work in harmony with the natural world. With various rotating topics of focus, we’ll chat about organic gardening, regenerative practices, sustainable landscaping, sustainability, energy systems, composting, community, and more. As we face a myriad of social, economic, and ecological crises, permaculture offers us a tool kit for moving toward ecologically resilient communities. We meet on the 3rd Monday from 6:30PM-8:00PM at Honest Weight Food Co-op in the Community Room and welcome questions, discussion topics, challenges, and good conversation! RSVP below not required but encouraged.

Meetup Group
Permaculture Crossing Group

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• READ OUR MANIFESTO

  Capital District Permaculture Meetup Manifesto

  Our Vision
  The Capital District Permaculture Meetup is a collective space for shared learning, meaningful conversation, and collaborative growth. We strive to cultivate a community where everyone’s voice is valued, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and no one person holds power over another. Our mission is rooted in mutual respect, cooperative exploration, and the belief that together, we can co-create a more just, sustainable, and regenerative world.

  Our Values

  1. Collective Voice: Every participant is an equal contributor. No voice is greater than another, and all perspectives are welcomed with an open heart and mind.

  2. No Gurus: We explicitly reject hierarchical leadership structures. No one is "in charge" of this group. Instead, we believe in shared responsibility and collective care.

  3. Facilitation, Not Leadership: The role of the monthly facilitator is to support the group’s needs, and ensure space is made for all voices. Facilitators do not direct, command, or "teach from above.”

  4. Rotating Facilitation: Each month, any participant who wishes to facilitate is invited to guide the discussion, frame the conversation, or facilitate group activities. This role is open to all who feel called to step forward.

  5. Diverse Perspectives: We honor the richness of diversity in thought, experience, and perspective. Guest facilitators and community members from a wide array of backgrounds are encouraged to contribute and guide discussions.

  6. Consensus-Based Decision-Making: When decisions need to be made as a group, we commit to thoughtful, considerate consensus. We aim to reach decisions that work for everyone, prioritizing patience, understanding, and collective care over speed or efficiency.

  What We Are Not

  • We Are Not a Guru-Led Space: There is no teacher, master, or "expert" who claims to hold ultimate knowledge. Everyone has something to teach and something to learn. No one’s knowledge is placed on a pedestal.

  • We Have No Leader: There are no "leaders" in this space. The facilitator’s role is one of coordination, not control. Decisions are not made by any one person but by the collective as a whole.

  How We Gather

  1. Monthly Meetings: We meet monthly at Honest Weight to explore seasonally relevant topics in permaculture, sustainability, and regenerative living. These topics are co-created by the group.

  2. Rotating Facilitators: Each month, a new participant may choose to guide the conversation. This "guest facilitator" role is entirely voluntary and open to all who wish to participate in this way.

  3. Collaborative Format: No single voice dominates the space. Instead, we encourage dialogue, storytelling, discussion circles, and group brainstorming. Everyone’s contributions are vital to the richness of the experience.

  4. Consensus in Action: If a significant decision needs to be made (e.g., changes in meeting format, special events, etc.), it will be done by consensus. All participants are invited to share their input, and decisions are only finalized when we reach a shared agreement.

  How You Can Participate

  • Bring Your Voice: Share your thoughts, stories, and questions. Your voice is a vital part of this collective space.

  • Facilitate If You’re Called: If you feel inspired to guide a monthly discussion or facilitate an activity, you’re invited to step forward. No "expertise" is required—only a desire to contribute.

  • Practice Active Listening: Listen deeply to the experiences and ideas of others. Seek to understand before responding.

  • Support Collective Care: Respect the shared space, and help maintain a supportive, inclusive environment for everyone.

  Our Commitment We are committed to fostering a space that is:

  • Inclusive: All are welcome, regardless of background, experience, or knowledge.

  • Respectful: Harmful language, exclusion, or judgmental attitudes have no place here.

  • Co-Creative: We create this space together, with each person’s input shaping its future.

  Final Words
  The Capital District Permaculture Meetup is an experiment in collective care, shared learning, and decentralized facilitation. We believe that by rejecting hierarchy and authoritarian ideals, valuing each person’s experience, and working toward thoughtful consensus, we model the very principles that permaculture teaches us: interconnectedness, shared abundance, and regenerative growth.

  We are all co-creators of this space. Welcome to the circle.