June 2025 Permaculture Newsletter
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If you’ve been feeling like there’s been a whirlwind of permaculture energy lately, you’re not wrong. Between townhalls, summits, galas, and an active membership drive, PINA has been hard at work this past month sowing seeds of regeneration across the continent. From powerful gatherings like the Community Development Summit and the Pittsburgh Permaculture Gala, to our latest Townhall on disaster preparedness and fire resilience, we’ve been creating spaces where solutions take root, and new collaborations bloom. It’s been a lot, but it’s exactly what’s needed. Because if we want permaculture to take a lasting foothold across North America, we have to meet the moment with momentum. And thanks to members like you, we are. Keep reading to catch up on everything you might’ve missed, and find out how you can plug into the growing movement for planetary healing and local resilience. Permaculture Gala Ignites Hope for Pittsburgh’s Green Future
Last month, PINA and Tree Pittsburgh co-hosted a powerful Permaculture Gala in the heart of Pittsburgh, uniting some of the city’s most passionate environmental changemakers. Held beneath the canopy of Tree Pittsburgh’s riverfront campus, the evening buzzed with possibility as guests gathered to envision a greener, more regenerative future for the Steel City. Renowned Permaculture pioneers Peter Bane and Darrell Frey gave inspiring presentations, highlighting the urgent need for ecological design in post-industrial cities like Pittsburgh. Their messages resonated deeply, underscoring that Permaculture isn’t just about gardening, but about rebuilding systems, communities, and hope. While we didn’t quite meet our fundraising goal, the true success of the evening came through the connections forged. We’re confident these relationships will blossom into meaningful projects across the region in the months and years ahead. Want to help support Permaculture renewal in places like Pittsburgh?
Community Development Summit Recap: A Movement Grows
On May 16–17, PINA hosted the Community Development Summit: Organizing a Resilient Future, and what a future we envisioned! Across two days, passionate change-makers gathered online to explore real-world models of regeneration—from mutual aid networks to bioregional economies and scalable permaculture orchards. Voices like Zev Friedman, Carol Burton, Trathen Heckman, and Andrew Faust shared powerful lessons on building thriving communities. Whether it was learning how to run for local office, hearing about the 100 Garden Challenge, or diving into the art of intersection repair, attendees left with concrete tools, and a renewed sense of purpose. Each presentation emphasized what we already know: permaculture isn’t just about landscapes, it’s about people, systems, and the invisible structures that hold it all together. Couldn’t make it? Don’t worry! The full summit will be available for replay in the PINA Members Portal early this month. If you’re not a member yet, now’s the time to join a movement working to regenerate communities from the ground up, plus we’re offering 20% off all membership levels until June 15th.
BE FEATURED IN THE NEWSLETTER Members, we want to highlight your work in our newsletter. Please email a project you’re proud of to communications@pina.in. PINA invites you to share content for a future edition of our newsletter! See an article or news item you think we should feature? Contact us to let us know. Biochar:
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Canada is grappling with an unprecedented wildfire season, with over 1.58 million hectares scorched and more than 21,000 residents evacuated across provinces like Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The city of Flin Flon has been nearly deserted, and smoke from these fires is deteriorating air quality as far south as the U.S. Midwest.
These fires not only displace communities but also devastate ecosystems, destroy homes, and strain economies.
In this context, biochar emerges as a compelling, nature-based solution. Produced by pyrolyzing forest debris and underbrush, biochar reduces wildfire fuel loads, sequesters carbon, and enhances soil health. Moreover, biochar production can create income opportunities through carbon credits and agricultural applications.
To promote this sustainable practice, PINA is offering a chance to win a free biochar kiln this month. Join or refer someone to become a PINA member by June 15, and you’ll be entered into the draw. Together, we can transform forest waste into a valuable resource that helps mitigate fires and supports local communities.
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Wanna hang out at a block party JUST for permaculturists like YOU?! Then save the date for a PcX-specific block party…
July 9 @ 7pm et 💃🕺
A Wild Home:
Where Permaculture Meets Childhood Wonder
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In the heart of downtown Brooksville, Florida, something wild and wonderful is growing, A Wild Home, an innovative school founded by PINA Member Amanda Jo Boener.
Blending permaculture, mindfulness, and nature-connection, Amanda’s program serves children ages 6–16, offering hands-on education that’s as rooted in the soil as it is in the spirit.
After running a Wild School on a permaculture farm in Indiana and spending two years traveling the country in a self-converted skoolie, Amanda has created a unique learning sanctuary that’s as rare as it is inspiring.
From whittling to beekeeping, foraging to herbalism, her students learn real skills through real connection with each other, and with nature.
In May, the students are building a herb spiral. In June, it’s a pollinator garden. But at its core, A Wild Home is about more than projects, it’s about cultivating community, celebrating curiosity, and nurturing wonder through a deep relationship with the Earth.
Amanda’s work is a shining example of what permaculture looks like when it’s woven into the fabric of childhood.
Learn more and support this beautiful vision at awildhome.org
Learn to Save Seed
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Seed Processing for Abundance is an online course designed for gardeners, homesteaders, and permaculture practitioners who want to deepen their seed-saving skills—and even start selling seeds for income.
Created by PINA members Noel & Ann of HomesteadCulture in Southern Oregon with over 7 years of experience in small-scale seed production, this course teaches practical, low-tech techniques for cleaning and processing bulk seeds by hand.
Whether you’re growing annuals, perennials, herbs, or flowers, this course helps you close the loop and build resilience through seed stewardship. A perfect next step for anyone looking to live more regeneratively and share the abundance.
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