So all the stressing over the design was for naught. Received my certificate in the mail signed by the incomparable Geoff Lawton himself. I am so proud of that piece of paper and all that it means and all that it could mean in the future. I don't know if anyone else feels this way, but I just want to rush out and fix everyone's problems with a good solid permaculture design!

We will begin the implementation of our own design beginning September. At that time, the new laser transit and the GoPro video camera are coming out of their respective boxes. Since we are starting from scratch, we'd like to begin a video series detailing everything we do, how we do it, before and after, what worked and why, what didn't work and why. Hopefully, we can stir up some sort of following that might want to come get involved in the great hands on learning experience. We'll be posting those videos here and on YouTube. Be watching for the Fort Tracy YouTube Channel LOL.

Survey of the first swale and pond will be done in September. Our property is virtually flat so all our new ponds will be turkey nest or just in-ground swale ponds. The subsoil excavated from the first pond will be used to fill in a low spot where the new chicken yard and second garden plot are located. Its hard to decide what should come first after that. The swale needs to be dug because all the run-off from the back pasture drains to our house. The swale would help control that plus fill the pond. But, the chickens need a new house before winter, the greenhouse needs to be done before winter so we can begin to propagate all the trees we're going to need on the swales AND the goats need a new home before winter. Any advice is totally and gratefully welcomed!