Originally, permaculture was a blending of "permanent" and "agriculture." Soon, however, it shrunk from agriculture to culture in general - "permanent culture." It now includes ecological design and engineering, architecture and environmental construction, agroforestry, re-wilding, town planning, and whole systems thinking. It begins with social, cultural, and economic systems; takes into account Indigenous experience and knowledge as well as natural ecosystems; and expands beyond the typical focus on money-making to become a guiding-life philosophy that includes awareness of the short and long-term environmental, social, and cultural consequences of our actions. Permaculture empowers our self-sufficiency, brings in a big view, and encourages us to ask, "What would nature do?"

Farmer and philosopher, giant in the development of organic farming, sustainable development, guerrilla gardening and permaculture; Fukuoka founded “No-Till Natural Farming.” Trained as a microbiologist and agricultural scientist, he challenged Western agricultural practices both on his farms, in worldwide lectures, and in his books applying Taoist approaches like non-intervention and “Do-Nothing Farming.” He worked with the UN to combat desertification, helped the Green Gulch Zen Center and Lundberg Family Farms, did projects in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. A deep observer of nature, he went beyond farming techniques to inspiring the natural food and natural lifestyle movements.