Permaculture Meets Market Gardening In French Polynesia
with Thierry Lison
About this episode
In this episode, we explore how Thierry’s career in marine biology and a passion for surfing led him to focus on the devastating effects of industrial agriculture on coral reefs, and ultimately start a market garden on a tiny tropical island.
His farm, Vaihuti Fresh, blends the principles of permaculture with the strategies of high-yield market gardening while making a positive social impact in the unique context of the Polynesian islands.
Please make sure to subscribe to the podcast, download our episodes, and rate them! Your support means the world to us.
[5:51] Background in marine biology studying coral reefs
[9:45] Starting a farm in Polynesia
[14:59] Link between permaculture and market gardening
{24:01] Crabs as garden pests
{24:49] Research with biochar, coconut husk, and mycorrhizal fungi
[34:14] Rewarding farmers for benefitting ecosystem
[36:00] Loss of biodiversity
[38:46] Cooperative cold-storage and nurseries on the island
[43:31] Making coconut-peat
[49:25] Unique history and economy of Polynesia
[50:12] Covid as turning point for food sovereignty
[55:39] Conventional farmers transitioning to organic
[1:02:05] Education on the farm
[1:07:08] Unique challenges of farming on a tropical island
[1:17:05] Indigenous tradition on the islands
[1:26:10] Permaculture Design Handbook by Bill Mollison
[1:26:42] Jean-Marc Jancovici’s ‘World Without End’
[1:33:16] Quote from Charles Eisenstein
Mentioned Links & Resources
Thierry Lison - Vaihuti Fresh
Sponsors
Use promo code podcast15 for 15% off on our on-demand courses
use code smallfarm25 for 25% off all books
