SMITHSBURG, Md. — The public can learn more about permaculture, a form of regenerative agriculture that homeowners and businesses can use to help restore and heal broken ecosystems, at a Tuesday lecture at the Smithsburg Library.
Speaking will be Melissa Irwin, a landscape designer and permaculture consultant, who will speak from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Her talk is titled “Intro to Permaculture” and is free to the public.
Irwin is the owner of Mid-Atlantic Permaculture, and she is a landscape designer. Her firm provides consultations, design and installations for people who desire productive gardens that fit their lifestyle. Irwin hopes sharing her experiences and expertise will empower homeowners and businesses to take steps toward producing homegrown food, and creating outdoor spaces that support mental, physical and spiritual health. Her background includes working in public spaces such as Renfrew Museum and Park’s four-square garden, and she has also worked with educational programs at The Institute in Waynesboro.
Permaculture landscapes are self sufficient and operate in a way that mimics natural ecosystems. Once established, they can provide resources for humans and wildlife alike for many years with a minimal amount of work required for a homeowner. This saves time and money in the long term and cuts down on use of fossil fuels. Permaculture landscapes can achieve all sorts of goals. They can store rainwater, cool homes in the summer, sequester carbon in the soil, provide food, fuel and other tangible materials, and make the best use of a space that would otherwise be uninhabitable for wildlife.
While Irwin is not a landscape architect– that is a different field– she offers personal consultations to homeowners and businesses who want to install permaculture or other conservation-minded landscapes. “This landscaping style requires minimal maintenance after installation,” Irwin said. “I can draw up a design and also do the installation of the landscape if a customer wants the entire package.” Irwin also practices what she teaches. Her home includes gardens, wildlife habitats and chickens, and she wants to eventually invite the public to see her personal work in practice.
Irwin hopes her Smithsburg lecture will serve as an introduction to a conservation mindset. “I have upcoming classes and workshops that will benefit people who want to pursue permaculture and enrich their personal landscaping experience.”
For more information about Irwin and Mid-Atlantic Permaculture, visit the website: mid-atlanticpermaculture.com, call: 703-297-6332, or email: midatlanticpermaculture@gmail.com.
Irwin will also exhibit at Fort Ritchie’s “Fridays at the Fort”, a farmer’s market held monthly on Fridays (through September) from 4-7 pm. The next scheduled event is Aug. 23. The decommissioned fort, which has a history museum, coffee shop, taproom, community center and art gallery, is located in Highfield-Cascade, Md., at 5649 Fort Ritchie Road. For more information, people may call 301-241-2231 or visit the website: ritchierevival.com.
The Smithsburg Library is located at 66 W. Water St. For additional information, people may call 301-824-7722 or visit the Washington County Free Library website: washcolibrary.org.
