Following growing for local guild

A local group that aspires to a simpler, more environmentally conscious lifestyle is gaining ground.

The Sierra Permaculture Guild was formed several months ago and will hold a meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today at the Sacred Bee, 1451 East Main Street, in Grass Valley.

Permaculture was coined by Australians Bill Mollison and David Holmgren during the 1970s.

"It's not a philosophy. It's a design system," said Paul Racko, a certified permaculturist and one of the organizers of the group. Permaculture is a way to maximize sustainability for home, ranch or farm, garden or business, Racko said.

It can include collecting rainwater for irrigation, using solar panels for lighting, riding a bike to work to reduce fossil fuels dependency and growing your own food.

"The beauty of permaculture is you can be as simple or complex as you want to be," Racko said.

Two speakers will make presentations at the meeting on natural building techniques and local currencies. Participants are asked to bring seeds or garden surplus to share.

For more information, visit the group's Web site at: sierrapermaculture.org

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To contact Staff Writer Laura Brown, e-mail lbrown@theunion.com or call 477-4231.