Who is David Holmgren?

“The future will belong to the adaptable.” – David Holmgren

David Holmgren is more than just the co-founder of permaculture—he is a visionary who has reshaped how we think about food, energy, and resilience. His work extends far beyond gardening, offering a blueprint for self-sufficient living, decentralized economies, and sustainable communities. Alongside Bill Mollison, Holmgren co-developed the principles of permaculture in the 1970s, laying the foundation for regenerative agriculture and resilient human settlements.

Holmgren’s teachings are more relevant than ever, as societies face climate instability, food insecurity, and resource depletion. His work provides practical solutions for adapting to these challenges by working with nature rather than against it.

When we work with nature instead of trying to impose our will, the solution is often found within the problem. David Holmgren

Anecdotes & Holmgren’s Early Inspirations

David Holmgren’s journey into permaculture began with his fascination for traditional farming methods and ecological cycles. He often recalls how his studies in environmental design and sustainable agriculture led him to rethink the way humans interact with nature. One of his guiding realizations was:
🌱 “Instead of fighting against nature, why not learn from its patterns and work alongside it?” – David Holmgren

This fundamental shift in perspective laid the groundwork for permaculture principles, encouraging people to view agriculture, energy use, and community living as interconnected systems.

Traditional agriculture was labour intensive, industrial agriculture is energy intensive, and permaculture-designed systems are information and design intensive. David Holmgren

Key Contributions to Sustainability & Agriculture

1️⃣ Co-Founder of Permaculture

• Holmgren’s 1978 thesis, “Permaculture One,” co-written with Bill Mollison, laid the foundation for permaculture design systems.
• Unlike conventional agriculture, permaculture focuses on closed-loop systems, biodiversity, and ecological harmony, making it a low-input, high-yield approach to food production.
• Key takeaway: Permaculture offers a long-term, regenerative alternative to industrial agriculture.

2️⃣ Principles of Permaculture

• Holmgren refined permaculture into 12 guiding principles, each offering practical applications for daily life and land management:
• 1️⃣ Observe & Interact – Take the time to study natural patterns before making changes. Example: Watch how rainwater flows on your land before deciding where to place a garden bed.
• 2️⃣ Catch & Store Energy – Use natural resources efficiently to capture energy for future use. Example: Install rain barrels or set up solar panels to store energy for later.
• 3️⃣ Obtain a Yield – Ensure your system produces something useful and beneficial. Example: Plant fast-growing greens for immediate harvest while waiting for fruit trees to mature.
• 4️⃣ Apply Self-Regulation & Accept Feedback – Continuously monitor and adjust systems to work better. Example: If a crop underperforms, change its location or companion plants instead of adding synthetic fertilizers.
• 5️⃣ Use & Value Renewable Resources & Services – Prioritize resources that regenerate naturally. Example: Use cover crops instead of chemical fertilizers to rebuild soil fertility.
• 6️⃣ Produce No Waste – Treat all outputs as inputs for another system. Example: Turn kitchen scraps into compost instead of throwing them away.
• 7️⃣ Design from Patterns to Details – Start with big-picture observations before fine-tuning details. Example: Observe the sun’s movement to design a passive solar greenhouse that maximizes heat efficiency.
• 8️⃣ Integrate Rather Than Segregate – Foster mutual relationships between plants, animals, and people. Example: Grow guilds of plants that support each other, like the Three Sisters (corn, beans, squash).
• 9️⃣ Use Small & Slow Solutions – Work with gradual, manageable improvements for long-term success. Example: Instead of plowing a whole field, start with a small no-dig bed and expand as it succeeds.
• 🔟 Use & Value Diversity – Diversity strengthens resilience against pests, disease, and climate changes. Example: Grow multiple varieties of tomatoes instead of just one to improve resistance to diseases.
• 1️⃣1️⃣ Use Edges & Value the Marginal – Make use of underutilized spaces to increase productivity. Example: Plant herbs along pathways or grow crops on rooftops and balconies.
• 1️⃣2️⃣ Creatively Use & Respond to Change – Adapt to shifting conditions by being flexible and innovative. Example: If your area is experiencing longer droughts, incorporate drought-tolerant plants and water-saving techniques.
• 🌱 Key takeaway: By following these principles, anyone can create a sustainable, productive system that mimics natural ecosystems.
• Key takeaway: Permaculture is not just about farming—it’s about designing sustainable, efficient systems for everyday life.

These principles ensure sustainability, self-sufficiency, and climate resilience in food production and daily life.

It is not the project but the living process that will be the measure of our actions. David Holmgren

3️⃣ Promoter of Decentralized, Localized Food Systems

• Holmgren has long warned against industrial food dependency and globalization. He advocates for:
• ✔ Local food production to cut down on long transport emissions. Example: Grow your own herbs and vegetables instead of relying on imported produce.
• ✔ Resilient, small-scale farms and gardens that are adaptable to climate shifts. Example: Urban food forests are thriving even in cities.
• ✔ Community-driven food networks instead of corporate-controlled food supply chains. Example: Farmers’ markets, seed swaps, and local CSAs support small growers and reduce dependency on industrial agriculture.
• Key takeaway: Strengthening local food networks makes communities more resilient to global disruptions.

Beyond Agriculture: Holmgren’s Influence on Modern Movements

Holmgren’s work extends far beyond traditional farming methods—his principles have shaped the rise of:

🔹 Urban permaculture initiatives – Cities worldwide are adopting his model for localized food systems, community gardens, and green infrastructure. His vision for “retrofitting suburbs” has directly influenced urban resilience projects in Australia, Europe, and the U.S.

🔹 Regenerative agriculture – Many regenerative farming practices today, such as syntropic farming and holistic grazing, are rooted in Holmgren’s original principles of biodiversity, ecosystem mimicry, and soil regeneration.

🔹 Social permaculture & resilience-building – Holmgren advocates not just for ecological resilience but also for social resilience. He emphasizes community-based solutions, shared economies, and knowledge exchange as the foundation for sustainable societies.

4️⃣ Advocating for a Post-Carbon Future

• In his book “RetroSuburbia”, Holmgren lays out a vision for transforming suburban landscapes into self-sufficient, food-producing ecosystems.
• He promotes low-energy, human-scale solutions that allow people to live sustainably in an energy-constrained future.

Energy Descent: Planning for a Post-Fossil Fuel World

Holmgren’s concept of Energy Descent is one of his most crucial contributions to modern sustainability discussions. Unlike the mainstream assumption that societies will simply transition to renewable energy and maintain economic growth, Holmgren argues that:

✔ The decline of fossil fuels will reshape global economies.

✔ Communities must actively design for a lower-energy future by reducing consumption, localizing production, and increasing self-sufficiency.

✔ Food and resource security will define the stability of societies in the coming decades, making permaculture-based systems critical for survival.

Nate Hagans invited David Holmgren to discuss Energy Descent in the Great Simplification series. You can watch this amazing episode here.

Holmgren’s Perspective on Economics & Self-Sufficiency

One of Holmgren’s lesser-known but equally vital contributions is his economic perspective on permaculture:

✔ Local currencies, barter systems, and cooperative markets – Holmgren suggests that true economic resilience comes from breaking dependency on centralized financial systems. He envisions local trading networks, shared food production, and decentralized resource management as key strategies.

✔ Low-input farming & self-reliance – Rather than relying on expensive organic fertilizers or permaculture “products,” Holmgren promotes a hyper-local approach that eliminates dependence on external inputs.

✔ Redefining success in an energy-descent world – In contrast to the capitalist growth model, Holmgren argues that economic success should be measured by self-sufficiency, resource efficiency, and community stability—not GDP.

Recent Work & Latest Contributions

In recent years, Holmgren has shifted his focus toward practical resilience strategies in an era of climate change, economic instability, and declining resources. Some of his latest work includes:

🔹 “RetroSuburbia: The Downshifter’s Guide to a Resilient Future” (2018) – This book presents a detailed, practical guide for adapting suburban spaces into sustainable living environments, including food production, renewable energy, and community resilience strategies.

🔹 Food & Economic Resilience Post-COVID – Holmgren has discussed how the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragility of global food systems, further emphasizing the need for local food production, home-scale sustainability, and grassroots community networks.

Vision is not seeing things as they are but how they will be. David Holmgren

Real-World Applications of Holmgren’s Principles

David Holmgren, co-originator of permaculture, has profoundly influenced sustainable living and ecological design worldwide. Beyond his foundational work, Holmgren’s principles have been applied in various real-world contexts, demonstrating their versatility and relevance.

Real-World Applications of Holmgren’s Principles

1️⃣ Melliodora: A Living Example of Permaculture Design

Since 1986, Holmgren’s own property, Melliodora, located in Hepburn Springs, Victoria, serves as a practical demonstration of permaculture principles. The site features passive solar housing, diverse food gardens, orchards, and integrated water management systems. Melliodora exemplifies how sustainable living can be achieved in a temperate climate, offering tours and educational opportunities for those interested in permaculture practices.

Why it matters: Melliodora proves that permaculture is not just theory—it works in real life.

2️⃣ Fryers Forest Ecovillage: Community-Centric Sustainable Living

Near Castlemaine in Central Victoria, the Fryers Forest Ecovillage stands as a testament to Holmgren’s commitment to community-oriented design. This ecovillage incorporates sustainable housing, shared resources, and collective land management, reflecting permaculture’s emphasis on community resilience and ecological harmony. The Fryers Forest Ecovillage embodies Holmgren’s vision for community resilience, shared resources, and ecological land management.

Why it matters: This project showcases how permaculture principles can be scaled to entire communities.

3️⃣ Kinsale Energy Descent Action Plan: A Blueprint for Local Transition

In Kinsale, Ireland, students, inspired by Holmgren’s energy descent concepts, developed the “Kinsale 2021: An Energy Descent Action Plan.” This pioneering document outlines strategies for reducing the town’s energy dependence through local food production, renewable energy adoption, and community engagement. It has since influenced the global Transition Towns movement, encouraging communities to proactively plan for a sustainable future.
Why it matters: This project influenced the global Transition Towns movement, encouraging communities to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Energy Descent Planning in Practice

Holmgren’s concept of energy descent involves preparing for a future with reduced energy availability, advocating for planned adaptations to lower energy consumption. This approach has been explored in various contexts:

• Urban Planning: Cities are developing Energy Descent Action Plans (EDAPs) to address potential energy constraints. These plans often include initiatives like transforming underutilized spaces into community gardens, revising housing policies to encourage ecological designs, and integrating permaculture into educational curricula.
• National Policies: Studies, such as those analyzing Spain’s ecological transition scenarios, assess strategies for energy consumption reduction at the national level. These evaluations consider the redistribution of energy use and the implementation of sustainable practices to achieve significant reductions in energy consumption.
  Key takeaway: Planning for an energy descent future means rethinking everything—from food production to urban development.

Recommended Books by David Holmgren

📖 Permaculture: Principles & Pathways Beyond Sustainability – A deeper look at how to design sustainable, resilient landscapes.

📖 RetroSuburbia: The Downshifter’s Guide to a Resilient Future – Practical applications for transforming urban and suburban spaces into self-sufficient systems.

📖 Future Scenarios – Examines the challenges of climate change, peak oil, and how communities can prepare for a post-carbon future.

Holmgren’s Influence on Modern Sustainability Movements

Holmgren’s work has significantly impacted contemporary sustainability initiatives:

• Transition Towns Movement: His principles have inspired communities worldwide to develop localized strategies for resilience, focusing on reducing dependence on fossil fuels and enhancing local self-sufficiency.
• Urban Permaculture: Holmgren’s designs have been adapted for urban settings, promoting green infrastructure, local food systems, and sustainable city living.

Through these applications and influences, David Holmgren’s permaculture principles continue to offer valuable frameworks for creating sustainable, resilient communities in diverse contexts.

To increase resilience, we must transit to low-tech, multi-tenanted, highly adaptive household living systems, in which growing and preserving food, keeping animals, sharing transport, retrofitting suburban dwellings and outdoor infrastructure all help create a new normal. David Holmgren

Final Thoughts: Why David Holmgren Matters Today

David Holmgren’s vision of regenerative, localized food systems is more relevant now than ever. As industrial food systems become more fragile, his principles offer a proven pathway toward food security and climate adaptation.

Which of Holmgren’s permaculture principles do you already practice?

Share your experiences or ideas in the comments! Let’s learn from each other and build a more resilient future.