The indigenous Mesolithic societies of Europe never disappeared: they adapted, and survived in new ways. Their cultures, values, spiritual beliefs, and relationships with the land are encoded in the folk traditions and regional agroecological systems that persist throughout Europe. The elegance of these systems is shown in how they have thrived for millennia on some of the most contested land in Europe, surviving climate change, war, pestilence, drought, and economic upheaval. They are part of a 30,000-year-old unbroken tradition and relationship with the land, but they are rapidly disappearing. What’s at stake in their survival is not the preservation of a bygone relic, but the protection and expansion of relationships with the land that can feed our communities, preserve biodiversity through climate change, and create productive ecosystems that last for millennia.

Agroforestry, Assisted Migration, Crop Preservation, Native EcologyMax PaschallJuly 22, 2020agroforestry, agroecology, permaculture, nature, Europe, indigenous, native, hazel, hazelnut, filbert, apple, crabapple, hawthorn, sloe, grain, cereal, hemp, flax, poppy, papaver, opium, orchard, climate change, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Natufians, agriculture, farming, hunter-gatherer, diversity, hybrid, creole, decolonize, decolonization, colonization, imperialism, resistance, forest garden, controlled burn, swidden, culture, society, war, peace, maple, grape, vine, Roman, Etruscan, British, European, shaman, stone age, natural architecture, reeds, willow, wicker, basket, basketry, salix, vitis, corylus, morus, mulberry, malus, global warming, nuts, oak, dehesa, coltura promiscua, coltura mista, arbustum gallicum, vite maritata, alberata, hautain, nettle, knotweed, duck, hunting, ivy, forest, forests, environment, fire, wheat, emmer, einkorn, spelt, barley, rye, reindeer, deer, coppice, pollard, ice age, Ice Age, Sweden, hoe, ploughing, night soil, maslin, ancient, prehistoric, pigs, boar, aurochs, cork, cork oak, Quercus, colonized, endangered species, endangered, biodiversity, medicine, tools, fodder, livestock, fields, crops, corn, maize, beans, legumes, peas, lentils, hedgerow, hedgerows, violence, Italy, milpa, Native American, Iron Age, chestnut, olive, elm, vegetables, herbs, polyculture, monoculture, diverse, resistant, resilient, climate resilient, citrus, Sicily, Italian, Rome, Gaul, Celt, Celtic, Tuscan, Tuscany, Toscana, Permaculture, climate, grains, cereals, Bere, mashlum, domesticated, wild Comments

The Life, Death, and Rebirth of Cuba’s Most Historic Tobacco

All modern Cuban tobacco varieties are descended from a single ancestor: an ancient heirloom known as ‘Criollo.’ This variety was one of their most prized sacred plants of the Taíno people, and after colonization was preserved by small farmers in remote mountain communities, along with many other parts of Taíno culture and tradition. It went from the edge of extinction to become one of the most well-known tobacco varieties in the world.

Crop Preservation, Native EcologyMax PaschallMay 2, 2020criollo, creole, Cuba, Spanish, Columbus, Taino, indigenous, native, tobacco, cigar, agriculture, culture, survival, seedkeeping, Caribbean Comment

Christmas Tree Farms & Climate Change: A Permaculture Perspective

Our Christmas tree agroforestry system is designed to mimic natural forest succession, with shade tolerant fir and spruce growing up to replace a deciduous overstory - except here, that succession will be kept in check through coppicing. In this system, three tiers of income streams are achievable on a single piece of land, with much higher potential for supporting native biodiversity in the process.

The Future of American Wine is Native

For three centuries North American native grapes and their hybrids have proven to be some of the best that can be grown here. In a time when farming practices can make or break an ecosystem, using varieties that don’t require harsh chemicals is more important than ever. As for quality, modern American vintners across the country are proving that award-winning wines can be produced from our own grapes.

Native Ecology, AgroforestryMax PaschallJanuary 22, 2019grapes, wine, climate change, native, munson, wild, hybrid, vitis, insects, Bartram, Jefferson Comments

Peaches Were America's First Invasive Species

Agroforestry, Assisted Migration, Native EcologyMax PaschallSeptember 5, 2018peaches, indigenous, invasive, native, Hernando de Soto, orchard, peach Comments

Saving the Sugar Maple

A classic cold-climate species, sugar maple (Acer saccharum) is threatened by climate change, and with it the half-billion dollar maple syrup industry. Its best chance at survival could be establishing and evaluating southern-type sugar maples now in the Northeast - particularly in cities.

Urban Ecology, Native Ecology, Assisted Migration, AgroforestryMax PaschallJuly 18, 2018sugar maple, indigenous, native, birch, walnut, hickory, maple Comment

Assisted Migration: Facing Climate Change in Our Own Backyards

Urban Ecology, Native Ecology, Assisted MigrationMax PaschallJuly 10, 2018franklinia, bald cypress, magnolia, pecan, sugar maple, Doug Tallamy, native, indigenous, invasiveComment

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