CITIZENS NEWS

Allan Campbell: Fight inflation and food scarcity by GROWING YOUR OWN FOOD

By kevinhughes // 2025-05-10

• Permaculture is presented as a holistic design methodology that addresses global issues such as drought, war and food insecurity. It integrates water catchment, energy capture and food production into a cohesive system, offering a sustainable approach to food and resource management.
• Founded by Jim Gale, Food Forest Abundance aims to make permaculture accessible by transforming underutilized land into edible, ecologically rich landscapes. The organization simplifies the permaculture message and provides practical, educational resources to help people create their own food forests.
• Food forests are described as "living, sentient" ecosystems that evolve and foster a deep connection between humans and nature. They provide abundant food and medicine, offering nutrient-rich produce that contrasts with chemically treated store-bought food. The experience of creating and maintaining a food forest brings joy and satisfaction.
• Permaculture design emphasizes resilience by incorporating a diverse range of plant species that can withstand various weather conditions. This approach ensures stable food production even in the face of extreme weather events, making it a viable solution for climate change adaptation.
• While some permaculture practitioners advocate for a no-machinery approach, the use of tools like excavators is considered beneficial when used responsibly. Additionally, integrating animals into permaculture systems is crucial, as they act as natural composters and enhance soil fertility. The interview also highlights the benefits of backyard chickens and goats, as well as the ancient practice of aquaponics.

In a world grappling with escalating food prices and dwindling resources, the concept of permaculture offers a beacon of hope. Allan Campbell of Food Forest Abundance joined the Health Ranger Mike Adams on the "Health Ranger Report" to discuss the transformative power of permaculture and the burgeoning movement of growing your own food forest. Campbell's journey into permaculture began during his university days in Texas, where he studied mechanical engineering. Originally from Uruguay, Campbell was drawn to permaculture as a design methodology that offered solutions to the world's pressing challenges, from drought and war to food insecurity. The permaculturist and environmental consultant was captivated by its holistic approach, which integrates water catchment, energy capture and food production into a cohesive system. This led him to start small, creating compost systems and community gardens, before fully dedicating his life to permaculture in 2020. Campbell emphasized that permaculture can be daunting due to its broad scope. This is where Food Forest Abundance, founded by Jim Gale, comes in. The organization simplifies the permaculture message, focusing on transforming underutilized land into edible, ecologically rich landscapes. Campbell explained that people can convert land considered to be a liability into an asset by creating a food forest that not only provides food but also enhances the ecology. "We can transform something like the land into an edible, ecologically rich landscape through a food forest," the operations manager of Food Forest Abundance said. The company has designed food forests across the U.S. and collaborates with a diverse team of designers and installers. Their approach is both educational and practical, aiming to make permaculture accessible to everyone.

The joys of permaculture: A natural approach to food and medicine

Adams shared the experience of Todd Pitner, his co-host on "Decentralize TV," with hiring Food Forest Abundance to build a food forest in his Florida backyard. The joy and satisfaction that Pitner derives from this project are palpable. Campbell describes a food forest as a "living, sentient thing" that evolves and responds to its environment, creating a deep connection between humans and nature. (Related: Food Forests: The ultimate hedge against economic collapse and centralized tyranny.) The two delved into the myriad benefits of permaculture, emphasizing the abundance of food and medicine that nature provides. Campbell highlighted the importance of learning about local ecosystems and foraging for food, which can lead to a deeper understanding of one's environment. He also pointed out the stark contrast between the nutrient-rich produce from a permaculture garden and the often mineral-deficient, chemically treated food found in stores. Adams shared his experience of living in Ecuador, where he learned to appreciate the abundance of food that can be grown in a favorable climate. The Health Ranger contrasts this with his initial impression of Texas, which he found barren until he realized that "everything is food or medicine." This realization underscores the potential of permaculture to transform even seemingly inhospitable landscapes into thriving ecosystems. The conversation turned to the increasing unpredictability of weather patterns and the fragility of traditional monoculture systems. Campbell explained that permaculture design incorporates resilience by planting a diverse range of species that can withstand various weather conditions. This approach ensures that food production remains stable even in the face of extreme weather events. A key point of discussion is the role of machinery in permaculture. While some purists advocate for a no-machinery approach, Campbell believes in using tools like excavators responsibly. He argued that machinery can significantly reduce the time and labor required to reshape land, making it a valuable asset when used wisely. The key is to design thoughtfully and start small, scaling up as knowledge and experience grow. Campbell also emphasized the importance of incorporating animals into permaculture systems. Animals serve as natural composters, accelerating the regeneration of soil and enhancing its fertility. He also discussed the benefits of backyard chickens and goats, which provide food, fertilizer and companionship. The interview also touched on the ancient practice of aquaponics, which combines fish and plant cultivation. While Campbell acknowledged the potential of modern aquaponics, he favors simpler, more natural approaches that rely less on technology and more on understanding natural systems. As the interview concluded, Campbell encouraged listeners to consider the long-term benefits of permaculture. He highlighted the generational impact of planting trees and creating food forests, which can provide sustenance and beauty for years to come. Adams echoed this sentiment, urging preppers and anyone interested in self-sufficiency to start growing their own food. The Health Ranger emphasized the importance of transitioning from stored food supplies to self-sustaining food production, especially in light of rising food prices and potential shortages. Watch the full interview between Allan Campbell and the Health Ranger Mike Adams below. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

“Wartime Homefront Essential Skills” on BrightU: How to grow your own food when the grid goes down. Four ways to creatively grow your own fruits and vegetables using principles of permaculture. Creating food forests out of front lawns can prepare communities for FOOD COLLAPSE – Brighteon.TV. Sources include: Brighteon.com FoodForestAbundance.com

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