Fruit Walls: Urban Farming in the 1600s

Hundreds of kilometers of fruit walls were built in Europe during the 1600s-1800s to boost fruit production.
Hundreds of kilometers of fruit walls were built in Europe during the 1600s-1800s to boost fruit production.

This is an amazing story recommended by Jim, one of our long time readers and supporters. So many things such as fruit walls are being forgotten due to the prevalence of relatively affordable energy.

“We are being told to eat local and seasonal food, either because other crops have been transported over long distances, or because they are grown in energy-intensive greenhouses. But it wasn’t always like that. From the sixteenth to the twentieth century, urban farmers grew Mediterranean fruits and vegetables as far north as England and the Netherlands, using only renewable energy.

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Beautiful 1 Acre Small Scale Permaculture Farm


“A tour of Limestone Permaculture Farm in New South Wales, Australia. The 1 acre property has been developed into a productive permaculture farm that is currently helping to feed around 50 families. The tour includes a look at the orchard, caravan farm gate, chicken and duck areas, and the shade house.”

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City of the Future – Village Homes, Davis, CA


“A tour with Bill Mollison, the father of Permaculture, through a small heaven inside the city of Davis, Yolo County, California, United States. Totally designed by Michael Corbett, within permaculture techniques for self-sufficiency.

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Windmill Driven Compressed Air

Windmills can power all sorts of equipment with compressed air.
Windmills can power all sorts of equipment with compressed air.

I was reading about water powered air compressor systems called trompes that were used for hundreds of years for furnaces, mines, air conditioning and ice production. Even compressed air cars were available at one point. Trompes can work great if you have a steep drop in elevation and an adequate water source. What may work best for most people though is wind driven compressed air.

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