Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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What happens when fragile supply chains break down? In this episode Geoff and the crew discuss survival gardens, water security, edible weeds, medicinal plants, and practical ways to prepare for uncertain times.

Learn More & Join the Community:
🌐 Visit the podcast homepage to listen with your preferred platform: discoverpermaculture.com/podcasts/discover-permaculture-the-podcast
🎓 Explore Geoff's online courses: discoverpermaculture.com

Key Takeaways:

- 00:00:15 - 00:03:28: Why modern supply chains are fragile and how permaculture creates food security
- 00:03:28 - 00:04:24: Survival gardens and the power of perennial food systems - Isabell Shipard's books: herbs-to-use.com
- 00:04:24 - 00:05:58: Medicinal plants, foraging, and using plant ID apps
- 00:06:36 - 00:08:20: Jerusalem artichokes, edible weeds, and survival foods hiding in plain sight
- 00:09:24 - 00:10:51: Lessons from Covid and how permaculture builds resilience during crises
- 00:11:36 - 00:12:41: Geoff’s favorite survival crops: taro, cassava, yam, and chaya
- 00:12:41 - 00:14:29: Sprouts and microgreens as emergency nutrition systems
- 00:14:02 - 00:14:29: Action Step #1: Start sprouting seeds this week
- 00:15:05 - 00:16:23: Feeding 60 students with sprouts during supply shortages in Jordan
- 00:16:23 - 00:19:25: Comfrey, moringa, turmeric, and other survival superplants
- 00:19:25 - 00:20:36: Sterile comfrey varieties and how they spread
- 00:21:06 - 00:23:05: Long-term food storage strategies and preserving seeds
- 00:24:00 - 00:24:28: Action Step #2: Plant comfrey or moringa
- 00:25:12 - 00:26:38: How moringa seeds can clean dirty water naturally
- 00:27:01 - 00:27:30: Action Step #3: Learn and eat an edible weed
- 00:28:24 - 00:30:09: Why water systems are vulnerable in modern society
- 00:30:22 - 00:32:01: Simple rainwater harvesting explained
- 00:32:01 - 00:33:57: First flush diverters, algae biofilms, and rainwater tanks
- 00:33:58 - 00:36:13: Rainwater vs municipal water systems
- 00:39:53 - 00:41:05: Action Step #4: Set up a rain barrel and store water
- 00:42:25 - 00:43:33: Doulton ceramic filters and gravity-fed water systems
- 00:43:44 - 00:46:59: Reed beds, gray water, and using plants to clean water naturally
- 00:46:59 - 00:48:57: Final survival garden checklist and practical preparedness steps

🌏 Guests

Ben Missimer — Ben is a regenerative designer and technologist who uses LiDAR, drone imaging, and GIS tools to reveal the hidden patterns of the land. From remote landscapes to urban projects, he transforms terrain data into actionable designs that restore ecosystems. His work combines science, technology, and permaculture principles to guide landscapes from degraded to abundant.
🔗 Website: pearlriverecodesign.com
📸 Instagram: @benmissimer
▶️ Youtube: youtube.com/@benmissimer/videos
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/PearlRiverEcoDesign

Eric Seider — Eric is a permaculture consultant, designer, and educator since 2008. He has helped communities around the world create resilient systems, working across deserts, forests, and urban landscapes. As the leader of the Permaculture Community Group in Fair Oaks, California, he cultivates a local hub for education, hands-on learning, and collaboration. Eric turns ideas into thriving ecosystems and empowers others to do the same.
🔗 Website: ericseider.com
📸 Instagram: @ericseider
▶️ Youtube: youtube.com/@EricSeider
📘 Facebook:
facebook.com/ericseider22
🌾 Permaculture Community Group: permaculturefairoaks.org
🌿 Community Facebook: facebook.com/permaculturefairoaks

Sam Parker-Davies — Sam is a global permaculture designer, teacher, and consultant with projects spanning deserts, forests, and mountains across 12+ countries. He blends hands-on implementation with deep design thinking, helping communities regenerate both ecosystems and the social systems that depend on them. Sam’s teaching and consulting showcase how practical permaculture can create abundance in even the most challenging environments.
🔗 Website: samparkerdavies.weebly.com
📸 Instagram: @samparkerdavies
▶️ Youtube: youtube.com/@sam.parkerdavies
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/sam.parkerdavies

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