A Theory of Change (ToC) guides the activities that the Climate Change Permaculture Project (CCPP) will implement[1]. The ToC is that, if a critical mass of farmers adopts permaculture-farming practices[2], they could begin to reverse the effects of climate change[3] AND, at the same time, help to address food insecurity.
President Biden has announced that, by the year 2030, the US will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 52% of which agriculture contributes 25%. In order to support progress toward the achievement of this decisive goal, CCPP proposes to carry out a holistic program of activities to lower the barriers[4] to entering the field of permaculture farming.
It has been found[5] that access to affordable land is consistently cited as the greatest barrier to entry to permaculture. Other significant barriers include start-up capital, lack of practical design experience, lack of knowledge about business planning, discrimination, access to markets, affordable housing, affordable healthcare, labor, and farm policies. CCPP will address all of these issues in its programming.
[1] A ToC is a general representation of how one believes change will occur (Wyatt Knowlton and Phillips, 2009).
[2] Permaculture design is a system of assembling conceptual, material, and strategic components in a pattern which functions to benefit life in all its forms.
[3] https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2019/10/partner-content-solution-to-climate-change-below-our-feet/
[4] A barrier to entry is something that blocks or impedes the ability of an individual or a group to enter an industry.
[5] https://www.permaculturenews.org/2014/06