Learn about permaculture in Lower Saxony, Germany

Details

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  Description

  Introduction:
  
  Hello, I’m Ken, an American expatriate and Environmental Engineer fluent in both English and German. For the past 20 years, I’ve been living and working in Germany, where I’ve developed a deep interest in permaculture and off-grid infrastructure planning. I am working actively on RainWater Treatment Planning for a large university in Africa, and also a 300 person Commune i n the Phillipines. I am president of an American Foundation that publishes academic work as part of our ongoing engineering and charitable activities.
  
  The garden:
  
  At my garden in Lower Saxony, I’ve transformed a former grazing field into a thriving, vegan, Paulownia-filled forest. The garden serves as a prototype for the Garden of Eden model—demonstrating the abundant wealth that can arise when we allow land to naturalize under responsible stewardship.
  
  I am deeply committed to planting and nurturing a diverse range of trees, as they offer solutions to many ecological challenges, including promoting rainfall, storing moisture, and providing food. Through this garden, I aim to showcase how a vibrant and successful permaculture agroforestry project can take root.
  
  Above all, I believe that love and respect for all species is key to effective stewardship. Each organism contributes to a self-balancing system in which humans, as stewards, play a critical role. While we can derive benefits from the land, our ultimate responsibility is to enhance soil health and habitat value. This is the essence of the garden.
  
  Tree Propagation:
  
  I’m particularly focused on growing a wide variety of fruit and nut trees on this small piece of land. Currently, I have several varieties of apples, plums, and pears, as well as three types of Naschi Birnent (Asian pears). Over the years, I’ve planted hundreds of trees, including beech, ash, alder, Paulownia, and maple. They’re growing well, and some will even be used to craft didgeridoos next year. Don’t worry—Paulownia trees regenerate quickly and are ideal for such uses.
  
  In addition to these, I’ve planted elms, more ash trees, and berries, along with various herbs. The potential for expansion is vast, and the project continues to evolve, attracting more wildlife and creating a richer ecosystem. Witnessing this continuous growth is truly a joy.
  
  Biological Water Treatment of Captured Rainwater:
  
  My current focus is on achieving water infrastructure autonomy. I’m in the process of building a biological filtration system that uses rainwater to produce potable drinking water, with phytoremediation integrated into the process. The goal is to demonstrate how a small community can transform a plot of land into a biodiverse habitat while maintaining clean water through a closed-loop filtration system.
  
  There’s still a lot of work to be done, but we’ve made significant progress. Our rain capture system can recharge up to 300,000 liters of water annually, and we’ve constructed three ponds so far, with plans for more. My medium-term goal is to create a constructed wetlands food forest, enhancing both the ecosystem and water management system.
  
  Invitation to Collaborate:
  
  Would you like to help me build this Garden of Eden prototype? I’m preparing an academic journal on this important off-grid infrastructure project, and I would be happy to credit your contributions. Together, we can demonstrate how intelligent water management is the cornerstone of successful permaculture. Let’s build ponds and grow trees!
  
  Additional Information:
  
  I am vegan, and I kindly ask that no meat or animal products be brought into the kitchen. I’d be happy to share some delicious curry or daal with you! The kitchen is spacious, and I even have a wood oven for winter cooking.
  
  There are excellent hiking and biking opportunities here in Weserbergland. The nearest city, Hameln—famous for its Pied Piper legend—is only a 12-minute drive or train ride away. If needed, I can pick you up from the Hessisch Oldendorf train station.
  
  Best regards,
  Ken

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  General Maintenance
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  I have lots of German friends. They are likely to pop in any time. If you want to, we can visit Hameln nearby .. most weekends there is something going on! I will be happy to expose you to some healthy and animal friendly vegan food.
  
  More importantly.. lets study together how to work with rain water for autonomy. Thus is an important part of permaculture… slowing down the water, and making use of it.

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  Help

  I would like folks to visit that want to help plant trees, do water filtration, garden maintenance is really helpful. A few hours a day is great! Low stress.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  German: Fluent
  English: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  I speak english and German fluently. I will be happy to speak either or both with you.
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  Accommodation

  I have a few guest rooms. See the pictures. Bed available.. bathroom. We will share the kitchen and living rooms. Sleep in a tent if you like, alternatively.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  I have internet and a couch. A few extra tables are around.. and you can have a space for working.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  Parking place. No septic connections. Can provide electric.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  One dog is fine if they are behaved.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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