Permagarden: Technical Checklist Guidance

The checklist is designed to enhance the implementation of the Permagarden method, a quality monitoring and management tool for enhancing the implementation of the Permagarden approach. The Permagarden approach is based on six core elements that are readily observable on a permagarden site and should be monitored frequently to ensure technical accuracy. These elements include resources, design, water, soil health, biodiversity, and protection. The checklist is tailored to agriculture advisors, extension agents, and other practitioners supporting individuals to implement the Permagarden approach. The checklist is derived from the general Resilience Design for Agroecological Production Minimum Standards, which include additional process-related elements that are not readily observable on a monitoring visit. These elements include community-led and adaptation, which are not included in the permagarden checklist. The checklist is designed to be used by a single person building and managing their own permagarden or as part of the monitoring and evaluation plans of a food security program. The four key steps to guide the use of the checklist include completing a checklist training for staff, training household members on how to use the checklist, collecting data with local partners, and analyzing, reflecting, and adapting. Consistent and objective observations and scoring are essential for the checklist to produce accurate data. All programs planning to use the permagarden monitoring checklist should begin with a short training to ensure their frontline staff understand the checklist and agree on how to handle context-specific circumstances. The training should include reviewing each indicator and its scoring criteria as a group, ensuring the descriptions and techniques are clear, and including multiple examples for each of the indicators. The checklist includes six core elements that are readily observable on a permagarden site and should be monitored frequently to ensure technical accuracy. These elements include resources, design, water, soil health, biodiversity, and protection. The checklist is designed to identify whether the practices on a site meet the minimum standards, where practices are falling short, and where there are opportunities to enhance the process to create a more productive and resilient garden. The Permagarden Technical Checklist Guidance is a valuable resource for programs and practitioners working to implement the Permagarden approach. By using the checklist, programs can ensure technical accuracy, track progress, and inform adjustments that lead to more productive and sustainable permagardens. The checklist is a key tool for enhancing the impact, sustainability, and scalability of BHA-funded agriculture, natural resource management, and off-farm livelihood activities in emergency and non-emergency contexts.