Ars Terra Journal

William Faith is a dedicated activist in the fight for the rights of animals, care of the earth and social justice, as well as a musician/songwriter, audio engineer and producer. Upon discovering permaculture in 2005, the nature of his artistry and activism changed for the better, both finding a confluence in permaculture. Shortly after completing his certification in permaculture design at the Ecovillage Training Center at The Farm in Tennessee in 2006, William co-founded Ars Terra, a sustainable homestead project in Palmdale, CA. and has continued his study in permaculture, stewarded by friend and mentor Scott Horton. William is a permaculture practitioner, designer and apprentice instructor, and co-sponsored/co-coordinated a permaculture design course at L.A. Eco-Village in 2007.

"I had spent a great many years explaining what I was against; what I found wrong in the world. With my discovery of Permaculture, and a few key words from my friend Mark Anderson, I realized that it is impossible to move toward a positive vision if you spend all your time in a purely reactionary "anti" state of mind. By creating the positive changes we want to see, and helping others to do the same, we begin to actually see postive change occurring all around us. As my friend Graham Burnett describes it, Permaculture is nothing less than 'revolution disguised as organic gardening!'"

Monica Richards is a singer/songwriter, as well as a multimedia/graphic artist, writer, organic gardener and animal caregiver. Monica's main research, writings and artwork are centered on world-wide Matriarchal mythological themes, and all the different faces and seasonal personalities they possess.

"I have always wanted to live off in the forest or on a farm, away from cities, and have animals around me. It seemed like an impossible dream, and my own Olde World aesthetic seemed misplaced in the Modern Age - until we discovered Permaculture. Ars Terra is everything I wanted as a child but didn't know how it could be done. My ultimate goal is to create a "Big Top PeeWee" farm through Ars Terra, where everyone is a part of a big family - all can be made possible through love and patience, I found through my own experience that affection and trust is understood throughout the animal kingdom."

Geoff Bruce is a musician, soundman, animal caregiver and alternative fuels enthusiast. Recently, he was the site coordinator for a major K9 rescue in Lancaster, CA in January, 2008.

"The raven in this picture is 'Buddy', later known as 'Betty', that I found close to death in a parking lot on a brutal Summer day. She represents the serendipitous flow of events that have lead me to a chance at reinvention and seeing the world through new eyes - Permaculture and all it entails. In turn, I want to share this knowledge in an effort to help any animal or person looking for a chance at renewal. Betty has since learned to fly and found a home in the wild bird community and, I can only hope, flies over to check on me from time to time."