Mission Statement

My goal with mande plants is to teach about medicinal and edible plants, show how to grow these plants, where to find these plants, and how to use these plants. There are many useful botanicals in our world. I will growing seasonal crops and perennial edibles using organic methods as best as possible. One of my long term goals is to grow a temperate food forest garden. As I grow new plants and harvest them I will be sharing photos and details on this blog. All photos on this blog are taken by me. If you like this blog and you would like to help me further my research you can use the paypal donate button on the right. All donations will be used to buy tools, plants, seeds, and pay for expenses needed to develop gardens.

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

I am a husband, father, gardener, researcher, herbalist and teacher. I study Ethnobotany and Permaculture. I grow a variety of rare and unusual edible plants. I am always looking to develop new techniques.

I am hoping to raise money to help pay for research material and reference books for a book I am writing. The goal of this book is to be a guide to The Ethnobotanical uses of plants and how they fit into Permaculture design.

From Wikipedia, "Ethnobotany (from ethnology, study of culture, and botany, study of plants) is the scientific study of the relationships that exist between peoples and plants.

Ethnobotanists aim to document, describe and explain complex relationships between cultures and (uses of) plants, focusing primarily on how plants are used, managed and perceived across human societies. This includes use for food, clothing, currency, ritual, medicine, dye, construction, cosmetics and a lot more"

Wheras Permaculture is described as a creative design process based on whole-systems thinking that uses ethics and design principles. It guides us to mimic the patterns and relationships we can find in nature and can be applied to all aspects of human habitation, from agriculture to ecological building, from appropriate technology to education and even economics.

My target readerbase are those living in North America, but my hope is that anyone living anywhere can make great use of the book. The set up of the book will be organized by design layer and how the plants can be utilized. I will cover the edible, medicinal, and practical uses of plants (dyes, fibers, tools, toys, instruments, etc). I intend to cover a large variety of plants. I want to inspire others to explore the amazing variety of plants that are available to us, to use what is best for themselves and their family. I hope to come across with simplicity, yet to be all inclusive in what is covered.

Any amount doanted would be greatly appreciated. And to show my thanks I will include every donors name in a list of special thanks in the book, unless you would rather remain anonymous. Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope we can all benefit from this.


With much appreciation and love,

Steve Flanagan




Or, alternatively you may donate a book from this wishlist.