About us

We’re John, Myron, and Gabriel Platte. We are permaculture designers in the United States and the Russian Federation. 

Our mission is to establish the ethical design science of permaculture as a standard around the world. Permaculture design is foundationally grounded in the realities of science and culture. It should not be countercultural, but as much a part of mainstream life as architecture.

People hire us to solve frustrating site limitations and realize their development potential. Our approach is strategic pragmatism. We find the leverage points in your landscape that create opportunities others miss. 

What is permaculture design? Think of it as applied strategic foresight for your land. We give you the actionable plan that turns your constraints into the foundation of your success.

Simply put, we put in the work. We build the foundational knowledge, conduct the site-specific research, and translate it all into a coherent, workable plan. That direct line from insight to execution is what makes our designs—and your results—startlingly effective.

Design services

Rehabilitation center
International House of Social Service
Altai mountains, Russia

Farm-settlement
Pereslavl-Zelessky, Russia

St. Olga’s Orthodox Christian Church
Sergiev Posad, Russia

Residence facing catastrophic washout
Khotkovo, Moscow region, Russia

Permaculture demonstration site
Klinski region, Russia

Dacha
Korolyov, Russia

Future development
Tverskaya region, Russia

Community education center
Arsaki, Vladimir region, Russia

Farm irrigation strategy
Serpukhov, Russia

Community vegetable garden and orchard
Churchville, NY, USA

Residence
Henrietta, NY, USA

Residence
Chili, NY, USA

Every time I invest, questions arise.

How will finances be distributed? Will the project be fully implemented, or will the finances disappear? The key is the leaders. With what intention are they carrying out this project? Is it from the heart, or are they pursuing their own benefit?

I realized these guys know a lot about the land, the soil, nature, how everything interacts. They have done a lot in a short period of time. I was surprised at how quickly and efficiently they assessed the possibilities of the territory. They told me a lot I didn’t know. They explained the causes of problems, like erosion from inappropriate grazing.

They use certain patterns to guide the interaction of their knowledge and nature. It worked smoothly, as if in harmony. They have the equipment to quickly analyze the terrain and the soil to see what will grow best. I’ve never met people who wanted to make the earth better. Usually, people plan for maximum return regardless of how it affects the land. These guys know how to make the land richer and more fertile using just natural resources. They are ready to create a place where animals, water, and plants interact in harmony.

The experts are excellent and wonderful people. They are interested in the future of Russia and its culture, which they consider a treasure to protect and multiply. We have already become close friends. I realized it is very pleasant and necessary to work with them.

—Ivan Skoblikov

Affiliations

Permaculture Design Certificate
Permaculture Research Institute, Australia

Permastroika
Co-founders

Great Brotherhood of Cossack Troops of Russia and Abroad
Officers

International House of Social Service
Officers

Collective Return
Creators

Architecture of Natural Interactions
Creators

Green Zagorsk

Russian Society

Burning Bush Gardens
Owner-operators

I am always wary of those who create the appearance of active work but take no real action.

If someone is going to advise me, I want to know they are truly listening to my wishes, understand the task, and can provide useful, quality recommendations. Do they do practical work or just theory? Are they confident?

Myron’s active and thoughtful approach to the task impressed me. How he skillfully examined the plants on the plot and gave recommendations on what could be done here. His personal achievements are defined by his personal involvement—not just through advice, but through active physical labor alongside me on the land. This commands the greatest respect for him as a professional.

The success of our work is the mutual understanding on the subject and Myron’s ability to listen and comprehend my wishes. He gave recommendations that I implemented, consulting with him. He subsequently wrote a detailed preliminary plan of intentions for the follow-up work.

My advice to those just starting in organic farming is to pay attention to the counsel and experience that Myron, I believe, possesses. He is confident in his actions and executes the tasks set before him well. With his knowledge, it becomes easy to set objectives and find solutions.

Respectfully, Georgiy.

Teaching

PDC, Factory Village Permaculture Center
New York State, USA

PDC, Burning Bush LLC
USA

Sergiev Posad Permaculture Society
Sergiev Posad, Russia

Organization of Young Russian Scouts
Sergiev Posad, Russia

Expert contributor, Permaculture Practitioners Club
Russia

Speaking

Integrating perennial grain into a multi-enterprise farm
AgroRus conference, St. Petersburg, Russia, 2022

On the design of the Altai rehabilitation center
Great Brotherhood of Cossack Troops of Russia and Abroad, 2024

Introduction to permaculture
Green Zagorsk, 2025

Impact of Brix focus in agriculture on human health
Bergen, NY, USA

On the Day of Protection of God’s Creation
Organization of Young Russian Scouts, Sergiyev Posad, 2025

Publications

Media properties

permakultura.ru, website

Perennial Permaculture, Telegram channel

Videos

Villages of the future, 2023

Designing a holistic health resort in the Altai mountains, 2023

Neighborhood dam construction children’s project, 2024

On the Day of Protection of God’s Creation, 2025

White papers

Comprehensive Capital Design: How it applies natural agriculture to the design and practice of farming, 2024

Demonstration and educational centers on natural agriculture in peasant farming, 2024

Selected articles

How trees control the air, and accompanying series, 2025

What is an edge?, 2025

Enterprise theory, 2023

Introduction to food forests

Interactive resources

Swale calculator, 2025

Grazing calculator, 2024

Water savings calculator, 2024

Books in development

Joint Ventures with Nature

What do I do if my soil is acidic?