The Instituto Permacultura e Ecovilas do Pampa (IPEP) operates in the provincial town of Bage, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, in southern Brazil. It emerged from the work of the dedicated organic agriculturalists who developed the Bionatur seed project, becoming the largest supplier of organic seeds in the country. Considerable experience was gained from working in communities settled by the Landless Movement (MST).

The IPEP reference center includes natural buildings, renewable and village technologies, a unique example of integrated rice farming, and a patrimonial, seed protection program. The center’s activities are being educationally formulated into an intensive training program to serve the Pampa bioregion of southern Brazil, Uruguay and northern Argentina. IPEP is positioned to become the second, advanced permaculture leadership training school in the country.

IPEP maintains formal relations with the University of Pelotas, Bage and Porto Alegre, serving as a field study program for natural building innovations. IPEP’s energy efficient, low cost "Casa Popular" model is being replicated by the Brazilian army’s urban construction initiative. IPEP recently began working with Quilombo communities in association with the Food and Agriculture Agency of the United Nations (FAO).

"Casa Popular” model: built entirely with local and natural materials. Cost USD $2700

Excellent example of intensive rice production integrated with fish and ducks.

Traditional design of Ethiopian rural house.