DaVeed Montané, known as “the ethanol fuel guy,” is a business leader, researcher, and educator with a passion for permaculture and Sociocracy. His journey into permaculture began in 2007 with the classic permaculture book, Alcohol Can Be a Gas! Fueling an Ethanol Revolution for the 21st Century. A decade later, during his travels as a political ambassador for Ubuntu Planet USA, a South African gardener reignited his interest in permaculture, leading him to complete his first Permaculture Design Course (PDC), where he discovered Sociocracy.
Recognizing Sociocracy as an ideal framework for addressing the political challenges of the Ubuntu Planet vision, DaVeed delved deeper into the methodology. His firsthand experience observing Sociocracy in action at a Central Flower circle meeting in an Oregon ecovillage solidified his commitment to spreading the benefits of this decision-making model. DaVeed is a passionate advocate for how Sociocracy can facilitate consensual, win-win decisions for groups of all sizes, from small families to international organizations.
Currently, DaVeed is applying permaculture design principles to his latest venture, FillUps—a chain of ethanol production facilities, high-ethanol blend gas stations, healthy convenience stores, and renewable oil-change centers, starting in Gainesville, Florida. Over the past five years, he has acted as a legal researcher and income tax freedom educator, using his business experience to advise individuals on simplifying their financial matters and business structures.
DaVeed helps facilitate The Permaculture Guild meetings and will be presenting Sociocracy within the October 2024 Permaculture Design Course.