72 Hr. Permaculture Design Certification:
Course Schedule and Outline
Introduction to Basics of Permaculture I.
March 24th & 25th, 2006
• Basic Permaculture Methodologies and Ethics
• Edible, medicinal, culinary, and utility landscapes and food forests
• Land Restoration
• Long-term food preservation’
• Practical Homesteading Skills
• Basic Renewable Energy Systems
• Ecological Building construction Methods
• Natural Rhythms of a bioregion
To Receive the Packet of Handouts and Bibliography
Register and Pay Pal Now Button $35
This is required reading Before Workshop II and III in Permaculture Certification Series.
The Introduction course qualifies for 6 hrs. towards the design certification. If you were unable to attend you may still participate by requesting the Introductory Packet ($35) and previewing suggested readings below prior to attending Workshop II & III.
Bill Mollison’s Introduction to Permaculture
Toby Hemenway Gaia’s Garden
Permaculture Design Certification Workshop II.
September 29, 30 and Oct. 1st, 2006
Friday – Sunday 8am-6pm
• Methods of Design – Students will learn how to make initial observations in the landscape and, through series of activities (i.e. analysis, data overlay, zoning) learn how to apply observations to a basic design.
• Observations Skills – Pattern understanding (reading the land, gathering information), pattern applications (site analysis, interpreting signs, plant identification, problem solving. Analysis & diagnosis, Processes and connections.
• Climatic Factors – Students will learn to forecast the weather through the use of their senses, understand cloud forms, movement of weather fronts, affects of weather on various crops, home energy, microclimates, latitude and altitude on weather patterns, how weather patterns fit into web of life on earth.
• Plants & Trees and their energy transactions – Delineate use of plants and tress for food, medicine, and utility. Employ windbreaks, shelterbelts, habitat for animals, plant companions, guilds, basic biology, ecology, and cosmic and subtle influences on vegetation.
• Water –Students learn how to read slope, how water moves by gravity. Regional intervention in the water cycle, earthworks for water conservation and storage, waste water systems, grey water, wells, wetlands, septic, natural water purification
• Soil – Students will experience the intricacies of soil first hand. Function of soil in ecosystem, practical applications: composting, soil testing, tillage and cultivation, mulching, amendments, foliar feeding, biodynamic soil and compost preps, identify and set up microclimates.
• Earthworking and Earth Resources – Students learn how to survey the land prior to earth moving by measuring slope and area, shape dams, ponds, swales, terraces, foundations for houses, and other earth constructs. Explore differences in a diversity of soils and what it takes to shape them. Planning and planting after earth works, slope measure, levels and leveling, types of earth constructs.
• Zones- Zones are an essential methodology of the art of Permaculture. It is how we, as designers place all the elements; house, energy systems, gardens, and animals on our land base, constructing human ecosystems. For example: Zone 0:Siting the house, orientation, needs, tools, energy, water & waste. Zone1: Seeds and crops: bio-intensive charts, seed selection and seed/plant care, greenhouse design & operation, watering, edible landscapes, food preservation. Zone 2: The food forest and small animal husbandry Zone 3: Cropping and Large animal husbandry Zone 4 harvest Forests Zone 5 Natural Forests.
• Aquaculture – Students will explore aquaculture as a viable and healthy food producing option to only land-based crop production. All study and implementation is based on location of the site and local weather patterns. Water polycultures: traditional and new, pond configurations and food supply, yields outside pond and edges. Choice of fish species.
Permaculture Design Certification Workshop III.
November 3-5, 2006
Friday –Sunday 8am-6pm
• Planning The Homestead - Students will learn about ecological buildings practices, uses of renewable energy resources (plumbing & electric), energy conservation, mapping/charting responsibilities for homestead or ecovillage, homesteading chores & craft, tools & machinery (mechanical, wood, metalworking). Depending on course site students will practice hands–on building techniques and the installation of energy systems along with lectures and discussion.
• Permaculture Strategies for Different Climates – Students will apply previous learning and develop ideas for the three broad climatic zone design. Discuss contrast and similarities between climatic zones, what principles can be shared & what are specific to a particular climate: Humid tropics, Dry-land, humid cool to cold, temperate climates. Also will discuss Permaculture guidelines as a unified model that can be applied to any predominate climate.
• Urban and Suburban Permaculture - Students apply all previous lessons to suburban and urban environments, no matter what scale. Find ways to “green” cities and suburbs. Efforts must be made to develop natural food production systems, energy alternatives, and building techniques that will allow sustainable human ecosystems.
• Small Farm and Garden Management / Marketing –Students learn and discuss the business of agriculture: CSA’s, value-added products, farmer’s markets, food cooperatives, wholesale markets, crafts, forest management, education, workshops, etc. The art of generating income in order to support the goal of economic freedom and self-sufficiency that is economically viable and ecologically sustainable.
• Strategies of an Alternative Global Nation - Formal and Informal Economies: worker-owned enterprises with non-exploitive relationships, decentralized governance, recognizing ideal relationships between elements in the system and maximizing symbiotic relationships, building strong communities. Ethical basis of an alternative nation, bioregional organization, extended families, trusts and legal strategies, effective working groups and right livelihood, Money/finance, futures, local wealth in bioregion, economy of nature.
• Practical Work on Design – Students begin and complete their final design. There will be a short review of the basic ideas covered. Assessment steps 1) Observation assessment 2) Slope 3) Hydrology 4) Vegetation 5) Wildlife 6) Agriculture 7) Land Layout 8)Roads 9) Water 10) Energy 11) Wastewater 12) Walking Paths 13) Dams, lakes 14) Telecommunications 15) Create a Final Design. Also look at drawing/ drafting design tools.
• Vendors: Finding Information and Supplies to continue the educational and/or Permaculture process on your own.