and special guest speakers.

by world renowned teachers

72 Hours of lectures delivered

and start teaching

Design Certificate

Gain your Permaculture

before the course starts

Permaculture Circle

Sign up to Geoff Lawton's

Permaculture Design Certificate Course 1st to 12th July 2024

Permaculture integrates land, resources, people and the environment through mutually beneficial synergies – imitating the no waste, closed-loop systems seen in diverse natural systems. Permaculture studies and applies holistic solutions that are applicable in rural and urban contexts at any scale. It is a multi-disciplinary toolbox including agriculture, water harvesting and hydrology, energy, natural building, forestry, waste management, animal systems, aquaculture, appropriate technology, economics and community development.

To date, thousands of permaculture designers have been certified through this course. They now comprise a global network of educators, ecological activists, individuals and groups of committed people working together to change the way we view and design our landscapes. These Permaculture designers influence major corporations and create new business alternatives.

Permaculture is an ethical design science,
that mimics nature to supply all our
human needs whilst benefiting the environment

Course Description

 

The 72-hour Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) Course allows you to be the change you want to see in the world. Based on Bill Mollison’s Permaculture Designers’ Manual, it provides skills and solid knowledge in Permaculture design as a science that can create abundant ecosystems sustainably in the backyard, a small farm or on a larger broad acre landscape.

 

The course teaches you how to design sustainable living systems for a wide variety of landscapes and climates. It includes the application of Permaculture principles to food production, home design, construction, energy conservation and generation, and explores alternative economic structures and legal strategies supporting permaculture solutions.

 

You will be taught by world-class teachers including Geoff Lawton. You will not find a better teacher than Geoff and he is supported by highly active and engaging staff, most of which live and teach alongside Geoff and Nadia at Zaytuna Farm.

 

Zaytuna Farm is Geoff and Nadia’s home. Permaculture is their life. They are farmers, teachers, and designers who actively pursue positive change in this world within their everyday lives and they are willing and able to share that with you for a more resilient future.

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MEALS:

Meals are not included, however, You can purchase delicious farm-fresh meals from our on-site cafe as well as coffee and tea, and cakes.

Accommodation Booking:

Camping on-site in a self-provided tent/camper is available to book separately on Hip Camp

 Book Accommodation 

Course Schedule:
Course Outline
THE DESIGN SCIENCE

Theory & Principles of Permaculture

Concepts & Themes of Design

Systems Thinking & Methods of Design

WATER & EARTH

Water Harvesting & Management

Earth Working & Earth Resources

Aquatic Design & Aquaculture

Drought-Proofing

NATURAL BUILDING DESIGN

Ecological House Design & Placement

Energy Conservation Techniques

Recycling & Waste Management

Appropriate Technology

NATURE & CLIMATES

Pattern Understanding

Understanding Climate & Landscape

Designing for Different Climates

Windbreaks and Fire Control

SOIL & ECO-SYSTEMS

Soil & Health

Trees & Their Energy Transactions

Soil Rehabilitation & Erosion Control

Organic Food Production

Ecological Pest Control

Livestock

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Strategies of an Alternative Nation

Permaculture Careers

Practical Design Exercise

Included in the course

Face to face

lectures &

demonstrations

 

72 Hours of classroom lectures delivered by world renowned teachers

 

Special guest speakers

 

Extra-curricular activities

 

Farm Tour

 

Daily interaction with the Zaytuna Farm Team

A WEALTH
OF PERMACULTURE
KNOWLEDGE

 

Permaculture Design Certificate

 

On-going support through the Global Permaculture Network

 

Join Geoff Lawton’s Permaculture Circle with a 24/7 online community

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Stay on site during your course

ONSITE CAMPING ACCOMMODATION
AVAILABLE TO BOOK SEPARATELY

If you would like to stay at Zaytuna Farm during the course you can book your accommodation on hip camp. by booking accommodation you get access to:

Hot Showers

Camping Shelter/ or on-ground camping

Access to Wi-fi

Access to kitchen facilities

*Please note only 10 camping shelters are available.  Plenty of ground space is available.

 Book Accommodation 

ABOUT THE TEACHERS

The main facilitator for this PDC is Geoff Lawton.  Other teachers will also deliver various modules, these will be made up of guest speakers and the Zaytuna Farm Team.  Whilst we try to ensure that we advertise the correct teacher information on the site, due to unforeseen circumstances, the teachers may change at short notice.

Geoff Lawton

 

Geoff Lawton is the main facilitator for this PDC course. He is a Permaculture consultant, designer and teacher. He first took his Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) Course with Bill Mollison in 1983. He holds a Diploma in Permaculture Education, Design, Implementation, System Establishment, Administration and Community Development given by the founder of Permaculture, Bill Mollison.

 

Geoff has undertaken thousands of jobs teaching, consulting, designing, administrating and implementing, in 6 continents and close to 50 countries around the world. Clients have included private individuals, groups, communities, governments, aid organizations, non-government organisations and multinational companies.

 

He has currently educated over 15,000 students in Permaculture worldwide. These include graduates of the Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) Course and courses focused on the practical design of sustainable soil, water, plant, and legal and economic systems.

ZAYTUNA FARM

ABOUT THE LOCATION

This PDC will be taught at Zaytuna Farm, As one of the leading Permaculture demonstration sites in the world, Zaytuna Farm has a range of functioning systems including water harvesting, food production, and a very productive animal husbandry. All of which will add to the learning experience and make this course a very rich experience and one not to be missed.

What OUR STUDENTS SAY

I NOW HAVE A NEW PERCEPTION OF THE WORLD!

 

The PDC and PIA course at Zaytuna Farm have opened my mind for a new perception of the world around me, in particular, the connection with people, community, and Earth. These three weeks have cracked open my heart, it is almost like a spiritual journey. Because finally, I know there is a practical and realistic path everyone and I can walk on to make a positive impact on the world.

-YING GLORIA CHUNG

ZAYTUNA FARM IS A VERY UNIQUE PLACE

 

Geoff and his team have built Zaytuna Farm into a very unique place. One which turns nervousness into comfort, strangers into family, and teaching Permaculture into an amazing mix of art, science, and community. I simply cannot recommend the PDC at Zaytuna Farm enough – and would love to go back one day soon!

– SCOTT WILSON

Scott Wilson

YOU GET THE TOOLS TO BECOME PART OF THE SOLUTION

 

Doing my PDC at Zaytuna Farm was a dream come true. Being immersed in Permaculture — especially followed by Permaculture in Action — is a life-changing experience. Coming to understand Permaculture means you can never look at things the same way again and opens up the natural world to you. You have the tools to become part of the solution. In addition to the PDC curriculum, the chance to meet interesting, positive people from around the world was a huge plus!

-JEANMARIE TODD

WHAT NEXT ?

The Next Steps

1. Check our Courses & Events page and enrol in a follow up course, sometimes we run Permaculture In Action and Teacher Training courses.

3. Create a profile and join the Permaculture Network

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Zaytuna Farm

LOCATION:

This PDC will be taught at Zaytuna Farm, which is located 1 kilometre from the village of the Channon, 20km outside of Lismore in New South Wales, Australia.

Nearest Airport

Regional: Lismore, Coolangatta, Ballina
International: Brisbane

Train Station

Casino (with bus service on to Lismore)

Bus Stop

The Channon

NB: A limited service that runs Mon-Fri