Food-forest

Food Forest Course

A global tradition of food growing lost and forgotten amongst most cultures, but traditionally practiced by almost everyone. Learn the most sustainable , most productive and least work demanding food system (on land) there is. This course will detail a large range of techniques and styles of food forestry practiced around the world traditionally and modernly, connecting cultures, plants, the old, and the new. This is a very comprehensive one week course, both theoretical and hands-on, students will learn different techniques and strategies on how to design, establish and maintain a food forest from scratch into inter-generational management. If you want the bigger picture understanding of how to create forest-like harmony among food producing plants, without dogma, this is it.

Students will be taught by world-class teachers Geoff Lawton and Sam Parker-Davies. Geoff Lawton is internationally renowned and one of the most famous names in Permaculture considered an elder in the movement with one of the most impressive bodies of work behind him that exist within this field, and Sam Parker-Davies is a full-time international consultant, project manager, developer, and farmer, born into Permaculture, and Geoff’s student for almost 10 years. Both Sam and Geoff have worked all over the world for the poorest of the poor and the richest of the rich, committed to the regeneration of our beautiful earth because they believe it is the only ethical direction for humanity.

This is a limited edition special course series on a very unique and sophisticated, 25 year old Permaculture site, unlike anywhere else in the world. These courses will not run longer than a few years, so book in while they are available. This course can be expanded in depth and length upon request, but demand must be suitable. Please note “Week 2”

Curriculum:

  • Day 1 – Food Forestry design and different methods. Tour of food forests across different sites ranging from 25 years old to 1 year old.
  • Day 2 – Harvesting, propagating and processing from Food Forests
  • Day 3 – Preparing a site for a food forest
  • Day 4 – Planting a food forest
  • Day 5 – Food forest maintenance. The balance of boosting productivity or reducing work.

Week 2 (Optional – upon request – must be booked and organised at least 6 months in advance)

Large scale food forest maintenance and management – machinery

International Food Forest Case Studies Presentations
(must be requested – extra cost)

Email us directly to register and book for an extra week
Clear
Course Outline
What is a food forest?

Food forest basics

Food forest principles

Food forests across climates

Why build a forest?

Nature is our teacher

Earth’s Life Systems

Energy principles

Ecosystems

Mulch

Fertiliser

Succession

Build soil

Health

Security

Peace of mind

Food Forest Design Strategies

Water, access, structures

Orientation

Stacking

Guilds

Diversity

Patterning

Creating micro-climate

Design sequences

Yields

Food Forest Techniques and Methods

Methods of preparing the ground

Strategies to control the weeds

– Mulching

– Ground cover

– Long term canopy

Methods of planting

– Selecting plant species

– Perennials

– Annuals

– Overstorey

– Understorey

– Edge species

successional planting

– Vertical spaces

– Plant stacking

– Companion planting

– Guilds

Soil building techniques

– Compost

– Chop and drop

– Animal interactions

– Support species

Learn about appropriate tools, equipment, and technology

Food Forest Sequence of Establishment

Food forests over time

Food forest maintenance

Chop and drop

Animal integrations

Demonstrate established systems

Included in the course

Face to Face

Theoretical & Practical Lessons

Geoff Lawton, alongside the Zaytuna Farm Staff, will guide you through both theoretical lectures as well as practical sessions where you can witness permaculture in action.

  • Zaytuna Farm PDC Class Lecture
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.

Sam Parker-Davies Permaculture design Course at Zaytuna Farm

Sam Parker Davies

Sam Parker-Davies Is the main facilitator for this course. He has taught and practiced permaculture design in 3 continents, in 12 countries. He is a permaculture designer by trade, having done his internship with Geoff and Nadia Lawton at the Permaculture Research Institute, a one-year Soil Food Web course with Elaine Ingham, and Permaculture Design and Teaching courses with Rosemary Morrow and Lis Bastion.

Sam has also learned from and worked alongside prominent leaders in the industry such as Graham Bell, Bunya Halasz, Istvan Makuly, and Giuseppe Sanicandro. Sam has worked in a wide variety of climates and ecosystems – from desert to rainforest regeneration projects, hyper arid to wetland, temperate to subtropical. Sam has devoted his life to getting planet earth on a path of regeneration and is hopeful from what he sees and in experiences every day, that he may well see it in his lifetime. Sam is currently working as a designer for both Permaculture DesignTM and Permaculture Sustainable ConsultingTM.

Sam now lives here on Zaytuna farm as a shareholder, farmer, designer and project manager for numerous projects in the local region. From 2 million acre cattle stations, large organisations, property development, or balcony city gardens the students of these PDCs go on to do world changing things.

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
WHAT NEXT ?

Need More Help?

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.

2. Become a Certified Permaculture Teacher

3. Create a profile and join the Permaculture Network

Clear

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

>