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.
Permaculture Design Certificate Course 15th – 26th January 2024
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.
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. Basic self-catering facilities are available on site.
Accommodation Booking:
Camping on-site in a self-provided tent/camper is available to book separately on Hip Camp
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
- Extra-curricular activities
- Farm Tour
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.
ABOUT THE TEACHERS
The main facilitator for this PDC is Sam Parker-Davis. Geoff Lawton and 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.
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
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.
2. Become a Certified Permaculture Teacher
3. Create a profile and join the Permaculture Network
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