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 in Morocco – 6th – 16th April 2020
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.
I have had a long term and at times intimate relationship with ancient Morocco, as a country, a culture and its multiple diverse landscapes. I first visited in 1975 and many times since. The only Permaculture Design Course I have taught in Morocco was in 2011 and Mohammad Erribani was one of the students, now I return to co-teach with him. After he has worked through multiple countries achieving incredible results in many diverse situations it is a great honor for me to return to Morocco and co-teach with him in his own country.
- GEOFF LAWTON
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 sustainable ecosystems 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:
Catering will include 3 meals with vegetarian options in addition to 2 coffee/tea breaks, one in the morning and one in the afternoon
Accommodation:
Ample space available for camping (tents only), with good views. The weather in Morocco in April is mild & beautiful for camping. Optional farmhouse accommodation available. See below for details.
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 Geoff Lawton & Muhammed Errbani
Class Timetable: 10 days from 6th till 16th of April 2020 (One day off [Friday] in the middle and the course will continue on weekends)
Each morning you will be invited to participate in practical arid permaculture farm activities. You will get the chance to put your new skills to the test with the Final Design Exercise, and together with your classmates produce a permaculture design and presentation.
Upon Successful course completion, you will receive your PDC certificate, approved and signed by Geoff Lawton.
FARM FRESH FOOD
ACCOMODATION & CAMPING FACILITIES
The main accommodation offered is camping in your own tent. You have the option to either set your tent up on the villas rooftop terrace, or on the two camping platforms at ground level. The villa has 3 indoor washrooms and outdoor showers and toilets available to all guests.
There are four rooms available to book as well, which are mainly intended for families with children but maybe made available to other course participants as well. Please email ribanimed@gmail.com for details & room bookings.
The course will include 3 healthy meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner and two tea breaks each day of classes.
Other Facilities include: access to kitchen facilities, relaxing common space indoors, Filtered drinkable groundwater and a swimming pool.
Other accommodation option would be to organising your own hotel/guesthouse and commute from Rabat or Mohammedia and perhaps coordinate carpooling with other students as there are plenty of hotels available/airbnb etc in the cities.
A Facebook group will be set up for all participants to meet and greet prior to the course and to organise any co traveling etc.
ABOUT THE TEACHER
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.
Mohammed Erribani
Mohammed Erribani is an international permaculture consultant. For the last 4 years, he’s been working in India, developing permaculture sites and teaching local communities sustainable permaculture practices in more than 16 states.
Mohammed had been working under the mentoring of Geoff Lawton since 2015 in the Middle East, East Africa and now Asia.
Mohammed is interested in the restoration of very degraded landscapes, in harsh environments in the subtropics and desert climates.
At the moment, Mohammed is developing a 52-hectare farm in the Northeast of Morocco and managing ongoing projects in India.
Aliyah’s Organic Farm
ABOUT THE LOCATION
The course will take place on Aliyah’s Organic Farm in the Benslimane area, an hour away from Rabat, the capital city of Morocco. The farm borders a cork oak forest in the region of Sidi Bettache. It is situated at 500m altitude, so you can enjoy plenty of fresh air and beautiful views of the surrounding hilly countryside.
The farm has a mixed organic orchard including grapes, citrus, mulberry, plums, figs, and almonds, to name a few.The site runs entirely on solar power and has its own filtered water supply. The organic vegetables grown onsite will be used for most meals during the course.
What to bring
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Good walking or working shoes
- Casual and comfortable clothing – natural fabrics for coolness
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle
- Flashlight/headlamp
- Your own bedding (sheets etc.) if needed
- Ample supply of any needed medications
- Tent if needed (depending on accommodation option)
- Sleeping bag and hiking mattress if needed
- Sandals
- Personal toiletries
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
Aliyah’s Organic Farm
LOCATION:
This PDC will be taught at Aliyah’s Organic Farm, which is located 5 kilometre from the village of the Tnine Toualaa, 50km outside of Casablanca Morocco
Nearest Airport
International: Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport
International: Rabat-Salé Airport
The nearest town is 15 mins away and quick trips for necessities are possible.
Rabat, the historic capital city of Morocco, is an hour and fifteen minutes by car. There’s everything from traditional markets to modern shops, and many historical sites as well. The beach town of Bouznika is 45 minutes away. Fez is roughly 2h 45min by car.
Cultural Guidelines
All students are requested to be culturally sensitive to the Islamic traditions and Muslim social protocol. A full orientation will be provided on site but herea re some general guidlines to consider.
- Showing respect for oneself.
- Open and receptive attitude toward cross cultural communication.
- Willingness to ask questions whenever necessary.
- Conservative attire is recommended.
- Wearing shirts at all times, for both men & women. .
- For women – Long skirts or pants (Shorts are considered offensive).
- For men – Long shorts are acceptable (but must be at least to the knee).
- Sobriety at all times during the PDC course.
- Respect for elders, religious traditions and community leaders.
- Not photographing locals without permission, especially not women & children.
- Respecting Muslim gender relation etiquette.
- Not touching or shaking hands with Muslim adults of the opposite gender without permission.
- Not displaying overly intimate affection in public with wife/husband or partner.