Overview:
This course is designed to provide participants with the principles, techniques, and practical tools to design and implement permaculture systems. Participants will explore holistic approaches to sustainable land use, integrating ecology, agriculture, and design to create self-sufficient systems that support biodiversity, soil health, and community well-being. Through hands-on workshops, site visits, and design exercises, participants will develop the skills to plan and execute permaculture projects in diverse settings.

Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will:

• Understand the principles and ethics of permaculture.
• Learn to design systems that integrate water, soil, plants, animals, and people.
• Explore techniques for regenerating landscapes and increasing biodiversity.
• Gain practical experience in implementing permaculture designs.
• Develop a comprehensive permaculture plan tailored to specific contexts.

Who Should Attend?

This course is designed for:

• Farmers, gardeners, and land managers.
• Environmentalists, conservationists, and ecologists.
• Urban planners and landscape architects.
• Community leaders and educators promoting sustainable practices.
• Anyone interested in designing resilient and sustainable systems.

Day 1: Introduction to Permaculture

Overview:
Participants will explore the foundational principles and ethics of permaculture and its applications in various environments.

Sessions:

1. What Is Permaculture? Ethics and Principles
2. History and Evolution of Permaculture
3. Permaculture in Practice: Examples from Around the World
4. Workshop: Analyzing Existing Land Use Through a Permaculture Lens

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding the ethics and principles of permaculture.
• Insights into the history and global applications of permaculture.
• Ability to assess land use and identify opportunities for permaculture design.

Day 2: Permaculture Design Techniques

Overview:
This day focuses on permaculture design tools and techniques to create sustainable and productive systems.

Sessions:

1. The Permaculture Design Process: Patterns and Principles
2. Site Analysis and Mapping for Permaculture Projects
3. Zoning and Sector Analysis: Designing Efficient Systems
4. Workshop: Creating a Basic Permaculture Design Plan

Key Takeaways:

• Skills to conduct site analysis and create permaculture maps.
• Understanding zoning and sector analysis for optimal design.
• Practical experience in developing a basic permaculture design.

Day 3: Soil, Water, and Plant Systems in Permaculture

Overview:
Participants will learn how to manage soil, water, and plants to create healthy and resilient ecosystems.

Sessions:

1. Soil Health in Permaculture: Building and Maintaining Fertility
2. Water Management: Harvesting, Storage, and Irrigation Techniques
3. Integrating Plant Systems: Food Forests, Guilds, and Polyculture
4. Field Activity: Implementing Soil and Water Conservation Techniques

Key Takeaways:

• Knowledge of soil health and water management in permaculture systems.
• Skills to design and plant food forests and companion planting systems.
• Hands-on experience in soil and water conservation methods.

Day 4: Integrating Animals and Building Resilient Communities

Overview:
This day focuses on incorporating animals into permaculture systems and fostering community resilience through permaculture principles.

Sessions:

1. Role of Animals in Permaculture Systems: Livestock, Pollinators, and Wildlife
2. Designing Integrated Animal Systems for Sustainability
3. Community Permaculture: Empowering People and Sharing Resources
4. Workshop: Designing a Community-Oriented Permaculture Project

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding the role of animals in permaculture systems.
• Skills to design systems that integrate animals sustainably.
• Insights into fostering community resilience through permaculture.

Day 5: Implementing and Scaling Permaculture Designs

Overview:
The final day focuses on putting designs into action and scaling permaculture projects for broader impact.

Sessions:

1. Steps to Implement a Permaculture Design Plan
2. Monitoring and Adapting Permaculture Systems for Long-Term Success
3. Case Studies: Successful Permaculture Projects and Lessons Learned
4. Final Workshop: Developing a Comprehensive Permaculture Action Plan

Key Takeaways:

• Skills to implement and monitor permaculture designs.
• Strategies for adapting systems for long-term resilience and productivity.
• A detailed action plan tailored to specific permaculture goals.