Permaculture Course Formats

During the third of the seven EPT meetings held at Quinta do Vale da Lama in Algarve, Portugal, teachers from all over Europe extensively discussed various course formats for teaching Permaculture to beginners:

Introduction to Permaculture
Permaculture Design Certificate Courses (PDCs)
Further Introductory Permaculture Opportunities

There are also advanced training opportunities for Permaculturalists (who have a PDC):

Specialised and Advanced Education
Formal Education Sector

More about the formats above follow, including some pros and cons:

Introduction to Permaculture

Examples on this site of Introductions to Permaculture

2 days Introduction to permaculture courses:
- Pros. This courses focus more on a paradigm shift and on starting to understand design rather than content. They are lighter than a full PDC, nonetheless students get a taste of what permaculture is and get excited about it. They are also more inclusive since they are cheaper than PDCs and include people with a full time job.
- Cons. In these courses there is limited time for skills sharing, teachers find it usually difficult (if not impossible) to adjust to their students. Also, if the course is not residential, Sunday is usually a “tricky” day.
- Formats:
  - 2h on a Friday afternoon, 9h on a Saturday, 5h on a Sunday morning
  - A full Saturday and Sunday
  - 2 Saturdays on 2 different weeks
  - 4 afternoons (1 per week) during 1 month
Both of these last two formats may include site visits in between.
- Other types of Introduction to permaculture courses:
  - 3 3 hours evening sessions during 2 months
  - 5 2 hours sessions
  - 4 ½ days residential
  - 5 days residential “½ PDC”
  - 1 ½ hour intro lecture “taster”
  - 1 day (2 x 3 hours)
  - 1 week with lots of practical activities
  - 3 ½ days residential

Permaculture Design Certificate Courses (PDCs)

Examples on this site of Permaculture Design Certificate Courses (PDCs) 2 Week Residential PDC

Pros. During this type of PDC there is a strong group bonding with a long-term, family like system and support. The microcosm of an ecovillage is created and evening time is a strong resource. There is more time for skill sharing and the teachers can be part of the group. Also, it is easier for the teachers to prepare the classroom and to understand the location. The students have a longer observation time for their designs
Cons. Conflicts may arise and there might be the necessity for group therapy. People who cannot take time off/time away from home are excluded from this type of course. This type of courses mean a 24/7 job for the teachers, which are usually burned out by the end of the course. In some places people (mostly locals) cannot pay the full fee at once. Also, a legitimate question arises: is the market quite saturated with this type of courses?

Weekend PDC

4 weekends, 1 month between each meeting. Friday 16:00 - Sunday 16:00 with sleepover
4 weekends, no accommodationFriday 12:00 - Sunday 16:00
8 weekends, 1 weekend per monthSaturday 8:00 - Sunday 16:00
5 weekends with/without accommodation
1 week per month / 5 weeks of the same monthFriday afternoon - Sunday evening
26 weeks, 72 hours + practicals

Other PDC Formats

on-line intro 1 day then 3 months 1 day
evening classes
2 times 1 week with time off in between
4 x 3 days long weekends
1 week residential + various weekends afterwards
1 day every two months
3 months residential
16 days with intro courses overlapping
one weekend a month for 1 year
9 days (weekend at each end)

Further Introductory Permaculture Opportunities

One to one visit 1 - 6 hours

Pro: adaptable
Con: takes all the teachers’ time

Further Education System (Irish Example)

Pros: can be funded; within the formal education system;
Cons: can take a long period of time

Group visit (6 - 30 people) more or less 4 hours

Pro: self directed
Con: it can get too big

Wwoofing 1 weekend - 1 year

Pros: self-directing, work done, relaxing holiday, healing
Con: lack of privacy

Specialised Courses 1 day (6-12 people)

Pros: work done; community building
Con: no continuity

Practical workshops and theory from 3 day to 2 weeks (3 - 12 people)

Pros: work done; satisfied people; results; improved health
Con: seasonal
Example: Permaculture Gardening – a practical course of food growing in a permaculture perspective (PDF)

Presentations/seminars 2 to 4 hours (10 - 200 people)

Pro: sometimes practical following; simple; not expensive
Con: no practice; lots of preparation; too short time

Design workshops (specialized on site design of a site)

Pro: introducing people to the permaculture design process
Con: lack of knowledge and previous permaculture experience for the students

Internships/ apprenticeships

Pros: practical application to develop hands-on skills; group building opportunities to research about specific topics
Con: it might be too theoretical/ practical