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    Celebrating 20 years of permaculture design & education! 2026 Weekend Series  ✨ Spring Course✨​  Registration is open! Three Weekends in All:  Mar 27-30, Apr 24-26 & May 29-Jun 1 ~OR~ Summer Course June-August​* Contact us for summer program dates * Register Here: Permaculture Design Certificate Course! Local Community Event Schedule:  Tours, Talks & Workshops  Our course is offered at The Permaculture Place, Inc ~a design studio and resource center at The Mill in the artisan village of Shelburne Falls, MA  Design for Abundance ~  Sow Seeds for the Future  Practice Land Stewardship Skills ~  Create Resilience in Your Communities  This one-of-a-kind Permaculture Design Course provides an opportunity to gain hands-on ecological design experience while studying with leading permaculture designers & educators from across the northeastern USA. "This course was the most mindfully curated learning experience I have ever had." -PDC Course Graduate  What YOU Will Gather: * Gather the skills to design for abundance in your home landscape and for resilience in your communities. *  Visit and learn from numerous permaculture demonstration sites. ​* Participate in a guided ecological design project for real clients at residential and village sites around Shelburne Falls, MA. * Tap into extensive resources and inspirations.   * Network with fellow ecological thinkers, gardeners, artists, activists, change makers, and planners.   * All techniques, skills, and resources that you learn and gather in this course can be directly applied at your home.  * Join us for a series of dynamic weekends!  ​ "An amazing opportunity to delve into permaculture and ecological design. Hands on workshops, inspiring site visits, and knowledgeable teachers, all gathered together for a well crafted seasonal series."  ​-PDC Course Graduate​ Course Topics Include: *​Mapmaking & Site Analysis   *​Ecological Design Process *​Rainwater Harvesting *​Agroforestry Systems  *​Natural Building *​Permaculture Ethics & Principles   *​Soil Improvement Techniques  *​Deep Ecology *Nature Connection *​Knowledge of Place   *​Edible Forest Gardens  *​Perennials as Food, Medicine, Fuel, Habitat  *​Garden Creation  *​​Native Pollinators  ​*​EcoVillage & Community Life *​Practical Skills for Your Home  *​Fermentation & Food Preservation ​ *​Carbon Farming & Carbon Sequestration What Makes This Course Unique: ​*  This Sowing Solutions Permaculture Design Certification Course in Western Massachusetts is celebrating 20 years of Permaculture Education! * This course provides an opportunity for you to gain direct permaculture experience by conducting a design project alongside leading permaculture designers from New York and New England.  *  Our classroom is nestled in a historic mill along the Deerfield River in Shelburne Falls, surround by artisan/maker studios, sheep foraging in the forest, and thriving gardens throughout the Village. *  We visit numerous well-established permaculture demonstration sites to study thriving ecosystems, water harvesting, community structures, natural buildings, energy efficiency, and more.     *  Gaining your internationally recognized certification with Sowing Solutions is an experience of empowerment, support, inspiration and skill building. * Optional: Apply 3 or 4 college credits to your degree program with our course affiliation to UMASS Amherst and the Five College Consortium. * Applications for partial scholarships and work trade discounts are available.  * Participate in the development of our new agroforestry park project and ongoing community permaculture demonstration sites in the village. Watch Video Footage From One of Our Past Courses: www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIc4O0-A2Qk   (This was filmed at a previous course location) This video was made by one of our design course graduates who later created this well known, award winning film:  ​Inhabit, A Permaculture Perspective ​ About the Course Our weekend series courses are offered seasonally. Gain your certification by attending this long-standing and well designed program! About the Course Field Trips Students of this one of a kind educational event will study numerous permaculture demonstration sites in the Western MA region.  Visits to Permaculture Sites Reserve Your Seat Register today for the Permaculture Design Course! Request the detailed Course Information Packet and registration materials here. Design Course Registration! Sowing Solutions Permaculture Design & Education PermacultureSeries@gmail.com Website by Beyond Sustainability Website

Permaculture Design Certificate Online On Demand webinar: Learn how to turn a permaculture certification into a career.  Access it here!  What is permaculture? Permaculture design is a whole-systems design approach to developing sustainable human settlements. Rooted in horticulture and agriculture, Permaculture design also touches on regional planning, land stewardship, ecology, food production, animal husbandry, technology, and water management. About Our Permaculture Courses Our online, instructor-led Permaculture Design Courses (PDCs) teach the design process and lay the foundation for a lifelong study and path in Permaculture. The collaborative, academically rigorous curriculum guides you to complete a design for a regenerative landscape design with intensive instructor feedback and one-on-one interaction to help with every step along the way. The courses include: A custom report template for you to work with during the course and in the future. Examples of diverse Permaculture systems in urban and rural settings around the world. Multimedia tools to demonstrate dynamics of landform and hydrology. Interaction with your primary instructor and students in a similar bioregion in our online forum All online asynchronous curriculum delivery. Two Tracks to Choose We offer two different Permaculture Design Courses. The 10 week PDC follows the internationally recognized PDC curriculum and results in a high-quality Site Design Portfolio. You will get personalized written or video feedback on your design progress from a professional Permaculture designer each week. We also offer an expanded version of the traditional Permaculture Design course: the 20-week PDC-PRO. This program offers an expanded design portfolio, more detailed assignments, and live meetings with individualized mentorship and consultation on class design projects. We typically offer both courses four times a year, starting in June, September, January and April. PDC: This course is designed for anyone who is interested in learning more about sustainability through the lens of Permaculture Design. This course includes all the curriculum required for the internationally recognized Permaculture Design certificate. Cost: $925 (+ $70 registration fee) Duration: 10 weeks Time Commitment: 10-15 hours/week Comprehensive PDC Report Template with 18 assignments, resulting in a high quality Site Design Portfolio by the end of class. Personalized written or video feedback from a professional designer each week on your design progress. PDC PRO: For the person wanting to gain the skills of a professional designer. This course includes all the curriculum required for the internationally recognized certificate. Cost: $1,425 (+ $70 registration fee) Duration: 20 weeks Time Commitment: 15+ hours/week Comprehensive PDC PRO Report Template with 21 expanded assignments, resulting in a high quality professional Site Design Portfolio by the end of class. Personalized written or video feedback from a professional designer each week on your design progress. One live small group consultation over Zoom every other week with a design professional providing mentorship about your specific design project. Certified by Permaculture Institute of North America Our Permaculture courses were developed by OSU instructors Andrew Millison and Marisha Auerbach. Today the teaching team (see bio's below) includes instructors from around the world who have benefited thousands of students by sharing deep insight and 20+ years of experiences  in Permaculture design in diverse regions and climate zones. Successful completion of either the PDC or PDC-PRO course results in a Permaculture Design Certificate issued by the Permaculture Institute of North America. Permaculture Course Overview By the end of this course, you will be able to: Connect with the place you live through observation and analysis of the natural processes of a site. List and describe Permaculture design principles and methods. Understand dynamics of water systems, soils, gardens and trees. Create an integrated site design that you can implement after the course. Develop the tools to continue your practice after the course is over. Make connections with like-minded people working on similar goals. Permaculture Design Course Topics You will have a chance to learn: Permaculture ethics & principles Bioregional awareness Patterns in nature Ecology & restoration Reading the landscape Caring for soils & water Rainwater catchment Earthworks & aquaculture Greywater systems Forestry & agroforestry Cultivated ecology Propagation & seed saving Animal husbandry Appropriate technology Design for catastrophe Social structures Economics & business Urban permaculture Villages & community Permaculture design course outcomes Engage with an Online Community You will engage with peers through the PDC's program discussion boards, where you can receive and provide feedback and follow each project’s progress. You will learn from peers by sharing your own permaculture design plan and viewing other projects from diverse climates and environments. Previous participants have come from locations all around the world, and have created design plans for sites that ranged in size from urban balconies to 100-acre ranches. View examples of previous student projects. Due to our international online learning community, there are no set meeting times for the PDC and all of the content is prerecorded. For the PDC PRO, small groups meetings will be organized by time zone. What makes this program unique? We are excited to work with a variety of learners, and we guarantee an education you won't find elsewhere. In just ten (or twenty) weeks, you will: Learn the theory, concepts, tools and techniques of permaculture design. Build a draft design from a property of your choice with feedback from full-time permaculture designers, teachers and practitioners. Complete the essential first step to building a working design that you can implement. Because this program is in-depth and robust, you can expect about 10-15 hours of coursework per week. By learning one-on-one with Andrew, Marisha and their team, you can avoid common mistakes and receive experienced guidance throughout the process. Choosing a Design Site This course focuses on completing a Permaculture design for an actual site of your choice. Please review this document that provides guidelines for choosing your design site. It is important to spend some time considering before the start of the course. View examples of previous student projects. Technology Requirements This is a fully online course and requires a certain level of basic computer literacy to be successful. Please review this Required Hardware and Software page to make sure the course is feasible for you. As part of the course, we use free online programs to do site analysis and create design reports. We provide instructions within the course, but familiarity with these programs prior to the course will enhance your experience and prepare you for the work: Google Slides (similar to PowerPoint) Google Docs Google Maps Google Earth Pro Past Permaculture Students “I work full-time, so being able to take the course at my

The Wildfire Resilience Training Reduce. Respond. Regenerate. Starts April 6th, 2026! JOIN THE COURSE Introducing The Wildfire Resilience Training Designed together with experts from around the world who have experience working with and in fire prone ecosystems, this brand new training will take you step-by-step through the full wildfire recovery and risk reduction journey, and equip you with the essential, practical, first-hand knowledge on how to navigate every stage of wildfire recovery – from urgent post-fire needs to long-term land restoration. sign up for our free webinar! Who this training is for Landowners seeking practical strategies to reduce wildfire risk while protecting their property and community Concerned citizens ready to take meaningful action to help moderate climate extremes like mega fire and floods Land management organisations and practitioners looking to strengthen their wildfire resilience plans What this training will equip you to do REDUCE the risk of catastrophic wildfire RESPOND to heal the land & community post-megafire REGENERATE your land, your community, your planet Meet the main training presenter, Matthew Trumm Matthew is a Permaculture educator, designer, consultant, and regenerative landscape contractor from Oroville, California. Since beginning his Permaculture studies in 2011, he has dedicated his life to sharing its benefits and pioneering projects across the state. In 2018, the devastating Camp Fire destroyed the town of Paradise. Soon after, Matthew joined John D. Liu, local residents, and experts to envision ways to restore the land and livelihoods, creating a model for regeneration in disaster-affected regions. In 2019, he founded the Camp Fire Restoration Project and launched the Paradise Eco Camp – the first Ecosystem Restoration Community in the US and the world’s first mobile disaster response camp. After another major fire destroyed his family’s land two years later, he established Treetop Permaculture to support post-fire recovery in Berry Creek and Feather Falls, officially joining the global ERC movement in 2025. For the past seven years, Matthew has focused on wildfire prevention and post-fire recovery, leading workshops on fire-resilient design and restoration. Through this new training, he shares proven strategies from a wide network of experts to help build resilient landscapes and communities. Our expert course contributors John D. Liu Ecological Documentary Filmmaker, Founder of ERC movement Brock Dolman Wildlife and Restoration Ecologist, Permaculture Educator Geoff Lawton Permaculture Educator, Consultant, Designer Lee Klinger Soil Scientist and Consultant Raleigh Latham Educator, Soil Consultant Keisha Ernst Microbe Farmer, Consultant, Sierra Soil Biology Association Zeke Lunder Wildfire Mapper and Specialist Alan Booker Holistic Designer, Permaculturalist Magan Herrera Berry Creek Tribal Member, Indigenous Herbalist, Tribal Naturalist Paul Wheaton Permaculture Author, Master Gardener, Software Engineer Nic Rotundo Restoration Agriculturalist Matthew Trumm Permaculture Educator, Consultant, Designer, Landscape Contractor Rebekah Uccellini Post Disaster Community Advocate, Facilitator, Permaculture Designer Miguel Elliott Natural Builder, Educator Matt Powers Permaculture Educator, Author Ken Scherer Biochar Consultant Penny Livingston Permaculture Educator, Consultant, Designer Don Hankins Professor of Pyro-Geography Casey Ernst Compost and Soil Consultant, Permaculture Teacher Erik Ohlsen Regenerative Designer, Permaculture Teacher, Landscape Contractor, Author Cassandra Kiki Ami Shaffer Ecosystem Restoration Practitioner, Policy Consultant, Environmental first responder - Firefighter Allen Myers Founding Member of Regenerating Paradise, Documentary Filmmaker, Community Organiser Four comprehensive course modules Module 1 Understanding Fire & Fire Ecosystems Module 2 Restoring Lands & Livelihoods after Fire Module 3 Reducing Wildfire Risk & Designing for Resilience Module 4 Make a Plan and Take Action view full curriculum & dates It IS possible to fireproof any human landscape, it’s simple. But we would have to re-engineer the whole landscape. Geoff Lawton Learn more at our free, informative webinars Catch the recording from our November 2025 webinar with Matthew Trumm. Thursday, February 19th 9:00am PST / 6:00pm CET register here for february 19th Monday, February 23rd 6:00pm PST register here for february 23rd Secure your place on the training! Event Details Show 1 Ticket Details 2 3 Tickets Full Course Payment $495 per ticket Ticket Quantity Subtotal: $0 Please Select A Ticket  

  9-day residential hands-on skills + design training at the Occidental Arts & Ecology Center in Sonoma County, CA What you’ll learn… Participants learn foundational permaculture concepts and hands-on applications. While here at OAEC, participants undertake a permaculture design project and have the opportunity to practice hands-on techniques commonly used in regenerative land management, such as swales, composting, food forestry, small animal systems, and wildlands management. The curriculum and learning objectives for OAEC’s Permaculture Design Certificate are adapted from the Permaculture Institute of North America’s Core Curriculum. Introduction to Permaculture Earth Systems Science – Climate, Water Systems, Carbon Cycling Justice and Ecology Framework Permaculture Design Process: Site assessment: map making, pre-site assessment, site assessment Visioning: client interviews, north star vision, functions, elements Design Process: zones, bubble mapping, access, water, food, shelter, community, final project presentation During the course at OAEC, we will complete the following: Permaculture Design Project – The class will work with a local community organization and create several permaculture designs that will be presented to them. Teams will undertake site assessment, visioning, and conceptual design during the in-person week. Hands-on Practices – We will learn how to apply a toolbox of different regenerative land management practices, such as: Water systems – water infiltration techniques like swales and sheet mulching Carbon cycling – composting, vermiculture, humanure Perennial food forest gardening – design, plant selection, planting Wildlands management – fuel load reduction, brush berms, gully repair Introduction to healthy soil management Online Resource: Participants are given access to an online library of resources to learn from on their own time in the weeks leading up to the course. The library remains accessible after the course as well. Frequently Asked Questions Are there any books or materials I will need to purchase? No. Aside from the technology mentioned above to access the course, all of the necessary information and materials to complete the course are provided. There are books and apps that we suggest, but are not required. Here are a few of our recommended (again, not required) readings that you may wish to start delving into as you familiarize yourself with the discipline of permaculture: • Permaculture Design: A Step-by-Step Guide by Aranya • How to Grow More Vegetables by John Jeavons • Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond by Brad Lancaster, Volume 1 What should I expect during my week at OAEC?  Each day, we will meet from 8:30 am until 9:00 pm, doing hands-on learning and undertaking the design project. Participants should come prepared to work outdoors in all weather conditions. Please bring a wide-brimmed sunhat, multiple layers for chilly mornings and evenings outside, sturdy shoes or work boots for gardening, plus work gloves and hand pruners if you have them. We will have three organic, farm-based meals each day. Students stay in shared accommodations (2 to 4 people per room – sorry, we cannot accommodate requests for individual rooms) and shared bathrooms. Currently, we are offering permaculture students the option to camp in our 80-acre backcountry with a strict no fires policy (If you are interested in camping, please indicate this on the registration form). While the schedule is fairly packed with course time and field trips, students have access to the hot tub, swimming pond, hiking trails, etc, during breaks. See our Visual Tour and Contact & Directions pages for more about food, accommodations, parking, and other details on what to expect. What Covid protocols are in place for the residential week at OAEC?  We will be adhering to recommendations from the State of California and our local Sonoma County Department of Public Health, which may change as the course date approaches and the dynamic conditions of this pandemic unfold. While some of our time together will be spent outdoors in the fresh air where social distancing is possible, participants stay in shared sleeping accommodations and use common indoor spaces such as dining facilities, classrooms, bathrooms, etc. If you are experiencing Covid symptoms, please do not come to OAEC. Why take the Permaculture Design Course at OAEC? Our Site Everything we teach in our course is deeply steeped in decades of lived experience on the land and in relationship. For over 25 years, the Occidental Arts & Ecology Center and onsite intentional community have been tending the land through ecological design on our 80-acre demonstration site and home in western Sonoma County, California. As the longest continuously operating permaculture center in the West, it is considered one of the nation’s best examples of a working site that is set up as a holistic, well-functioning organism at every level. This is our classroom. There is a wide array of integrated systems in action here that students have the opportunity to interact with – grey water, roof water catchment, erosion control and storm water management, seed bank, food forests and biointensive gardens, Wildlands tending and restoration, natural building, etc., in addition to innovative structures of self-governance in community. We’ve experimented with lots of ideas over the years, and many of them failed – students get the benefit of learning from our mistakes!   In addition to the hands-on learning that our site provides, students also get to taste the fruits of the land, including delicious organic meals based on produce from the OAEC garden and orchards. Students stay in comfy eco-dwellings and can enjoy other amenities such as our hot tub, sauna, hiking trails, and swimming pond. Watch the visual tour of our retreat facilities. Our Approach We have translated hard-learned lessons from the land and our relationships into a design methodology that empowers you to not only Do-It-Yourself but to Think-It-Yourself; to apply elegant theory to the complexities of real places and people. We teach Resilient Community Design – where ecosystem meets ‘ego-system.’ In this course, you will get to practice skills in group process, democratic decision-making, and self-governance as you work with your small design group. We practice what we call “public permaculture.” The ethics of “Earth Care, People Care, Fair Share” are baked into the course structure as the design practicum is focused on creating a design for a local community group.  Past Permaculture courses have co-created designs with organizations such as The Cultural Conservancy, Saint Steven’s Church, Occidental Center for the Arts, Northwest Prep School, and more. Our work comes out of years of community organizing at the inextricable juncture of social justice and

Do you want to heal your body, clean up the land and water, and grow the highest quality food money CAN'T even buy? Learn the art and practice of permaculture! Six + 1 Monthly in-person sessions, on the 3rd Saturday of each month Will also be recorded and available for replay Meets at (or field trips to) different sites around San Diego county Study material & practical “homework” between sessions, you can start on your own yard right away! Tuition includes a one-hour consultation for your land

The 4th annual Northeast Washington Mushroom Festival is a family-friendly event celebrating and exploring the world of fungi! This festival features a mushroom foray hunt and contests, mushroom and fungi identification table, presentations by mycologists, demonstrations, children's activities, live music, art and costume contests and lots of vendors and culinary mushrooms for sale! VENDING AVAILABLE FROM 10AM – 7PM: General vending is $44 for 12’x12’ space. Culinary mushrooms, pre-packaged food and drinks for sale are accepted but not hot or made-to-order items. Electricity is not provided. Vendors are responsible for meeting all required licenses for their products. Vending spaces sold online only until sold out. Please pack in and pack out all your personal property and keep products and space family friendly. Vendors arrive between 7:30 – 8:30am for load-in and setup. Vehicles cannot drive on field and must be parked in the parking area. Vending is open from 10:00am – 7:00pm. Vendors may leave the event after 5pm. CONTEST ENTRY FEES: The Mushroom Foray Contest entry fees are both $15 per adult and $10 per child if you register online before 5/1/26 or $20 per adult and $15 per child at the time of the event on 5/2/26. There are no fees to enter the Myco Art and Myco Costume Contests. All contest participants need to enter at the registration booth. CONTESTS: Anyone (whether in a contest or not) can bring previously harvested mushrooms from near or afar to put on the identification table but they are not added into the contest. We want to see and discuss as many types of fungi as possible. There are 4 competitions for the Mushroom Foray Contest. Contestants arrive at 9:00am to register and receive a safety briefing and maps before leaving for the foray at 10:00am. Participants return to the park by 2:00pm to identify, weigh and judge your mushrooms for the contests. Mushroom Art Contest is open to all ages and is open for judging from 3:00 – 3:15pm. No entry fee. Bring your mushroom art, drawing, photograph, painting, project, etc. Our judges will choose 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners for prizes. Mushroom Costume Contest is open to all ages and is open for judging from 3:15 – 3:30pm. No entry fee. Dress up as your favorite fungi or mushroom themed character and our judges will choose 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners for prizes. SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES ON 5/3/2025: 7:30am - 8:30am – Vendor Load-in 9:00am - 9:30am - Check-in and Register for Foray Contest 9:30am - Mushroom Foray Contest Briefing & Map Hand-out 10:00am – Mushroom Foray Hunting Begins and Vending and Festival opens to the public 10:30am – 1:30pm – Mycology Presentations, Demonstrations and Children’s Activities* Mushroom Foray contestants must return before 2pm to submit mushrooms into contest 2:00 – 3:30pm - Mushroom Identification Table and Discussion 3:00 – 3:30pm – Myco Art and Myco Costume Judging by stage 4:00pm - Contest and Raffle Winners Announced at stage 4:30 – 7:00pm – Live Music PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSHOPS TBA At 9:00am, registration opens for the foray and contests. At 9:45am, there will be a contest debriefing and review of guidelines for the Mushroom Foray contestants. Maps for the foray hunt will be issued at this time. There are options of walking to places around town or driving to further locations. Mycologist Jason P. Smith will also be leading  a foray group if you choose to join. Contestants are encouraged to carpool and can self-assemble this at this time. At 10:00am, contest participants leave for the mushroom foray hunt and return to the park by 2:00pm to enter their mushrooms into the contest; no exceptions. Any foul play like bringing in mushrooms not picked that day will result in immediate disqualification. From 10:30am through 1:30pm, there will be three 45-minute presentations from speakers on mushroom topics such as medicinal uses, wild crafting, growing & cultivating and much more. Speakers and workshop facilitators to be announced at a later time. From 2:00 – 3:30pm, the Mushroom ID Table will be open for public display and discussion with mycologists. At 4:00pm, all contest and raffle winners will be announced at the stage. From 4:30pm until the end of the event at 7:00pm, there will be live music on the stage and vending and trading are open until 7:00pm. All participants need to have their items and trash picked up and packed up by 8:00pm. Please bring your own chairs/blankets, water bottles, umbrellas, and mushrooms. Vendors, please consider a donation for the raffle to raise funds for future events. Drugs and alcohol prohibited. This event is hosted by the Inland Northwest Permaculture Guild (INPG) and the Northeast Washington Permaculture Guild (NEWPG) in partnership with FungiPermastead, Fungilion, and the Children of Earth Coalition (COEC), BZ Farms, and Boundary Conditions. More information is available atwww.InlandNorthwestPermaculture.com Register for the Vending and the Mushroom Foray Contest at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/4th-annual-northeast-washington-mushroom-festival-tickets-1980040592714?aff=oddtdtcreator For more information and photos of past Mushroom Festivals hosted by INPG, visit https://www.sasquatchfamilyreunion.com/past-mushroom-festivals.html#/   This Year's Mushroom Festival

SAVE THE DATE: SUNDAY 3 MAY 2026 (or there about that suits) Now in its 15th year, International Permaculture Day has grown rapidly from its roots as an Australian initiative to a global day of permaculture celebrated in over 35 countries. Why not experience permaculture on the ground with practitioners?It is a chance to visit homes, gardens and farms, or go along to film screenings, workshops, permablitzes (garden makeovers) and much more. Why not organise an event in your area? Then add your event it our website — doing so is simple — register, then just complete the ‘Add and event’ form on our website: https://www.permacultureday.org

Application form for the Permaculture Design Course (PDC). Thank you for your interest in our Permaculture Design Course (PDC)! We’re excited that you’re considering joining this immersive learning experience. This course is designed to inspire, empower, and equip you with practical tools to design regenerative systems for land, communities, and livelihoods. During the program, participants will stay on-site at Valle Escondido Nature Reserve Hotel & Farm, allowing for a full-immersion experience in a living permaculture landscape, with shared learning, meals, and daily connection to the surrounding cloud forest ecosystem.  Accommodation during the course is in shared rooms. This helps foster community, reduce costs, and support the immersive learning experience. WHAT MAKES THIS COURSE UNIQUE This Permaculture Design Course offers more than a traditional learning experience. While it is designed primarily for international participants, the course also serves a broader mission. The tuition helps support our Spanish-language PDC offered throughout the year for local and national participants who would otherwise have limited access to this type of education in Costa Rica. This program provides greater access to scholarships and even offers free childcare, ensuring that families with children can also participate in permaculture education. By joining this course, students are not only investing in their own learning, but also helping expand access to regenerative education within the local community. As a nonprofit organization, our work goes beyond the classroom. Through our social outreach efforts, students participate in real-world design experiences by engaging with local projects and community members. We visit nearby farms and initiatives where permaculture principles are actively practiced, allowing participants to learn from diverse perspectives while building meaningful connections with the region. This hands-on, community-based approach ensures that the course creates tangible impact—both for students and for the communities we work with. By taking part in this PDC, you become part of a larger mission to make regenerative education more accessible and to support meaningful change in the region. DATE: May 20–June 5, 2026  Participants should plan to arrive on May 20 (check-in). The course runs from May 21 to June 4, with departure on June 5 (check-out). LOCATION: Monteverde, Costa Rica THE COURSE FEE INCLUDES:   Accommodation for the full duration of the program Three daily meals and refreshments All course materials and learning resources Hands-on activities and site visits A Permaculture Design Certificate upon completion   PRICING, REGISTRATION & PAYMENT OPTIONS To secure your spot, a deposit of USD $900 is required. -The remaining balance may be paid in 2 installments. -Full payment must be completed no later than April 21. -Limited availability (25 spots).   Prices  Early Bird: $1,800 USD Valid until April 5 Regular rate: $2000 USD Valid from April 5 to 30 Deposit: $900 Applications close on April 30th. -Once your spot is confirmed, you will receive an email with the next steps. Payment methods: - International bank transfer - Credit card THE COURSE FEE DOES NO INCLUDE:   International or domestic flights Travel insurance Transportation to and from Monteverde Personal expenses   This is an intensive, full-participation course that combines classroom sessions, group work, and outdoor practical activities in a tropical climate. Participants should be prepared for hands-on learning, variable weather, and active engagement throughout the two weeks. The course will be conducted in English, within an international learning environment that encourages collaboration, exchange, and shared experience. To ensure a high-quality learning environment and meaningful group experience, spaces are limited and participation is confirmed through this application form. Interested in joining the Permaculture Design Course but still have questions? We invite prospective participants to schedule a short call with one of our instructors to address any questions about the Permaculture Design Course. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the curriculum, the experience at Valle Escondido, and how the course may support your goals. Please use the link below to select a time that works for you: https://calendly.com/allanpcampbell/30min After you submit the form, we will contact you to confirm receipt of your application. You will then be notified of your application status (accepted or waitlisted) once the review process is completed. We look forward to learning more about you and your interest in permaculture!

The Teacher Training For graduates of any recognized Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) Course. Online, Summer 2026: June 3 - Aug.25 Take your permaculture skills to the next level! We Will Share from Our Own Experience 20 Years of Teaching Permaculture Over 100 PDC Courses Delivered Over 2,000 Graduates 4.9-star Rating from Students Earning a 4.9-star rating over 20 years didn’t happen by accident. Bill and Milton will share what they and our other dedicated teachers have learned over these years. If you are passionate about teaching the brilliance of permaculture thinking, designing and living — this 9-week course is probably a perfect fit for you. Bill Wilson - Over 100 PDC Courses “Teaching permaculture isn’t only about delivering information; it’s about helping people tap into their own creativity and passion toward solving the real problems facing our world each day.”  — Bill A 9-WEEK, ONLINE COURSE SUMMER 2026: JUNE 30 - AUG. 25 INCLUDES WEEKLY ZOOM CALLS - TUESDAY EVENINGS Students will need to budget approx. 6-hrs. per week to keep up with the course content and earn the Teacher's Certificate. “Just because teaching is going on, does not mean learning is as well.” — Folk Wisdom The 5 Aspects of an Effective Teaching 1-part Knowledge… 1-part Skill… 1-part Creativity… and 2-parts… CARE FOR THE STUDENTS. This Training Address all 5 Andrew C. – Homesteader and Electrician “You not only gave us the perspective and skills to become great teachers, you also laid large segments of the Midwest Permaculture PDC course curriculum at our feet– the videos and all of the PowerPoints you shared are priceless to me. What business gives away their best work? This has got to be permaculture sharing at its ultimate.” “Amazing. This training has given me insights, tools and even greater inspiration to offer my own workshops and trainings.”  Margaret H. – Social Services Director Subjects Covered Ethics, Principles and Goals of Teaching  /  True Role of the Instructor  /  Learning Objectives and Desired Outcomes  /  Teaching Systems  /  Learning Styles  /  Presentation Styles  /  Curriculum Building and Module Planning  /  Finding the Magic in Each Topic  /  Circular Learning  /  Leaving Students Wanting to Know More  /  Leave Them a Trail  /  Teaching from the Heart  /  High Maintenance Students  /  Planning and Running Short or Long Workshops  /  What’s Involved in Hosting and Teaching the Full PDC Course  /  Unpacking The MWP-PDC Curriculum  /  Running A Teaching Business  /  Building A Reputation Janice C. – Homemaker and Small Business Owner “Bill, you were modeling what you were teaching the entire time. Seeing is truly believing. I got it!” “I knew I had the knowledge and passion to share permaculture with others; I just didn’t have the clarity, and quite honestly, the confidence. I certainly do now. I am ready to launch. Very grateful for this training.” Jack A. – Landscape Architect “Education is not the filling of a pot, but the lighting of a fire.” — W.B. Yeats Qualification for Taking This Training? This training is for graduates of the 72-Hour Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) Course (In-Person -or- Online Trainings) who wish to become competent and inspiring teachers of this brilliant approach to living productively and in harmony, with people, and life itself. From Elsewhere on our website… The History Behind the PDC Certificate Click here Privileges Associated with Having Earned the PDC Certificate Click here Become a teacher that really ‘connects-the-dots’ and also inspires. [Inspire: Latin-"to breath into"] Bianca Heyming A Graduate of both our PDC and Teacher Training Bianca went on to give an enlightened and heart-felt TED Talk where she is modeling many of the things we discuss in our teacher trainings. If you are interested in community, or relationships in general, this talk is a must. Thank You Bianca! We just recently followed up with Bianca… “Bill, I can honestly say that my trainings with Midwest Permaculture (10-years ago now – Wow) shaped me in lasting ways. It supported me through the ebbs and flows of community living and offered principles I still lean on today both personally and professionally in my leadership role within our Regional Health District.” FAQs – How Would This Training Support Me? What Can I Expect From this Training? Are there any Pre-Training Assignments? Teacher Training Fee - $895 Online, Summer 2026: June 3 – Aug.25 Register Early — Limit 16 Students You will be asked what year, what location, and who the lead instructor was of the PDC Course you received your certificate from. If you don’t have a PDC Certificate you can register for our online PDC Course, at the same time you register for this training, save $200, and complete the course before this Teacher Training starts in June. Any remaining questions about anything? Would a payment program support you in being able to attend this training? Please don't hesitate to call/contact Milton. milton@midwestpermaculture.com 815-216-4124‬ Pricing for our MWP Graduates – $695 To all of our ‘In-Person’ or ‘On-Line’ PDC Courses — You are already preapproved. :-) Just email Milton for your $200 Discount Code. We are looking forward to seeing you in class again. Registration Midwest PDC grads can email milton@midwestpermaculture.com for a coupon code discount that can be entered in the cart or checkout. The Teacher Training For graduates of any recognized Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) Course. Online, Summer 2026: June 3 - Aug.25 What year did you complete your PDC? * What was the location of your PDC? * Who was the lead instructor of the PDC? * Purchase Now Alternative: Low Risk Cancellation and Refund Policy We know that unexpected things happen or come up in everyone's lives, so should a student need to cancel their enrollment in this training there is a full refund if you cancel before May 30th. After this date there is a full refund less $150. Once the course begins, there are no refunds for cancellations or for withdrawal. We may however extend partial credit toward another training. A Closing Question from Bill… “Why do you wish to teach permaculture?” Is it because you simply want to make money teaching something that is considered ‘Green’? Is it because it looks easy to market and host permaculture trainings? Is it because permaculture is in your bones and you just have to share your passion for this approach to living with others? Bingo…! Who makes an ideal Permaculture Teachers? From our experience, it starts with the person who is willing to share their love of permaculture with others, whether they receive financial compensation for it or not. It is the one who knows that the deeper insights into permaculture are

Abundant Food Forests Join us for 5 days of hands-on learning at the Occidental Arts and Ecology Center in Sonoma County, CA. This comprehensive course explores the world of regenerative agroforestry, offering a rich blend of historical context, design principles, and practical implementation strategies. Through a combination of inspiring lectures, storytelling, and immersive hands-on activities, students will gain the expertise needed to design, establish, and maintain thriving food forests across diverse climates and contexts. Throughout the course, you’ll dive into the art and science of designing, implementing, and maintaining perennial edible polycultures. Learn comprehensive techniques for propagation, harvesting, and processing that will enable you to create thriving food forests and share their abundant harvests with your community. From initial design to long-term maintenance, you’ll gain the practical skills needed to transform landscapes and cultivate regenerative ecosystems. Sign Up Now! Curriculum Preview This course is well-suited for both beginners and experienced gardeners/orchardists. Here’s what you’ll learn… Design Principles and Techniques Students will learn key principles and methods for food forest design, including: Biomimicry and observational awareness Whole diet design approaches Understanding forest systems, structures, and succession Utilizing design tools and software for effective planning Adaptive design strategies Environmental Impact and Biodiversity A significant portion of the course focuses on the environmental benefits of food forests, including: Contribution to biodiversity conservation Role in mitigating climate change Positive impacts on the water cycle Soil health Promotion of food sovereignty Students will gain a deeper understanding of how perennial plant communities contribute to holistic land stewardship and explore opportunities for incorporating native plant-based restoration in their designs, helping enhance overall biodiversity and supporting resilient ecological networks.   We’ll explore the critical intersection of governance and food forests, examining how design choices directly impact food sovereignty. Through in-depth analysis, you’ll learn to create ecological systems that are not just environmentally sustainable, but also socially just and empowering for local communities. Harvesting and Processing Students will have the opportunity to learn methods for abundant harvests and how to utilize productive yields in various ways: Drying Fermentation methods Canning/Preserving Seed Saving techniques   Traditional Land-Tending Practices In partnership with local indigenous tribal educators, we’ll examine traditional ecological practices, exploring time-honored approaches, profound environmental ethics, and time-tested techniques. By centering indigenous perspectives, we’ll illuminate how ancestral wisdom directly informs and enriches contemporary agroforestry design and implementation. Hands-On Learning Students will engage in practical, hands-on activities that reinforce theoretical concepts and provide real-world experience in food forest design and management. By the end of this course, participants will have the knowledge and skills to create, implement, and maintain regenerative agroforestry systems that not only produce abundant, diverse yields but also contribute to ecosystem health, community resilience, and global sustainability. Previous Course Instructors Anniema Antepara Brock Dolman Gopal Dayaneni Kendall Dunnigan Lyla June Nicolas Whitaker Timo Granzotti Redbird Course Dates June 21–26, 2026 –  5 days of hands-on skill building at the Occidental Arts & Ecology Center in Sonoma County, CA. Cost $1,350 is the base cost for individuals, due at the time of registration. Includes onsite lodging and organic meals during the on-site training. Group discounts – $50 off for each person in your team of two or more. Sign up at the group rate and add your teammates’ names to your registration form. Sign Up Now!

PERMACULTURE DESIGN CERTIFICATE PROGRAM July 3rd – July 18th, 2026 (Arrive before 3:00pm – Depart 9:00pm after Closing Circle) O.U.R. Ecovillage, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada O.U.R. Ecovillage has been teaching this certificate course for decades and is privileged to team up with the Earth Activist teaching team and international learning community for the last 15 years. AND NOW….we are bringing in a whole next level experiential permaculture journey!!  We are asking you to ‘Go Village’ with us….to ‘decolonize design’…..to step somewhat outside the conventional 72 hour design certificate program…..and take this transformational journey with a very diverse group of intercultural/intergenerational/interfaith/inter-nation learners this summer!!! It is our shared commitment to bring together: The knowledge and resources of regenerative ecological design to communities with the greatest needs and fewest resources Visionary and practical solutions and personal sustainability to social/cultural change activists, and to teach practical skills, organizing, and activism to visionaries The political, environmental, and spiritual movements that seek peace, justice, and resilience To reSTORY our relationality with climate change and critical issues of these days….and to step forward differently in these certainly uncertain days. To build from a Traditional Knowledge and wisdom pathway forward into building our collective response and response-ability to emergency planning/disaster maangement. Experiences which frame and model “Peacemaking / Restorative Justice” as part of governance and community processes. the practices of J.E.D.I. (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusiveness) through all that we live, love and design together….. CERTIFICATION Participants who complete this course will receive a Permaculture Design Certificate, accredited by P.I.N.A. and globally recognized as the entry portal to the world of permaculture design. O.U.R. Ecovillage is part of the wider weave of Permaculture Design teachings in the world and are accredited through the Permaculture Institute of North America – P.I.N.A. By completing certification through P.I.N.A. you are joining a global movement which: Honours and works with the Indigenous lands and teachings of Peoples that we are each privileged to share space/place (and often be on the stolen lands) with. Elevates the status and impact of Permaculture by influencing public policy and private development to improve the quality of life for all Brings permaculture solutions to bear on the challenges of social justice, land regeneration, and climate cooling Promotes permaculture pathways to professional development Grants diplomas recognizing excellence and achievement Preserves the integrity and quality of the Permaculture Design Course Facilitates networking among permaculturists Save My Seat! This course is for you if you are ready to: Embark on new environmental design practices Find ways of dramatically reducing energy consumption and changing your lifestyle Begin land-based ventures & small businesses Realize goals towards self-sufficiency, homesteading, and a next level of DYI Learn Climate Change Adaptation Strategies and carbon accounting Find your way into ‘Resilient Community/Lifestyle Design’ Understand that we each have an important role to play in co-creating the future In this introductory workshop OUR Ecovillage will focus on organizing, activating, and educating through on the ground permaculture projects. Learn how we design human systems that mimic natural systems using a minimum of energy and resources and how to create real abundance and social/environmental justice. Explore the strategies and organizing tools we need to make our visions real, as well as the daily practice, magic, and processes that sustain our spirits. This course is unique from almost all others in North America as you are stepping into O.U.R. Ecovillage – a 25 acre Sustainable Living Demonstration, Research and Education Centre. Through partnering with all levels of government, corporate sponsors, academia, and the grassroots of the wider community projects & organizations, O.U.R. Ecovillage has managed to bring together a range of professionals, permaculture teachers, regulatory folks, and technical stakeholders ready to train others in the next stages of how permaculture projects can become fully legal.     Topics covered in this course: Evidence for change & the ethics of sustainability Principles of Permaculture Observation & landscape analysis Ecological planning & design methods Organic food production and food security Climatic factors in design Soils: natural soil improvement Integrated animal systems Water: harvesting, conservation, and management Agroforestry & forest gardening Appropriate technologies & renewable energy systems Mapping & design exercises Techniques and design strategies for both urban & rural applications Ecovillages & sustainable human settlements  Investment Course Cost: $2,345 CAD (approximately $1,750 USD) Fees include the full program, basic accommodations*, meals, and snacks. *Basic Accommodations include either bunk-bed in our gender-inclusive dorm room or a camping site. Specifics of your choice & space assignment will be coordinated after registration and before arrival.   Get in touch if you are interested in semi-private or private accommodations options. Events@ourecovillage.org     About OUR Ecovillage  OUR land offers plenty of space to camp, dorms, private rooms, and interesting suites. There are diverse natural buildings to see and we have spaces for gatherings of different flavors: a large Yurt (great for circles and dancing), a large Community Classroom (for presentations), the Healing Sanctuary (for quiet conversation and meditation), many various natural buildings, the 150 person Zero Mile Eatery, and the Chillage (casual covered outdoor space). There are multiple types of indoor and outdoor showers, composting toilets. For some quiet time you can walk the labyrinth, sit by the pond or take a walk in the woods. You will likely see chickens, ducks, sheep, cows, deer, and much more. If you have any questions about the booking process, or to confirm your booking, please call us at 250-743-3067 or email events@ourecovillage.org Save My Seat! Related courses: Introduction to Permaculture ( 2.5 days) Permaculture Teaching Assistant Training (for certified permaculture graduates only) Permaculture Design Upgrade (for certified permaculture graduates only) Starhawk Starhawk is a permaculture designer, teacher, and founder of Earth Activist Training, which teaches regenerative design with a grounding in spirit and a focus on organizing and activism. She is the author of thirteen books on earth based spirituality and activism, including The Spiral Dance, The Earth Path, and The Empowerment Manual: A Guide for Collaborative Groups, The Fifth Sacred Thing and City of Refuge. Together with director Donna Read Cooper, she has worked on five major documentaries, including the Goddess Trilogy for the National Film Board of Canada and Permaculture: The Growing Edge. Starhawk directs and teaches Earth Activist Training and has been recognized by the Permaculture Institute of

Learn to design landscapes that feed shelter and regenerate. Spend 10 days living and learning on site in a whole-systems design immersion, taught by certified permaculture instructor Kenton Zerbin. Leave with the skills, confidence, and internationally recognized Permaculture Design Certificate to create resilient landscapes wherever you live. Join us along the banks of the Pembina River at a beautiful facility that provides the environment and the space to truly immerse yourself into this PDC Program. All meals and accommodation included. Fireside discussions every evening. Hikes along the river and a swim late afternoon is a perfect way to refresh. The program includes a tour to a beautiful, well established Permaculture farm. Guest Speakers presenting the latest developments in natural building. Hands-on permaculture installations, foraging tours and so much more.

2026 Florida Permaculture Convergence - At London Island ByEarth Collaborative Follow London IslandPoinciana, FL Friday, Nov 6 at 12 pm to Sunday, Nov 8 at 3 pm Overview Immersive workshops, engaging speakers, seed & plant sharing, and so much more! Florida Permaculture Convergence, celebrating the power of regenerative agriculture, homesteading, and sustainability! The aim is to encourage, educate, and inspire through an immersive weekend filled with hands on learning from community experts. Whether you’re a seasoned permaculturist or simply curious about practical ways to live more sustainably, you’re sure to find inspiration and practical tips at our event. Let’s come together to learn and grow as we discover the amazing power of permaculture. Friday starts off with a tour or the farm followed by a potluck dinner. Our evening is started by Microtalks (3 Minute "Ted talks") and Live Music. Saturday is our Earthskills village featuring six villages each featuring multiple demonstrations. The villages include Creative (natural building & art), Economics (the business of growing – how to sustain yourself and your family through permaculture), First Aid (wilderness first aid, medicinal gardens, how to make basic first aid medicines), Plants & Propagation (growing, syntropic farming, grafting, seed saving, and more), Homesteading (blacksmithing, tool care, wood working, fermenting, and bee keeping), and Social (Non-violent Communication, interpersonal relationships, managing conflict). There is a kids program coinciding with the adult program.(this is not a drop off program) Please see our website for more information. In the evening we have the famous Tradeblanket, a bonfire, and music. Sunday we focus on Plants. Plant walks and plant talks. We will learn about native plants and permaculture favorites as well as how to grow and use these beauties. This includes a plant swap. As always we will include music, yoga, and our famous farm to table meals. Follow our social media to get all the updates on schedules and presenters. As always a weekend pass gets you free vending of personlay made items. Please contact us if you would like to be a sponsor of the event.