Online PDC
Online Course
Description of course
Creating the opportunity for a participatory and hands-on experience is important to us, so we include practical exercises that you perform on your own site. In addition, we have live Q and A sessions and personal mentoring with instructors, and the option to share your experience with instructors and other students via photos, essays or videos.
The course addresses strategies for drylands, temperate, tropical and other climates based on the significant knowledge and experience of instructors working in those climates. It contains a bonus section focused specifically on Florida/subtropical climate because of the state’s unique ecosystem.
Students will have an opportunity to self-test their knowledge, to join discussion groups with other students, to participate in question and answer sessions on Zoom with instructors, and to get feedback from a personal mentor. There are additional in-person modules available, and special sessions that are exclusive to online training.
There are additional in-depth materials offered for each section of the course as well as a resource list where you can find more information and explore areas of interest more deeply.
Online course includes
- Mentoring with veteran designers.
- Hands-On exercises.
- Videos of a variety of systems and how they work.
- Written step-by-step instructions and other material.
- Extensive subtropical plant lists and data, lists of recommended temperate, tropical and drylands plants.
- Top resources for further study.
- Test your knowledge with self-testing.
- Exercises to increase your ability to apply the knowledge you gained.
- Discussion groups and on-line community building opportunities.
- Q and A with mentors.
- Data and resources on permaculture careers.
- Links to and data about quality permaculture networks that will continue to support you.
- Internationally recognized Permaculture Design Course certificate upon completion.
Subjects covered in the course
• Creating abundance with natural patterns
• Grow more food with less work by working with nature
• Edible landscaping, food in small spaces
• Building food forests
• Nutrient dense “beyond organic” gardening and farming
• Agroforestry and ecoagriculture, regenerative farming
• Aquaculture
• Building rich, live soils
• Composting and vermicomposting
• Alternative pest management
• Designing sustainable water use
• Natural building and regenerative building technology
• Reducing energy costs in your home
• Best forms of sustainable energy
• Appropriate technology
• Boosting your career with permaculture
• Sustainable economics
• Increasing quality of life through “placemaking” design
• Designing for climate change
• Community revitalization and rebuilding
• Successful intentional communities, ecovillages and
cohousing, urban and rural
Location
Course schedule
The Zoom sessions begin on Tuesday following the start date and run between 7pm and 8:30pm, and every first and third Tuesday over an 8 month period. (Full details are in the syllabus sent to you after enrolling.)
Course fee
To buy the course, pay using our Store. Paying over time is often available, see the cart if available.
The online course material will remain accessible to you after you graduate.
Introduction to Permaculture by Bill Mollison and Reny Mia Slay. Order it here.
Course timeline
to try to accommodate each student’s interests.
Class 1 & 2
Introduction to Permaculture
Why Permaculture
What is Permaculture
Design Principles
Design Tools
Pattern Language
Class 3 & 4
Design Methods, Water and Soil
Design for Climate
Design for Water
Earthworks
Regenerative Soil Building
Compost, Manures, Maintaining Fertility and more
Class 5 & 6
Food Systems
Ecology and Trees
Food Forests
Small Scale, Intensive Gardening
Pests
Aquaculture
Agroforestry
Animals
Class 7 & 8
The Built Environment
Built Environment
Retrofitting Existing Structures for Resiliency
Natural Building
Infrastructure
Appropriate Technology
Energy
Low Tech Solutions
Class 9 & 10
Finance, Economics and Community
Financial Permaculture and Regenerative Enterprises
Land Access Strategies
Intentional Communities
Community Building
Regenerative Villages and City Living
Class 11 & 12
Where Do You Go From Here
Design for Disaster
Review
Where Do We Go From Here? Careers, Networking, Further Study
Special Topics
Design Presentations
Talent Show (Online)
For the final class the lead instructor will review and mentor your submitted design and issue your certificate of completion.