History of PINA

 

PINA 1983 & Permaculture Education

Compiled by Sandy Cruz, Peter Bane, and Bob Randall 

In the early 1980s, Bill Mollison asked Bev Reed, Guy Baldwin, and Sego Jackson to structure American permaculture efforts: they created the Permaculture Institute of North America in Seattle. PINA successfully hosted the 2nd Intl. Permaculture Conference and Convergence (IPC) in 1986, and launched the Permaculture Activist as its newsletter. Rich in visionary ideas but lacking the human power to sustain itself, PINA-1983 disbanded in 1989. Through the stewardship of Peter Bane, however, the quarterly Permaculture Activist magazine lived on, continuing to link thousands of permaculturists through leading-edge articles and calendars of upcoming events. 

In 2009, several long-time permaculture practitioners, led by Jude Hobbs, began to discuss the relaunch of the Permaculture Institute of North America as a network of largely autonomous regional membership organizations spanning the continent. 

Permaculture Education 

Bill Mollison first articulated an educational structure for the international permaculture movement. In an effort to shift the world’s course of development from runaway growth to a regenerative model, he proposed a community-based system of teaching and learning. Out of this grew various forms of credentialing so that permaculture and its practitioners could gain the respect of civic, business, and mainstream educational institutions. 

The Permaculture Design Course (PDC) 

The first phase of this educational system was the Permaculture Design Course (PDC), a curriculum Bill assembled from his work with David Holmgren while authoring Permaculture I and Permaculture II. At the 1st IPC in 1984, the curriculum was formalized as a 72-hour course. Those completing the PDC were granted certificates by their teachers on behalf of the International Permaculture Institute (IPI), which was maintained by Mollison in Tyalgum, Australia with the aid of a secretary. Bill encouraged his students to teach and also to establish local institutes. 

To this day, the Permaculture Design Course remains the foundation of permaculture education around the world. The PDC encompasses a well-established core curriculum, with space to adapt the course to local needs and conditions. Taught now in numerous residential and local formats, the PDC is often a life-altering experience for participants, who are encouraged towards new insight and activism, hands-on design skills, increased personal resilience, and a greater capacity for community. 

Graduates of the PDC are ready to take permaculture into their lives, deepening their understanding and practicing their skills—and at the same time, to take permaculture out to the world. 

Advanced Permaculture Coursework 

Lea Harrison and Max Lindegger brought two advanced courses — Advanced Permaculture Design and Permaculture Teacher Training — from Australia to North America in 1989-1991, with PDC certification as the prerequisite. Taught on consecutive weeks for efficient travel, the 5-day, 40-hour courses were independent of each other, and offered IPI certification, although they were not required in order to earn the IPI’s Diploma of Permaculture Design. 

The Advanced Permaculture Design Course built on design skills from the PDC, and offered more comprehensive subjects, insights into professional practice, and larger-scale team design projects. 

The Permaculture Teacher Training Course combined lectures and demonstrations of pedagogy with student presentations and critique. It also addressed practical aspects of event organizing. The course actively enhanced student skills and conveyed the essence of teaching the PDC. 

The Diploma of Permaculture Design 

The second phase of the permaculture educational system was designed to be self-directed and to culminate in the diploma, which was granted to PDC graduates practicing professionally for at least two years in any of these specialized disciplines: 

  • Education
  • Media
  • Site Design
  • Site Development
  • Community Services
  • Finance and Business
  • Technical Development 
  • Resource Development
  • Architecture and Building 
  • Research 
  • Trusteeship 

These disciplines were envisioned by Mollison as the broad areas of professional competence required for permaculture to operate effectively in the world. He went on to charter the Permaculture Academy to grant academic degrees. 

In the early days, the IPI accepted diploma applications from around the world, reviewed them for a small fee, and issued diploma documents. It is not known how many took advantage of this system, though in the late 1990s, research suggested that US diploma holders numbered fewer than 30. The need to recognize professional competence within the ranks of the movement grew steadily, so upon his retirement in 1997, Mollison passed the torch of authorizing diplomas and other administrative tasks to a small number of senior associates in Australia, Europe, Latin America, and the USA. 

Though each in their own way sincere, the top-down direction of these few successors, chosen for their affinity with Bill, posed a suite of limitations that sometimes inhibited action or pushed it in ways that hindered rather than aided permaculture. Nor were they able to achieve effective administration with remits that reached around the globe.

Speaking from a place of collective wisdom and broad representation, the permaculture movement committed to a regional framework for organization in 1993, at the 5th IPC in Scandinavia. Various national institutes and associations began issuing credentials, registering graduates, and working towards higher levels of recognition. 

In keeping with the avowed regional focus of the permaculture movement, the British Permaculture Association launched the Permaculture Academy Worknet in 1993 and articulated a sophisticated design for a diploma system. Serving many practitioners, their protocol has persisted and evolved successfully to this day. Despite initially open boundaries, though, the BPA eventually developed a tight focus on British work. Other regional institutes created their own variations on the diploma program. 

In contrast, North Americans during this period lacked support for a national or continental agency to issue diplomas. However, the dramatic expansion of permaculture activity more recently, along with controversies about legitimate and ethical practices, created the impetus to clarify standards and credentials, and to celebrate achievement within the field. 

Peter Bane, Executive Director

PINA RenewedPreface 

Below is a short history of PINA -2012 from its founders to recent times. At the end of this document, a series of tables holds the rosters of Hubs, Board Members, Officers, Staff, and Advisory Board members by their periods of service.

Bob Randall, Secretary PINA, 2020

PINA Renewed Early History By Peter Bane, Executive Director

Permaculture Institute of North America 2020

2010-2012

Board: Jude Hobbs and Wayne Weiseman came together out of extensive 2009 email discussions with veteran Pc activists about diploma standards to form the nucleus of a possible organization. Jude began recruiting board members. Darrell Frey and Peter Bane joined Jude and Wayne in late 2012. 

Activities: Jude hired Melanie Mindlin as an Administrator, who incorporated PINA as a mutual benefit corporation (not-for-profit) in Oregon in August 2012. Early meetings discussed professional standards, board expansion, and core items such as mission and vision. The mission centered on the need to pass the torch to newer permaculture advocates and to create pathways for professional development among the cadre of graduates. PINA chose to become a mutual benefit organization because it foresaw providing many services to its members. The later decision to organize as a “business league” 501c6 organization was similarly influenced by the decision to set standards for curriculum and professional practice. 

Funding came from prepaid dues and loans advanced by board members, plus a few small donations.

Staff: Melanie Mindlin was hired as part-time Administrator in 2012, averaging 6  hrs/month. In addition to setting up administrative systems, she did an analysis of permaculture diploma programs worldwide. 

2013-2015

Board: Sandy Cruz was invited to the board in January 2013, Penny Livingston in Jan. 2014, Wesley Roe in Oct. 2014, and Fred Meyer in Feb. 2015. Board meetings were held monthly and sometimes twice monthly during much of this period. After several years of diligent work, founding director Wayne Weiseman resigned from the board in 2015. Board members averaged 100+ hours per year each while funding the organization with loans and prepaid dues.

Activities: Peter Bane drafted, and the board approved Bylaws in 2014. Working with Jude, Sandy wrote and the board approved diploma standards in Education and Site Design, while an authoritative statement of the PDC curriculum was published drawing on the long and diverse teaching experience of Jude, Penny, and Peter. Sandy was the primary author of the Design for PINA, a blueprint for the organization’s structure and a plan for implementation, to which Peter added the pattern language of permaculture elements, approved by the Board in early 2015. Sandy also drafted the Appendix: Descriptions of PINA Master Plan Design Elements which laid out details of PINA’s administration, regional hubs, and educational program.  

PINA began accepting diploma applications after Board members gave a panel at NAPC-1 in Minnesota in Aug. 2014. Fred as Treasurer and tech advisor implemented better bookkeeping, task management, and helped build the website. Membership grew, especially after the NAPC, broadening the source of revenues; veteran teachers and designers were vetted privately, leading to invitations sent in late 2015. Diploma program activity began the same year with a handful of new candidates and many Fast Track applicants reviewed and accepted. Late in 2015, a fortunate encounter brought PINA a significant donation from NatureWise Corporation and its CEO Davidpaul Doyle, a gift that continued for three years.

Staff:  Melanie Mindlin continued as part-time Administrator, her time edging up to 10 hrs/month, as she implemented the creation of the website, and the diploma and outreach programs 

2016-2017

Board: Bob Randall and Koreen Brennan joined the board in 2016 as Fred Meyer and Sandy Cruz cycled off. Liora Adler and Monica Ibacache joined in 2017, bringing Spanish language fluency, familiarity with the Latin and Hispanic communities, while expanding the board’s range of educational experience to include programs for children (Monica, Beyond Organic Design in NYC schools), and the administration of accredited university degree programs (Liora, Gaia University).  Jude Hobbs stepped down as President and board member at the end of that year and was replaced in office by Peter Bane. Bob Randall took Peter’s place as Secretary, bringing valuable NGO and community-based experience to the board. Penny Livingston-Stark left the board in 2017. The first face-to-face board retreat was held at Commonweal Garden in Bolinas, CA immediately prior to NAPC-2 in August 2016. Most of the board and Melanie attended, staffing a PINA booth and addressing convergence circles to wide approval, while also recruiting new members and diplomates (see pics). 

Activities: A Hubs Committee began meetings in October 2017 to foster the growth of regional affiliates. The NatureWise donations enabled PINA’s 2016-18 stabilization and expansion and the gradual repayment of loans from directors. Field Advisor meetings began, and initial efforts were made to create and fill an Advisory Board. An Experienced Track was added to the diploma program, supplementing Regular and Fast Track pathways, and invitations were sent to scores of potential candidates. Fee applications for Fast Track candidates were waived until October 2016, but a few veterans have continued to apply since then.

Staff:  Melanie Mindlin continued as part-time Administrator, doubling her work to 20 hrs/month. During this time a major outreach effort resulted in close to 40 of the best known permaculturists in North America becoming PINA diplomates.

2018-2019: Strengthening Foundations and Expanding Outreach

Board and Leadership

In mid-2018, PINA welcomed Paula Westmoreland and Andrew Millison to the board, followed by Marco Chung-Shu Lam in 2019. Wes Roe transitioned to the Advisory Board, joining Jude Hobbs, Penny Livingston, and Albert Bates. The board convened at Blue Sky Farm in Michigan in September 2018 to strategize the next phase of PINA’s development. This led to the hiring of Peter Bane, then President, as Coordinator, later redefined as part-time Executive Director. Monica Ibacache was elected President, with Paula Westmoreland as Vice President, Bob Randall as Secretary, and Darrell Frey as Treasurer.

Organizational Milestones and Activities

PINA achieved 501(c)(6) non-profit status on April 6, 2018, affirming its role as a business league supporting permaculture as a profession. A major initiative from the board retreat was a Design Contest, proposed by Andrew Millison, alongside a renewed commitment to “providing pathways for professional development.”

Despite the sudden loss of NatureWise donations due to a corporate merger, PINA secured more funding in 2019, including a generous donation from a former PDC student. This allowed the Development Committee to focus on fundraising while the Membership and Outreach Committee worked on expanding PINA’s visibility through social media, website enhancements, printed materials, and strategic event representation.

The organization embraced digital collaboration via Slack and video conferencing. The quarterly newsletter, edited by Koreen Brennan, became a key member resource. A Zoom webinar on Mutual Aid was held in fall 2019, offering valuable insights on cooperative resilience, and marking a new turn toward media production.

PINA also co-sponsored and attended the Global Earth Repair Summit in May 2019, where it launched the Million Tree Challenge, an ongoing reforestation initiative. Four new diploma specializations were introduced: Permaculture Site Development & Implementation, Community Development, Media & Communications, and Regenerative Land Management. Website improvements included a Calendar of Events, a Job Kiosk, and the addition of Organizational Memberships.

Design Contest Success

The first Design Contest saw a surge in membership and received 42 submissions. The winning project, implemented at the Aprovecho Institute, was funded and completed by fall 2019, with an accompanying film that has since garnered nearly 400,000 views. A second contest, focused on Community Development and Media/Communications, launched in September 2019, and concluded in March 2020, awarding prize money to projects in Guatemala and New York.

Staff Development

Melanie Mindlin’s administrative role expanded to quarter-time in late 2018 as she spearheaded website upgrades and contest implementation. Peter Bane was appointed part-time Executive Director in 2019. He strengthened organizational infrastructure and expanded membership benefits. Allegra Hillburger was hired in April 2019 to assist with records management.

2020-2022: Adapting to Global Challenges and Scaling Impact

Board and Leadership

This period saw significant growth, beginning with Kimberly Daugherty joining the board in early 2020, where she played a key role in organizing the North American Leadership Summit (NALS). Kitzia Kokopelmana of Mexico joined in May 2020, expanding PINA’s connections in Latin America. Jane Hayes of Toronto joined in late 2020, bringing expertise in urban permaculture and corporate engagement.

PINA adapted to the pandemic by holding its biennial board retreat virtually in 2020. In 2021, Liora Adler departed to focus on global projects, while Matt Bennett of Philadelphia and Joshua Prieto of Panama joined the board in 2022. The Colorado retreat that year marked a new peak in board membership at 11 directors, though Prieto later stepped down.

Key Initiatives and Fundraising

PINA initially planned a third Continental Convergence for 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a shift to the North American Leadership Summit (NALS). Nearly 200 participants engaged in discussions on regenerative agriculture, water resources, and permaculture’s mainstream impact. This event was recorded and remains accessible through PINA’s membership portal.

Fundraising efforts intensified in 2021, culminating in a transformative gift from Terry Huffington that enabled the launch of the Fire Ecology Restoration Program (FERP). This pilot trained participants in wildfire mitigation through biochar production and regenerative land management. PINA documented its success in a film, “Restoring Forests with Fire.”

Despite aggressive grant-writing efforts in 2022, securing further funding for FERP proved challenging. Nonetheless, PINA remained committed to wildfire mitigation and continued its work with Earth Activist Training to refine the Regenerative Land Management diploma.

Staff and Operations

The Huffington donation facilitated the hiring of Gloria Flora as Development Director in 2021. Melanie transitioned to Diploma Program Coordinator while Elizabeth Lynch took over as Administrator. Staff expansions, particularly in grant-writing and operations, laid the groundwork for future growth.

2023-2024: Expansion, Digital Transformation, and Strategic Growth

Board and Leadership

Andrew Millison resigned in early 2023 to focus on his permaculture programs at Oregon State U., while Paula Westmoreland and Jane Hayes concluded their board service at the end of the year. Koreen Brennan stepped into the Vice President role, and new board members Matthew Bibeau and Salina Duncan joined in 2024, with Salina taking a leadership role on the Executive Committee.

Key Developments

Peter Bane played a pivotal role in securing a $500,000 donation for our partner Urban Harvest in Houston, enabling high school permaculture education initiatives and full time community organizing. PINA also expanded staffing, hiring Jesse Tack (Program Services Manager), Rebeca Rubalcava (Membership Coordinator), and Sean Jennings (Communications Coordinator), bolstering employment of PDC graduates within the organization.

Significant digital upgrades included transitioning the newsletter to a monthly format, expanding social media engagement, and growing the Media Assets Library to over 100 recorded programs. Membership restructuring and outreach campaigns led to steady growth.

A new partnership with the Association for Regenerative Culture (ARC) in 2024 facilitated the launch of PcX, a permaculture-dedicated social network on Mighty Networks. This platform has grown rapidly, to connect over 1,000 permaculture practitioners across North America.

Challenges and Future Directions

Despite a successful engagement with Black Oaks Center in Illinois working to regenerate an historic black farming community, unforeseen leadership challenges there led to the termination of that contract, prompting a reevaluation of funding strategies. A major gifts campaign late in the year in partnership with Pikes Peak Permaculture met obstacles, as PINA continues refining its approach to financial sustainability.

Looking ahead, we remain committed to expanding our educational reach, supporting regional hubs, and securing long-term funding for our mission. With strengthened leadership, enhanced digital tools, and a dedicated community, PINA is well-positioned to continue advancing permaculture as a professional and regenerative practice across North America.

 

HUBS

Year Name Location
2016 Great Rivers and Lakes Pc Institute MI, IL, IN, OH, KY, WI
2019 Permaculture Assn. of the Northeast New England + New York
2019 Colorado Permaculture Guild Colorado and Rocky Mts.

 

BOARD MEMBERS

Year PINA Directors History Year Re-Elected Left Board Term Ends
2012 Jude Hobbs 2013, 2016 2017
2012 Wayne Weiseman 2013 2015
2012 Darrell Frey 2013, 2016, 2018 2020
2012 Peter Bane 2013, 2016 2018
2013 Sandy Cruz 2015 2016
2014 Penny Livingston-Stark 2016 2019
2014 Wes Roe 2016, 2018 2019
2015 Fred Meyer 2016
2016 Bob Randall 2018 2021
2016 Koreen Brennan 2018 2021
2017 Liora Adler 2019 2022
2017 Monica Ibacache 2019 2022
2018 Paula Westmoreland 2020
2018 Andrew Millison 2020
2019 Marco Chung-Shu Lam 2021
2020 Kimberly Daugherty 2022

 

OFFICERS

Year Office Name Left Office
2012 President Jude Hobbs 2017
2017 President Peter Bane 2018
2018 President Monica Ibacache
2013 Vice-President Sandy Cruz 2016
2016 Vice-President Wes Roe 2018
2018 Vice-President Paula Westmoreland
2012 Secretary Peter Bane 2017
2017 Secretary Bob Randall
2012 Treasurer Wayne Weiseman 2015
2015 Treasurer Fred Meyer 2016
2016 Treasurer Penny Livingston-Stark 2017
2017 Treasurer Darrell Frey

 

PINA STAFF

Year Position Name Left Position Full Time Equivalent
2012 Administrator  Melanie Mindlin 2020 0.10-0.25
2018 Coordinator  Peter Bane 2019 0.5
2019 Executive Director Peter Bane 0.25
2019 Membership Specialist Allegra Hilburger 0.05
2020 Administrator Elizabeth Lynch 0.2
2020 Outreach Coordinator Melanie Mindlin 0.1

 

Advisory Board

Years Name Left Advisory Board
2017- Jude Hobbs
2017- Albert Bates
2019- Penny Livingston-Stark
2019 Wes Roe

PINA booth at NAPC-2 in California

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