PINA Core Curriculum for the PDC
The Permaculture Design Course (PDC) is a 72-hour+ program that teaches the ethics, principles and application of permaculture. The PDC includes a standard core curriculum adapted to local needs and conditions.
List of Core Curriculum Topics
Instructors present topics in any sequence using a variety of methodologies.
- Introduction to Permaculture
- Ethics and Principles
- The Local Ecosystem
- Patterns and Pattern Application
- Climates, Biogeography and Microclimates
- Design Methods and Process
- The Home System
- Water
- Earthworks
- Soils
- Trees, Forests, Plants, and Cultivated Ecologies
- Animals
- Aquaculture
- The Built Environment
- Waste and Bioremediation
- Appropriate Technology
- Design for Catastrophe
- Urban Permaculture
- Broad-scale Landscape Design
- Design for Invisible Structures
- Economic Systems
- Access to Land
- Ecovillage and Neighborhood Design
- Permaculture Scene
- Design Projects and Presentations
- Passion / Talent Show
Earth User’s Guide to Teaching Permaculture
Rosemary Morrow has graciously released here Permaculture Teacher Training guide to the public. This in depth resource will give you the tools you need to embark in a career teaching Permaculture.
Topics included in this Teacher Training Manual
For Your Students: The Post-PDC Guidebook
“What’s next? Where do I plug in to the network? How can I make permaculture my JOB?” Give this post-PDC guidebook to your students to get them started.
How else can we help your students post-PDC? Reach out to Jesse: programs@pina.in
The Pc Depot: A Library of Resources
PINA and ARC are co-hosting a vast permaculture resources library still in it’s infancy. This repository of information is managed by ARC’s amazing Suzanne Bonfas and initally grew out of our need to store 10’s of thousands of files, images, pdf’s and more from our veteran PDC teachers in a cultivated and currated manner. Currently our focus is related to our Disaster Townhall series and working group efforts.
Have something to contribute? Reach out to Jesse at: programs@pina.in
Free Topic Resources
PINA is developing teaching resources for topics of the Core Curriculum. Find links to PDF and PowerPoint versions of compiled resources here.
Promote Your Course or Event
- Find other PDCs across North America to understand the market.
- List your course on PINA’s calendar to gain exposure.
- Fill out a Podcast Guest Inquiry form to schedule your interview to air a month+ before your course or event.
- Tag @permaculture_institute_na on Instagram and share your course in Facebook Groups
- Reach out to our Communications Manager @ communications@pina.in
2 Ways for your Students to Save
PDC Teacher Bulk Student Membership
If you teach annual or semi-annual PDC’s consider wrapping a PINA membership into the cost of your PDC as an additional perk for your students. Bulk purchases are for 10 or more students at a time. For the bulk student membership we lowered the cost of our Student membership from $20/yr to $16/yr per student for the bulk student membership.
How It Works
- Purchase Memberships Online: Visit our https://pina.in/product/students-membership/ and select the number of student memberships you wish to purchase.
- Track Memberships: After your purchase is complete, you will receive a link to share with your students. This link allows them to create a PINA account on our webpage. For assistance with tracking and student engagement, please contact us.
- Student Engagement: Your students can immediately start enjoying their benefits and resources.
Why Choose Students & Volunteers Membership?
As a PDC Teacher, you can offer your students an invaluable resource to further their education and professional journey after completion of the Permaculture Design Course. Here is what is included in their membership:
- Access to PINA’s Media Library: Dive into a wealth of knowledge with interviews, courses, and discussions featuring leading permaculture experts.
- Entry to the Annual Design Contest: Your students can submit their designs for a chance to win up to $5,000.
- Invite to The Permaculture Crossings (PcX): A social media network for our growing permaculture community.
- Permaculture Events: Attend exclusive events that broaden their knowledge and skills.
- Exclusive Discounts: Discounts on events, classes, and tools essential for permaculture design.
- Job Kiosk Access: Find job listings tailored to permaculture practitioners.
Professional Development Opportunities: Participate in PINA’s workshops, seminars, and summits
Quesitons? Struggles? Reach out to Rebeca at: membership@pina.in
Or
PINA Referral Program for PDC Teachers
As a valued PDC Teacher, you play a vital role in growing the permaculture movement and inspiring the next generation of changemakers. To show our appreciation, we’re excited to offer you a way to earn a complimentary renewal or enrollment in our Professional and Diplomates membership—simply by encouraging your students to join the PINA community.
How It Works
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How It Works:
- Encourage your students to join PINA’s Students & Volunteers membership.
- When students sign up, they must list your name in the “ Referred by” field at checkout.
- For every student who joins between January 29, 2025, and December 29, 2025, you’ll receive notification of their enrollment from our Membership Coordinator.
Your Reward:
Once eight students have joined under your referral:- You’ll receive a special thank-you message along with instructions to claim your free membership renewal or enrollment.
- Enjoy another year as a valued member of PINA—on us!
Upload Your Student List
We can keep and integrate your student lists from years past and into the future. Simply upload a CVS file here and we will support your students through our monthly Newsletter all about North American Permaculture.
The Permaculture Crossing
The PcX is co-hosted by PINA and ARC (The Association for Regenerative Culture) as a toll-free site dedicated to permaculture and regenerative culture. This site offers participants the ability to host courses, network regionally, promote events, host cohorts, and share information without the algorithm interference that more popular social media sites rely on. Free for all to use and enjoy. See you there!
Topics at the PcX
–Join the Permaculture Teacher’s Guild space on the PcX (link below)
–Regional Hubs spaces
–Online courses and summits for purchase
–Free teacher/student cohort spaces
–Dedicated staff to help you from PINA and ARC
–Various regenerative discussion zones
–Monthly free Disaster and Permaculture Townhalls events
–Disaster working group
–Other working group spaces upon your request
–Consider hosting a skills-based course on the PcX for profit
Broadly we have two arms:
Professional Services (PS) and Regenerative Projects (RP).
Professional Services
Our Professional Services include:
–The diploma program
–Our ever-expanding media library
–Summits on professional permaculture topics
–The Permaculture Crossing
–North American Convergence organizing on a ~3 year basis
–Bioregional hubs
–Annual design contests with award money for implementation
–Disaster and permaculture monthly townhalls
–PDC teacher masterminds
Regenerative Projects
Our Regenerative Projects include:
–Fundraising for on the ground training and hiring
–1 million tree challenge
–PDC curriculum for high schools
–Fire ecology restoration program
–Disaster preparedness, recovery, and design guides and toolkits
Are You A PINA Member?
As teachers of permaculture design, consider joining at the Practitioner ($50/yr) or Professional ($75/yr) level today and get access to these professional development supports:
–All Summits for free
–Select discounts
–Feature your PDC in our Newsletter (4000+ members) and on our calendar and our social media
–Preferential invitation to present at our Summits
PINA is a professional permaculture membership organization (501(c)6) designed to uphold PDC teacher standards and provide services across the entire professional pathway from beginner to professional. We do so in these ways: continuing education, mentorship/field advisors, supporting the permaculture movement, and supporting permaculture Innovations.
Already a Student level member but want to upgrade to receive more benefits?
Contact Rebeca at: membership@pina.in
Permaculture Teachers Recognized by PINA
PINA recognizes and highly recommends the teaching of the PINA diplomates holding our Diploma in Education. We have reviewed their curriculum and teaching experience and found them to meet our standards for excellence in the field.