Who Should Take This Course...
The Permaculture Design Course has truly transformed the lives and enhanced the careers of thousands of people around the world. Most students find the course life-changing, and form strong new directions and networks. For anyone serious about working toward a sustainable future. No prior experience is necessary.

Designers are able to add new qualifications to their resumes and to their firms' ability to offer improved services to their clients.

Real estate and development companies are able to better meet the public's growing concern for the environment.

Homeowners learn to increase the value of their property.

Couples enjoy creating home retreats that enrich their families' lives.

Teachers find new ways of integrating the art & science of Permaculture Design into their curriculum.

College students are better able to direct their education.

Many people change careers to create their own right livelihood.

 

---

Peace Corp and Permaculture, Columbia River, Belize

Our Training Program
Permaculture Design provides the tools for a wholistic approach to finding solutions to every issue that human settlement requires. Our training provides a framework for critical decision-making and problem-solving.

The hands-on concentration of our Courses is in the preparation and presentation of the Design Team Projects. Additional opportunities for advanced training and hands-on learning are scheduled throughout the year.

Our Courses follow a strict Mollisonian approach to delivering the Permaculture Design Course Curriculum: intensive lectures leavened with anecdotal stories based on real experiences (mistakes as well as successes!). These teaching techniques are combined with others to illustrate principles, concepts and strategies.

Resource Exchange...
EarthFlow's Permaculture programs specialize in applying natural ecosystem design principles to the creation of social ecosystems that enhance Community and create Local Economic Enterprise.

Participants prepare and present a Needs and Resource List, updated periodically. Each course sees the creation of new relationships and network connections, based on the flow of information and the exchange of goods, ideas and services...

 

---

The Teaching Team

L.Santoyo in Half Moon Bay, California

The teaching team is directed by L. Santoyo, courses are taught by Veteran Permaculture Instructors, guest speakers and local experts, as well as other recognized leaders in the world-wide sustainability movement.

Scott Pittman in Los Angeles, California

Toby Hemenway in Belize

 

---

Permaculture Design Certificate Course
Patterns, Patterns Everywhere...

Curriculum includes inspiring examples of sustainable land use and human ingenuity from around the world, based on a common pattern understanding. The core curriculum is based on Bill Mollison's tome, Permaculture: A Designers' Manual, which was once reviewed by Whole Earth, saying "If information had density... this book would be a black hole!..."

Practical Solutions Toward a Sustainable Future
Permaculture Design is simple, common sense -yet so profound in its application, it has become a World-Wide phenomenom.

The Permaculture Movement is made up of thousands of independent, autonomous groups, organizations and individual practitioners -all uniquely adapting Permaculture Design Principles to their own lives, bioregions and businesses.

 

---

The EarthFlow Design Works
Permaculture Design Certificate Course is a 12-day, information-packed training program. It's presented in 3 parts as a 2 Week Intensive, or as a monthly Weekend Series.

Part 1
We begin with the foundation ethic of earthcare and an in-depth look at the natural world. You will gain an understanding of ecological factors & natural patterns, and learn to recognize the "indicators of sustainability."

Part 2
We move from observing natural patterns to their application in our everyday lives. You will learn innovative techniques and technologies to solve food, water, shelter, energy, waste issues and more.

Part 3
The course concludes with the patterns & principals applied to personal empowerment, EcoVillage and Economic Development. Final Design work is presented and critiqued before the Course culminates, with a community celebration -including our infamous Trade & Talent Show.

 

---

The EarthFlow Course satisfies all the requirements for Permaculture Designer Trainee Certification and additionally, includes updated and expanded material: Eco-Literacy, Designing & Building the Home-Ecosystem, Natural Building Techniques, Food-Forestry, Fossil-less Fuels & Alternative Energy, Industrial Ecology, Patterns of Human Dynamics & Community, Green Business, MicroVillage Networks, EcoUrbanism and more...

Students can join in anytime. Classes typically run 9am- 5pm with hourly breaks and an hour for lunch. Some evening programs may be also scheduled. Full attendance is required for Certification. Make-up classes may be attended at another of EarthFlow's programs, or during specially scheduled make-up sessions.

Breaktime is mix and mingle time. What students learn from each other is as valuable as the training itself!

 

---

Final Course Work:
Design Team Presentations & the Trade & Talent Show...

Students work on Community Design Projects. Final presentations reflect students' understanding of Natural and Cultural Patterns, Design Principles and Team work...

The Trade & Talent Show is a festive tradition in all our Certificate Programs.

The Talent Show is an opportunity for the whole class to work together as a team, coordinating refreshments, lights, sound, decoration, and of course, the Talent. A chance to let loose after an intense learning experience together-From the ridiculous to the sublime... poets, dancers, musicians, mimes!

The Trade Show gives students and their partners an opportunity to showcase products, services and skills they may have available for sale or trade.

 

---

Designer Trainee Certification
Certification as a Permaculture Designer Trainee is awarded upon full attendance, satisfactory completion of Design Team Project and participation in the Talent Show.

A Certificate shows you have been formally trained in basic Permaculture Design. A certificate also entitles you to attend advanced training programs and enroll in a Permaculture Designer Apprenticeship. After 2 years full-time apprenticeship, a Trainee is eligible to apply for Permaculture Designer Certification.

 

---

See Calendar of Events..

Read more about the Course Instructors

See complete Course Outline...

---

Student Feedback
In an effort to maintain the highest quality educational experience possible, students are asked for feedback and evaluations.

Read what people are saying...