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Full Permaculture Design Course (90 hours)
Pratu, Petreto Bicchisano, Corsica
3rd - 17th June 2007
Tutor: Aranya
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"Permaculture is about solutions. There are plenty of things to worry about, but permaculture helps you to focus on the things that you can do to make a difference." |
Andy Goldring
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Come and find out how.... |
"It was the best two weeks of my life" *
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This practical course is for anyone who believes that we need to find ways to care for ourselves, for each other & for the Earth. Permaculture offers a perspective on all aspects of building a sustainable future. Permaculture encourages us to use our individual skills, knowledge & interests, whilst drawing on traditional wisdom, science & our innate ability to observe & learn from the world around us. The course will bring the possibility of significant & positive life changes. Although permaculture is most commonly thought about in connection with gardening & farming, its principles, ethics & design methods can be adapted & used in each individual's own work, interests & home to bring about a more harmonious & sustainable lifestyle.
Course participants will be awarded the Permaculture Association (Britain)'s Certificate in Permaculture Design. |
"I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and informal teaching styles" *
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The venue:
Our hosts; Laura Cecil & Simon Snell are an English couple with a small child who have lived on Corsica on a 5 acre rural organic smallholding for over 5 years. Pratu is located between the sea and the mountains (altitude 300 metres) in the south of the island and has a stream, mixed woodland, fruit trees, level sheep-grazing pasture, granite rocks, a small swimming pool (part of the irrigation system), as well as guest accommodation in the form of a chalet, two cabins and a caravan. In addition, there is a large productive organic vegetable plot and they have been hosting workers from WWOOF and Help Exchange for the last two and a half years. They are also trying to manage the woodland and its habitats in sustainable and environmentally-friendly ways. They are both experienced group (adult) facilitators and have already run several successful courses there in walking and painting. They are very interested in low impact, sustainable living and feel that they offer an ideal learning venue, with the necessary infrastructure and support, to run excellent courses in permaculture and related subjects, with the added benefits of the Mediterranean climate and a relaxed, holiday atmosphere. The small village of Petreto Bicchisano, with its shops, bars and restaurants is a couple of minutes drive away. The beach resorts of Propriano and Porto Pollo, as well as the mountainous heartland of the Alta Rocca, can be reached within half an hour. The airport and seaport of Ajaccio are less than an hour's drive from this peaceful setting (we provide an airport pick up). Passenger ferries also arrive at Propriano. Figari airport is about 90 minutes drive to the south. More travel information.
Website: www.corsica-incompany.com
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"Inspirational" *
During the course you will learn about:
- Permaculture ethics and design principles.
- Design skills.
- Permaculture gardening techniques.
- How to apply the techniques in designing any system from domestic to commercial.
- How to use permaculture in your own life
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"I'm amazed by my change of thinking" |
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Subjects covered:
Spirals of erosion & points of intervention ~ Boundaries & limiting factors ~ Observation skills ~ Site surveying ~ Permaculture ethics & principles ~ Design methods ~ Soil conservation, types, texture & factors in fertility ~ Green manures & dynamic accumulators ~ Kitchen gardening ~ Integrated pest management ~ Water & sewage treatment ~ Fruit tree growing ~ Agroforestry & forest gardening ~ Trees & microclimates ~ Permaculture & future generations ~ Patterns in nature ~ Food choices ~ Ecological footprinting ~ Sustainable economics ~ Urban permaculture ~ Green architecture ~ Bioregionalism ~ Non-land based design ~ Accelerated learning techniques ~ Seed saving & plant propagation ~ The Permaculture Association & Diploma WorkNet ~ Where next? & lots more......
"Eye opening" * |
We use group work, discussions, videos, slide shows, observation, guided walks & practical activities as learning methods. These are supportive of different learning styles & for people with learning difficulties. We will also be visiting projects where permaculture theory is being put into action. Planned site visits include a trip to a local Biodynamic farm.
Design courses are not just about imparting information to the students, there is plenty of knowledge out there, the important thing is knowing how to use this & feeling confident to do so. |
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"I've enjoyed the positivity and enthusiasm on the course" *
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Empowerment is the essence of the course. We will be using practical and theoretical teaching methods to create a fun, lively & inclusive course. The course culminates in the main design activity that helps to consolidate all of the learning & empower students to take permaculture back into their own homes, lives & community. As a group we will benefit from collaborative learning & from having fun together. We don't expect any previous knowledge & recognise that everyone has their own unique skills, knowledge & areas of interest to bring to the course.
Please note: that this course will be taught in English.
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* Comments from previous years' course participants.
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For more details & booking (places are limited to twelve, so book early*) please contact:
Aranya: 01308 488522 or email: courses@designedvisions.com
except between 26th April & 13th May when contact - Jules: 01297 444501 or email: julesinlyme@btinternet.com
*Anyone booking before 6th May (a £50 deposit secures your place) will be eligible for a fee reduction of £15 & also receive a free copy of the'Earth Stars' CD
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Costs: Sliding scale : Full fee: £500, concessions £425; including tuition, accommodation, food, site visits, handouts, end of course CDROM & one years membership of the Permaculture Association. We can offer a £70 discount per couple sharing a double room.
Travel information: Currently available travel prices (as of late March) are: Return flight from London Gatwick to Ajaccio: £244 (tour operators can offer lower prices nearer the time, subject to availability) or Rail - Eurostar London Waterloo to Marseille (1 change) from £109 return and overnight ferry from Marseille to Ajaccio + return: £119 (€175) (exclusive cabin) or £64 (€94) (comfy armchair). More detailed travel information can be found on Pratu's own excellent getting here page.
Click here to download a course leaflet (218KB) |
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