Designed Visions - Sustainability through Permaculture - Courses, Design and Consultancy

We often run introductory events in either a one or two day format. For Taster days, we combine a bit of theory with a site tour in a single day - which is a bit of a whistle-stop tour! For introductory weekends, we have more time to look at some permaculture theory & include some creative methods of teaching in our indoor sessions on the Saturday. The site visit then takes place on the Sunday & provides along with the tour, an opportunity to engage in some simple practical activities that participants can also later put into action at home. In both situations we provide some simple tips to start you to bring permaculture into your own life & guidance upon where to go next to learn more.

 

This is a ‘blended learning’ course. It consists of two 6 hour face-to-face days over eight weeks with 18 hours online in between. The course is informal, based indoors with practical outdoor sessions to back up the theory. There are taught sessions, plenary discussions and work in small groups. Time and value are given to learners’ personal experiences and skills. The programme is inclusive of a wide variety of learning styles. No prior permaculture knowledge is assumed, though internet access and basic IT skills are required for the on-line part of the course.

The course is suitable for all abilities: both apprentice & experienced teachers & also for those who have just completed their Permaculture Design course (PDC). During the course we will be focusing on the tools & techniques for teaching & facilitating permaculture learning & the practicalities of convening & running courses. We won't be revisiting the topics on a PDC in any depth and so it is recommended that if your permaculture knowledge is a bit rusty that you do some preparatory background reading before the course. The ToT will concentrate on permaculture training but the techniques covered can be applied to any other subject and hence the course would be valuable for any teacher wanting to expand their creative teaching techniques.

Edible forest gardening is the art and science of putting plants together in woodland-like patterns that forge mutually beneficial relationships, creating a garden ecosystem that is more than the sum of its parts. You can grow fruits, nuts, vegetables, herbs, mushrooms, other useful plants, and animals in a way that mimics natural ecosystems (Jacke). The aim is to create a low input, high output system that benefits people and the environment, providing a great range of products. A forest garden is designed and established according to site and the needs of the client.

This course offers an opportunity to spend four inspiring days at Ourganics Evolving Systems, living with the land & learning how Pat Foxwell runs her debt-free permaculture project & business. Pat became steward of the land in 1999 & since then has created a project that attracts hundreds of visitors & helpers every year who come to learn from her & get a taste of the lifestyle. Come & learn how to walk your talk & to live your dream. These four days will be a 'full immersion' experience in living this way, with Pat sharing how she set Ourganics up, how she gathered in the help & resources she needed, what she learned about commercial growing, marketing the business & how she went about getting temporary planning permission to live on the land. Most importantly she will be sharing her thoughts about what she would do differently with hindsight - saving the rest of us the stress & cost of learning the hard way!