Event description

The introduction to permaculture course is designed to give you a better understanding into how permaculture works and how it can be applied in any situation. We will cover the history and theories behind permaculture and a bunch of practical applications. The course will be on-site in our established permaculture food forest, and bio intensive food zones. We'll get you into the garden where possible to demonstrate how and why we do things. Our aim is to better prepare you with certain tools so you'll be equipped when venturing out into any landscape, feeling confident with your decisions.

Teachers

John Champagne has been one of Australia's leading permaculture teachers for over 15 years. He has more than 25 years experience of permaculture and active involvement in the permaculture movement in Australia and Asia. John is a recognised permaculture elder, and a leading permaculture designer, consultant and educator. He has worked on projects from school food gardens, eco-villages, community supported agriculture and bioregional change and adaption and is recognised in the permaculture movement for his skills and knowledge.

Johnny has been actively involved in greening the Illawarra for the past 20 years. He has a background in environmental conservation and found his groove facilitating community volunteers to restore Greenhouse Park (GHP) a 22-hectare nature reserve. This involves managing the variety of different skills and ideas that people have to offer. His vision for GHP is the creation of an Eco farm, a space to support community food security.

Johnny completed a design course in 2011 with John Champagne and has since completed a second course with elemental permaculture where he's worked as part of the support team on many more design courses. He's run workshops for Wollongong city council with the focus being soil care, soil building and food forest design.

In 2015 we made the move from Wollongong to Termeil and purchased a small home on a 10 acre parcel of land and started a family. The mission was to grow food, securing food for our family and friends, with the vision of creating something beautiful that can demonstrate how practical and effective permaculture can be. We documented the process via social media, we faced and overcome a great deal of adversity during this time and we'll be happy to share these experiences.

The introduction to permaculture course is a two day course and will run Saturday and Sunday. The course fee is $300pp. Young children are welcome to come for free under parental supervision. This includes morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea while on-site. For those wanting to stay on-site breakfast is provided and access to the garden produce and cooking facilities for dinner will be available. A limited amount of camping space is available. You'll need to bring your own tent and sleeping equipment. Feel free to bring along desert, drinks or anything you'd like to contribute. The course has limited placements and full payment must be made to secure your place.