Do you yearn for a life of simple abundance where land is regenerated, communities are connected and future resources protected? Are you wanting to hone the skills that will allow you and your family/community to live an environmentally sustainable lifestyle? Are you keen to learn more about how to live lightly on this planet and be more self-sufficient?

Permaculture is a framework for design that can be applied to every aspect of your life. Embedded in the ethics of “earth care, people care and fair share”, permaculture encourages deeper connections with the land, within communities and with our own values thereby growing our personal and collective resilience, especially during times of uncertainty.

Trish Allen and Guenther Andraschko are running their fourth annual internationally recognised modular Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) course plus additional optional practical workshops. The modular PDC takes place over 7 months with 12 full days of course time with 9 Saturdays and a choice of 3 or more Sundays, from May to November 2023.

The course content covers a range of essential permaculture themes during the Theory Days and supplementary Practical Workshop days over one Saturday and Sunday respectively. The topics and schedule are outlined below:

Theory Sessions:

Sat, 27 May 23: Philosophy / Ethics / Principles / Sectors / Zones
Sat, 24 June 23: Ecology & Climate
Sat, 15 July 23: Soil / Organic Gardening / Composting
Sat, 5 Aug 23: Water management
Sat, 26 Aug 23: Trees / Forestry / Forest Gardens
Sat, 23 Sept 23: Social Structures / Economics / Produce No Waste
Sat, 28 Oct 23: Design Process / Animal Integration / Insects & Bees
Sat, 11 Nov 23: Appropriate Technology / Ecological Building / Urban
Sat, 18 Nov 23: Design Presentations

Practical Workshops:

Sun, 28 May 23: Gardening & Seed-Saving
Sun, 25 Jun 23: Mushroom Growing
Sun, 16 Jul 23: Fermentation
Sun, 6 Aug 23: Pruning & Grafting
Sun, 27 Aug 23: Plant Propagation & Composting
Sun, 24 Sept 23: Deep Ecology & Zone 00 – Inner Resilience
Sun, 29 Oct 23: Field trip to permaculture properties
Sun, 12 Nov 23: Ecological Building Techniques

To fulfill the requirements (content and hours) to be awarded a Permaculture Design Certificate, participants should attend all 9 Saturday theory-based sessions and at least 3 Sunday practical workshops.The practical workshops are varied and can be selected according to your specific interests.

Venues
Guenther & Trish will host students at various locations around Matakana. The course also includes inspiring field visits to permaculture sites in the area.

Course costs
Full payment: $1495 (paid prior to course starting)
Payment Plan: $1795 ($595 deposit + 3 payments of $400)
Additional practical workshops are $90 when attending the full PDC.

Enrolment & Enquiries:

Enrolment form: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSd9fapqVrE4EB.../viewform

Full scope & details available to view:
https://docs.google.com/.../1hnq3ugmJFfLvVQX2xV.../edit...

Enquiries can be made via email at pdcmatakana@gmail.com. Also contact us if you wish to register with a payment plan.

About the Main Tutors:

Trish Allen is a Permaculture NZ affiliated teacher and holds a Diploma in Permaculture. She has over 30 years’ experience as a permaculture practitioner including establishing the award-winning Rainbow Valley Farm with her late husband Joe Polaischer. The farm demonstrated permaculture in action and inspired thousands. Trish has now moved on and established a village-scale model of permaculture and shares her knowledge by teaching permaculture-related courses and workshops. She is also co-founder of Mahurangi Wastebusters which aims to divert waste from landfill and promotes a circular economy.

Guenther Andraschko is a Permaculture NZ affiliated teacher. He is an experienced workshop facilitator, earth builder, permaculture and landscape designer with over 25 years’ experience in designing and creating unique outdoor environments utilising permaculture ethics & principles. Guenther brings a wealth of practical knowledge and experience and enjoys supporting others to realise their own permaculture projects and aspirations.