2020 PDC

2021 Permaculture Design Certification Course

July 18-30, 2021

The Northeast’s original, farm-based, Ecological Design Immersion Program!

We are excited to announce that we have secured full scholarships for income eligible Vermont State residents.

*At this point we are presently accepting applications for IN PERSON, HANDS-ON TRAINING in Ecologically Regenerative Design!

Immersed in wild ecology, beautiful scenery, and the abundance of Willow Crossing- our Family Farm and Vermont’s oldest Permaculture Research Site- we practice the art of re-visioning and remaking Heathy Human Whole Systems.

Together, we engage in whole-systems ecological design and implementation of permaculture solutions for a multi-use community spaces, and each student develops designs for their own site.  Learn alongside students, architects, activists, community planners, homesteaders, farmers, natural builders, business owners, and others while solving real-world design problems as a team, and generating full designs for a site of your own choosing– while guided by some of the world’s foremost professional designers and being immersed the wild and cultivated beauty of a two decade permaculture project.

Our approach explores the way human beings- as individuals and communities- can participate in the creation of ethical, socially just, and ecologically regenerative perennial support systems.  We apply the sciences of Ecology, Anthropology, Ethnobiology, and Evolution to agriculture, the built environment, and social and economic organization (‘invisible structures’) by integrating plants, animals, buildings, people, communities, economies, and the landscapes that surround us through careful analysis and thoughtful design.  We also practice permaculture ethics, principles, techniques, and skills by collaborating on real-world projects repairing, restoring, and regenerating human ecosystems.

Last summer’s courses were a blast with students coming from across the country and with a wide variety of backgrounds and intended applications for permaculture design.    Stundent final designs ranged from farms to apartments, communities, farms and other businesses in a wide variety of contexts.

Student Design Work for the UVM Horticulture Research Center and Catamount Farm

Unlike all other Permaculture Design Certification courses- students work to create BOTH collaborative and individual designs, allowing the opportunity to practice the design process twice, work with real-world clients and sites, as well as developing ideas for your own sites, bioregions, and specific interests with professional guidance.   Students’ final individual design presentations are from a wide geographical and cultural diversity- ranging from 100+ acre farms, to vacant-lot community gardens, to natural building renovation, ‘renter’s permaculture’ apartment / urban strategies, and more!   The balance between collaborative and individual work, combined with the diverse students we attract make each design a highlight, and broaden our collective experience and practice.  This ‘two-design’ format, increasingly being used by other courses and other instructors, is Prospect Rock Permaculture‘s unique innovation to augment the requirements of an fully accredited and internationally recognized Permaculture Design Certification Course.

Read below for more course details.  Click here for more information about the Registration Process.

DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM (please note last year’s dates- otherwise accurate)

Burlington Permaculture and Prospect Rock Permaculture are pleased to offer our Thirteenth-Annual summer Permaculture Design Certification course.

The two week residential intensive course goes above and beyond the internationally recognized standard curriculum with focus on Community Resilience, Social Justice, Food Security, Farm Design, Transition, Environmental and Outdoor Education, Natural Building, Horticultural Therapy, Community/ Commercial Scale Production and Propagation, Appropriate Farm Machinery and Tools, and visits to the vibrant farms, homesteads, nurseries, and ethical businesses that contribute to the resurging agricultural economy of this most Fertile Valley of Northern Vermont.

All food served during the course will come from our farm and immediately local farms visited during the course.  With opportunities to see, practice, and implement permaculture solutions at varying scales; thorough grounding in the process of design, first-hand study of ecology- and guided by the most experienced designers, farmers, and educators in the U.S. – this course affords opportunities for development and engagement in personal and community abundance and security like no other.

ABOUT THE SITE                                                                                                 TEACHING TEAM

Hands-on Design and Co-Creation of Vibrant, Wholly Nourishing Human Landscapes:

We welcome graduates of other permaculture design courses to refresh their certification, gain new perspective and experience, build their networks, and advance their practice with the Advanced Permaculture Design and Teacher/ Facilitator Training opportunities available through this course.

Permaculture is a design science focused on the intersection of social and ecological health.  We explore the relationships between the built environment, food security, energy, water, and natural communities, in order to retrofit this infrastructure to respond to the confluent crises of the 21st century with localized resilience, abundance, and ecological regeneration.  Build your skills and capacity by taking part!

Our dynamic natural site in the midst of an agriculturally vibrant area affords ample opportunities to study and observe wild ecology, fruit, nut, vegetable, and medicinal herb production, natural/ alternative beekeeping poultry care, natural building, alternative energy, community-scale resilience, etc. In addition to all farm sourced food, immersion in wild ecology, radical sustainability, and the site offers us the opportunity to swim, hike, paddle, and camp in the beauty and inspiration of the early Vermont summer.

All farm sourced, local organic meals, travel to field trips, canoe and kayak use, and camping accommodation is included in the course cost of $1800.  There are other lodging options available at additional cost.  There are limited opportunities for professional development grants, work trade, scholarships, and other financial aid.  Discounted registration for groups, couples, referrals, and travel to the course by boat, bike, foot, or other non motorized means, is available for early registrations.  This course has historically filled quickly, please contact us to reserve your space as soon as possible.

As always, permaculture designers, activists, and alumni are welcome visit to present, review students designs, network, or just join us for a (very) local organic meal!  Many sessions will be open and free to interested public.

This course is available for College Credit.  Please email about registering through the University.

Our partners at WAGN The UVM Extension Women’s Agriculture Network have set some funds aside to help Vermont Women Farmers with enrollment.

We are fully accredited with VSAC (Vermont Student Assistance Corporation), and funds are available for full scholarships for income-elligible VT residents.

Thanks!

REGISTER HERE

Space is limited, and the course typically fill well in advance.

Please inquire about work trade and other scholarship opportunities.