For people with prior experience in permaculture; this course develops further skills.

This course follows on from Permaculture Systems; or for those who have studied permaculture elsewhere; it is an excellent follow on from the "Permaculture Design Certificate".

 

This course introduces the basic concepts of Permaculture, and develops a basis for permaculture design by explaining the patterns which occur in nature, such as weather systems, water cycles, topography, soil-plant interactions and forest ecology, and how a knowledge of these patterns can be used to reproduce balanced and productive garden growing systems.

This course is a natural progression from Permaculture 1, but can taken separately in its own right. It concentrates on the plants in a permaculture system, how they relate to each other and to the surrounding environment; and selection and placement of different varieties within a permaculture design. This course deals with preparing plans for different types of permaculture gardens, and its duration is approximately 100 hours.

As with Permaculture II, this course is a natural progression from the earlier Permaculture units, but can also be taken separately in its own right. It concentrates on the animals in a permaculture system, how they relate to each other, how they relate to surrounding environments, and selection and management of different types of animals in a permaculture design.

This course complements and follows on from Permaculture I, II and III   with a focus on design and management of a comprehensive permaculture system.

Want to be a Permaculture Designer

 or Design Sustainable Gardens?

A permaculture system is a unique landscape where all the plants and animals live in balance in a self sustaining ecosystem. Permaculture has an ethical approach to designing land use and community systems, to provide food, ecological habitats and other essentials needed for human survival. Learning to develop plans for permaculture systems (ie. a unique landscape where plants and animals live in a balanced and self sustaining ecosystem) is a crucial part of the permaculture process.

The term 'permaculture' comes from the words 'PERMAnent' and 'agriCULTURE', and implies the permanence of culture. The term was first devised in 1978 by Bill Mollison (an Australian ecologist) and his student David Holmgren.
It embraces three main ethical principles as follows:

• "Care of the Earth" - this includes all living things and non living things which together comprise the environment (ie. animals, plants, land, water and air).
• "Care of People" - permaculture systems should be developed to promote self reliance and community responsibility.
• “Fair Share” - set limits to consumption and reproduction, and redistribute surplus - pass on anything surplus to an individual's needs (eg. labour, information or money) in an attempt to pursue the above aims.

“Implicit in the above is the 'Life Ethic': all living organisms are not only means, but ends. In addition to their instrumental value to humans and other living organisms, they have an intrinsic worth."

As such Permaculture stresses a positive approach and an attitude of cooperation, with respect to the environment and all living things.

ACS is a member of the Permaculture Association (UK) and the Alternative Technology Association (Australia)