Introduction to Permaculture with Geoff Lawton at PRI Australia
Introduction to Permaculture
Join Geoff Lawton as he takes you into the world of Permaculture Design and introduces you to a new way of looking at the world. This course is for anyone interested in learning more about Permaculture and how they can apply it in their everyday lives to create sustainable abundance.
ABOUT THE TEACHER
Geoff Lawton
Geoff Lawton is the main facilitator for this PDC course. He a Permaculture consultant, designer and teacher. He first took his Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) Course with Bill Mollison in 1983. He holds a Diploma in Permaculture Education, Design, Implementation, System Establishment, Administration and Community Development given by the founder of Permaculture, Bill Mollison.
Geoff has undertaken thousands of jobs teaching, consulting, designing, administrating and implementing, in 6 continents and close to 50 countries around the world. Clients have included private individuals, groups, communities, governments, aid organizations, non-government organisations and multinational companies.
He has currently educated over 13,000 students in Permaculture worldwide. These include graduates of the Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) Course and courses focused on the practical design of sustainable soil, water, plant, and legal and economic systems.
ABOUT THE LOCATION
This course will be taught at Zaytuna Farm, home of The Permaculture Research Institute in The Channon, Northern NSW. As one of the leading Permaculture demonstration sites in the world, Zaytuna Farm has a range of functioning systems including water harvesting, food production and a very productive animal husbandry. All of which will add to the learning experience and make this course a very rich experience and one not to be missed.
We live what we Teach
Zaytuna Farm is Geoff and Nadia’s home. Permaculture is their life. They are farmers, teachers, and designers who actively pursue positive change in this world within their everyday lives and they are willing and able to share that with you for a more resilient future.
World Class Teachers
Geoff Lawton is the foremost permaculture consultant, designer and teacher and founder of the Permaculture Research Institute of Australia. You will not find a better teacher than Geoff and he is supported by highly active and engaging staff, most of which live and teach alongside Geoff and Nadia at Zaytuna Farm.
The Farm
Zaytuna Farm is a highly active Permaculture demonstration site. It is at the forefront of Permaculture Design and as a student you will have the unique experience of learning in a place where all the principles are there for you to see, every day of your course. You will also have the opportunity to pitch in before and after class and get a little dirty with some hands-on experience.
Support
We support our graduates in a number of ways. We have developed the Global Permaculture Network. Here you will find an interactive database of permaculture practitioners, teachers, consultants and aid workers from all over the world. The potential for constructive networking here is enormous! Create regular updates on your own Worldwide Permaculture Network blog under your profile, to get noticed, receive friendship, encouragement and tips.
Results
One of Geoff’s favourite phrases is “getting a result” and his results on the ground and with students is impressive. The quality of a PDC course is not evidenced in the teacher, but in how active the students are able to implement the designs after they leave the course and Geoff has the most active PDC students in the world.
History
Geoff’s work is based on the permaculture principles laid down in the 1970s by Australian permaculture founder Bill Mollison.
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You will learn how to apply your design skills by observing, analysing and harmonising with the patterns of nature.
An Introduction to Permaculture Certificate will be awarded upon successful completion.
Discover the theory and then see the examples in action at Zaytuna Farm.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
COURSE outline
Introduction
• Definition of Permaculture
• Permaculture Ethics
Permaculture Principles
• Relative location
• Elements
• Efficient energy planning
• Biological resources
• Energy Cycling
• Small scale intensive systems
• Accelerating Succession and Evolution
• Diversity
• Edge Effects
• Attitudinal Principles
Broadscale Site Design
• Identifying resources
• Landform
• Climate and micro climate
• Soils
• Water
• Siting Important infrastructure
• Design for catastrophe
Pattern Understanding
• Pattern in Nature
• Pattern in Design
Structures
• The temperate house
• The tropical house
• The drylands house
• Plant houses
• Waste Resources
The Home Garden
• Garden layout
• The instant garden
• The urban garden
• Cold area garden
• Tropical garden
• Drylands garden
Orchards, Farm forestry and grain crops
• Orchards
• Structural forests
• Grain and legume crop systems
• On farm fuels
• Commercial systems
Animal forage systems and Aquaculture
• Zone 1 animals
• Poultry forage systems
• Pig forage systems
• Goats
• Pasture Crops and Large animal forage
• Aquaculture and wetlands
Urban and Community Strategies
• Growing food in the city
• Village Homes
• Community recycling
• Community land access
• Community Economics
• Ethical investment
• The Permaculture Community
