Permaculture & Regenerative Design: 7-month Certification Course
Cultivating Change
Our Permaculture Design Course (PDC) offers a distinct and immersive journey, providing you with a clear pathway to becoming a transformative force for healing the Earth through the principles of permaculture.
Permaculture, a sustainable design approach, integrates harmonious relationships between people and the environment, fostering ecological resilience and promoting regenerative practices.
April 26 to Oct 20, 2024
Want to learn more about Permaculture? Read our blog post by clicking here.
Course Information (click the tabs below)
Our Approach
The Permaculture & Regenerative Design course offers a unique and incomparable opportunity to experience hands-on permaculture and forest gardening skills immersed in one of Canada’s most diverse Permaculture educational and demonstration sites.
Participants will engage and experience how to live and create a resilient lifestyle.
Your training ground:
A temperate climate educational centre, forest garden nursery and homestead with well-established 40-year-old forest gardens.
Mature berry/fruit, orchard and nut production
An Earthship greenhouse
Cob, Earthship & Cordwood buildings
Strawbale Tiny House
An abundance of ponds and native plants
Year-round small-scale micro-greens and sprouting operation
25 acres of untouched mature natural forest
The Living Centre is the proof of concept.
Attendees have an exclusive chance to engage in an operational, educational centre and homestead, gaining firsthand insight into the opportunities and challenges involved in establishing and sustaining a robust home, business, and land resource system. Our location showcases innovative design concepts aimed at cultivating a self-sufficient, enlightened lifestyle tailored to the temperate climate.
Course Highlights
Experience hands-on learning at one of Canada's longest-standing permaculture/forest garden sites.
Benefit from the rich heritage and resources of an eco-spiritual Permaculture educational centre established in 1983.
Engage with a comprehensive permaculture curriculum emphasizing skills development in transition, resiliency, and regeneration.
Seize the chance to network with a global community of individuals involved in Permaculture, regenerative design, and nature awareness initiatives and projects.
Includes:
Four-Distinct Seasonal 3-day Weekends
A team of local Permaculture Educators with 50+ years of experience
Four online Zoom meet-ups between weekends
Vegan Permaculture made easy
Deep Ecology & Living Systems Theory
Unique DVD Adobe Reader
Forest Gardening e-Book Manual
Permaculture Design: A Step-by-step guide –
A copy of Bill Mollison’s “An Introduction To Permaculture,” An Edited Transcript of a PDC
Discovering the Essence of Permaculture
Permaculture is a transformative approach to designing our lives, where scarcity transforms into abundance through creative and artful planning. It involves making waste resources, increasing productivity and yields, minimizing work, and preserving both people and nature. Bill Wilson's words encapsulate the spirit of permaculture, reflecting a philosophy that fosters a thriving environment for generations to come.
Why Enroll in a Permaculture Design Course
“Permaculture is a creative and artful way of designing our lives, where wastes become resources, productivity and yields increase, work is minimized, and people and nature are preserved – all by thoughtful planning and a respectful approach to life. Thus embraced, we create an environment where all may thrive for untold generations.” - Bill Wilson
Why Choose Permaculture?
Ecological designers excel at turning scarcity into abundance by balancing human needs with those of other species. They craft environmental designs that integrate systems of organisms, mechanisms, and feedback loops. The knowledge of permaculture is a universal tool that can benefit individuals and communities alike. In today's world, permaculture practitioners play a crucial role in addressing global challenges such as social inequity, soil infertility, climate change, and water and food shortages.
The Living Centre's Permaculture Design Course (PDC) is a transformative journey to become a permaculture practitioner. This 120-hour training program offers an internationally recognized certificate and a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding and acquire practical skills.
Key Reasons to Consider Our PDC
Solving Real-world Problems: Permaculture Design Courses provide a simple yet effective model for design, offering a structured approach to address contemporary challenges.
Changing Perspectives: PDC students learn to view social systems and landscapes as opportunities rather than challenges, gaining insights into hydrology, landforms, climate, and more.
Practical Knowledge and Experience: A permaculture design certification is a kickstart on the permaculture path, delving into design methods and serving as a valuable life experience and resume builder.
Career Enrichment: The permaculture career path branches into various income and livelihood opportunities, including environmental restoration, community projects, and organic regenerative productions.
Creative Outlet: Permaculture designs go beyond functionality; they embrace beauty. Whether designing a community garden or a sustainable home, creativity and aesthetics are integral to permaculture.
Positive Relationships: Permaculture teaches fostering positive relationships with communities and the natural world, guiding individuals toward a harmonious coexistence.
Connect with Like-minded Individuals: PDC participants share a passion for organic gardening, community resilience, nature connectedness, and more. It's an excellent opportunity to build a network of changemakers.
Joyful Learning Experience: Permaculture Design Courses are brimming with engaging activities that stimulate creativity and nourish a sense of awe and wonder.
Inspiration: PDCs showcase inspiring people and projects, leaving students motivated with a renewed sense of purpose in life.
Global Need for Permaculture Designers: The world requires more permaculture designers who can contribute to leaving the earth better than they found it.
“Permaculture is about rebuilding relationships with the people, land, and systems that support us.” - Jono Neiger, ‘The Permaculture Promise’
Registration Details
Pricing:
Early Bird Price: $1599 before March 20, 2024
After March 20, 2024: $1799
Space is limited to 15 participants. A deposit of $500 will secure your spot.
Includes:
All training sessions & Course Material
Four Zoom Integration meet-ups between weekends Group DVD Adobe Reader
Permaculture Course Manual
Does not include tax, transportation, or accommodations.
Please bring your own vegan lunch. A fridge & kitchen are available for use.
Discounts:
Alumni: Those who have completed a full PDC course - $799 (please contact us)
Partner/Spouse Discount: Partners taking the course together receive a $300 discount on the second tuition.
Student Discount: Full-time students get $300 off the regular price.
Family Discount: Two adults taking the course with a son or daughter (age 16 – 19) receive a 50% discount on their child’s tuition ($800 off the regular price).
PDC Dates for 2024:
April 26, 27, 28
May 31, June 1, 2
July 26, 27, 28
Sept 6, 7, 8
Design Project Presentations – Oct 19 & 20
Daily Schedule:
9:00 – 9:30 Nature Connection processes
9:30 – 11:00 Session
11:00 – 11:20 Nature Break
11:20 – 1:00 Session
1:00 – 2:00 – Lunch
2:00 – 4:30 – Session
4:30 – 5:00 Integration
Work-Trade Positions
Positions offering up to $400 in discounts are available. Work exchange opportunities can occur before and during the course period without losing any teaching hours. This provides hands-on experience in Permaculture skills and participation in a regenerative lifestyle. Please inquire for details.
Course Options
Participants in our Permaculture Design Course (PDC) come from diverse backgrounds, ranging from home gardeners to community activists, organic gardeners to farmers, and artisans to career-changing entrepreneurs. Recognizing that one size does not fit all, we now offer the following customizable options based on years of teaching and valuable student feedback.
Level I – The PDC Certification Course
Total Value: $1,799
Early-bird savings: $200
Your Price: $1,599
An internationally recognized, 72-hour training covering the ethics, principles, methods, techniques, and practices of Permaculture Design, with an additional 24 teaching hours and 24 hours of group/independent work, resulting in a 120-hour Certificate Course.
Includes:
Five Distinct Seasonal 3-Day Trainings (Total of 16-Days, including Introduction to Permaculture workshop)
Established Forest Gardens (1983)
Local Permaculture Educators with 40+ years of experience
Forest Gardening e-Book Manual – Compiled by Shantree Kacera
Permaculture Design: A Step-by-Step Guide – Aranya
The Essence of Permaculture Manual – David Holmgren
An Introduction To Permaculture – Bill Mollison’s, An Edited Transcript of a PDC
Unique DVD Adobe Reader – The Living Centre’s Note Package & Resource Library
Level II – The Specialized Option
Total Value: $5,099
You Save: $500
Your Price: $4,599
Build on your Permaculture experience with a focus on the regenerative application of deep ecology and forest gardening design. Level II includes all the features of Level I, plus an 18-Day Forest Gardening – Practical Herbalism Mentorship Program, employing a whole systems design approach.
Total Value Includes:
Everything from Level I
Permaculture PDC
Forest Gardening Course
Forest Gardening Correspondence Course
Level III – The Professional Option
Total Value: $6,099
You Save: $1,100
Your Price: $4,999
Ideal for those serious about establishing a permaculture and/or Forest Gardening career, this option provides comprehensive support for guaranteed success.
Total Value Includes:
Everything from Levels I and II
Permaculture PDC
Forest Gardening Course
Forest Gardening Correspondence Course
Onsite Forest Gardening Assessment of Your Property – 4 hours and travel
One-on-one Mentoring (Six One-Hour Sessions with either Lorenna or Shantree)
Two Refresher Courses
Level III encompasses all features of Levels I and II, with additional onsite and mentoring support, and unlimited continuing education. Due to the need for in-depth personal attention, we limit enrollment to four students per course.
For registration in Levels II or III, please contact The Living Centre at info@thelivingcentre.com.
Dates: April 26 - October 20, 2024
(5 weekends)
Price:
$1599 before March 1, 2024
$1799 after March 1, 2024
Plus HST tax
Where: The Living Centre, London, ON.
Please read our Commitment & Cancellation Policy.
Experience a transformative 7-month journey aimed at strengthening your bond with the earth while equipping you with indispensable skills for sustainable living. Delve into a diverse curriculum in our internationally recognized course, which offers 120 hours of comprehensive education, including 72 hours dedicated to Permaculture Design principles and methods, supplemented by 24 hands-on hours and 24 hours of group / independent work.
Engage in a four-season format, enabling integration of learning into practical application, fostering feedback and discussions for a holistic understanding and implementation of all permaculture concepts.
What you’ll learn
Meet your instructors
Lorenna & Shantree
Shantree Kacera, a renowned author and educator, is a leading figure in natural medicine, ecology, and permaculture. His invaluable contributions to wholistic health, herbalism, wild nutrition, ecology, forest gardening, and regeneration make him a widely recognized expert.
Lorenna Bousquet-Kacera is a highly knowledgeable and experienced educator and practitioner specializing in Shamanu: Earth Wisdom Teachings, WomanEarh, wholistic healing and permaculture.
Their unparalleled expertise and unbridled passion for the past 50-years each have significantly contributed to promoting regenerative living practices. Read more
Guest Presenters
Brad Peterson M.L.A., B.Sc., OALA, CSLA is an ecologist, farmer and environmental landscape architect with over 30 years of experience in sustainable land management, environmental design, landscape architecture and permaculture.
Specialization- Brad has particular strength in holistic design and application of permaculture principles for the design and management of sustainable landscapes in the city or countryside. Services include related facets of sustainable property management, tools and practices for landscape Master Planning, Site Design, Detailed Design, Planning Policy development, and LEED Landscape Certification. Brad will guide you in understanding and applying design methods to any project. See www.bradpeterson.ca
John Miller is an electrical engineer who has been following the alternative energy field since his university days. He has a strong background in industrial automation and electrical system. He is current studying renewable energy systems, from solar thermal to geothermal systems. John has completed a PDC and his interests extend to the world of “free energy” as well. What did Tesla know about tapping the energy of the ethers, or Myers in splitting water into hydrogen and running a car on it? He will share his knowledge and insight into the energy that we see as a cornerstone of our future.
Sasha Achtemichuk is the founder of ‘Paradise,’ a two-acre pear orchard at The Living Centre that he has been transforming into an abundant Food Forest. Going from organ tuner to gardener, Sasha, since a child, wanted to be a gardener but didn’t think it was possible. With a little instruction and lots of dedication, he has taken a worn-down orchard and turned it into an abundant garden that allows him to sell fresh and processed goods to the community, and all of this in just three years. Amazing! He will be guiding you through his journey, sharing well-earned successes and challenges.
Testimonials
