For an introduction to Permaculture design try our free masterclass below
A Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) takes you on a design journey for creating regenerative systems. The goal of the PDC programme is to develop a new way of seeing the world - often called the 'permaculture lens'. This new perspective positions you as the creative agent in charge of the outcomes you get from life and empowers you with the skillset to achieve your mission and goals.
Our course is distinctive in that it incorporates aspects of harnessing your personal strengths to create business opportunities on your farm enterprise for supporting your livelihood.
Upon graduation from the course you will have a functional permaculture design and implementation strategy to create your small farm or backyard garden. Enrolment in the course introduces you to a like-minded learning community, to explore concepts involved in the application of permaculture design.
The course is broken into 9 online modules, each exploring the philosophy and application of permaculture design. Within each module you will have the opportunity to collaborate with other learners to extend and deepen your learning. Topics are explored within eBooks, explanation videos, quizzes, discussion forums and online classroom chats. You also have the opportunity to explore topics deeper through research tasks.
Outcomes:
The following topics are explored in this course (follow the links below for further information on each).
Regenerative Design
Site Analysis
Site Dynamics
Building Soil
Annual Garden
Perennial Orchard
Holistic Grazing
Natural Habitats
Design Portfolio
Graduation
Completion of the PDC course depends upon the submission of the design portfolio.
Upon successful completion, you will be awarded a Permaculture Design Certificate from Regenpreneur - recognised by Permaculture in New Zealand.
Our course is distinctive in that it incorporates aspects of harnessing your personal strengths to create business opportunities on your farm enterprise for supporting your livelihood.
Upon graduation from the course you will have a functional permaculture design and implementation strategy to create your small farm or backyard garden. Enrolment in the course introduces you to a like-minded learning community, to explore concepts involved in the application of permaculture design.
The course is broken into 9 online modules, each exploring the philosophy and application of permaculture design. Within each module you will have the opportunity to collaborate with other learners to extend and deepen your learning. Topics are explored within eBooks, explanation videos, quizzes, discussion forums and online classroom chats. You also have the opportunity to explore topics deeper through research tasks.
Outcomes:
- Understanding of philosophy and application of permaculture design
- Site analysis and mapping
- Farm design (free access to VectorWorks design software if required)
- Design implementation strategy
The following topics are explored in this course (follow the links below for further information on each).
Regenerative Design
- Patterns: Understanding the patterns of natural systems and how they can be applied to agricultural and urban settings.
- Principles: Exploring the principles at the heart of permaculture design philosophy that guide you towards successful outcomes.
- Healthy ecosystems: How an understanding of the healthy function of ecosystems can guide our approach to design.
Site Analysis
- Mapping: How to create base maps for your design work and understanding your site.
- Sector analysis: Looking at how energy dynamics (light, views, wind etc.) impact what elements to place where on your site.
- Zone maps: Dividing up the property into different production unit types.
Site Dynamics
- Topography: The impact of slope, aspect and catchment dynamics on your site.
- Water: Investigating the dynamics of water flow and how it can be harnessed to support production.
- Micro-climates: Utilising and optimising site characteristics to create beneficial micro-climates.
Building Soil
- Soil building: Tools and techniques for creating healthy soil
- Properties: Exploring the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil.
- Protecting Soil: Looking at techniques to minimise soil compaction and erosion.
Annual Garden
- Garden Design: Looking at the philosophy and application of permaculture in the home garden.
- Managing Practices: Explores the management of pests and weeds and optimising soil fertility through biological controls, organic sprays, companion planting and rotation of plants.
- Collecting seeds: Techniques to select for beneficial traits, collect seeds and propagate plants.
Perennial Orchard
- Orchard design: Companion planting of mutually beneficial species and good examples for NZ conditions.
- Incorporating animals: Successfully incorporating small fowl into an orchard.
- Propagation techniques: Methods to produce cheap trees, shrubs, herbs and other perennials at home.
Holistic Grazing
- Broadacre Farm: Broadacre Farming is a term applied to large scale agricultural production, which in New Zealand is most commonly pastoral farming. This module explores the context of pastoral farming in New Zealand, possible developments of this farming type and how permaculture ideas of diversification and inter- connectedness can be applied to make these systems more robust and sustainable.
- Grazer Biology: Grazing is a method of feeding in which a herbivore feeds on plants such as grasses, or other multicellular organisms such as algae.
- Pasture Management: Establishing a diverse range of grasses and herbs in your pasture (associated with planting of tree crops) provide a optimal environment for a wide range of domestic grazers.
Natural Habitats
- Zone 5: A wilderness area that has little intervention by people except for foraging or hunting and perhaps in New Zealand, pest and weed control.
- Native Biodiversity: Explores the unique and distinctive biodiversity of New Zealand and strategies to protect and restore habitat in areas next to farmland.
- Re-wilding Nature: Global strategies to bring nature back and re-connect with it.
Design Portfolio
- Concept sketches: exploring design possibilities within each zone type.
- Final Plan: Guides you through the final design presentation and plan drawing.
- Implementation Strategy: Guides you through outlining a growth and development strategy to bring your plan to life.
Graduation
- Feedback and revisions on submission
- PDC certificate awarded
Completion of the PDC course depends upon the submission of the design portfolio.
Upon successful completion, you will be awarded a Permaculture Design Certificate from Regenpreneur - recognised by Permaculture in New Zealand.
Testimonials
"Today I officially conclude my 1 year studies in permaculture. Wearing these new pair of lenses has been a journey of observation, taking in a lot of information and breath them out to find my own pace, understanding and creative interpretation of all. I've been blessed with the opportunity to trialing my learnings directly on a whenua which I called my "playground" for a few months; not without challenges, but mostly receiving healing and great feedback from the land itself. Permaculture is not just about growing food but it's a way of living, thinking, planning and flowing in all aspects of life. Today I dedicate this achievement to my grandmothers ko āu te whenua, ko āu te oneone, ko te whenua ko āu, ngā tangata! Special thanks to my mentor, Richard Pedley" - Francesca 2023
"When I started my journey in permaculture at the beginning of this year, I did not know much about it, except that it was a way to improve the soil and do less harm to the land. Well I have since had the privilege of gaining a deeper understanding of what Permaculture is, and what it is not. Permaculture design provides a pathway to mitigate and reverse the damage created from current land-use practices, through the regeneration of these agricultural and urban ecosystems. Regeneration is far more than simple renewal or restoration. It calls for the integration of aspects of ourselves as designers and as human beings. It demands that we reunite the art and science of design because we cannot succeed at sustainability if we fail to acknowledge human aspiration and will as the ultimate sustaining source of our activities. Throughout the course I have learnt how various systems impact on each other, and the approach guides us to mimic the patterns and relationships we find in nature, and in using the principles and ethics, I can improve my wellbeing and that of my family and environment. My goal is to use the knowledge gained, and to become self-sustaining in 5 years, to produce enough food for my family to eat, and yield a surplus in which to earn additional income." - Cecilia 2022
"When I started this online PDC last August, I really had no idea how far it would take me. What I initially wanted to get out of the course is to learn as much as I can about Permaculture, which I can further that knowledge to gain mastery, and then finally to make the world a better place for everyone. I didn’t come from a farming nor agricultural background. In fact, I second-guessed myself all the time because I can’t even get that plant I got for my office to survive. But I was different then, and I'm different now. I've learnt the importance of upskilling myself through knowledge that will push light onto those dark spaces of unknownness. Nothing is more liberating than a curious mind with an appetite for knowledge. In the end, what I got out of this PDC is really so much more. I went further than what I envisioned it to be like in the beginning, and as a result I was able to see things beyond what I could’ve ever imagined. The experience has also given me an insight into realizing my true potential, and that although the intent of this journey has everything to do with learning about permaculture; the real transformation is in coming back full circle on growth and resilience through a self-determination and reflective learning process: in other words, the biggest change; is me." - Dina 2022
"The Regenpreneur Online Permaculture Design Certificate is wonderfully comprehensive. I was impressed with the scope and depth of the topics and the ability to learn more through links to further resources – this lead to going down some great rabbit-holes as one idea lead to another. I’m well armed with lots of great material I will use again and again. The online format was great. I was able to do it in my own time and pace to suit my lifestyle and workload, yet had great support available. Richard has really good in-depth knowledge as a practitioner, but also as a teacher – his lectures were well structured and clear. Richard was very responsive to my questions and the Zoom sessions were useful for consolidating the learning, as well as getting to know the other participants and their amazing projects. If you want to do a PDC but don’t want a residential course, want to have a NZ focus to your learning, and have access to a great teacher, this is the PDC for you. I’m glad I chose this course over any other." Jackie 2021
"Richard has constructed this assignments in a way that requires deep thought, research, foresight and imagination. There is a lot of "intention" in permaculture, which I feel is the opposite of what I've experienced in my western, white, culture where it's all about speed, on-timeness, productivity, profit, not to mention forcing our will on Mother Nature. With the PDC we're being challenged to change our mode of thinking, to consider the future, to work with Nature, learn from her, assist and enhance what she knows and what we're only just beginning to understand. Permaculture is making me something of an outlier as I even find myself at odds with what in America are called "Master Gardeners." There are touches of permaculture in their methods but not to the extent that Richard has introduced us to. So take heart. We are venturing into uncharted waters and that cannot be a fast, superficial or even friendly process. I find I have to constantly let go my expectations, remember that knowledge is fluid, and that I need to stay open to change. Our practice is to slow down, observe (and persuade others working with us to do the same!) and really see what is there and what possibilities and potential that "there" presents in the now and in terms of a legacy." Jane 2021
"My interest in permaculture was sparked at a Transition Towns presentation over a decade ago. The ethics and lens through which to view the world, resonated with my own sense of ‘appropriate living’. I have thoroughly enjoyed working through the Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) modules and being challenged to learn and deepen my knowledge. I am particularly interested in how permaculture principles can be applied to all aspects of life and society, beyond the aspects of gardening and farming". Ruth 2021
"I too am fairly new to Permaculture and I completely understand when you say the possibilities can feel very overwhelming at first! I also suffered a bit from a reluctance to start anything in case I somehow 'got it wrong'. This was before I realised there is always the opportunity to adapt. Try something that feels right and then observe the outcomes. You can always amend as you go. I also decided to start with very small areas of my property (which is already small I think as a suburban garden!) but this really helped me to focus on one area/thing at a time. I do also find the idea of putting together a full scale plan a bit daunting... but like Richard says, take all the learning and ideas from the individual modules and weave them together. It doesn't have to be perfect... Permaculture is more about evolution and patterns I think anyway... well for me it is. I think we can take a deep breath and we will journey there. The intentions are good and so I believe the outcome will also be so." - Saskia 2021
"Studying for a PDC online with Regenpreneur was the only way for me, as working from home, raising a family and living in rural isolation on a tight budget has meant doing a residential course was always going to be difficult. I have been a student of permaculture and organic practices for over 20 years but the level of the Regenpreneur PDC was academic, wide-ranging and professional. The modular system is well thought out, allowing a logical progression at your own pace. Highly recommended." Lee 2018
"When I started my journey in permaculture at the beginning of this year, I did not know much about it, except that it was a way to improve the soil and do less harm to the land. Well I have since had the privilege of gaining a deeper understanding of what Permaculture is, and what it is not. Permaculture design provides a pathway to mitigate and reverse the damage created from current land-use practices, through the regeneration of these agricultural and urban ecosystems. Regeneration is far more than simple renewal or restoration. It calls for the integration of aspects of ourselves as designers and as human beings. It demands that we reunite the art and science of design because we cannot succeed at sustainability if we fail to acknowledge human aspiration and will as the ultimate sustaining source of our activities. Throughout the course I have learnt how various systems impact on each other, and the approach guides us to mimic the patterns and relationships we find in nature, and in using the principles and ethics, I can improve my wellbeing and that of my family and environment. My goal is to use the knowledge gained, and to become self-sustaining in 5 years, to produce enough food for my family to eat, and yield a surplus in which to earn additional income." - Cecilia 2022
"When I started this online PDC last August, I really had no idea how far it would take me. What I initially wanted to get out of the course is to learn as much as I can about Permaculture, which I can further that knowledge to gain mastery, and then finally to make the world a better place for everyone. I didn’t come from a farming nor agricultural background. In fact, I second-guessed myself all the time because I can’t even get that plant I got for my office to survive. But I was different then, and I'm different now. I've learnt the importance of upskilling myself through knowledge that will push light onto those dark spaces of unknownness. Nothing is more liberating than a curious mind with an appetite for knowledge. In the end, what I got out of this PDC is really so much more. I went further than what I envisioned it to be like in the beginning, and as a result I was able to see things beyond what I could’ve ever imagined. The experience has also given me an insight into realizing my true potential, and that although the intent of this journey has everything to do with learning about permaculture; the real transformation is in coming back full circle on growth and resilience through a self-determination and reflective learning process: in other words, the biggest change; is me." - Dina 2022
"The Regenpreneur Online Permaculture Design Certificate is wonderfully comprehensive. I was impressed with the scope and depth of the topics and the ability to learn more through links to further resources – this lead to going down some great rabbit-holes as one idea lead to another. I’m well armed with lots of great material I will use again and again. The online format was great. I was able to do it in my own time and pace to suit my lifestyle and workload, yet had great support available. Richard has really good in-depth knowledge as a practitioner, but also as a teacher – his lectures were well structured and clear. Richard was very responsive to my questions and the Zoom sessions were useful for consolidating the learning, as well as getting to know the other participants and their amazing projects. If you want to do a PDC but don’t want a residential course, want to have a NZ focus to your learning, and have access to a great teacher, this is the PDC for you. I’m glad I chose this course over any other." Jackie 2021
"Richard has constructed this assignments in a way that requires deep thought, research, foresight and imagination. There is a lot of "intention" in permaculture, which I feel is the opposite of what I've experienced in my western, white, culture where it's all about speed, on-timeness, productivity, profit, not to mention forcing our will on Mother Nature. With the PDC we're being challenged to change our mode of thinking, to consider the future, to work with Nature, learn from her, assist and enhance what she knows and what we're only just beginning to understand. Permaculture is making me something of an outlier as I even find myself at odds with what in America are called "Master Gardeners." There are touches of permaculture in their methods but not to the extent that Richard has introduced us to. So take heart. We are venturing into uncharted waters and that cannot be a fast, superficial or even friendly process. I find I have to constantly let go my expectations, remember that knowledge is fluid, and that I need to stay open to change. Our practice is to slow down, observe (and persuade others working with us to do the same!) and really see what is there and what possibilities and potential that "there" presents in the now and in terms of a legacy." Jane 2021
"My interest in permaculture was sparked at a Transition Towns presentation over a decade ago. The ethics and lens through which to view the world, resonated with my own sense of ‘appropriate living’. I have thoroughly enjoyed working through the Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) modules and being challenged to learn and deepen my knowledge. I am particularly interested in how permaculture principles can be applied to all aspects of life and society, beyond the aspects of gardening and farming". Ruth 2021
"I too am fairly new to Permaculture and I completely understand when you say the possibilities can feel very overwhelming at first! I also suffered a bit from a reluctance to start anything in case I somehow 'got it wrong'. This was before I realised there is always the opportunity to adapt. Try something that feels right and then observe the outcomes. You can always amend as you go. I also decided to start with very small areas of my property (which is already small I think as a suburban garden!) but this really helped me to focus on one area/thing at a time. I do also find the idea of putting together a full scale plan a bit daunting... but like Richard says, take all the learning and ideas from the individual modules and weave them together. It doesn't have to be perfect... Permaculture is more about evolution and patterns I think anyway... well for me it is. I think we can take a deep breath and we will journey there. The intentions are good and so I believe the outcome will also be so." - Saskia 2021
"Studying for a PDC online with Regenpreneur was the only way for me, as working from home, raising a family and living in rural isolation on a tight budget has meant doing a residential course was always going to be difficult. I have been a student of permaculture and organic practices for over 20 years but the level of the Regenpreneur PDC was academic, wide-ranging and professional. The modular system is well thought out, allowing a logical progression at your own pace. Highly recommended." Lee 2018
Examples of Student Work
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