About the Course
- Enroll now for course starting Feb 2024
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By selecting the design a Permaculture Lifestyle Farm as the outcome of the Ecological Farming Certificate course you will introduced to the world of permaculture design to create functionally complex food producing systems aimed at improving self-sufficiency and food resiliency
The Permaculture Design Course addresses the urgent need for sustainable land-use practices in a world focused on immediate human needs at the expense of the environment. Drawing inspiration from nature's complex systems, permaculture design aims to improve system health and resilience through positive feedback loops and functional diversity.
The course emphasizes the role of humans to utilize the innate design potential within us to re-imagine and re-create our productive landscapes in harmony with nature.
By observing patterns and outcomes, participants identify design principles that reliably produce desired results and align their actions to create regenerative outcomes. Principles such as systems thinking, synergy, and resilience guide the construction of regenerative systems that mirror the functionality and stability of natural ecosystems.
Participants learn to understand the interconnectedness and influence of elements within a system, ensuring effective resource utilization and waste reduction. Synergy between system elements amplifies outcomes, creating a harmonious relationship that benefits the overall system. Resilience, measured through indicators like soil carbon and species diversity, determines the success of the regenerative design.
Throughout the course, participants gain a deep understanding of the relationship between land-use practices, environmental conditions, and the sustainability of human societies. By applying regenerative design principles, they create small farm systems that produce abundant, diverse, and resilient outcomes. The course equips participants with the knowledge and skills to construct regenerative systems that benefit both humans and the environment, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
The Permaculture Design Course addresses the urgent need for sustainable land-use practices in a world focused on immediate human needs at the expense of the environment. Drawing inspiration from nature's complex systems, permaculture design aims to improve system health and resilience through positive feedback loops and functional diversity.
The course emphasizes the role of humans to utilize the innate design potential within us to re-imagine and re-create our productive landscapes in harmony with nature.
By observing patterns and outcomes, participants identify design principles that reliably produce desired results and align their actions to create regenerative outcomes. Principles such as systems thinking, synergy, and resilience guide the construction of regenerative systems that mirror the functionality and stability of natural ecosystems.
Participants learn to understand the interconnectedness and influence of elements within a system, ensuring effective resource utilization and waste reduction. Synergy between system elements amplifies outcomes, creating a harmonious relationship that benefits the overall system. Resilience, measured through indicators like soil carbon and species diversity, determines the success of the regenerative design.
Throughout the course, participants gain a deep understanding of the relationship between land-use practices, environmental conditions, and the sustainability of human societies. By applying regenerative design principles, they create small farm systems that produce abundant, diverse, and resilient outcomes. The course equips participants with the knowledge and skills to construct regenerative systems that benefit both humans and the environment, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
What is Permaculture?
Permaculture is a design philosophy that draws inspiration from natural systems to create productive and harmonious systems. It originated in the 1970s by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren as a sustainable approach to agriculture. Permaculture has since expanded to include social aspects, business strategies, and systems thinking. It focuses on understanding and utilizing energy flows, such as sunlight and rain, to create resilient designs. The key ethics of permaculture are care for the Earth, care for people, and reinvesting surplus to support these ethics. Permaculture designs emphasize the interconnection and multiple benefits of each element, mimicking the complexity and stability of natural ecosystems.
Modules of Course
For more information about the core modules in this course - follow the links below:
You can also select one specialty topic that relates best to your design goals:
(you can enroll in extra topics separately also)
- Regenerative Design Principles
- Topography and Mapping
- Climate Adaptation
- Water Quality
- Creating Healthy Soil
- Biodiversity on Farms
- Market Analysis
- Site Analysis
You can also select one specialty topic that relates best to your design goals:
(you can enroll in extra topics separately also)
Testimonials:
"I have really enjoyed this Permaculture Design Certificate and adding to my knowledge base. There are some areas that are not as pertinent to me living in suburbia, such as rotational grazing – they are, however, interesting to learn about. One module I didn’t think I would be interested in was Aquaponics – I really enjoyed it and thought it would be fun to experiment on a small scale in the future. Doing the course has helped me see some areas through new eyes. As well as gaining knowledge a large part of the reason for completing the PDC course was to help me know how to plan and work with any property we purchase in the future. Whilst looking at property listings I have had more awareness of things to look for – such as where the sun angles are, where do the winds come from, what is the topography like. I have a better understanding of where to go to find information should I need it. Whilst viewing a listing of a potential property recently we discovered it has a stream running through it. I was able to locate flood plain maps on the local district council website and ascertain the area was not in danger of flooding – something I may not have thought to do prior to doing this course." - Alison 2023
"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
"I have really enjoyed this Permaculture Design Certificate and adding to my knowledge base. There are some areas that are not as pertinent to me living in suburbia, such as rotational grazing – they are, however, interesting to learn about. One module I didn’t think I would be interested in was Aquaponics – I really enjoyed it and thought it would be fun to experiment on a small scale in the future. Doing the course has helped me see some areas through new eyes. As well as gaining knowledge a large part of the reason for completing the PDC course was to help me know how to plan and work with any property we purchase in the future. Whilst looking at property listings I have had more awareness of things to look for – such as where the sun angles are, where do the winds come from, what is the topography like. I have a better understanding of where to go to find information should I need it. Whilst viewing a listing of a potential property recently we discovered it has a stream running through it. I was able to locate flood plain maps on the local district council website and ascertain the area was not in danger of flooding – something I may not have thought to do prior to doing this course." - Alison 2023
"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
Examples from past students:
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