About the Course
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Welcome to Regenpreneur's Permaculture Design Certificate Course, an engaging 10-month online journey designed to immerse participants in the principles of permaculture and sustainable land management. This course focuses on creating diverse food-producing systems that enhance self-sufficiency and bolster food resilience, addressing the pressing need for sustainable land-use practices. Participants will draw inspiration from nature's intricate systems, learning to reshape landscapes in harmony with ecological rhythms while cultivating a deep understanding of regenerative outcomes.
Throughout the course, learners will benefit from a vibrant online community that fosters active engagement and collaborative problem-solving. The structure integrates theoretical learning with practical applications through interactive eBooks, comprehensive video lectures, and discussions within dedicated forums. Participants will engage in hands-on tasks at their chosen sites, sharing their experiences and insights with peers to enrich their understanding of permaculture design principles. This approach ensures that theoretical knowledge is seamlessly connected to real-world applications.
The course culminates in a final design portfolio, where participants showcase their understanding of permaculture principles and their ability to apply them to real-world contexts. By optimising resource use and minimising waste, learners will develop practical skills essential for navigating the complexities of sustainable agriculture and land management. Join us at Regenpreneur to embark on a transformative learning journey that equips you with the knowledge and skills to contribute positively to the environment and community.
of harmonizing human activities with ecological systems.
Throughout the course, learners will benefit from a vibrant online community that fosters active engagement and collaborative problem-solving. The structure integrates theoretical learning with practical applications through interactive eBooks, comprehensive video lectures, and discussions within dedicated forums. Participants will engage in hands-on tasks at their chosen sites, sharing their experiences and insights with peers to enrich their understanding of permaculture design principles. This approach ensures that theoretical knowledge is seamlessly connected to real-world applications.
The course culminates in a final design portfolio, where participants showcase their understanding of permaculture principles and their ability to apply them to real-world contexts. By optimising resource use and minimising waste, learners will develop practical skills essential for navigating the complexities of sustainable agriculture and land management. Join us at Regenpreneur to embark on a transformative learning journey that equips you with the knowledge and skills to contribute positively to the environment and community.
of harmonizing human activities with ecological systems.
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
Regenerative Design Principles: Explore foundational concepts that guide sustainable design, focusing on understanding patterns, outcomes, and principles such as systems thinking, synergy, and resilience to construct regenerative systems.
Topography and Mapping: Learn how to analyse land features and create accurate maps that inform design decisions, aiding in effective resource allocation and land use planning.
Climate Adaptation: Understand strategies for adapting permaculture practices to changing climate conditions, ensuring resilience and sustainability across diverse environments.
Water Quality: Assess water resources, learn management techniques, and understand the role of water quality in maintaining healthy ecosystems and sustainable farming practices.
Creating Healthy Soil: Discover practices that enhance soil health and fertility, including organic amendments, composting, and techniques for building soil structure and microbial activity.
Biodiversity on Farms: Learn the importance of biodiversity in creating resilient ecosystems, focusing on the integration of various plant and animal species to enhance productivity and ecological balance.
Market Analysis: Understand market dynamics and consumer behaviour, enabling participants to align production strategies with market needs and identify opportunities for sustainable agribusiness.
Site Analysis
Conduct thorough evaluations of land, including studying zones, sectors, and slopes to inform sustainable design choices and ensure effective resource utilisation.
Permaculture Garden: Explore the principles and practices of designing and maintaining a permaculture garden, focusing on sustainable planting, companion planting, and effective resource use to create a productive and self-sustaining ecosystem.
Permaculture Orchard: Learn how to design and manage a permaculture orchard that integrates fruit trees, shrubs, and herbs in a way that enhances biodiversity and soil health while maximising yields and minimising input costs.
Holistic Silvopasture: Discover how to integrate trees, livestock, and forage in a sustainable system that improves land productivity and animal welfare, while providing environmental benefits such as carbon sequestration and enhanced biodiversity.
Aquaculture: Understand sustainable fish farming practices, focusing on ecosystem balance, water management, and integrating aquaculture with other farming systems for improved productivity and environmental health.
Topography and Mapping: Learn how to analyse land features and create accurate maps that inform design decisions, aiding in effective resource allocation and land use planning.
Climate Adaptation: Understand strategies for adapting permaculture practices to changing climate conditions, ensuring resilience and sustainability across diverse environments.
Water Quality: Assess water resources, learn management techniques, and understand the role of water quality in maintaining healthy ecosystems and sustainable farming practices.
Creating Healthy Soil: Discover practices that enhance soil health and fertility, including organic amendments, composting, and techniques for building soil structure and microbial activity.
Biodiversity on Farms: Learn the importance of biodiversity in creating resilient ecosystems, focusing on the integration of various plant and animal species to enhance productivity and ecological balance.
Market Analysis: Understand market dynamics and consumer behaviour, enabling participants to align production strategies with market needs and identify opportunities for sustainable agribusiness.
Site Analysis
Conduct thorough evaluations of land, including studying zones, sectors, and slopes to inform sustainable design choices and ensure effective resource utilisation.
Permaculture Garden: Explore the principles and practices of designing and maintaining a permaculture garden, focusing on sustainable planting, companion planting, and effective resource use to create a productive and self-sustaining ecosystem.
Permaculture Orchard: Learn how to design and manage a permaculture orchard that integrates fruit trees, shrubs, and herbs in a way that enhances biodiversity and soil health while maximising yields and minimising input costs.
Holistic Silvopasture: Discover how to integrate trees, livestock, and forage in a sustainable system that improves land productivity and animal welfare, while providing environmental benefits such as carbon sequestration and enhanced biodiversity.
Aquaculture: Understand sustainable fish farming practices, focusing on ecosystem balance, water management, and integrating aquaculture with other farming systems for improved productivity and environmental health.
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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