The course is broken into 14 modules topics (2-3 per month). Each topic explores the philosophy and application of permaculture design.

These topics are explored within an interactive online learning platform - where you will have the opportunity to collaborate with other learners to extend and deepen your learning. Each topic has an eBook, explanation videos, additional resources, a summary quiz, discussion forum and research task to guide your learning.

The following topics are explored in this course (follow the links below for further information on each).

​Permaculture 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.

The Creative Agent 

• Clarity of purpose: What are your goals and mission.
• Identifying your strengths: What strengths and resources can you leverage to achieve a successful outcome.
• Developing Mastery: What skill sets do you need to develop and what practices will lead you to achieve them.

Value Proposition

• Market analysis: Guides you through a PESTEL analysis of market dynamics and a  5-forces model of competition, to identify market opportunities.
• Target Customer: Identifying the needs of the ideal target customer and how you provide value to them through a value proposition canvas.
• Growth Strategy: Looking at your strategy around lean development, converting prospects and effective communication serving.

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.

Social Permaculture 

• Finding your Tribe: Describes the evolutionary disposition we have to form secure attachment with small group of trusted people from which we derive a sense of connection, fulfill our esteem needs
• Building Community: Explores some of the strategies around forming intentional communities around a shared purpose and navigate some of the challenges to doing this.
• Community Trade: Explores examples of local trade and finance as examples of sharing resources within a community.

EcoHomes 

• Passive solar: Creating warm and light filled homes.
• Natural materials: Utilising the most appropriate natural materials for your site and design.
• Earth ships: Exploring the design and function of self-contained earth ships.

​
​​Aquaponics

• System Designs: Covers the design of ponds, glasshouses and the hardware and strategy to create an integrated aquaponics system
• Health of fish: Looks at the requirements of fish to thrive in your aquaponics system
• Health of Plants: Looks at how to optimise plant growth in an aquaponics system.

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.

Regenerative Agriculture

• Holistic grazing: Management of pastures to promote soil and livestock health
• Nutrition: Looking at livestock condition scoring and planning feed strategies to keep livestock in good health.
• Livestock health: Improving the outcome of calves through feeding, shelter and care.

 

Restoring Natural Systems

• Native biodiversity: Explores the unique and distinctive biodiversity of New Zealand and strategies to protect and restore habitat in areas next to farmland.
• Pest control: Investigating strategies to reduce or eliminate harmful invasive species that threaten native wildlife.
• Rewilding nature: Global strategies to bring nature back and re-connect with it.

 
Design Portfolio 

• Site analysis: Organising your data collected from the course on details of your site.
• Concept sketches: exploring design possibilities within each zone type.
• Final Plan: Guides you through the final design presentation and plan drawing.
• Business Plan: Optional topic on developing a business plan, marketing strategy and pitch canvas for developing a business opportunity from your design.
• Implementation Strategy: Guides you through outlining a growth and development strategy to bring your plan to life.
• Reporting Outcomes: Investigates financial record keeping, measuring farm health and reporting upon financial, social and environmental outcomes to stake holders invested in your project.

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.