Courses

Current courses

Introduction to Permaculture

Introducing a place to design

Permaculture Design is a practical way to create sustainability in your own life. Introductory courses aim to give you a good basic understanding of what Permaculture is and explore how you can start to put it into action. Covering the ethics, philosophy and the nature-inspired principles, with real examples of Permaculture in practice and a mini-design project. Most courses involve indoor and outdoor sessions including nature walks, group activities, talks, slideshows, a visit and practical work.

One result - 'the sensory tea garden'

Get together with others to share common interests and explore how you can start to put Permaculture into action in your own lives. No experience necessary, just an interest in sustainability and working towards it. Taking an introductory course will enable you to go on to do a Full Design Course later.

Permaculture Full Design Course, Stokes Croft, Bristol

The aim of this course is to make studying the 72 hour full design course accessable to everyone. It is affordable and informal, running thursday nights over 12 weeks , with a range of optional visits to all kinds of amazing Permaculture projects around the South West, practical design days and practical gardening related workshops on the weekends during that time. Course participants work towards a creating a real permaculture design in their local community as small groups.

Originally taught by Mike Feingold, it is now led by the Sarah Pugh, with help from Mike, Laura O’Regan and myself. Please visit Sarah’s website for more information (see links).

Mike Feingold

Sarah Pugh

Previous courses

Windmill Hill City Farm, Bedminster, Bristol

Students on the windmill hill course coppicing hazel

Run jointly with the WEA (Workers Educational Association) these 10 week introductory courses are practical and participatory ( you have to get involved!).

We spend some sessions indoors  exploring what Permaculture is, talking about our experiences, doing group exercises, looking at slides of permaculture projects, playing games and generally having fun.

Outdoor sessions are spent out and about on the farm, particularly at the permaculture plot which we have been given to develop. Examples of the kind of practical work the course may involve are making and planting a deep mulch raised bed, taking fruit bush cuttings or making a worm composter to take home. We also go on walks to observe nature in the local area and on a fantastic trip to other community gardens and allotments to see permaculture in action.

Introductory Weekends in the Midlands,

Action 21, Leamington Spa and Transition Stratford & Shipston

Participants on Intro Weekend at Lifeways, Stratford-on-Avon

Transition Shipston (near Stratford on Avon) are helping to organise another weekend Introduction to Permaculture which will be availiable as either a residential or non-residential course. Residential cost £65-£110 sliding scale; non-residential cost £25-£65 sliding scale. Please contact Dave Passingham on 01608 661816 or email: davepassingham@hotmail.com