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AGR171: Permaculture Design I: Design Principles
May 10 to 27, 2021 Number of credits: 3 Prerequisite: None Instructor: Prof. Jenifer Downing Course Description: This course introduces students to permaculture design principles. Derived from "permanent agriculture", permaculture is the design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems. Permaculture is a multidisciplinary approach that utilizes systems thinking, as well as landscape design techniques, to create plans for food production, water use, energy use and habitat that mimic patterns observed in nature. Permaculture designs must be deeply rooted in the particular place in which they occur: geography, ecology, climate, culture, economy, and the needs and priorities of the resident human community. Permaculture is applicable to a wide range of places, such as urban lots, schoolyards, municipal parks, and rural farms all over the planet, so students will be well-equipped to apply these principles in a variety of socio-economic and environmental contexts. This course follows a standard worldwide format. Students who successfully complete AGR171 and AGR172 will obtain the internationally-recognized "Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC)". |
AGR172: Permaculture Design II: Design Projects
May 31 to June 17, 2021 Number of credits: 3 Prerequisite: AGR171 Instructor: Prof. Jenifer Downing Course Description: AGR172 is a follow-up course to AGR171. Permaculture is an integrated design system for human food production, water and energy use, modeled on nature. AGR172 is a continuation and deepening of the design principles and applications covered in AGR171. Students in AGR172 will perform various permaculture design practices in a variety of settings, for various needs. The course involves hands-on work, in the lab and in the field, and requires completion of a significant design project. Students who complete both AGR171 and AGR172 will obtain an internationally-recognized “Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC)”, enabling them to work as a certified permaculturalist. A small extra fee is required for the certificate diploma. |
What is Permaculture Design? click on this image to view a 7-minute video
A quote: "In fact, Permaculture is like a new software allowing us to invent the world of tomorrow."
More Permaculture Design Resources (click on them):
- A 4-minute video featuring Bill Mollison and David Holmgren (co-founders of permaculture)
- Permaculture (Wikipedia)
- Permaculture Research Institute website
- A list of the Top Ten Permaculture books
What is the difference between "Permaculture Design" and "Organic Gardening"?
Great question! In short, permaculture looks at a variety of planning designs for food, water, shelter, energy, etc., based on natural patterns, and is not limited to organic food production. So it is a broader topic than organic gardening, but very complementary to it.
Hence, we encourage you to take BOTH organic gardening courses and permaculture design courses if you can.
For some different perspectives on that question, check out these sites...
The instructor for AGR171 and AGR172 (Permaculture Design Certificate), Dr. Jennifer Downing, is an internationally-certified permaculture designer.
Great question! In short, permaculture looks at a variety of planning designs for food, water, shelter, energy, etc., based on natural patterns, and is not limited to organic food production. So it is a broader topic than organic gardening, but very complementary to it.
Hence, we encourage you to take BOTH organic gardening courses and permaculture design courses if you can.
For some different perspectives on that question, check out these sites...
- http://www.weekendgardener.net/vegetable-gardening-tips/sustainable-110711.htm
- https://www.b2bio.bio/en/noticias-productos-ecologicos/difference-between-organic-gardening-and-permaculture
- https://www.permaculturevisions.com/the-difference-between-organic-farming-and-permaculture/
The instructor for AGR171 and AGR172 (Permaculture Design Certificate), Dr. Jennifer Downing, is an internationally-certified permaculture designer.
Dear students:
Being trained in permaculture design helps you become an active part of creative, innovative, and resilient solutions to our sustainability challenges, rather than just studying the world's environmental problems. It changes how you think and act!
If you are planning to take these courses, please drop me a note, for planning purposes.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me here
Cheers,
D. Bardati
Being trained in permaculture design helps you become an active part of creative, innovative, and resilient solutions to our sustainability challenges, rather than just studying the world's environmental problems. It changes how you think and act!
If you are planning to take these courses, please drop me a note, for planning purposes.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me here
Cheers,
D. Bardati
