In June, students underwent the PRI’s first Urban Landscape Design Course which aimed at formulating the skills required to successfully transfer the theoretical knowledge of Permaculture into a professional, efficient and effective small business operation. The course was an intensive 5-day, 12hr per day immersion into the world of professional consultancy and project management. The course offered students hands-on experience with a design project, building skills that can be translated into other areas such as aid work or paid work in either urban or rural environments, or even taking away the practical experience to better develop your own place.

 WATCH OUR YOUTUBE MOVIE OF THE COURSE IN ACTION..... < HERE!!!

One of the biggest opportunities that presents itself in this field is the capacity for the expansion of Permaculture based knowledge into the professional arena. Teaching students how to make the transition between understanding the concepts of Permaculture design and implementing these concepts into the actual world, where proficiency in organisation, planning, communication and resource management are essential, was the central objective of the course.

Over the five days students were engaged into a real life consultancy and construction project at the Arts Factory in Byron Bay — the backpacker’s institution famous for being the place to chill out and relax, gathering travelers together from all around the globe for over 35 years. Byron Bay has several beaches which are popular for surfing and is popular with both domestic and international tourists. It’s a Mecca for backpackers, who travel along the Australian coast, enjoying the wonderful scenery and outdoor activities on offer, such as sky diving, offshore fishing and magical beaches. The area is also noted for its wildlife, with the whale watching industry a significant contributor to the local economy.

Arts Factory Backpackers Lodge, Byron Bay

Thousands of backpackers pass through the Arts Factory each year, so what better spot to establish a food garden and teach prospective Permaculture students how to grow their own food and establish themselves as more conscious and ethical members of our global community. And, like most people traveling on a budget, money must be spent wisely so each guest staying at the factory now has the opportunity to get involved with propagation and maintenance in direct exchange for the fresh, nutrient-dense, chemical-free food flourishing right out of the garden beds. What better way to satisfy the soul of a weary earth explorer?!

Each guest staying at the Arts Factory has been contributing $1 per stay to an eco-fund which helped pay for all the materials and plants for the garden. PRI Staff and students contributed time to learn the art of project management and Permaculture garden installation first hand.

The design for the kitchen garden was created during the last PRI internship and combined a series of raised garden beds, a small intensive fruit forest, herb spiral, food tower and even a lovely little picnic table area where you can hang out and enjoy a cup of hot lemon grass tea cut right from within hand’s reach!

A large part of the design philosophy was for us to start looking more consciously at the way we source our food. By producing more food on site we are able to not only produce more vital and healthy fare, but also dramatically decrease costs of production and supply, eliminating the need for transport and other unnecessary waste of valuable resources.

After visiting the site on the first day to survey the scene, the class looked at what would be the most important information to include in the design portfolio document that is presented to the client. Like all good communication this document is to inform, instruct and guide the client through the creation of the garden and its evolution, providing specific information about each element of the design including climate and zone analysis, water, energy and waste systems, composting and worm farm, plant lists and maintenance. A detailed graphic illustration was then produced to provide the visual picture of the master plan, which provides both the client and the crack team of students with a clear vision of what needs to be achieved.

Back in the classroom, we began focusing more closely on small business planning and management, looking at marketing, networking, determination of costs and the specific process involved in undergoing a Permaculture consultancy.

We really broke down what it means to be a consultant, pulled it apart and looked at things like how to make first contact with the client, what kind of questions to ask in order to obtain the essentials before setting foot on site, assembling quotes for consultations, design elements, garden construction and other necessary considerations.

The question that 95% of the students had was “How do you know what to charge and what things cost?” This is where we spent a lot of time breaking down what will be done during the installation, making profit estimations, time management analysis, specific material identification and allocation of resources. This type of analysis goes for all aspects of the course, with students breaking down each element to determine its true value.

The remaining two and a half days were spent getting our hands dirty — yes, even me.

The first task on-site was to setup an effective work process with the students and put a structure in place. A designer was appointed, who was responsible for taking the design from paper to practice, instructing the project manager on general design elements and layout and making smart choices on the run if the design doesn’t go exactly according to plan. The designer is also responsible for all interaction and communication with the client. The Project Manager (PM) is responsible for overseeing the construction of the garden and scheduling specific work tasks. Whether in Aid work or pAid work, time is money and the budget must be kept in check. The PM is responsible for delegating tasks to the foreperson of each work task and ensuring that tasks are being completed efficiently and to satisfactory standards. The foreperson (FP) is responsible for managing small intensive teams of workers who provide the labour to construct the garden.

With all that said and done I could get on with the some dirty work of laboring for 2.5 days, talking with students and taking a real interest in their life so as to provide specific advice to their ambitions. Whilst it was bloody hard work, the installation is more of a social experiment on how people can work together and get positive outcomes in an organised working environment.

On the last day we had Brisbane Permaculture designer and businessman Tim Auld from allyoucaneatgardens.com.au come along. Tim gave the students an interesting talk on the evolution of his business and what his experiences have been since starting.

Five days passes by quick and we packed a lot in. Students walked away with the necessary tools to start their own business the following Monday, receiving a full colour design presentation and plan of the project completed during the week to use as an example of their experience for future projects. They had hands on experience with the garden installation, compiling quotes for consultations, designs and implementation and a treasure trove of computer files specific to Permaculture business operations, with templates to hit the ground running and be quoting straight away.

Talking & teaching Permaculture business is my passion, touching base with students long after the course has finished to keep the network and support together. We all need that network and support to keep us, even me, focused on our goals and tasks at hand.

If you’re serious about a career in Permaculture business, then signing up for the October 31st 2011 Urban Permaculture Landscape Design Course at the PRI is a must.

We can tip the balance and really make a difference in people’s lives by teaching them how to live within their means and increasing the health of their families by growing their own nutrient-dense, chemical-free food with your professional guidance.

It really pains me to talk with Permaculturalist that tell me they have to go and work forMonsanto during the week to pay for their Permaculture lifestyle. How is that sustainable? Sounds more like a hobby to me, not a lifestyle. I know I keep ranting about this in different articles I have written, but let’s make a choice. There are, give or take, 6,981,372,139 people in the world as I type this. Can we say there is not enough work to go around?