A Cooperative Program Between Midwest Permaculture and Center for Sustainable Community

Just Posted – Apply Now – Accepting Qualified Students as Applications Arrive

Get a Foundational Permaculture Education with Hands-on Experience
Join us for a 3, 4 or 5 week spring, summer, or fall internship session to learn an amazing amount about permaculture while getting plenty of hands-on experience as we begin to implement our 8.7-acre Permaculture Design. 

Sessions for 2013
Choose from one (or more) of the following sessions:

What is Included in Each Internship:

• A Permaculture Design Course with Certificate (unless you already have one)
• Emphasis in education with hands-on experiences
• All food and camping space
• One-on-one design assistance with your own project (if you wish)
• The experience of living and participating in a vibrant community

About our Program
Join our community in the midst of transition—with many minds and hands working together—building resources for resilience and abundant living.  On the heels of a Permaculture Design Course, you will join us and become part of the force of the community, in day-to-day work and in bringing to life our permaculture design on the 8.7-acre property of the Center for Sustainable Community (CSC).

Purpose
The purpose of this program is to combine formal training (via a Permaculture Design Course) with practical experience in implementing a permaculture design, growing food, and homesteading with the community.  Interns will leave with an internationally-recognized PDC Certificate and have the added option of spending time working on their own projects (both land-based and social projects) with coaching from our lead teachers. 

Participants will work hard, share in the bounty they help to create, and emerge with a much higher level of competency and confidence in their life skills and understanding of the applicability of permaculture in their lives and communities.

Specifics
This program is based in rural Stelle, IL for periods of 3-6 weeks (see below).  Structurally, Stelle is a typical suburban town; socially, it attracts those with an enthusiasm for sustainable design, solar energy, lifelong learning, and co-operative enterprises.  It was designed in the 1970’s as an intentional community; in 1982, Stelle restructured as an open, conventional homeowner’s association, as it is today.  The non-profit, Center for Sustainable Community, and business, Midwest Permaculture, are both based in Stelle, and have partnered to create the internship program.

The first week of the program will be a Permaculture Design Course taught through Midwest Permaculture.  Our PDC courses include 10-25 students and cover the foundations of permaculture design as well as some in-depth discussions.  For more information about Permaculture Design Courses, click here.  Those already holding certification in the form of a PDC are eligible to take the course at a reduced rate (see below) or opt to arrive after the PDC has ended.

Following the course, interns will move into planning and preparation for the hands-on portion in the following weeks; we will try to focus your involvement in projects based on your interests and talents.  For instance, if your interest lies in broiler chickens, we will plan to focus your efforts in that area.  The CSC has set several goals to accomplish during the year, so the hands-on period will include work in any of the following areas:

• Caretaking, harvesting, and seed collecting with our community-supported farm
• Building a bath house out of natural materials with rocket mass hot water heater and composting toilets
• Taking part in a chicken co-op, from brooding to holistic grazing to on-site harvest
• Converting an orchard into a food forest by planting, mulching, and earthworks

While your work will focus on two or three areas, we will educate you on all of these projects—why we’re doing them, how they’re going to work, and what will be needed to accomplish them.  For more information on the CSC design, click here.  During this time, your hours will be task-based and irregular depending on what needs to be done that week; we ensure weekly days off for everyone’s health, safety and good spirits.

Part of the Community
As part of the Stelle community, interns will also be involved in our efforts to share resources and build resilience and skill sets.  We cultivate both traditional homesteading skills (canning, fermenting, brewing, beekeeping, and baking/cooking) and modern homesteading skills (website development, social media outreach, and video and film production).  You will have an inside look at what is involved in running a non-profit organization with invitations to all events, gatherings, and possibly some conferences.  We also look forward to learning from what you might have to contribute!

The Fees Charged for this Internship
The emphasis of our internships are educational and include hands-on experience.  Our students are not left out in a field to weed all day. What we charge for this educational opportunity is based on what it costs us for your stay here, including all food, camping space, water, electricity (internet), staff support, and maintenance supplies.  The rates are based on space for camping; housing in a private room in Stelle is available for an additional $75 per week. In special circumstances, we can discuss payments and time frame modification; call Becky at Midwest Permaculture (815-256-2215).

Already Earned Your PDC Certificate?
PDC graduates are eligible to take a course for a 33 percent discount; PDC graduates from Midwest Permaculture can take a course for a 50 percent discount.

Is this a Good Fit for Me?
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”  --Ghandi
If you are looking for a way to gain practical knowledge in transitioning to a sustainable lifestyle, this is your place.  If you envision a time when humanity will be able to meet its needs without harming the planet (and even improve it!), and want to help discover and design the path there, this is your place.  If you want to change paradigms in small but steady steps, this is your place.  We are looking for you!

To Apply
Download and fill out this application and return by email or US mail.  There is no charge for submitting an application.  Each application will be reviewed upon receipt; telephone interviews may be arranged soon afterwards for some applicants.  Qualified applicants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis, so interested individuals are encouraged to apply as early as possible.  If accepted, a $200, non-refundable deposit is due to hold one’s place. Full payment is due on or before the beginning of the training.  Financial details can be worked out with Becky at MWP (email or call 815-256-2215).