Gain the necessary skills to begin designing regenerative and abundant landscapes and learn how to make ecologically responsible decisions to help build a diverse, resilient and environmentally conscious future for yourself and your community. With tuition from Richard Perkins, one of Europe’s leading Permaculture educators and designers and the chance to observe and learn by staying at a dedicated demonstration site, this is your opportunity to gain an accredited Permaculture Design Course (PDC) certificate and kickstart your Permaculture journey.
From June 17th – July 1st 2016, Tap o’ Noth Permaculture will host a 80 hr + PDC, situated on our demonstration/education site near the village of Rhynie in beautiful north east Scotland. During a Permaculture Design Course you will gain a multi-disciplinary toolkit of knowledge and skills to start contributing to positive change.
The course curriculum is based on Permaculture co- founder Bill Mollison’s work ‘Permaculture: A Designer’s Manual’ and, upon completion of the course, you will receive an official PDC certificate issued from two leading organisations, the Permaculture Research Institute of Australia and the Permaculture Association (UK).
This inspirational and intensive course is your gateway into an understanding of ecological design and agroecological systems and is open to all levels of knowledge, providing a starting block to begin a career as an ecological designer, consultant, educator or aid worker.
The course is also suitable for those who are interested in engaging in one or more of the following:
- Garden or allotment (no matter how big or small), using Permaculture techniques and principles to grow organic and nutritious food that is free from chemicals or food miles and in a way that works with nature rather than against.
- Farm/Croft/Market Garden – building an ecologically designed enterprise to produce quality vegetables, fruit or livestock to sell through schemes such as Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) or at Farmer’s Markets/retailers.
- Smallholding/Homestead – to start a sustainable smallholding to become more resilient/self-sufficient in the face of an unpredictable future.
- Community projects such as community gardens, compost and recycling schemes or Transition Towns.
“It makes a huge difference being able to step out of the classroom and immerse yourself in living permaculture.” – PDC student 2015, Edinburgh.
During the course you will learn about the following subjects and more:
Organic food production | Eco-friendly house placement and design | Pattern understanding | Agroecology | Recycling and waste management | Farming |Keyline Design | Appropriate technology | Working with trees and forests | Health and nutrition | Holistic Management |Water harvesting and management | Earthworks | Ecological pest control | Market gardening | Drought-proofing and flood protection | Soil rehabilitation and erosion control | Self-sufficiency | Livestock | Aquaculture| Catastrophe preparedness and prevention | Windbreaks and fire control | Alternative economic structures | The initiation and development of community projects | Running and financing small enterprises
The PDC also complements careers in ecology, landscape design, farming, horticulture, architecture, town planning and economics etc.
Course Information
Date: 17 June -01 July 2016. Arrivals in the afternoon/evening of the 17th and departures in the afternoon of the 1st of July.
Venue: The course is fully residential and held on the UK’s first accredited Master Plan Site for the Permaculture Research Institute (AU) and an official ScotLAND Centre for the Permaculture Association (UK). The smallholding is located 38 miles from the city of Aberdeen in a beautiful rural setting steeped in agricultural traditions and ancient history. Being an evolving site offers the chance for you to contribute and learn about the development of a permaculture project, gaining first hand experience of what is involved in setting up and establishing an ecologically designed enterprise.
“The site is really quite a special place and this definitely adds to the experience of doing a PDC there. Coupled with the relaxing evenings, fantastic sauna, stunning views and delicious food made it a great overall experience.” – PDC student, 2015
Location: Tap o’ Noth Permaculture is located 1 mile from the rural village of Rhynie in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The market town of Huntly is 12 miles away with Aberdeen city/airport approx 38 miles away.
2016 PDC Team
Richard Perkins – Lead/visiting instructor
Richard is regarded as one of Europe’s leading Permaculture designer-educators & Keyline practitioners, working professionally in every major climate zone across several continents consulting to projects, farms & industry. Having led over 35 PDC trainings as well as dozens of other specialist courses, practicums and seminars, Richard has designed for varied projects in more than a dozen countries. Highly regarded internationally as a Permaculture Design Course (PDC) teacher, Richard is a certified teacher with the Permaculture Research Institute of Australia (Certified Trainer No. 24) and the Permaculture Association of Great Britain. Having studied up to MSc level (IESD- Gaia U), leaving to establish the effective Integralpermanence (Design Consultancy & Education) internationally over the last 5 years. Richard also holds a Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design (UK), HND Organic Crop Production (UK) and has studied extensively in the fields of Keyline® Design, Holistic Management®, Ecology and Anthropology. Richard is co owner and Director of Ridgedale Permaculture, a pasture and perennial crop based beyond-organic local food producer and dedicated educational hub in Värmland, Sweden.
James Reid – Host and support
James is founder and Director of Tap o’ Noth Permaculture and has lived on site developing the smallholding as a dedicated demonstration and education site since 2012. James acquired his PDC certificate 13 years ago and has since gained hands on experience in subtropical, mediterranean and cold temperate climate zones. An enthusiastic Permaculture practitioner, James will give you first hand knowledge of the systems in place at Tap o’ Noth and guide you through any practical sessions.
Accommodation:
This course is primarily a camping based event but we do have a select amount of indoor accommodation available.
- Camping – Set in and amongst mature trees, emerging forest gardens, fields and beside ponds, our camping areas are varied with plenty of space for either privacy or the choice to pitch up next to your friend. Basic ‘bush’ showers and compost toilet facilities are nearby. Please bring your own tent.
- Mixed dormitory with ensuite – For those wishing to have indoor lodgings we can offer a mixed dorm with ensuite flush toilet and shower. Limited to 6 places on a first come first served basis.
There is a choice of hotels and bed and breakfasts in the local area for those wishing to find alternative lodgings ( to be sourced and booked at your own cost).
For people local to the area who do not wish to stay on site, please book the camping option. Lunches and evening meals are included in your booking.
Facilities:
- Dedicated indoor and outdoor classroom space
- Small kitchen space for hot drinks, snacks etc
- Compost toilets
- Sauna with natural swimming ponds
