http://neaguinea.org/2018/02/15/pri-australia-accredited-pdc-with-warren-brush-in-greece/

This course is designed to give you a thorough understanding of the principles and applications of permaculture design. Furthermore, it provides a tangible foothold in developing your skills in designing systems that mimic the patterns and relationships found in nature. The course consists of diverse learner centered activities, that introduce the group to creative problem solving and promote team work, considering different individual learning styles. During the PDC you will have the opportunity to complete a holistic design as well as gain hands-on (practical) experience of different land and cultural regeneration techniques, while at the same time observe and study already established systems and applied designs at our farm. This course provides an internationally recognized certification through the Permaculture Research Institute of Australia.

Topics include:

Eco-literacy for sustainability
Patterns & processes in nature
Sustainable design processes and methodologies
Hydrological restoration, water management and earthworks
Soil building and nutrient cycling
Sustainable food production systems
Appropriate technology and small scale renewable energy systems
Cultural regeneration,invisible structures and social permaculture
Practical design exercises

The course will be taught by Warren Brush (first part – 4days) and by the Nea Guinea team (second part- 8 days).

Teachers

Warren Brush is a global permaculture design consultant, educator, lecturer and storyteller. He has worked for over 25 years in sustainable systems design for communities, private and public organizations, households, small holder farms, and conservation properties worldwide. He is co founder of Quail Springs Permaculture, Regenerative Earth Enterprises, Sustainable Vocations, Wilderness Youth Project, Casitas Valley Farm and Creamery and his Permaculture design company, True Nature Design. He is a consultant for USAID’s TOPS (Technical, Operations, Performance Support) program where he trains technical field staff, for their African Food for Peace programs, in a Resilience Design Framework. He works extensively in North America, Africa, Middle East, Europe, and Australia. He has taught the following courses: Permaculture Design Certification, Earthworks for Resiliency, Resilient Small Farm Design, Permaculture for International Development, Rainwater Harvesting Systems, Ferro-Cement Tank Building, Community Design Using Permaculture, Permaculture Investing, Spring Rejuvenation and Watershed Restoration, Compost Toilet Systems, Water for Every Farm, Drought Proofing Landscapes, Eco logical Restoration, Cultural Mentoring, Introduction to Permaculture Systems, Permaculture BioIntensive Gardening, Food Forestry, and a wide range of Origins Skills.

Websites: www.quailsprings.org / www.sustainablevocations.org / www.permaculturedesign.us / www.casitasvalley.com / www.pri-kenya.org

Nea Guinea team

Fotini Georgousi is a biologist specialised in organic farming and herbal medicine. She has been trained widely in Permaculture Design,focusing mainly on sustainable food production systems and dryland water management. She has an extensive experience in the fields of small scale farming and community activism. Over the last 12 years she has been involved in community gardening projects, self-organized educational activities and other grassroots initiatives related to natural health and food production. She is the co-founder of the Nea Guinea project, where she is coordinating different activities related to Permaculure and Food Sovereignty. She is working on the farm, building and maintaining different food production systems while focusing on the development and adaptation of different techniques on the Mediterranean climate. She conducts educational activities, open informative events and she produces designs for small farms, households and school gardens.

Kostas Latoufis is an electrical engineer with a specialization in off-grid renewable energy systems. He works as a researcher in the Smart Grids Research Unit (SmartRUE) of the National Technical University of Athens and is currently pursuing a PhD on locally manufactured small wind turbines in the Rural Electrification Research Group (RurERG), an interdisciplinary research group which aims to provide open source technical solutions on small wind and pico-hydro systems for rural energy access. He has co-founded the Nea Guinea project, with which he has organised more than 40 design and practical courses in renewable energy systems, such small wind turbine, pico-hydro and solar panel construction courses, and has carried out several off-grid renewable energy installations in permaculture farms in Greece and in rural development projects in Central America, South Asia and East Africa. He collaborates with international organizations and projects such as the Wind Empowerment association and the Open Building Institute.

Venue

The course will be held at the ‘Nea Guinea’ Permaculture farm in East Attica, Greece. Located at 2 km from the coast and 70 m above sea level, our site enjoys a typical somewhat windy Mediterranean coastal climate, which is quite pleasant throughout the year. The ‘Nea Guinea’ farm is a field for applications and experimentations for the development of different techniques for the Mediterranean climate. It consists of different polyculture systems (vegetable gardens, mixed orchard, herb gardens, forest garden) water retention and management systems, living fences (both productive and protective), composting systems, open air classrooms and meeting places, as well as the necessary infrastructure for hosting people on site (camping).

Food

The food for the course is provided by Nea Guinea and its cost is included in the course fees. It is vegetarian and includes breakfast, tea breaks, branch and dinner. Fresh organic vegetables come from our gardens while other food items are sourced locally from small farmers or solidarity trade cooperatives. Those with a big appetite will be happy to find traditional tavernas located within walking distance (or a short bicycle ride) from the farm.

Accommodation

The ‘Nea Guinea’ farm has a beautiful camp site, equipped with all the necessary infrastructure for a pleasant and convenient outdoor stay. One the site you can find a sheltered camp space that can accommodate both tends and hammocks and also beautiful spots under pine trees to put your tent. There are also outdoors shared bathrooms, compost toilets, and a fully equipped kitchen with dinning tables.

Recreation

During the workshop, there will be quite a few chances for a nice swim or a bicycle ride! A few bicycles will be available for all to use in order to discover the area and the seaside nearby. There will be some fun nights with gatherings so do bring musical instruments and anything creative that you can share with others.

Course fees

Early bird: 480 waged / 430 low waged / 380 unemployed or students / 330 local participants. After the 19th of April there will be an extra charge of 50 Euro. Fees include food and accommodation, tuition and materials for the course.

Payments

A 100 Euro non-refundable deposit is required to secure your place. The balance of the course fees will be made during the course.

Contact and apply: [email protected]