Permaculture Design Certificate, 10 things you can do with yours
March 30, 2014
Q: Why would I want to pay for and earn a Permaculture Design Certificate?
A: You’re kidding right?
I mean one of our major influences here at Tierra Soul is Permaculture. Its ethics and principles make up a set of tools you can carry anywhere, into any profession, any endeavor. The essence of permaculture that it is a paradigm of sustainability for all things, all things here on earth from the stone to the stars and maybe even beyond.
What is covered in a Permaculture Design Certificate?
Like us, those looking to integrate the principles of Permaculture into their work (both personal and professional) can pursue a Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) by completing a Permaculture Design Certificate (such as Lazy-Lady Living!). All courses that offer the PDC adhere to the basic principles laid out in “Permaculture: A Designers Manual,” by Bill Mollison and cover these general topics:
- Principles of Natural Systems
- Sustainable Design Methodologies
- Patterns in Nature, Culture and Society
- Reading the Land & Understanding Natural Processes
- Large Scale Land Restoration Techniques
- Water Harvesting Techniques
- Design Principles of Sustainable Human Settlements
- Grey Water Recycling
- Natural Building Strategies
- Cultivated & Productive Ecologies
- Food Forests, Plant Guilds, Gardens for Self-Sufficiency
- Energy Conservation Technologies
- Appropriate Technologies and Renewable Energies
- Urban Environment Permaculture
- Wildlife Management and Biological Pest Control
- Land Arts and Community Activism
- Invisible Structures: EcoVillages & Credit Unions
- Community Supported Agriculture
- Strategies for an Alternative Nation
- and a Design Project
Because Permaculture Principles can be applied to many areas of life – from agriculture to small business to home management and cultural creativity – obtaining your PDC can benefit many endeavors. Having a PDC on your resume lets people know that you are committed to you to thinking in terms of systems – focusing on relationships among all parts instead of approaching each piece individually (and disconnectedly).
Whether you are working toward a career in agricultural design, community building, education, or, really, any other field, obtaining your PDC will demonstrate your commitment to sustainable, holistic solutions that get the most out of the resources available. (Toby Hemenway)
How do I know if getting a Permaculture Design Certificate will help me?
Well, we’d like to make it as easy as possible for you to know how to apply your PDC once you have it and also to make your decision whether or not to get your very own certificate now or in the future.
Ten things you can do with your Permaculture Design Certificate:
- Offer Permaculture Design counseling to businesses or individuals
- Add “Permaculture Design” to your business description to let clients know your commitment and experience with sustainable solutions
- Offer Permaculture based landscaping services
- Work toward teaching a Permaculture Design Course of your own
- Use it to guide your social enterprise of any kind
- Re-vamp your home garden or backyard into an oasis of sustainability
- Explore the opportunities of generally discarded land and people
- Create a Fermented Foods business
- Start a CSA using permaculture principles
- Take better care of your wise elder ducks!
Got other ideas? We’d love to hear ’em in the comments below!
Do you have any open house days wherein one can see your location and hear first hand of what this teaching is comprised; what one’s anticipated involvement should look like and generally get a feel for the program and the process?
Hi Francesca,
We offer farm tours on Saturday mornings at 9am May – September if you want to check out the farm itself. You must RSVP though so we know to expect you!
Krista
Is this certificate accredited or can it be applied toward other studies/will it be recognized by industry businesses or individuals?
Hi Carolyn,
Yes, we are qualified to teach the official Permaculture Design Certificate and your LLL PDC will allow you to take any course that has it as a prerequisite – a growing number of “advanced” Permaculture courses are being offered.
Recognition of the name Permaculture Design Certificate and title PDC are growing a lot these days. We are excited to see it starting to crest in cultural awareness – though we certainly do have a ways to go.
Krista