Frequently Asked Questions
What makes this course unique?
- Our course is led by a diverse team of practicing professional permaculture designers.
- The guided student design work during this PDC creates an opportunity for students to learn while designing for real clients and onsite projects, or for your own home design site.
- Over the last 15 years of our work in leading PDC's, (Hooray! We are celebrating more than 15 years of permaculture education!) we have incorporated contemplative practices during the course to enhance the wellbeing of all who participate in this quality educational experience.
- The traditional Permaculture Design Course (PDC) is a 72 hour minimum requirement. We offer many more hours above a 72 hour course (close to 100 hours!), with ample time for design practice, supportive homework assignments, readings and research, guest speakers, plus optional field trips and practicum sessions.
What is a PDC Course?
A Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) Course signifies that one has completed a 72 hour design course, a study of the ethics, principles, and design practice of Permaculture. It means the holder of the certificate is the holder of applied permaculture experience, and a profound toolbox of permaculture techniques, strategies, solutions, resources, and skills.
What do students do after their PDC course with Sowing Solutions?
Students who have graduated with Sowing Solutions Permaculture Design Courses have become land caretakers, they have built straw bale homes and tiny houses, joined natural building teams, coordinated university campus-wide permaculture gardens, incorporated permaculture design into their existing businesses, received an award by the President of the US for their permaculture work at their university, turned their lawns into gardens, started edible plant nurseries, designed their home landscape to produce abundance and ecological benefit, started organizations to restore pollinator habitats in their city, experienced daily living at other ecovillages or have become members of intentional communities, became educators and authors, incorporated permaculture design thinking into their healing arts practice, established rare fruits and edible perennial foods outside their door, incorporated permaculture messages and teachings into their art form, and……
How much is tuition?
Tuition is $1250- $1450 sliding scale.
How do I register?
Great question! We're glad you're interested in attending this Permaculture Series Design Certification through Sowing Solutions. Simply email us to request the full course information packet and registration form. Then go to the 'Register Now!' page and secure your space in the course by making a tuition payment or a $300 deposit to hold your seat.
What if I need to miss a class day, or a weekend?
This is a 72 hour minimum requirement course, and we schedule close to 100 hours of class time. If you need to miss a day, that is acceptable and you can still graduate. If you need to miss a number of days, the weekend series format is flexible, and you are able to attend make-up classes during the weekend of the following course (for example, if you miss a weekend in the summer program you can make up those class hours in the following fall program in order to complete your certification requirements).
How long has this course been offered?
This course has been offered by Sowing Solutions for over 15 years now. Our teaching team holds high standards for a quality educational experience that supports each participant along their permaculture path.
What happens with the student design work that is conducted during the PDC?
Your guided design project during the PDC will be for actual clients ~ and your design work is likely to be implemented in the future! We have actually installed many permaculture designs over the years based on the student coursework that is conducted during the PDC . This means that we may be installing permaculture designs during a future course, based on the design work that students generated in a previous course. Alternatively, in the hybrid course format of part in-person and part from home via live online sessions, you can be guided to create a design for your own home site, or for a neighboring site.
Are there work trade discounts or sponsorships for this course?
Yes! There are a number of ways to raise funds for tuition! First, limited work trade discounts, simply email us to request the application for a $100-$200 discount for a work trade role. We will also send you many resources and guidance for gathering funding for your course. We have a template for a letter that you can send to friends and family to self fundraise, and we have a video link that you can include with this letter. Apply as soon as possible to secure a work trade position. Ask us at Sowing Solutions for advice regarding how to fundraise for your tuition. We also offer partial funding in the form of BIPOC scholarships, and low income, student, or front line worker discounts.
Do you have a Cancellation and Refund Policy?
We sure do! It's very simple and straightforward. Should a student need to cancel, refund of moneys paid towards tuition will be calculated on the following basis:
- A $300 deposit made to reserve and guarantee a space is non-refundable.
- 75% of tuition returned if cancellation notice is received 30 days or more from program start date
- 50% of tuition returned if cancellation notice is received less than 30 days from program start date.
- As of three days before the program start, no refunds are available.
And what specifically will I learn?
Tons! The traditional Permaculture Design Course (PDC) is a 72 hour minimum requirement. We offer many more hours above a 72 hour course (close to 100 hours!), with ample time for design practice, supportive homework assignments, readings and research, guest speakers, plus optional field trips and practicum sessions. Here is a sample from the curriculum:
Curriculum/ Course Topics Include:
- Permaculture History, Definitions, Ethics, and Principles
- Ecological Design Step-By-Step Practice
- Edible Forest Gardening Theory and Practice
- Nature Conection, Natural Principles in Design
- Agroforestry Systems
- Annual and Perennial Garden Establishment
- Soil Regeneration & Land Restoration
- Compost Methods
- Greenhouse Seeding
- Observing Patterns in Nature
- Green Building & Natural Building
- Renewable/Clean Energies
- Deep Ecology
- Financial Permaculture
- Resilient Community Structures
- And much more!
What is the daily schedule?
We meet from 9am until 5pm, with optional evening sessions 7:00-8:30.
A typical day is as follows:
- 1. Class, Course Modules
- 2. Practical Skills Training, Experiential Learning
- Lunch
- 3. Design Project Phases, Design Activities
- 4. Discussions, Integration of New Course Content
- Dinner
- (Optional Evening Events, Permaculture Movies, Discussion Forums, Dance, Music)
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I'll be attending from a distance. Can I stay overnight?
Of course! Stay in lovely and spacious accommodations at a local Retreat House that we offer to students, where lunches and dinners are prepared by our host sites for additional fees. All onsite accommodation options and fees are listed in our information packet ~ send us an email to request one.
What are the recreational activities onsite during the course?
Hiking, swimming, attending yoga class, dancing, viewing permaculture movies, enjoying the local trails or cafes, etc..
How are meals arranged?
Students can sign up for planned meals for lunch, provided from a local, organic restaurant with vegan and GF options. Overnight guests and commuters who wish to stay for dinner will have dinners prepared at the guest house.