COURSE DESCRIPTION
40% OFF ALL OF OUR OFFERINGS TILL FEBRUARY 1ST - ASK US FOR THE DISCOUNT CODE
Gain the practical knowledge and skills of permaculture design with a focus on regenerative and sustainable local and international development, as well as design and consulting services, entrepreneurship, community building and regenerative farming. Join us monthly  between April and October on our 26 acres farm. Curriculum is based on Bill Mollison’s Permaculture Designers’ Manual, Toby Hemenway's Permaculture City, Richard Perkins' Regenerative Agriculture and Allan Savory's Holistic Management framework. 
Engage with, improve and create permaculture systems on the farm with regenerative design approaches, under the tutelage of professional permaculture designers and farmers.
Learn how you can transform landscapes and communities in different climate zones and cultures of the world into regenerative and sustainable ecological oasis that: harvest and conserve water and energy, produce food and medicine, regenerate biodiversity, educate and gather the community, bringing beauty and joy to life.
​Experience interactive lecture style presentations, design practice and lots of hands-on activities on 26 acres of land with a community of like minded people.
COURSE DETAILS
This course provides the theory, philosophies, principles, techniques and practical applications of permaculture design. Permaculture uses a holistic-system design approach for creating and managing regenerative and sustainable human settlements and institutions. The focus of the course will be on small and large scale permaculture systems for regenerative and sustainable development at the local and international level, such as homes, school campuses, communities, farming operations and other public spaces.
Topics explored in this course include:
  • permaculture design ethics, principles & process
  • nature's patterns and systems
  • climates and cultural adaptations around the world
  • compost & soil fertility systems
  • water harvesting & conservation systems
  • plants & food production systems
  • micro-stock, animals as ecosystem managers, systems
  • agro ecology systems (food forests & alley cropping) 
  • waste, energy & shelter systems
  • regenerative community & social systems (including sociocracy)​
  • urban permaculture agricultural systems
  • permaculture businesses
  • professional permaculture master conceptual plans & reports
During the course, participants will conduct multiple hands-on activities on our permaculture farm focused on design and practical systems applications.
To graduate, participants will create Basic Conceptual Permaculture Designs and Plans for the farm, or a local or global community.
For graduation, participants will organize and implement a weekend or day long educational event, inviting our shared community and family to participate, learn from their presentations and engage with the local nature. The event guests will participate in-person or most likely LIVE ONLINE. 
​Upon completion of the course, participants will receive a standard Permaculture Design Certification.
COURSE PERKS
A big aim of our courses is to build community and long lasting relationships! All graduates have access to:
  • multiple opportunities for free and very low cost continuation of learning (both regular meetings online and in-person projects)
  • a larger community of graduates who always have projects to be engaged in and are willing to support any and all new grads
  • heavy discounts to all future courses, trainings and workshops offered by About And For Sustainability
  • 5 hours of 1-on-1 project and/or business mentorship & consulting
  • opportunities to partner with or be part of the About And For Sustainability team
  • time on the farm 
COURSE SCHEDULE
This course spans for 7 months from Saturday, April 3rd, to Sunday, October 24th, 2021. It combines Online Live lectures and discussions on assigned readings and design tasks with in-person design and systems applications training on our farm.  
  • 7 Online Live Lectures and Discussion - 2 hours each 
  • 7 Online Live Readings, Homework and Design Tasks check-ins - 2 hours each
  • 7 In-person Weekends with on site camping and 3 daily meals provided
  • Our facility has on-site outdoor hot showers and composting toilets
  • Reading, research and design tasks will be assigned every month before the in-person meetings
  • All scheduled sessions will start promptly on time - the online sessions will be recorded and available for later view 
  • Participants will be invited to take turns in helping prepare meals for the entire course community a few times during the course
  • Optional weekend morning nature walks/hikes and/or yoga/meditation will be provided
  • Optional weekend​ Saturday evening stories by the campfire and additional workshops will be facilitated 
Access to reading materials and educational media for each subject will be provided on the 1st day of the course.​ The entire folder with all the course materials will be available to all course participants for an indefinite period after the course.
In addition, the course participants will receive an introduction to permaculture reading 40 days before the course starts. The reading is not required and it is highly recommended. 

WE OFFER THE OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO LIVE ON THE FARM FOR PARTIAL OR THE ENTIRE DURATION OF THIS COURSE THROUGH OUR APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM!
COURSE LOCATION & ACCOMODATIONS
Driving & Flying
  • Our new Midwest farm is located in a semi-remote area, between Lake of the Ozarks and Bennet Springs, in the vicinity of the City of Lebanon, Missouri. This area has some of the best temperate climate nature attractions in the continental US, forest trails, rivers and lakes. Springfield, fun college town with large Airport, is 1 hour away, Kansas City is 3 hours away and St Louis is 2.5 hours, driving time.  
  • EVERY WEEKEND: YOU CAN ARRIVE AS EARLY AS FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND LEAVE AS LATE AS MONDAY BEFORE NOON. 
  • We can pick up and drop off participants at the Springfield Airport every Friday evening and Monday morning of the in-person weekend.
  • If you are driving, WE RECOMMEND CARPOOLING WITH OTHER COURSE PARTICIPANTS WITH LARGER CARS, and we can make arrangements. There is ample parking on the farm!
  • A sign-up sheet to make arrangements for Airport pick-up and drop-off and carpooling will be provided 40 days prior to the course.
  • WE RECOMMEND NOT DRIVING OFF THE FARM DURING THE IN-PERSON WEEKENDS! 
Lodging
  • All participants can camp on a designated camping area on the farm free of charge. All participants who do so are responsible to bring their own tents, sleeping bags and other accessories to make their camping experience pleasant. 
  • We do offer the opportunity for participants to bring their campers, RV's or RV trailers. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THOSE WHO PLAN TO BRING THESE VEHICLES TO COMMUNICATE WITH US IN ADVANCE. 
  • We offer a limited number of regular 1, 2 or 4 people camping tents and lotus tents for rent during the course for $150 to $500, depending on size and style. Please communicate with us in advance if you need this accommodation. 
Self-Care
  • ADDITIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY PRACTICES TO ADDRESS THE CURRENTLY STATED PANDEMIC WILL BE IN PLACE (as always, we will practice frequent and regular hands washing and health check ins. In addition we will recommend and practice PHYSICAL distancing to the best of our abilities, as well as offering the choice for people to wear or not wear masks. If you require for other people to wear or not wear a mask, please do not register for this course!)
  • We have 2 solar heated showers on the farm and 2 compostable toilets with washing stations. Participants are responsible for their own self-care and WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND WASHING HANDS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. A list with recommended items to bring for self-care will be e-mailed 40 DAYS prior to the course. 
  • WE REQUIRE EVERY PARTICIPANT TO BRING AT LEAST 1 REUSABLE BOTTLE FOR WATER AND OTHER LIQUIDS. We provide multiple drinking water stations on the farm. 
  • FOR BEST COURSE EXPERIENCE, THE FARM DURING THE COURSE IS A "DRY CAMPUS" (meaning no alcohol or recreational drugs). IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH PARTICIPANT TO COMMUNICATE WITH US ABOUT ANY CONDITION THEY MAY HAVE THAT REQUIRE MEDICATION, AND WE WILL COMMUNICATE HOW THAT CAN BE DONE DURING THE COURSE ON THE FARM.
More about driving, lodging, self care and other details will be communicated before the course via email!
COURSE INSTRUCTORS 
Lucian Toma  (lead instructor) ​
  • Lucian is a sustainability, leadership and permaculture designer, educator and consultant with over 9 years of professional experience in the design, development and implementation of regenerative programs and projects in academic, government, business and nonprofit environments.
  • He led over 250 workshops, lectures and courses on topics from the realms of sustainability, permaculture and regenerative leadership, touching the lives of over 6500 individuals of all ages. He led 10 Permaculture Design Courses, with a focus on both urban and rural solutions.
  • As a permaculture practitioner he designed  and installed over 50 small, medium and large private and public spaces in most major climate zones. 
  • Lucian is also a college professor, the co-founder of reEarth Consulting and Bloom Farms (Desert Bloom and Midwest Bloom), as well as the founder and master mind behind About And For Sustainability . 
  • He holds a BA in International Relations, a MA in Global Leadership and Sustainable Development from Hawaii Pacific University and multiple Permaculture Design certifications. Currently he is working on certifications in Holistic Management and Regenerative Agriculture, and starting a Phd in Soil Sciences. 
​Anna Maria Desipris (instructor & lead mentor)​
  • ​Anna Maria is a bee guardian, herbalist, farmer, permaculture consultant and educator with 10 years of professional experience in the realm of sustainability, beekeeping, urban farming and community building around the farm to table movement.
  • She has been rescuing and relocating beehives to safe locations since 2011 and now shares with others this craft in her Bee Guardian Apprenticeship. She has also spent many years in work around local food systems, gathering over 1000 key individuals around community tables and supporting local regenerative farmers and chefs.
  • As an educator she has led over 100 workshops, lectures and courses on topics from the realms of beekeeping, urban farming and regenerative food systems.
  • As a farmer she has been a key designer, planner and manager of multiple neighborhood farms and farming based educational spaces in Reno, Nevada and Orange County, California. 
  • Anna Maria is also a college professor, the founder of The Honey Bee Hub, Bee Botanicals and co-founder of Bloom Farms (Desert Bloom and Midwest Bloom).
  • She holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Reno and an array of certifications in Permaculture, Master Beekeeping and Herbalism. ​
 COURSE GUEST SPEAKERS (more soon to be announced)
Jeremy Samson Kerri Cacciata
  • permaculture farmer chef designer
  • Portland area food justice leader
Lauren Fieberg
  • urban farming & ecological landscape educator and practitioner
  • Ecology & Permaculture youth teacher
Claudian Dobos  Erik Hjermstad
COURSE COSTS & REGISTRATION​
REGISTRATION CLOSES ON MARCH 1ST  2021
A $400 deposit must be paid to be registered in the course. 
Full cost must be paid by MARCH 1st 2021, unless otherwise arranged with course coordinators.
Please read refund policies below on this page. 
20 years of age or older
  • $2,400 Adult 
14 to 20 years of age 
  • $1,800 - Teenager (the parents of all individuals under 18 years of age, must contact us prior to registration)​

​Groups of two or more receive discounts! Pay for one individual and e-mail us to arrange for the discounts!

We provide payment plans, work trade opportunities and scholarships for those that need them!
  • Payment plans - we offer 2, 3 and 4 months payment plans - full course cost must be paid in full by June 2021
  • Work Trade - we offer up to $1,000 work trade opportunities - all work trade must be performed before course ENDS
  • Scholarships - we offer one $600, one $1200, and one full course cost scholarships
  • All payment plans, work trades and scholarships apply to the full course cost 
CONTACT US IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS
info@aboutandforsustainability.com
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
What to bring at each in person session:
  • Paper, pen or pencil for notes
  • Reusable water bottle 
  • Snacks
  • Please wear closed toed shoes and farming appropriate clothing every weekend session
How your payment will be used:
  • ​A portion of your payment will be used to sponsor scholarships for individuals, who would otherwise not afford it, and who will positively impact our shared environment and community with the knowledge and skills gained in this course.
  • A portion of your payment will support the work of our instructors and the development of the Bloom Farms, and other eco-educational hubs around the world.
VIDEO, PICTURES, RELEASE OF LIABILITY, CANCELLATION & REFUND AGREEMENTS:
  • We will be using farming tools, and on occasion we will be working on slopes and uneven terrains. Safety will be priority number 1 and we ask that you follow the course and sessions leaders directions at all times. You can choose not to participate in some of the activities and observe only.
  • AS LONG AS YOU NOTIFY US VIA EMAIL AT LEAST 30 DAYS PRIOR TO THE START OF THE COURSE, WE WILL REFUND THE AMOUNT WE RECEIVED FROM YOU TO THAT DATE, MINUS A $200 PROCESSING FEE. Alternatively we can credit the full amount towards a future course.  If you notify us of your need to cancel within 30 days of course commencement, your payment is not refundable. However, you can transfer your ticket to another name for that same course or join a later course.
  • Some filming and picture taking will occur throughout the course. By registering to participate in this course you agree to our "Video, Pictures, Release of Liability  and Cancellation Agreement" found in the registration form and provided for signing when you arrive and check-in at our location on the first day of the course on April 24th 2021!
SEE SOME OF OUR INSTRUCTORS' WORK
LUCIAN
ANNA MARIA
JEREMY
CLAUDIAN
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