COURSE DESCRIPTION
Gain the practical knowledge and skills of permaculture design with our standard 72+ hour certification course held at our suburban permaculture homestead and growing farm in San Clemente, California.
Engage with and improve existing permaculture systems on the homestead and create new ones under the tutelage of different professional permaculture designers and farmers.
Learn how to transform your home, local school and other local public and private urban spaces into regenerative and sustainable ecological oasis that: harvest and conserve water and energy, produce food and medicine, regenerate biodiversity, educate and gather the community, and bring beauty and joy to life. 
Experience interactive lecture style presentations, design practice and hands-on activities.
COURSE DETAILS
This course provides the theory, philosophies, principles, techniques and practical applications of permaculture design.  Permaculture uses a whole-system design approach for creating and managing regenerative and sustainable human settlements and institutions. The focus of the course will be on small, medium and community scale permaculture systems for homes, school campuses, communities, farming operations and other urban public spaces. 
Topics explored in this course include:
  • permaculture design ethics, principles & process
  • nature's patterns and systems
  • compost & soil fertility systems
  • water harvesting & conservation systems
  • plants & food production systems
  • microstock animals as ecosystem managers, systems
  • waste, energy & shelter systems
  • regenerative community & social systems
  • urban permaculture agricultural systems
  • permaculture businesses
  • professional permaculture master conceptual plans & reports
During the course, participants will create Basic Conceptual Permaculture Designs for real clients in the local and global community and conduct multiple hands-on activities on the permaculture homestead. 
Upon completion of the course, participants will receive a Permaculture Design Certification.
COURSE SCHEDULE
7 online live sessions of 2 hours each (14 hours) (some sessions might be 2.5 hours)
8 in-person sessions of 7 hours each (58 hours) (last session is 9 hours)
72 hours total (extra opportunities for hands-on activities and further learning will be available throughout the course)

We will be visiting permaculture spaces in the local community during some of the Sunday sessions. Exact locations will be made available in the course syllabus. Water, yerba mate and garden tastings will be provided throughout the sessions. A garden salad will be provided at every session's lunch on the premisses. Course participants are responsible to bring their own lunch, or food to share, potluck style, in addition to what we provide.
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Access to reading materials and educational media for each subject will be provided on the 1st day of the course.​ For best learning experience, this course requires approximately 2 hours of independent study between each session (30 hours). Additional time will be required for group/client interactions to complete the final design project. We recommend additional independent study between the sessions also!
March 
4 Sundays (in person 9am - 4pm):  March 3, 10, 24, 31
3 Tuesdays (online 6pm - 8pm): March 5, 12, 26
April
2 Sundays (in person 9am - 4pm): April 14, 21
3 Tuesdays (online 6pm - 8pm): April 2, 16, 23
May
1 Sunday (in person 9am - 4pm): May 5
1 Tuesday (online 6pm - 8pm): May 7
1 Saturday (in person 12 pm - 9 pm): May 11
COURSE INSTRUCTORS
Lucian Toma (lead instructor)
  • sustainability and permaculture designer, educator, consultant and college professor
  • Founder of About And For Sustainability and Co-Founder of reEarth Consulting
Anna Maria Desipris
  • permaculture and regenerative beekeeping educator, practitioner, consultant and college professor
  • Founder of The Honey Bee Hub and Community Engagement Director at The Ecology Center
Jeremy SamsonCarter Wallace Josh PriggeClaudian DobosChris Orcutt
  • permaculture designer and practitioner
  • Lead designer at About And For Sustainability
Each design group formed during the course will have additional mentors from our network of permaculture design graduates and practitioners.
COURSE COSTS & REGISTRATION
20 years of age or older
  • $800 - Adult - early bird - when paid in full before February 3rd, 2019 ($1,000 full price)
  • $900 - Adult - discounted price when paid in full by February 15, 2019 ($1,000 full price)
14 to 20 years of age (the parents of all individuals under 18 years of age, must contact us prior to registration)
  • $600 - Teenager - early bird - when paid in full before February 3rd, 2019 ($800 full price)
  • $700 - Teenager - discounted price when paid in full by February 15, 2019 ($800 full price)
Groups of two or more receive discounts! Just sign up 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 and 4 months payment plans
  • Work Trade - we offer $200, $400 and up to $600 work trade opportunities
  • Scholarships - we offer one $250, one $500, and one full course cost scholarships  
A $250 deposit must be paid to be registered in the course.
CONTACT US IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS
info@aboutandforsustainability.com
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​Check out the short film about the educational experience our participants enjoyed during the 2018 summer session course. 
OTHER INFORMATION
What to bring at each in person session:
  • Paper, pen or pencil for notes
  • Reusable water bottle 
  • Lunch and 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 San Clemente permaculture homestead and other permaculture based educational hubs around the world.
VIDEO, PICTURES, RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND CANCELLATION 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.
  • A $100 admin fee is non-refundable if you decide to cancel your registration prior to the course. 
  • No Refunds will be made after the first online session of the course on March 5th (or June 4th) 2019 at 9am.​
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 March 3rd (or June 2nd), 2019.
SEE SOME OF OUR INSTRUCTORS' WORK
LUCIAN
ANNA MARIA
JEREMY
CLAUDIAN
JOSH
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