Permaculture Design Certificate
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Enrol Here and Course Details
This is an open entry and self-paced course - which takes approximately 12 months to complete part time (depending on your time investment) and can be enrolled into at any time.
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Course Outline
The Permaculture Design Certificate is a comprehensive online course designed for farmers, land managers, and sustainability enthusiasts who want to create resilient, ecologically sound farming systems. This course provides practical tools and innovative permaculture design principles to help improve soil health, conserve water, enhance biodiversity, and build a productive, regenerative farm. Whether you manage a small lifestyle block or a large-scale operation, this course will equip you with the skills to work in harmony with nature while ensuring long-term sustainability.
Through 12 in-depth modules, participants will explore key aspects of permaculture farming, including soil fertility, water management, biodiversity, and regenerative farm design. The course is flexible and self-paced, allowing you to learn at your convenience while engaging in interactive Zoom sessions with expert tutors and a community of like-minded farmers. Practical assignments help you apply your learning directly to your farm, and by the end of the course, you’ll have developed a personalised farm design plan to enhance productivity and environmental stewardship.
Upon completion, participants earn a globally recognised Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC), validating their expertise in regenerative agriculture. This course is ideal for anyone seeking to transition to more sustainable farming practices, reduce input costs, and gain access to premium markets for ecologically grown produce. Enrol today and start your journey towards a thriving, regenerative farm or ecological and productive backyard!
Through 12 in-depth modules, participants will explore key aspects of permaculture farming, including soil fertility, water management, biodiversity, and regenerative farm design. The course is flexible and self-paced, allowing you to learn at your convenience while engaging in interactive Zoom sessions with expert tutors and a community of like-minded farmers. Practical assignments help you apply your learning directly to your farm, and by the end of the course, you’ll have developed a personalised farm design plan to enhance productivity and environmental stewardship.
Upon completion, participants earn a globally recognised Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC), validating their expertise in regenerative agriculture. This course is ideal for anyone seeking to transition to more sustainable farming practices, reduce input costs, and gain access to premium markets for ecologically grown produce. Enrol today and start your journey towards a thriving, regenerative farm or ecological and productive backyard!
Compulsory Modules
The compulsory modules form the foundation of the course, providing participants with essential knowledge and practical skills for sustainable farming. Each module is carefully structured with clear objectives and tasks, combining theoretical concepts with hands-on applications. Participants engage in activities such as site analysis, water management planning, biodiversity integration, and regenerative business strategy development. Modules are delivered online with monthly live Zoom sessions for discussions and Q&A, ensuring a collaborative learning environment. Assignments from each module contribute to the Final Design Portfolio, enabling participants to progressively build a comprehensive plan tailored to their farming context.
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The Design Principles module introduces participants to systems-thinking, enabling them to view their farm as an interconnected ecosystem. It focuses on integrating key elements like soil, water, plants, and livestock into a cohesive and sustainable design. Guided by the ethical principles of Earth Care, People Care, and Fair Share, this module equips learners with the tools to create balanced, regenerative farm systems that promote ecological health, enhance productivity, and align with sustainable farming practices.
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The Pattern Understanding module explores how regenerative farming aligns with natural patterns and ecological succession to restore soil health, promote biodiversity, and build long-term resilience. Participants will learn to observe and harness nature’s inherent designs, such as the progression of plant succession, water flow, and energy cycles, to create systems that mimic thriving ecosystems. This module highlights practical applications, teaching participants how to integrate these patterns into farm planning and operations to enhance productivity, sustainability, and ecological harmony.
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The Site Analysis module equips participants with the skills to conduct detailed evaluations of their land by observing key environmental factors such as wind, water, and sun patterns. Through tools like PESTEL analysis, participants will learn to identify opportunities and challenges, ensuring their farm design is both sustainable and compliant with New Zealand regulations. This foundational knowledge allows for informed decisions that optimise land use and support long-term resilience.
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The Topography module teaches participants how to analyse and leverage natural land contours to create more efficient and sustainable farm designs. Participants will explore techniques to improve water retention, prevent soil erosion, and optimise crop and infrastructure placement by understanding slope, aspect, and elevation. Modern tools, including Vectorworks digital farm mapping software, GIS technologies, and drones, will be introduced, providing participants with advanced capabilities for precise planning and design. Through this module, learners will gain practical skills to maximise land productivity while enhancing environmental resilience, supporting both ecological health and long-term farm viability.
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The Understanding Climate module provides an in-depth exploration of New Zealand's varied climate zones, equipping participants with the tools to identify and manage microclimates for optimal farm productivity. By analysing local weather patterns and environmental factors, participants will learn to design farm systems that are resilient to climate variability and extreme weather events, such as droughts and storms. This module covers techniques such as windbreaks, shelterbelt planting, and seasonal planning to enhance crop and livestock performance while ensuring long-term sustainability in the face of changing climatic conditions.
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The Soil Health module delves into the fundamentals of soil composition, exploring the physical, chemical, and biological properties that make soil the foundation of productive farming. Participants will learn regenerative practices such as no-till farming, composting, and biochar application to enhance soil fertility, structure, and resilience. This module emphasises sustainable methods to build organic matter, support beneficial microbial activity, and improve water retention, ensuring long-term productivity and ecosystem health while reducing reliance on chemical inputs.
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The Farm Biodiversity module focuses on strengthening farm resilience by integrating biodiversity into agricultural systems. Participants will explore practices like agroforestry and regenerative grazing to create ecosystems that support native species, enhance pollination, and naturally manage pests. This module highlights the role of diverse plant and animal species in reducing chemical inputs, improving soil health, and fostering ecological balance. By incorporating native vegetation and designing wildlife-friendly habitats, participants will learn to create sustainable farms that are both productive and ecologically vibrant.
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The Water Quality module equips participants with practical water management techniques to enhance farm sustainability. Participants will learn strategies such as rainwater harvesting, swales, and keyline design to optimise water retention, reduce erosion, and improve soil fertility. This module emphasises creating efficient water systems that align with New Zealand’s freshwater regulations, ensuring clean waterways and supporting healthy ecosystems. By integrating these techniques, participants will develop resilient farming systems that conserve water and promote long-term productivity.
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The Building Community module focuses on fostering resilient, self-sufficient communities through inclusive governance models and sustainable resource management strategies. Participants will explore frameworks for decision-making, such as consensus-based governance, alongside practical methods like rainwater harvesting and renewable energy systems. The module also delves into building local economic systems and sharing economies, including community-supported agriculture and resource-sharing initiatives. Emphasizing collaboration within the farming community, this module equips participants with tools to strengthen social cohesion, promote sustainability, and enhance collective resilience.
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The Creative Agent module empowers participants to align their personal strengths and values with regenerative farming goals. Through tools like CliftonStrengths and strategic planning exercises, participants will identify their unique capabilities to drive innovation and resilience on their farms. This module explores strategies for diversifying income streams, adopting sustainable practices, and leveraging cutting-edge technologies like AI to optimise operations. By integrating personal vision with practical techniques, participants will build productive, sustainable farm systems that reflect their goals and adapt to changing market and environmental conditions.
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The Market Opportunities module equips participants to identify and leverage emerging trends in organic and sustainable markets. This module explores diversification strategies, such as integrating value-added products or agroforestry, to create multiple income streams and enhance financial resilience. Participants will also learn the fundamentals of strategic financial management, including budgeting, market analysis, and identifying funding opportunities, to ensure both economic viability and environmental sustainability. By aligning farm practices with market demands, participants will be prepared to build resilient and profitable farming systems.
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Optional Modules
The optional modules in the course allow participants to tailor their learning to specific interests or challenges relevant to their farming goals. These modules delve deeper into specialised topics, such as aquaponics, eco-home design, or advanced market strategies, providing flexibility for participants to explore areas that align with their aspirations or unique farming contexts. While not required to complete the course, optional modules enhance the core learning by offering additional insights and practical tools. Participants can choose from a curated list of topics, with assignments designed to integrate seamlessly into their Final Design Portfolio, further enriching their overall farm design and strategy.
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The Annual Garden module focuses on regenerative gardening techniques that foster biodiversity and sustainability. Participants will explore methods such as companion planting, which pairs plants to support growth and deter pests, and no-dig gardening, which preserves soil health and promotes microbial activity. The module also highlights the integration of native plants to create resilient, self-sustaining garden ecosystems. By applying these techniques, participants will learn how to cultivate productive gardens that enhance ecological balance and reduce reliance on external inputs.
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The Permaculture Orchard module guides participants in designing resilient orchard systems that mimic natural ecosystems. By incorporating diverse plant species, companion planting, and natural pest control strategies, participants will learn to create orchards that promote biodiversity, improve soil health, and reduce reliance on chemical inputs. The module emphasises techniques such as layering plants, integrating nitrogen-fixing species, and using flowering plants to attract beneficial insects, ensuring long-term productivity and ecological balance. This approach supports sustainable, low-maintenance orchards tailored to both small-scale and commercial operations.
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The Pasture Systems module focuses on holistic grazing and silvopasture techniques to enhance soil health, biodiversity, and productivity in grazing environments. Participants will learn how rotational and mob grazing strategies mimic natural grazing patterns, allowing pastures to recover, improve soil structure, and increase water retention. The module also introduces silvopasture, integrating trees into grazing systems to provide shade, enrich the soil, and support wildlife. These practices not only boost farm productivity but also contribute to long-term ecological resilience and sustainability, aligning grazing operations with regenerative farming principles.
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The Aquaponics module explores aquaponics as an innovative regenerative system that integrates fish farming and plant cultivation into a closed-loop ecosystem. Participants will delve into the principles of ecological synergy, where fish waste provides essential nutrients for plants, and plants naturally filter the water to sustain fish health. The module covers system design, water quality management, and selecting compatible fish and plant species. Through practical case studies, participants will learn to create efficient, sustainable food production systems that reduce water use, eliminate chemical inputs, and support environmental resilience.
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Final Design Portfolio
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Participants will complete a Final Design Portfolio that brings together key insights and practical applications from each module. This personalised project allows learners to demonstrate how they have applied permaculture design principles to a real or imagined site based on their unique goals, land context, and vision for regeneration.
The portfolio draws from the research tasks and design activities completed throughout the course. It includes site analysis, mapped design elements, and written reflections that show a systems-based understanding of land use, ecology, and sustainability. While the focus and scale of each portfolio may vary, all submissions must clearly reflect the ethical and practical application of permaculture to farm or landscape planning. Serving as the capstone project for the course, the Final Design Portfolio showcases each participant’s ability to design a resilient, regenerative system using the tools and concepts learned. It not only fulfils the requirements for certification but also becomes a valuable reference for future implementation, collaboration, or further study in regenerative practice. |
Funding options for enrollment:
Testimonials:
“Richard’s course was a fantastic way of being able to complete a PDC remotely. The content and community was engaging, and I learnt a lot. I would highly recommend to those considering furthering their permaculture education.“ Joel 2024
"I have really enjoyed this Permaculture Design Certificate and adding to my knowledge base. There are some areas that are not as pertinent to me living in suburbia, such as rotational grazing – they are, however, interesting to learn about. One module I didn’t think I would be interested in was Aquaponics – I really enjoyed it and thought it would be fun to experiment on a small scale in the future. Doing the course has helped me see some areas through new eyes. As well as gaining knowledge a large part of the reason for completing the PDC course was to help me know how to plan and work with any property we purchase in the future. Whilst looking at property listings I have had more awareness of things to look for – such as where the sun angles are, where do the winds come from, what is the topography like. I have a better understanding of where to go to find information should I need it. Whilst viewing a listing of a potential property recently we discovered it has a stream running through it. I was able to locate flood plain maps on the local district council website and ascertain the area was not in danger of flooding – something I may not have thought to do prior to doing this course." - Alison 2023
"Today I officially conclude my 1 year studies in permaculture. Wearing these new pair of lenses has been a journey of observation, taking in a lot of information and breath them out to find my own pace, understanding and creative interpretation of all. I've been blessed with the opportunity to trialing my learnings directly on a whenua which I called my "playground" for a few months; not without challenges, but mostly receiving healing and great feedback from the land itself. Permaculture is not just about growing food but it's a way of living, thinking, planning and flowing in all aspects of life. Today I dedicate this achievement to my grandmothers ko āu te whenua, ko āu te oneone, ko te whenua ko āu, ngā tangata! Special thanks to my mentor, Richard Pedley" - Francesca 2023
"When I started my journey in permaculture at the beginning of this year, I did not know much about it, except that it was a way to improve the soil and do less harm to the land. Well I have since had the privilege of gaining a deeper understanding of what Permaculture is, and what it is not. Permaculture design provides a pathway to mitigate and reverse the damage created from current land-use practices, through the regeneration of these agricultural and urban ecosystems. Regeneration is far more than simple renewal or restoration. It calls for the integration of aspects of ourselves as designers and as human beings. It demands that we reunite the art and science of design because we cannot succeed at sustainability if we fail to acknowledge human aspiration and will as the ultimate sustaining source of our activities. Throughout the course I have learnt how various systems impact on each other, and the approach guides us to mimic the patterns and relationships we find in nature, and in using the principles and ethics, I can improve my wellbeing and that of my family and environment. My goal is to use the knowledge gained, and to become self-sustaining in 5 years, to produce enough food for my family to eat, and yield a surplus in which to earn additional income." - Cecilia 2022
"When I started this online PDC last August, I really had no idea how far it would take me. What I initially wanted to get out of the course is to learn as much as I can about Permaculture, which I can further that knowledge to gain mastery, and then finally to make the world a better place for everyone. I didn’t come from a farming nor agricultural background. In fact, I second-guessed myself all the time because I can’t even get that plant I got for my office to survive. But I was different then, and I'm different now. I've learnt the importance of upskilling myself through knowledge that will push light onto those dark spaces of unknownness. Nothing is more liberating than a curious mind with an appetite for knowledge. In the end, what I got out of this PDC is really so much more. I went further than what I envisioned it to be like in the beginning, and as a result I was able to see things beyond what I could’ve ever imagined. The experience has also given me an insight into realizing my true potential, and that although the intent of this journey has everything to do with learning about permaculture; the real transformation is in coming back full circle on growth and resilience through a self-determination and reflective learning process: in other words, the biggest change; is me." - Dina 2022
"The Regenpreneur Online Permaculture Design Certificate is wonderfully comprehensive. I was impressed with the scope and depth of the topics and the ability to learn more through links to further resources – this lead to going down some great rabbit-holes as one idea lead to another. I’m well armed with lots of great material I will use again and again. The online format was great. I was able to do it in my own time and pace to suit my lifestyle and workload, yet had great support available. Richard has really good in-depth knowledge as a practitioner, but also as a teacher – his lectures were well structured and clear. Richard was very responsive to my questions and the Zoom sessions were useful for consolidating the learning, as well as getting to know the other participants and their amazing projects. If you want to do a PDC but don’t want a residential course, want to have a NZ focus to your learning, and have access to a great teacher, this is the PDC for you. I’m glad I chose this course over any other." Jackie 2021
"Richard has constructed this assignments in a way that requires deep thought, research, foresight and imagination. There is a lot of "intention" in permaculture, which I feel is the opposite of what I've experienced in my western, white, culture where it's all about speed, on-timeness, productivity, profit, not to mention forcing our will on Mother Nature. With the PDC we're being challenged to change our mode of thinking, to consider the future, to work with Nature, learn from her, assist and enhance what she knows and what we're only just beginning to understand. Permaculture is making me something of an outlier as I even find myself at odds with what in America are called "Master Gardeners." There are touches of permaculture in their methods but not to the extent that Richard has introduced us to. So take heart. We are venturing into uncharted waters and that cannot be a fast, superficial or even friendly process. I find I have to constantly let go my expectations, remember that knowledge is fluid, and that I need to stay open to change. Our practice is to slow down, observe (and persuade others working with us to do the same!) and really see what is there and what possibilities and potential that "there" presents in the now and in terms of a legacy." Jane 2021
"My interest in permaculture was sparked at a Transition Towns presentation over a decade ago. The ethics and lens through which to view the world, resonated with my own sense of ‘appropriate living’. I have thoroughly enjoyed working through the Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) modules and being challenged to learn and deepen my knowledge. I am particularly interested in how permaculture principles can be applied to all aspects of life and society, beyond the aspects of gardening and farming". Ruth 2021
"I too am fairly new to Permaculture and I completely understand when you say the possibilities can feel very overwhelming at first! I also suffered a bit from a reluctance to start anything in case I somehow 'got it wrong'. This was before I realised there is always the opportunity to adapt. Try something that feels right and then observe the outcomes. You can always amend as you go. I also decided to start with very small areas of my property (which is already small I think as a suburban garden!) but this really helped me to focus on one area/thing at a time. I do also find the idea of putting together a full scale plan a bit daunting... but like Richard says, take all the learning and ideas from the individual modules and weave them together. It doesn't have to be perfect... Permaculture is more about evolution and patterns I think anyway... well for me it is. I think we can take a deep breath and we will journey there. The intentions are good and so I believe the outcome will also be so." - Saskia 2021
"Studying for a PDC online with Regenpreneur was the only way for me, as working from home, raising a family and living in rural isolation on a tight budget has meant doing a residential course was always going to be difficult. I have been a student of permaculture and organic practices for over 20 years but the level of the Regenpreneur PDC was academic, wide-ranging and professional. The modular system is well thought out, allowing a logical progression at your own pace. Highly recommended." Lee 2018
“Richard’s course was a fantastic way of being able to complete a PDC remotely. The content and community was engaging, and I learnt a lot. I would highly recommend to those considering furthering their permaculture education.“ Joel 2024
"I have really enjoyed this Permaculture Design Certificate and adding to my knowledge base. There are some areas that are not as pertinent to me living in suburbia, such as rotational grazing – they are, however, interesting to learn about. One module I didn’t think I would be interested in was Aquaponics – I really enjoyed it and thought it would be fun to experiment on a small scale in the future. Doing the course has helped me see some areas through new eyes. As well as gaining knowledge a large part of the reason for completing the PDC course was to help me know how to plan and work with any property we purchase in the future. Whilst looking at property listings I have had more awareness of things to look for – such as where the sun angles are, where do the winds come from, what is the topography like. I have a better understanding of where to go to find information should I need it. Whilst viewing a listing of a potential property recently we discovered it has a stream running through it. I was able to locate flood plain maps on the local district council website and ascertain the area was not in danger of flooding – something I may not have thought to do prior to doing this course." - Alison 2023
"Today I officially conclude my 1 year studies in permaculture. Wearing these new pair of lenses has been a journey of observation, taking in a lot of information and breath them out to find my own pace, understanding and creative interpretation of all. I've been blessed with the opportunity to trialing my learnings directly on a whenua which I called my "playground" for a few months; not without challenges, but mostly receiving healing and great feedback from the land itself. Permaculture is not just about growing food but it's a way of living, thinking, planning and flowing in all aspects of life. Today I dedicate this achievement to my grandmothers ko āu te whenua, ko āu te oneone, ko te whenua ko āu, ngā tangata! Special thanks to my mentor, Richard Pedley" - Francesca 2023
"When I started my journey in permaculture at the beginning of this year, I did not know much about it, except that it was a way to improve the soil and do less harm to the land. Well I have since had the privilege of gaining a deeper understanding of what Permaculture is, and what it is not. Permaculture design provides a pathway to mitigate and reverse the damage created from current land-use practices, through the regeneration of these agricultural and urban ecosystems. Regeneration is far more than simple renewal or restoration. It calls for the integration of aspects of ourselves as designers and as human beings. It demands that we reunite the art and science of design because we cannot succeed at sustainability if we fail to acknowledge human aspiration and will as the ultimate sustaining source of our activities. Throughout the course I have learnt how various systems impact on each other, and the approach guides us to mimic the patterns and relationships we find in nature, and in using the principles and ethics, I can improve my wellbeing and that of my family and environment. My goal is to use the knowledge gained, and to become self-sustaining in 5 years, to produce enough food for my family to eat, and yield a surplus in which to earn additional income." - Cecilia 2022
"When I started this online PDC last August, I really had no idea how far it would take me. What I initially wanted to get out of the course is to learn as much as I can about Permaculture, which I can further that knowledge to gain mastery, and then finally to make the world a better place for everyone. I didn’t come from a farming nor agricultural background. In fact, I second-guessed myself all the time because I can’t even get that plant I got for my office to survive. But I was different then, and I'm different now. I've learnt the importance of upskilling myself through knowledge that will push light onto those dark spaces of unknownness. Nothing is more liberating than a curious mind with an appetite for knowledge. In the end, what I got out of this PDC is really so much more. I went further than what I envisioned it to be like in the beginning, and as a result I was able to see things beyond what I could’ve ever imagined. The experience has also given me an insight into realizing my true potential, and that although the intent of this journey has everything to do with learning about permaculture; the real transformation is in coming back full circle on growth and resilience through a self-determination and reflective learning process: in other words, the biggest change; is me." - Dina 2022
"The Regenpreneur Online Permaculture Design Certificate is wonderfully comprehensive. I was impressed with the scope and depth of the topics and the ability to learn more through links to further resources – this lead to going down some great rabbit-holes as one idea lead to another. I’m well armed with lots of great material I will use again and again. The online format was great. I was able to do it in my own time and pace to suit my lifestyle and workload, yet had great support available. Richard has really good in-depth knowledge as a practitioner, but also as a teacher – his lectures were well structured and clear. Richard was very responsive to my questions and the Zoom sessions were useful for consolidating the learning, as well as getting to know the other participants and their amazing projects. If you want to do a PDC but don’t want a residential course, want to have a NZ focus to your learning, and have access to a great teacher, this is the PDC for you. I’m glad I chose this course over any other." Jackie 2021
"Richard has constructed this assignments in a way that requires deep thought, research, foresight and imagination. There is a lot of "intention" in permaculture, which I feel is the opposite of what I've experienced in my western, white, culture where it's all about speed, on-timeness, productivity, profit, not to mention forcing our will on Mother Nature. With the PDC we're being challenged to change our mode of thinking, to consider the future, to work with Nature, learn from her, assist and enhance what she knows and what we're only just beginning to understand. Permaculture is making me something of an outlier as I even find myself at odds with what in America are called "Master Gardeners." There are touches of permaculture in their methods but not to the extent that Richard has introduced us to. So take heart. We are venturing into uncharted waters and that cannot be a fast, superficial or even friendly process. I find I have to constantly let go my expectations, remember that knowledge is fluid, and that I need to stay open to change. Our practice is to slow down, observe (and persuade others working with us to do the same!) and really see what is there and what possibilities and potential that "there" presents in the now and in terms of a legacy." Jane 2021
"My interest in permaculture was sparked at a Transition Towns presentation over a decade ago. The ethics and lens through which to view the world, resonated with my own sense of ‘appropriate living’. I have thoroughly enjoyed working through the Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) modules and being challenged to learn and deepen my knowledge. I am particularly interested in how permaculture principles can be applied to all aspects of life and society, beyond the aspects of gardening and farming". Ruth 2021
"I too am fairly new to Permaculture and I completely understand when you say the possibilities can feel very overwhelming at first! I also suffered a bit from a reluctance to start anything in case I somehow 'got it wrong'. This was before I realised there is always the opportunity to adapt. Try something that feels right and then observe the outcomes. You can always amend as you go. I also decided to start with very small areas of my property (which is already small I think as a suburban garden!) but this really helped me to focus on one area/thing at a time. I do also find the idea of putting together a full scale plan a bit daunting... but like Richard says, take all the learning and ideas from the individual modules and weave them together. It doesn't have to be perfect... Permaculture is more about evolution and patterns I think anyway... well for me it is. I think we can take a deep breath and we will journey there. The intentions are good and so I believe the outcome will also be so." - Saskia 2021
"Studying for a PDC online with Regenpreneur was the only way for me, as working from home, raising a family and living in rural isolation on a tight budget has meant doing a residential course was always going to be difficult. I have been a student of permaculture and organic practices for over 20 years but the level of the Regenpreneur PDC was academic, wide-ranging and professional. The modular system is well thought out, allowing a logical progression at your own pace. Highly recommended." Lee 2018
Previous Students Portfolio's
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