Book here

"If we dont stop agriculture
then we are all dead!"
Bill Mollison
(Watch 'In Grave Danger of Falling Food')

"You can solve all the worlds'
problems in a garden"
Geoff Lawton
(Watch 'Greening the Desert' for more)

**see blog section
for more info on 2012 courses and posts
and discussions on permaculture issues

Course group at the Workhouse May 09

Be part of the Class of 2012!
We are very proud to offering this intensive permaculture design course. Sector39 has delivered 14 PDC's this far, and we offer is as an ideal opportunity ideal for anyone who wants to go beyond just talking about sustainability and is ready to turn their convictions into actions and to meet and get involved with like minded people.

This Full Permaculture Design Course is bought to you by Sector39 design partnership and Treflach farm. In the stunning Welsh borders, on the edge of the Shropshire plain, Treflach is a 100 acre farm which is trying to face up to the challenges modern farming in the light of 21st century challenges.

View over the camping area, Treflach Farm

Sector39 is an association of sustainability facilitators, trainers and project crew building forest gardens and edible landscapes and running permaculture courses and events.

Permaculture is a design system based on observations of natural systems, it is the concious application of the priciples of ecology to create sustainable human settlements. Permaculture is insipiring, fun, inclusive and a chance to join in and meet people.

Permaculture is a chance to look at the world in a creative, positive and solutions based approach. Gardens, communities, businesses; its ideas and insights can be applied in many contexts. It is a bottom up, nature first development approach focusing on the relocalisation of food and resource production.

Montage from previous courses

Nature as a teacher: Natural systems are self perpetuating, abundant, diverse and dynamic. Permaculture is the art of getting the power of nature and natural abundnace to work for you.

The two week intensive course examines the core principles and building blocks of sustainability and shows how this understanding can be applied to any situation.

Who is the course for?
The course is open to anyone over the age of 16. No prior knowledge of permaculture is needed, just an enthusiasm for the subject area and to learn.

What will the course cover?
This is a 72-hour full permaculture design course, which will offer information about, and some hands-on experience of, the basics of permaculture design; designing for sustainability in all walks of life. Whether your interest is gardening, farming, planning, building homes, community work, economic regeneration, business or green lifestyles, the application of Permaculture principles empowers you to make a positive contribution towards a sustainable future.

The course will enable you to apply permaculture principles in your individual circumstance to help move towards sustainability.

Permaculture relates to:
Personal development
Energy efficiency and renewable energy
Natural systems and ecology
Organic gardening
Soils, water, forests
Eco housing and buildings
Community working and Transition Towns.

Course group planting a forest garden, at the Workhouse May 09

Venue

Treflach Farm .
Treflach Farm, situated on the Welsh/Shropshire border near the market town of Oswestry, aims to prove small scale agriculture can be environmenntally aware, promote biodiversity and remain viable in a difficult and competitive market such as food production. Look at their website to find out more about their work and ethics.

Transport
It is easy to get to Treflach, just over the Welsh border in Shropshire, the nearest station is Gobowen, near Oswestry with limited busses to the village of Treflach. (more info on booking confirmation form)

• Check train times here with National Rail Enquiries
• www.travelinewestmidlands.co.uk Bus info
• www.transportdirect.info
• or phone traveline 0871 2002233

By road;

The Post code for Treflach Farm is SY10 9HX

If you are bringing a car, please let us know if you are prepared to use it for field trips (fuel costs paid). Full directions will be given on reciept of your booking form

Course tutors
Elements of the course will be delivered by these and other tutors:

• Steven Jones, permaculture teacher and designer
• Chris Dixon, permaculture pioneer and teacher
• Ian Watt, complimentary therapist,
• Ian Steele, course host and Shropshire farmer
• Richard Stephenson , green woodwork practicals
  ... more guest speakers to be announced

We will also be visiting goundbreaking projects such as;
Tir Penrhos Isaf
Cwm Harry Land Trust
Fordhall Farm
Glyn Ceiriog community garden

as well as engaging in practical gardening, land design, green building and renewable energy projects.

Learning methods and outcomes
The course is spread over 2 weeks and is intensive. It combines practical exercises with classroom based sessions, talks and presentations.

We use a variety of methods; small group work, games, presentations, discussion, video and slides. We will also explore the Farm at Treflach and find out more about its history and practices.

By the end of the course you will have a good basic knowledge of the permaculture ethics and principles and how to apply them and have seen examples of them at work in a variety of different contexts.

The course is completed with group presentations of design projects you will have completed during the course. Rather than seeing this as a test, the exercise is designed to provide experience of developing and presenting a design as part of a group.

On completion all participants are awarded with a certificate of completion as a permaculture design graduate recognised by the Permaculture Association of Britain.

Recommended reading
Any of the books below are recommended but it is not necessary for those attending to have read them, but they are all good starting points. Sector39 permaculture and sustainability book store
Have a browse around my Amazon bookstore for some top titles.

Course group at Centre for Alternative Technology Oct 09

What you are advised to bring

• Warm/waterproof clothing & sturdy outdoor footwear - Very Important!
• Sun hat & sun screen
• Warm indoor footware
• Gardening gloves if you want to get involved in the practical demonstrations
• Torch - ideally a wind up one
• Pens, pencils, notepad & an A4 paper and ring binder
• Water bottle
• Tent and sleeping bag if you are planning to camp
• Pictures, maps etc. of your plot of project, if you have one
• Musical instruments/ sketch pad etc. in case you are feeling creative
• Favourite books or other resources to share

Booking -

Fees
We are offering this 2 week course at an all inclusive price of £450.00, includes tuition, site visits, practical sessions and materials. As well as camping and food for the duration. Fee breakdown, £150 deposit in advance, £300 at start of the course.

Food; We provide 3 nutritious meals a day as part of the course fee, and participants are encouraged to assist in preparation and clearing up to help us keep costs as low as possible. All menus are basically vegan, with meat/ dairy options served separately. Let us know in advance if you have any specific food allergies/ intolerancies

• Limited places so please complete a booking form to secure your place adn send a £150 deposit at least one month before the start date of the course
  
  Payable to TSW Jones,
  
  please send to

PDC, Ty Cornel
Llanrhaeadr Ym Mochnant,
Powys, SY10 0JW

Normal group size 16 participants, with an absolute maximum of 20.

Any questions please get in touch with me directly.

booking form

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