Permaculture Design Certificate Course.

Learn the concepts of sustainable living and improved self-reliance through foodwatershelter’s Permaculture Design Certificate course. Join USA based lecturer Steve Whitman and a team of local teachers in Arusha, Tanzania between the 4th to 15th June 2012 for this incredible opportunity run in partnership with Tanzanian based NGO Global Service Corps.

For $950* (scholarships and discounts are available through application for African-based participants) you will receive an internationally recognised certification, the opportunity to visit projects and other NGOs in the Arusha area, gain hands-on experience designing and working on the farms of Kesho Leo, and meet a diverse group of the international community. Full paying students also assist to provide scholarships to African students who will make up half the number.

For further information and with any questions, contact pdc@foodwatershelter.org.au, otherwise download an application form and submit early to secure your place.

*$950 early bird fee; costs increase to $1,100 after 15th April. Course costs include lunches and some communal dinners. Costs do not include accommodation or travel to Arusha.

In addition to the provision of educational opportunities, this course is being organised by FWS as part of long-term income generation goals. Opportunities exist for course sponsorship to assist student attendance and support ongoing Kesho Leo projects.

Permaculture is a framework for working toward greater sustainability.It uses ecological principles to integrate food and energy production, structures, and community. Its aim is the creation of sustainable human settlements that are harmoniously woven into the environment and that have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems.

Principles of Permaculture underpin the Kesho Leo systems that are working to not only meet the food, water, shelter and energy needs of the Kesho Leo residents, but also to provide community educational opportunities and create income. Through this PDC you’ll learn hands- on from our livestock, organic vegetable gardens and aquaculture ponds, food forests and poultry systems, compost toilets and rainwater systems; all while supporting the promotion of self reliance within Africa.

Learn from the experts. Steve Whitman is a professional planner and educator focussed largely on community planning and sustainability issues. As a university lecturer and a certified Permaculture teacher, Steve has taught permaculture in the USA, Australia, Costa Rica, Haiti, Iceland, India, Scotland, and Sweden. Steve will be joined through the two week course by a local team of presenters that will include representatives from one of Tanzania’s foremost agricultural institutes, staff of local NGOs and businesses, and foodwatershelter’s own staff and farm workers.

This course is as equally useful for homeowners, design professionals and development workers as it is for farmers and gardeners. It is relevant whether you are based in inner-city Australia, or working the fields of Tanzania. Throughout the course each student will be working on a design project for their own property.

Topics covered through the course will include:

• Sustainable farming and backyard gardening for self-reliance and excess
• Composting and other simple techniques for soil management
• Aquaculture, livestock and poultry care
• Mushroom production, bees and honey, and simple rocket stoves
• Compost toilets, biodigesters and sanitation solutions
• Surface water management and rainwater harvesting
• Site design and integrated systems
• Permaculture ethics and principles in design
• Natural systems and biodiversity
• Village design, natural building and appropriate technologies

And remember, for further information and with any questions, contact pdc@foodwatershelter.org.au, otherwise download an application form and submit early to secure your place.

To pay for your place at the course by PayPal or credit card, please Proceed to checkout > . 

To make a tax-free donation for a scholarship to support East African based students please make a general donation and enter "PDC course" in the "donation in the name of" box.