Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute |

Winter Weekends PDC

Alternate weekends
January 18 - May 11

Full tuition: $900
Sign up with a friend tuition: $1600 for two
Early payment tuition: $800 before 12/1
Single Class: $50
Four class package: $150

The Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute offers it's fifth PDC, a course recognized around the world which equips students with the knowledge and understanding of whole systems and the applications of design to create systems which are ecologically sound and economically viable. We teach with interactive and experiential learning and emphasize group process and dynamics as much as content. We offer a flexible schedule; take one or take them all, the choice is yours.

Completion of all the course modules earns our participnants a certificate in permaculture design. As is with most education, the importance is not in the paper, but in the process. Graduates walk away with a better understanding of systems and how they can observe, design and work toward positive change in their environments. An in-depth look at the theories, best-practices, and methodologies combined with day-long study, collaboration and practice create an intense and inspirational learning event.

Date	Topic
January 18 - 20 Fri 5:30 - 9:30 Sat 9 - 5 Sun 9 - 4	Permaculture Fundamentals
February 2 Saturday 9 - 5	Global Perspectives
February 3 Sunday 9 - 4	Reading the Landscape
February 16 Saturday 9 - 5	Built Environment
February 17 Sunday 9 - 4	Designing a Home
March 1 Saturday 9 - 5	Economics
March 2 Sunday 9 - 4	Governance
March 15 Saturday 9 - 5	Water
March 16 Sunday 9 - 4	Waste Treatment
April 5 Saturday 9 - 5	Soil
April 6 Sunday 9 - 4	Earthworks
April 19 Saturday 9 - 5	Forests & Trees
April 20 Sunday 9 - 4	Gardening and Agriculture
May 3 Saturday 9 - 5	Design
May 4 Sunday 9 - 4	Design
May 10, 11, 12 Sat, Sun, Mon 9 - 5	Design Practicum
May 18 Sunday 10 - 2	Brunch & Presentations

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. WHO TAKES THE PERMACULTURE DESIGN COURSE?

All sorts... we've had scientists, farmers, a radio personality, a high school history teacher, a massage therapist, an architect, college students, a bassist, a nurse, a business consultant, environmental activists....the list goes on! Our youngest participant was 20 at the oldest over 60.

A common thread between the unique group that assembles at a PDC is a strong desire to learn about the place we call home and how to become proper stewards of it. The diversity of backgrounds and interests makes for exciting and passionate discussions and projects.

2. WHAT IS THE CERTIFICATE ABOUT?

The certificate was originally introduced when Bill Mollison designed the first PDC in the late 1970s. His intent was to create an educational movement that was characterized by a grassroots approach but that carried a legitimacy with other institutions of learning. A certificate symbolizes the basic knowledge a student walks away with and their lifelong commitment to being active participants in their local landbases. Many individuals use the certification as part of a set of credentials for teaching, landscaping, or design businesses. Some don't care about the certificate.

Once you have attended all of the curriculum modules, you will be issued a certificate. There is no time limit or restrictions on this - you can take the entire course in one session or over several years.

3. WHERE DOES THE COURSE TAKE PLACE?

Since 2006 we have hosted our courses at the Cayuga Nature Center (CNC). The CNC offers a beautiful spot close to Ithaca that has ample indoor and outdoor facilities for teaching and learning. We have completed several design schematics with students for the site, some of which are beginning implementation.

4. HOW IS THE COURSE TAUGHT?

Lovers of lecture beware! We are always working to improve the way we present materials, heading away from a traditional lecture and notes style to an interactive and experiential learning. We play plenty of games, have group break-out sessions, and engage in projects of all types. Typically the morning session is more presentation and content heavy and the afternoon focuses on experiencing the theories, techniques, and principles in action.

We also look to appeal to a wide variety of learning styles and interests - the more information you can provide on your personal strengths as a learner, the better we can design lessons to fit your needs.

5. WHO FACILITATES THE EXPERIENCE?

Traditionally, the teacher is viewed as an all-knowing person who downloads precious nuggets of wisdom and knowledge to the ignorant student. We view the role of the instructors as quite different - we are here to support a learning journey that is complex and unique to each of our students. We all come from our various corners of the world with our life experience in tact - and therefore we carry with us a wealth of knowledge. While the facilitators for the PDC have a curriculum to cover, we look to teach to your specific interests and to draw upon the knowledge of students to enhance the experience. We often sit in a circle to symbolize the equality of each of us in the course. We are all teachers, and we are all responsible for our individual and collective learning.

6. WHAT ARE THE COURSE GOALS?

We will develop group goals and expectations early on in the course. Our stated goals as facilitators are the following:

Maintain a shared and positive learning environment.
Define coursework by facilitator and student expertise and interest while addressing the standard curriculum for certification.
Make the environment revolve around experiential and action learning.
Create systems for feedback so we can evolve the course as necessary.

7. IS THERE HOMEWORK?

We offer optional assignments at the end of each class and pre-class activities to prepare you for the coming session. The assignments usually entail a short reading and activity at your home, often on a site you may want to design in the future.

8. WILL I LEARN ANY HARD SKILLS?

Yes! The most important and emphasized skill will be the ability to design. This includes skills in observation, site assessment, mapping, gathering data, and creating design drawings. We also learn how to build swales, compost piles, and worm bins and use tools like an a-frame and water level.

We try and get outside as much as we can during the winter course, so come prepared!

9. WHY DOES THE COURSE COST SO MUCH?

If you compare the classroom hours to other PDC courses, it is clear that we offer a more in-depth course at a lower cost.

Your tuition pays the facilitators, who spend hours researching, preparing, evaluating, and supporting the course. We also need to provide for the cost of our facilities. Tuition also includes access to resources and a thick bundle of readings, notes, and diagrams to help you along your way. We have worked hard to minimize costs while providing a living wage for our instructors.

10. ARE THERE PREREQUISITES OR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE REQUIRED?

None except a love for nature and a desire to learn and support your fellow students and facilitators. We have found that ecology veterans and newcomers alike enjoy the course most when they have spent time beforehand reading, writing, and determining their personal objectives for the course.