Permaculture Design Course
2nd November to 17th November 2019
Permaculture Teacher’s Training Course
19th November to 27th November 2019
Mineral Springs, Darjeeling
Permaculture Design Course fees, inclusive of training
material, food and lodge:
International Candidates Rs. 43,000
Indian Nationals residing outside Darjeeling but working in India Rs.
34,000
Discounts available for Darjeeling Hills’ residents. Please contact for
details
Permaculture Teacher’s Training Course fees inclusive of training material, food and lodge
International Candidates Rs. 35,000
Indian Nationals Rs. 25,000
Training venue “Mineral Springs, Dabaipani, Darjeeling”
Mineral Springs Dabaipani is an internationally certified organic area
and fair-trade labeled collective of 456 small farmers since 2002. The farmers
have come under the Mineral Spring Sanjukta Vikas Sanstha since 1996. The
collective has been marketing small farmers organic tea in the international
market, which is grown as a polyculture crop.
The participants will have home stay accommodations facilities
with the members of Mineral Spring Sanjukta Vikas Sanstha.
Trainers: Rico Zook ( www.i-permaculture.org ipermaculture),
teacher assistants Reed.Burnam and Guest Instructor: Sailesh Sharma, FB: sailesh.c.sharma DLR Prerna. www.darjeelingprerna.org FB: Darjeeling Prerna
For further details
Darjeeling Ladenla Road Prerna
c/o Hayden Hall Complex,
42 Ladenla Road,
Darjeeling 734 101,
West Bengal, India.
Phone Number 91 354 2255894
A working knowledge of English is required by the
participant. We do not look for academic qualifications for the course, except
an interest to be part of a sustainable lifestyle and be the change you want to
see in the world.
NB: **** DLR Prerna and Rico reserves the right to admit candidates to
the course. Candidates will be notified of their participation on receipt of
the completely filled application form.
Permaculture Design Course Description
Permaculture is a design system to create regenerative, sustainable systems. Envisioned over 25 years ago by Bill Mollison and Dan Holmgren, from Australia, it has now spread to over 120 countries. Though its conception was as a land based system, its effectiveness has moved it into urban settings and to being applied in various social, political, and economic environments.
Permaculture was created through the synthesis of many design systems, with the emphasis on nature as the penultimate one. Similarly, the insights and value of traditional and indigenous practices and knowledge are acknowledged along with the necessity of molding these with our current understandings and the appropriate technologies of today's world. What Permaculture seeks to do is to create three-dimensional designs that are site specific and sustainable. By bringing together elements (orchard, water system, farmer, cow, etc.), techniques (organic framing, natural building, etc.) and strategies (microclimate, relative placement, etc.) a system is designed or altered based on regenerative relationships. It is these regenerative, beneficial relationships that give a system complexity, three dimensionality, and thus, resiliency.
The world can be looked at as the convergence of many different flows. From ‘natural’ (wind, water, soil, etc.) to human (social, resources, transportation, etc.) to invisible (economic, information, etc.) which interact and create patterns. These flows form our world. Recognizing this, Permaculture teaches Pattern Literacy and Pattern Application. This, along with Sector Analysis (site specific flow mapping), Zonation (a tool for structuring time) and other techniques and tools, Permaculture focuses on creating regenerative relationships that are the key to resilient, sustainable systems.
From its inception Permaculture has quickly spread to over One hundred and twenty countries where farms and other sites are successfully applying its' ideas, techniques and strategies. As further testament to its applicability, Permaculture is now being applied in many urban and suburban areas. In many developed countries these applications hold much promise for dealing with the many issues associated with mass populations.
Permaculture in the last few years has been moving into the invisible structures. In the United States a Permaculture credit union has been formed and 'green' investment firms are using Permaculture principles and ideas to create resilient, sustainable investment systems. Environmentalists and social activists are using Permaculture to give depth and complexity to their approaches to many issues we are dealing with today. These applications are possible because Permaculture is a design system that focuses on relationship and not so much on object.
Permaculture is a multi-faceted, in depth design system that will help us create appropriate, site-specific designs that are both sustainable and regenerative.
Permaculture principles are a list of attitudes, approaches, and actions that are practical and not system specific. These along with certain tools and techniques allow for a holistic approach and interaction with any type of system. As a tool of analysis it is an excellent way to look at existing programs, strategies, and interventions to assess their interactions, linkages, and success'. It is a way to reach an understanding of the various influences and flows involved in a system, be it self help groups, village, or organization. Second, it provides insights and principles by which to intervene or interact with a system. As there is neither a truly independent system, nor sterile 'environment' this aspect is of significant importance. Thirdly, as we have already stated, Permaculture is an excellent approach for designing resilient, site-specific systems, be it disaster preparedness, HIV/AIDS, or women's empowerment.
It is important to understand that Permaculture is not so much about giving you new and improved ideas, techniques, and strategies, though there is some of that. What Permaculture does is allow for a deeper understanding of the situation at hand and, with its principles and strategies, a more holistic, effective way to interact with or design a system. What Permaculture offers are skills and principles by which we build our awareness of why or why not something was successful. Through this insight we can build on what is successful and modify others to become more successful.
Stepping up another level, Permaculture is an excellent way to weave together the different parts of an organization so that a unity and synergy can be created. In this way unforeseen benefits and ease will raise within the system.
This workshop will present Permaculture with all of these applications in mind. We will focus on land systems with as much hands on work and examples as possible. In addition, many discussions and examples will be explored of possible applications in what are called the 'Invisible Structures', the social, cultural, political, and economic structures that shape much of our world today.
Subjects will include:
Permaculture Ethics and
Principles
Pattern Literacy and
Application (physical and invisible)
Energy and
Flows
Sector Analysis and Zonation
Water; Harvesting, Holding,
and Recycling
Soil, Plants, and
Environments
Agriculture; From Your
Doorstep to the World
Buildings
The Design Process
Urban Permaculture
Permaculture in the
Developing Countries
Permaculture and
Organizations
This workshop will culminate with several groups doing a real life design projects that will be relevant to the site of the workshop. Not only will the teaching be about Permaculture, but it will also model it by its structure and the environment we create together in the course.
This workshop will contribute to the enrichment of its site and each of its participants. With the goal of having half international students and half local students this workshop will not only be an opportunity to learn about Permaculture, it will also offer an opportunity to understand we can create a regenerative, sustainable world together.
The person attending the Permaculture Design Course will not only gain theoretical and practical knowledge on Permaculture at the end of the workshop but will be handed a Permaculture Design Course Certificate. This certificate will enable the participant to be a certified Permaculture Practitioner. This course has been specially designed for the many enthusiasts who are unable to invest two weeks at one go in the East Nepal and Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas to get certified.
PERMACULTURE TEACHER
TRAINING
WITH RICO ZOOK and
SHAGUN SINGH fb: shagunindia
19th November to 27th November 2019
Mineral Springs, Darjeeling, India
Advocate for Change
Through Teaching Whole Systems and Passion Based Learning.
In this dynamic and interactive course, we share
impactful teaching techniques that promote effective communication and
application of Permaculture principles and strategies to a wide variety of
audiences and educational settings. Our goal is to encourage and inspire your
unique strengths and abilities by demonstrating diverse teaching modalities
including effective use of lecture, storytelling, class discussions,
interactive experiential activities, visual aids and hands-on skills.
As a class, we create a safe setting of active
learning and build confidence through preparing and co-teaching multiple
presentations providing essential and experiential practice
opportunities. Participants engage in social permaculture and build strong
resource networks to support one another via group projects.
Teaching is Sharing
Information, Regenerative, Empowering and Part of the Permaculture Solution
Course
Topics Include:
•
Philosophy and Ethics of Being an Instructor
• The
Art of Teaching and Facilitation
•
Adult Learning Styles
•
Building Curriculum and Lesson Plans
•
Presenting Styles
•
Utilizing Media and Activities
•
Co-Instructing
• Time
Management
•
Venue Logistics, Course Planning, Marketing and Budgets
•
Interns, Apprentices and Mentoring
•
Evaluations and Feedback
• Tips
from the Trade
•
Keeping Up The Spirit
•
Self-care
•
Right Livelihood
•
Extensive Resources and More
Certificate
from the Permaculture Institute of North America
Prerequisite:
Permaculture Design Course Certificate or instructor’s
approval.
Richard Rico Zook
Permaculture Designer, Consultant and Educator
Rico brings over four decades of experience in nature to his work. As
well as creating and working with a wide variety of land-based systems in all
types of climatic environments, for the past 22 years he has been a
Permaculture designer, consultant and educator working with farmers, villagers,
private individuals, and local organizations in northern India, Cambodia, Spain,
USA, the mid-east and other parts of the world. This work focuses on assisting
all levels of our global community to create culturally and environmentally
appropriate life systems that are resilient and regenerative.
With
a degree in Environmental Studies focused on Land Restoration, minors in
biology and philosophy, with years of homesteading in northern California and
working in Yosemite Nat’l Park, Rico came to permaculture with almost all the
elements, but no organizing structure or system. From 1996 to 2005 he was first
co-director and crew foreman for the land restoration crew, then land manager
at a wilderness community decimated by wildfire in the mountain wilderness of
northern New Mexico. Guided and mentored by Ben Haggard (https://regenesisgroup.com/team),
for ten years Rico did hands-on permaculture design and installation rebuilding
a community and village from the ground up.
For more information about Mr. Zook and his work go to www.i-permaculture.org
Darjeeling Ladenla Road Prerna (DLR Prerna) www.darjeelingprerna.org FB: Darjeeling Prerna
DLR Prerna is a Darjeeling based NGO working in the Darjeeling Hills
since 1996.
Vision Statement
Darjeeling
Ladenla Road Prerna believes in a world that sees the need to live as one
family where the environment is preserved and protected, where conscious efforts
are made to remove unjust structures while striving to build a just and humane
society.
Mission statement
Our mission
is to build sustainable human communities in the Darjeeling hills and the
adjoining areas by promoting people's participation, gender equality and living
in harmony with the environment.
Goals
1. Promote,
facilitate and strengthen people’s organisations.
2. Promote
sustainable agro-ecology and appropriate technology
3. Undertake
Development and Environment Education with educational institutions and
community based organisations.
4. Provide
support to other organisations.
5. Undertake
research, development and dissemination on developmental issues pertinent to
the Darjeeling Hills with special focus on conservation and climate change.
Darjeeling
Prerna partners with small farmers, forest villagers, tea plantations workers,
CBOs, CSOs, Educational Institutions and NGOs in furthering the vision of the
organisation. We are a Darjeeling based organisation and believe that our
interventions are grounded in the specificities and long term lived experiences
within the Darjeeling Himalaya. This has direct correlation with Sikkim, so our
partnered interventions there, and implications across the Himalaya that we
bring to the discussion tables. Darjeeling Prerna believes in a participatory,
inclusive and environment friendly approach to development and is the
organisational philosophy of good governance within and in all our
interventions.
Current focal
areas:
1. Community
conservation
Working with
communities living next to forests especially protected areas in Darjeeling and
Sikkim focussing on sustainable agro-ecology, and managing mountain human
wildlife conflict and advocating for mountain human wildlife conflict policies.
Agro-biodiversity conservation is an integral part of the intervention.
2. Climate
resilient communities
Working with
small farmers in Darjeeling and Sikkim evolving and promoting climate smart
agriculture and agro-forestry. Promotion of diversity of local food cultures is
a critical aspect of our climate resilience intervention.
3. Community
Health
Working with
tea plantation workers, small farmers and educational institutions within the
community in Darjeeling.
a. Water
and Sanitation: Knowledge, institution and infrastructure strengthening to
access clean and safe water for all. Promoting sustainable menstrual health and hygiene.
b. School
Health:
i. Health
education inclusion in curriculum, screening and referrals – CHHIP
ii. TeaLeaF:
Teacher leading frontline addressing mental health.
c. Sustainable
livelihoods.
4. Zero Waste
Promoting zero
waste principles and practices across the Indian Himalayan Region through
Integrated Mountain Initiative. We facilitate direct interventions in
Darjeeling and Sikkim with local self governance institutions, community based
institutions, government institutions and educational institutions as member of
Zero Waste Himalaya. Zero Waste discussions include changing food choices and
the need to go local and unpackaged.
5. Knowledge
Contextualised
sustainability knowledge within the Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalaya.
a. Permaculture: DLR Prerna is
pioneering Permaculture Design Courses in the Darjeeling Hills, offering
certified basic course with Mr. Richard Zook as the trainer since 2005. Shorter
term courses for farmers are being facilitated by Rico and the DLR Prerna team
in the local language.
b. Sustainable
agro-ecology, small farmers organic farming, certification processes and market
linkages.
6. Platforms,
Networks and Partnerships
We believe
that our effectiveness, reach and impacts are made manifold through Platforms,
Networks and Partnerships. Our intervention experiences are transferred to
policy landscapes as well as bring solidarity across the Indian Himalayan
Region through the Integrated Mountain Initiative a platform of elected,
bureaucrats and civil societies advocating for mountain sensitive policies. Our
waste interventions are taken forward under the Zero Waste Himalaya, a pan
Himalayan platform of individuals and organisations promoting principles of
zero waste.
Current
partners:
Primary
School Students, women’s group, forest villagers, communities living in tea
plantations , youths, small farmers.
Darjeeling,
Kurseong Sub-division and Sikkim.
Projects and
measures currently in implementation: Comprehensive Health & Hygiene Programme
(CHHIP); Teachers Leading Frontline (TeaLeaF); Climate Change Resilient Sittong
II; Agro Forestry Programme; Community-based management of Human Wildlife
Conflict in Darjeeling and Sikkim and Enhancing Mediascapes in Eastern
Himalaya.
** IMPORTANT NOTE **
Full Fee deposit is required to secure your spot in this course.
Registration without deposit will only hold a spot in the course until we are
filled. If you have not deposited the fee by this time your spot will be given
to someone who does make the deposit.
International Candidates please contact Darjeeling Prerna for details.
CANCELLATION POLICY
This course is offered at the lowest possible pricing to make it
accessible to as many people as possible. As such a late cancellation can have
a significant impact on our budget. For this reason we have the following
cancellation policy.
6 weeks or more notice: full refund minus 5% processing fee
4 to 6 weeks notice: refund minus 25%
2 to 4 weeks notice: refund minus 50%
2 weeks or less notice: refund minus 75%
