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How Do I Choose the Best Permaculture Courses?
When choosing permaculture courses, you should consider the reputation of the course provider, the credentials of the course instructor or instructors, as well as the topics addressed in each course. You should also consider the course format, location, and schedule. Finally, determine your budget and consider both the cost of the course as well as any additional expenses that you may incur, such as those for travel, lodging, and time off from work.
Permaculture is a philosophy of agriculture, building, and community development that emphasizes sustainability and respect for the environment. Many organizations offer permaculture courses to assist others in developing buildings and food sources that are in harmony with the earth and that make efficient and minimal use of natural resources. These courses may be taught online, in traditional classes, as well as in workshops or internships that may be completed over extended periods of time. One thing to consider when selecting permaculture courses is your own schedule. If you work a full-time job, you may not be able to easily take several days, weeks, or even months off from work to complete a full internship or workshop. Day-long classes, weekend workshops, or even distance learning permaculture courses may be a more realistic option.
You should also consider your own needs and reasons for taking permaculture courses and keep them in mind while reviewing course lists and curricula. For example, if you are interested in developing an organic garden, you may wish to take courses that focus on natural fertilizers and pesticides as well as other gardening issues. On the other hand, if you wish to learn about raising animals for food in a sustainable way while living in an urban or suburban environment, you may need to find a school that specializes in training people who live in non-rural communities.
As with any educational endeavor, you should learn about the qualifications of those who are teaching the courses that you consider taking. Learn more about the sponsoring institution and whether it holds approvals or accreditations through recognized educational agencies or environmental organizations. Ask individuals within the permaculture community for advice on selecting a good school or course provider and whether they recommend any of the schools that you are considering. Read any information provided about the school's instructors. They should have significant experience in permaculture in addition to educational credentials and should likewise have experience in teaching permaculture to others.
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By: DLeonisPermaculture emphasizes sustainability.
Discussion Comments
So is there a top permaculture school in the country? I know that there are a lot of factors to consider when ranking schools, but in my experience it is usually possible to empirically say that one or two schools are the best. This must be true for permaculture as well.
I am a botanist and have been involved with the teaching of plant and environmental sciences for many years now. In my experience the best schooling you can get in any environmental discipline has to include as much hands on learning as possible.
Lectures and labs are great, and necessary, but any study of the environment really has to include a lot of time spent in the environment. We want to develop scientist who can engage with the world rather than stand at a remove from it.
Anyone who wants to get good at permaculture really needs to get out there and grow things, work with the land, work with the people around the land. Any course you take should stress this aspect.
I would think that a big part of choosing permaculture courses would be deciding what kind of environment you want to work in. If you want to work in desert climate you should go to the southwest. If you want a coniferous environment you might go to the Northwest. If you are looking for studies in the arctic maybe Canada. I would think that learning in the environment that you hope to work in one day would probably be the best training you could get.
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