Permaculture Design Course

The permaculture design course is a 72+ hour experience that is considered step one in anyone’s permaculture journey. The course is modeled after the curriculum taught by the originators of the permaculture concept, Bill Mollison and David Holmgren. We follow the framework of the Permaculture Institute of North America and have tailored the curriculum to fit the ecology and economy of the southeast. This course will equip you to produce your own food, heal landscapes, and grow your sense of joy and wonder in our beloved Earth.

Our 2024 class is complete, so get in touch with the form at the bottom of this page if you are interested in the 2025 course. We look forward to hearing from you!

  • State of the World 

    Sense of Place

    The Ethics: Care of Earth, Care of People, Equitable Systems

    The Permaculture Design Principles

    The local ecosystem

    Guilds and polycultures

    Designing for abundance

    Home-scale food production

    Mushroom inoculation

    Land access

    Soil, plant communities, and trees

    Earthworks & water management 

    Natural building

    Aquaculture

    Keyline design

    Appropriate technology

    Composting

    Growing fertility on-site

    Grazing and Agroforestry systems

    Decolonization

    The permaculture community

  • Farmers

    Gardeners

    Homeowners

    Homesteaders

    Renters

    Church leaders

    Landlords

    Real estate managers, buyers, and investors

    Ecologists

    Your parents

    Social workers

    Landscapers 

    Community Organizers

    Educators

    Artists

    Architects & Developers

    Engineers

    Have we missed anyone? In short, the PDC is an incredible opportunity for those concerned for the way we do food, land care, and community. If you have a sense that the way we tend the earth is not quite right and want to immerse yourself in practices that positively affect this, consider taking the course.

  • Common first steps for graduates are landscaping, gardening, consulting, and teaching. The applicability, however, is limitless (see the topics covered).

Course Details

Cost: $1600-2200 Sliding Scale

All course sites are ~15-30 minutes from downtown Chattanooga. We will meet Friday evening over dinner from 6-9pm, and all day on Saturday. Meals are included and side dishes are welcome. If you wish to stay overnight Friday, camping space is available.

April 25-26
May 16-17
June 13-14
July 11-12
August 15-16
September 19-20
October 10-11
November 7-8

FAQ

  • Absolutely. Land access is one of the biggest issues in the country, not only in agriculture. We explore this in the course and address ways to get your hands in the dirt, no matter your social position.

  • No:  in order to protect the integrity of the group taking the full Permaculture Design Course, we are limiting participation to those who are committing to the entire series. 

  • The ticket price is based on our costs (instructor time, venue costs, food, guest instructor fees, etc.). We understand that this can be an obstacle.  We are operating on an honor system:  if you can pay your bills comfortably, we encourage you to agree to the full price.  If the full price is out of reach, we are offering up to 5 work trade opportunities.  Scholarships may be available pending donations.

  • Contact us!  Thank you for your generosity. 

  • We are following the Permaculture Institute of North America’s stipulation of 72 hours of coursework.  The instructors will work with you to create a make-up plan so that you can complete your certification.  However, if you miss more than one weekend session we cannot guarantee certification.