Four-Season Permaculture: If You Can Dream It, You Can Create It
April 15 to October 22, 2023
Are you seeking the tools and confidence to do something about what’s happening in the world? If so, we are here to support you. Imagine a life where you are entirely lit up by your desire to be in service to creating a more beautiful world. You feel confident in how you will contribute and secure your skills and knowledge to create and share your dreams with others.
Why We Do What We Do
We believe that if everyone knew even a little about how Permaculture works, the degree of global change would be incredible.
If you can’t already tell, we are passionate about Permaculture. Nature Works! and has proven that for millennia. Drawing on the principles of nature, Permaculture takes us through a step-by-step process to create the future Now!
A 7-Month Dive
Awaken your connection with the Earth and learn the practical skills
required for humans to stay here on planet Earth. This is a 7-month dive into how to change your life and the world. All you need is guidance from those who have walked this path before.
You will be immersed in a hands-on, diverse curriculum constructed to expand the attendee’s practical Permaculture skill sets.
From composting to green building, Elemental breath work & movement, our curriculum will teach you about the Earth, ecosystems, community and yourself.
We Want to Improve Your Life Radically
Join Shantree & Lorenna Kacera and their Permaculture team for this hands-on experience on a 43-year-old, 50-acre Permaculture oasis near London, Ontario, teaming with a diversity of Forest Gardens, Strawbale & Cordwood/ Cob Natural Buildings, Earthship Greenhouse, Solar, a one kilometre Native Plant Trail, Medicine Herb Garden, Bee Research Facility, Food forests, ponds and wetlands. Fruit and nut trees, berries, wild edibles and more….
The first step is equipping yourself with knowledge and direct experience while surrounding yourself with a community of like-minded individuals.
Come to the edge, jump, and create your dream world.
The Four Seasons Format
Learn Permaculture through the four seasons, with a focus on temperate climates. This course is an internationally recognized, 72-hour training in the ethics, principles, methods and practices of Permaculture Design, plus 24 extra hands-on hours and 24 hours of group/independent work giving you 120 hours of quality education.
The four-seasons format allows you to integrate and implement what you have learned and bring your experiences and questions back to the training for feedback and discussion.
Permaculture:
- Uses nature as our guide
- Is a design process
- Thinks wholistically
- Is solution based
- It is centred on cooperation and connection
“The ultimate goal of Permaculture is not only of food, medicine and new energy sources, but also the cultivation and excellence of fresh new ways of seeing, of thinking, of acting and being in the world.” ~Dave Jacke
The Process
This general outline of each module may change according to the weather.
This course is a ‘principles-in-practice approach to offer students a fantastic opportunity to advance their hands-on expertise and design development. Each weekend will include Edible Forest Gardening design and application, with a balance of classroom time, hands-on experimental learning and nature connection.
Winter – April 15, 16, 17
Spring – June 3, 4, 5
Summer – July 29, 30, 31
Fall – Sept 23, 24, 25
Design Project Presentations – Oct 21 & 22
Winter
- Foundations of Permaculture
- The History of Permaculture
- Permaculture Principles & Design Science
- Principles & Ethics of Permaculture
- Mapping & Design exercises
- Pattern Thinking in Design & Strategy
- Landscape analysis
- Introduction to Edible Food Forests
- Why plant-based Permaculture
- Nature as a guide & teacher
- Deep Ecology & Living Systems theory
- Bioregionalism & Re-localization
- Earth Connection processes
- Building Community & Teamwork
Spring
- Forest Gardening principles
- Food Forests, Polycultures & Ecosystems
- Pattern Recognition & Site Analysis
- Reading the Landscape & Climatic Factors
- Designing Edible Forest Gardens
- Understanding the Soil Food Web
- Growing Organic Soil Fertility
- Enhancing Nutrient Flow
- Bioremediation: healing soil and water with beneficial bacteria, compost teas, fungi, & plants
- Creating Microclimates of Peace
- Alternative Energy Systems – from small to large
- Appropriate Technologies that support these changing times
- Cold Climate Energy Conservation
- Earth Connection processes
Summer
- Natural Building – Earthship, Cob, Cordwood, Strawbale
- Solar Hot Water Collector Installation
- Building Design using Local, Natural and Recycled Materials
- Edible Landscape Management
- Thinking Like a Watershed
- Swales & Contours
- Water Ecology & Preservation
- Roof Water Harvesting
- Earth Connection Processes
Autumn
- Sustainable Energy Systems
- Inner Permaculture
- Deep Ecology & Eco-philosophy
- The Transition Culture
- Eco-villages, Community & Thinking Globally
- Wild Edible Foraging Practices
- Nutrition: Food Choices & Sustainability
- Food Harvesting & Storage
- Earth Connection processes
Graduation Weekend
- Day One – Putting it Together – Team Design Project Presentation
- Day Two – Questions, Feedback & Where to from here?
- Evolutionary Leadership
- Receiving Certificates
“This course has been one of the most enriching and rewarding experiences of my life. We dove deeply into many useful and very tangible topics as well as the more intangible aspects of inner permaculture. The interweaving of both creates a harmonious resonance that enriches the entire program.” ~ Brett
A life changing experience! The PDC helped me to develop skills, but also a better understanding of the world and a vision of how I can become an element of positive change on this beautiful planet.” ~Nancy
Students work in small groups between sessions throughout the
course to incorporate their learning into real-world permaculture design projects. The course culminates in the presentation of each group’s design project. Upon completion, participants become certified as Permaculture Designers and receive a Permaculture Design Certificate recognized worldwide.
NEW – We are pleased to offer three options for our PDC training. Please see – ‘Course Options’ below.
Our Approach
The Four-Season permaculture course offers a unique and incomparable opportunity to experience hands-on permaculture and forest gardening skills immersed in one of Canada’s most diverse Permaculture educational and demonstration sites.
Participants will engage and experience how to live and create a resilient lifestyle.
Your training ground:
- A temperate climate educational centre, forest garden nursery and homestead with well-established 40-year-old forest gardens.
- Mature berry/fruit, orchard and nut production
- A high-performance Earthship greenhouse
- Cob, Earthship & cordwood building
- Strawbale Tiny House
- A variety of ponds and native plants
- Year-round small-scale micro-greens and sprouting operation
- A root cellar and time-honoured food preservation practices
- Established medicine gardens and medicine-making methods
- Untouched mature forest
The Living Centre is the proof of concept.
Participants have the unique opportunity to immerse in a working educational centre and homestead and see precisely what opportunities and challenges arise in developing and maintaining a productive and resilient home, business and land resource system. Our site demonstrates various cutting-edge design concepts for increasing a self-reliant, enlightened lifestyle adapted for the temperate climate.
Course Highlights
- Immersion and practice in one of the most established permaculture/forest garden sites in Canada
- Locally sourced (and site-grown) fresh, local organic vegan meals of the highest quality.
- The foundation and resources of an eco-spiritual educational centre est. 1983
- A well-developed, skills-based permaculture curriculum focused on transition, resiliency and regeneration.
- Students will have the opportunity to connect to a global network of Permaculture, regenerative design, and nature awareness contacts and projects.
How is this course unique?
- Four-Distinct Seasonal Weekends
- Established Forest Gardens (1983)
- Local Permaculture Educators with 50+ years of experience
- Unique DVD Adobe Reader
- Forest Gardening e-Book Manual
- Permaculture Design: A Step-by-step guide -Aranya
- A copy of Bill Mollison’s “An Introduction To Permaculture,” An Edited Transcript of a PDC
- Nature & local plant identification & foraging
- Vegan Permaculture made easy
- Earth Wisdom Teachings
- Deep Ecology & Living Systems Theory
- A team of professional designers & forest gardeners
Course Options
Participants in our PDC range from students who have ranged from home gardeners to community activists, from organic gardeners to farmers, and from artisans to career-changing entrepreneurs. After years of teaching and student feedback, we have concluded that no one-size fits! So we now offer these options.
Level I – The Foundation
Total Value $1,799
You Save $200
Your Price is $1,599
An internationally recognized, 72-hour training in the ethics, principles, methods, techniques, and practices of Permaculture Design + 24 extra teaching hours + 24 hours group/independent work, a 120-hour Certificate Course.
Includes:
- Five-Distinct Seasonal 3-Day Trainings (Total of 16-Days, incl. Introduction to Introduction to Permaculture workshop)
- Established Forest Gardens (1983)
- Local Permaculture Educators with 40+ years of experience
- Forest Gardening e-Book Manual – Complied by Shantree Kacera
- Permaculture Design: A Step-by-Step Guide – Aranya
- The Essence of Permaculture Manual – David Holmgren
- An Introduction To Permaculture – Bill Mollison’s, An Edited Transcript of a PDC
- Unique DVD Adobe Reader – The Living Centre’s Note Package & Resource Library (Priceless)
Level II – The Specialized Option
Total Value $5,099
You Save $500
Your Price is $4,599
Increase your Permaculture experience in the regenerative application of deep ecology and forest gardening design. Level II provides you with all of the Foundational PDC features of Level I, plus an 18-Day Forest Gardening – Practical Herbalism Mentorship Program – a whole systems design approach.
Total Value Includes:
- Everything from Level I
- Permaculture PDC
- Forest Gardening Mentorship
- Forest Gardening Correspondence Course
Level III – The Professional Option
Total Value $6,099
You Save $1,100
Your Price is $4,999
Total Value Includes:
For those serious about establishing a permaculture and/or Forest Gardening career, this option is the best investment to support you in guaranteeing your success.
- Everything from Levels I and II
- Permaculture PDC
- Forest Gardening Mentorship
- Forest Gardening Correspondence Course
- Onsite Forest Gardening Assessment of Your Property – 4 hours and travel
- One-on-one Mentoring (Six-One Hour Sessions with either Lorenna or Shantree)
- Two Refresher Courses
Level III provides you with all Level I and Level II features, onsite and mentoring support, and unlimited continuing education. This ensures a successful start-up and the ability to fine-tune and keep your skills and knowledge up to date. As this option requires in-depth personal attention, we limit the spots to four students per course.
Please get in touch with The Living Centre to register for Levels II or III at info@thelivingcentre.com
Why Take a Permaculture Design Course
“Permaculture is a creative and artful way of designing our lives, where wastes become resources, productivity and yields increase, work is minimized, and people and nature are preserved – all by thoughtful planning and a respectful approach to life. Thus embraced, we create an environment where all may thrive for untold generations.”
~Bill Wilson
Why Permaculture?
Ecological designers transform scarcity into abundance.
The ecological design balances human needs with the needs of other species. An environmental design creates systems of organisms, mechanisms, and feedback.
Everyone can benefit from learning about permaculture and applying it in their lives and communities. Today, permaculture practitioners are greatly needed because they directly solve global issues such as social inequity, soil infertility, climate change, and water and food shortages.
The Living Centre’s Permaculture Design Course (PDC) course is a beautiful way to train how to be a practitioner of permaculture. A PDC is designed for students to deepen their learning and gain practical skills. It is a 120-hour training that provides an internationally recognized certificate.
Any PDC will offer a formalized educational opportunity and an internationally recognized certificate. Below are important reasons to consider taking our PDC in general.
1. It helps you become an influential designer to solve real-world problems
Permaculture Design Courses offer a simple yet effective model for design. They offer a structure and method to fall back on when designing to address the challenges of our time.
2. It will change the way you see the world
PDC students learn how to read social systems and landscapes in ways that see challenges as opportunities. Students learn how to assess hydrology, landforms, climate, sun exposure and more, which will help them determine the parameters for effective, regenerative design.
3. It will give you practical knowledge and experience
A permaculture design certification is like a kickstart on the permaculture path. It goes deep into permaculture design methods. It is also a great life experience and can be a good resume builder.
4. It can enrich your career path
There are so many aspects of permaculture that can be pursued. The permaculture career path is like a tree, with each branch presenting income and livelihood opportunities.
Many PDC graduates work in environmental restoration, community projects, organic regenerative organic productions or homesteads. People who already have jobs can benefit from applying their permaculture knowledge to increase efficiency and find more meaning in their work.
5. Provides a constructive outlet for creative passions
Permaculture designs are not only functional; they are beautiful. Whether you are designing a community garden or a sustainable home, there is lots of room for creativity and aesthetics in any permaculture design.
6. It teaches you how to foster positive relationships with communities and the natural world.
Permaculture is all about positive relationships. A PDC teaches you how to live in positive interactions with nature and fellow humans in your life.
7. You will meet people who have similar interests.
Most participants who take a PDC are there because they are interested in and passionate about similar interests such as organic gardening, community resilience, nature connectedness, environmental activism, alternative economies, experiential education… the list goes on. A PDC is a great way to meet like-minded individuals and build your network of changemakers.
8. It is joyful and pleasurable, packed with creativity
Permaculture Design Courses are full of engaging learning activities and interactions that stimulate and nourish our sense of awe and wonder.
9. It is inspiring
You learn a lot about people and projects that are doing inspiring work in the course content. Many students leave PDCs feeling motivated with a renewed sense of purpose in life.
10. The world needs more permaculture designers!
A PDC shows you ways to leave the earth better than you found, which the world needs now.
“Permaculture is about rebuilding relationships with the people, land and systems that support us.”
~Jono Neiger, ‘The Permaculture Promise’
Registration Dates for 2023
Winter – April 15, 16, 17
Spring – June 3, 4, 5
Summer – July 29, 30, 31
Fall – Sept 23, 24, 25
Design Project Presentations & Graduation Ceremony October 21 & 22
Daily Flow
9:00 – 9:30 Nature Connection processes
9:30 – 11:00 Session
11:00 – 11:20 Nature Break
11:20 – 1:00 Session
1:00 – 2:00 – Lunch
2:00 – 4:30 – Session
4:30 – 5:00 Integration
Your Investment: $1599
Space is limited to 15 participants. A deposit of $500 will hold your space.
Includes all trainings, DVD Adobe Reader Permaculture Course Manual.
Does not include tax, transportation or accommodations.
Please BYO vegan lunch. A fridge & outdoor kitchen is available for use.
- Alumni – Those who have participated in a full PDC course – $799. (please contact us)
- Partner/Spouse Discount – Partners who take the course together get the second tuition at an additional $300 off of the regular price
- Student Discount – Full-time students $300 off of the regular price
- Family Discount – Two adults who would like to take this course with a son or daughter between age 16 – 19 receive a 50% discount off their child’s tuition ($800) off the regular price
Work-Trade Positions up to $400 are available.
Work exchange can occur before and during the course period. You do not lose any teaching hours during the exchange. This great opportunity allows you to gain hands-on experience in Permaculture skills, and participate in a regenerative lifestyle. Please inquire.
Testimonials
“This PDC has been an amazing experience. I feel I now have the tools, resources and knowledge to begin forming my own sustainable community. This was worth every moment.” ~ Dixie
The PDC course is a perfect foundation. I feel so armed with wisdom and knowledge, completely full with possibility and promise. Thank you! ~ Jaime
“A truly educational experience in both inner an outer Permaculture.” ~ Adam
“This course has been one of the most enriching and rewarding experiences of my life. We dove deeply into many useful and very tangible topics as well as the more intangible aspects of inner permaculture. The interweaving of both creates a harmonious resonance that enriches the entire program.” ~ Brett
“The PDC course at The Living Centre is so informative and inspiring. You are guided so wonderfully and skillfully by Lorenna and Shantree. Their experience and expertise is incredibly beneficial. Just take a walk on the land at The Living Centre, you’ll know you are in the right place.” ~ Amanda
“The Permaculture certification course truly shifted my connection to the land, to food and how I see my role in stewardship to the planet.” ~ Monique
“I started the PDC program at The Living Centre feeling worried, and frankly scared about the future and what it holds for our planet. I leave filled with hope.” ~ Cam
“The spark of this experience has ignited the gift of manifestation in me, and the confidence to create a ‘new’ reality for myself and the world.” ~ Cherrelle
“I came into the 4 seasons permaculture design course without prior knowledge of permaculture and not knowing what to expect. It has helped guide my views in life, and allowed me to open my mind to the world around us. Every weekend was left with a sense of fulfillment and drive. I will forever remember my time spent at The Living Center and those that shared the journey with me.” Andrew
“A life changing experience! The PDC helped me to develop skills, and also a better understanding of the world and a vision of how I can become an element of positive change on this beautiful planet.” ~Nancy
“This 4-Season PDC has enabled me to absorb the information I was hungry to learn, in an unhurried fashion. It allowed time for this new knowledge to filter in a manageable and meaningful way into my life.” ~V.S.
“The 4-Season Permaculture was an amazing and valuable experience. The guest speakers were amazing, Shantree possesses an infinite wealth of knowledge about Forest Gardening and ecology, and Lorenna grounds it all with the Inner Permaculture work.”Chrisy
“I am a dreamer. I came here because of a dream, and I am leaving with so many more dreams. Thank you.” ~Haley
“My experience felt gradual and in ‘perfect timing’ to discover my part in ecology, as well as my personal purpose.” ~Dakota
“So much information to learn and was taught by Lorenna and Shantree in a loving, peaceful and kind way. It made everyone feel loved and welcomed. They are so easy to learn from. Highly recommend this program.” ~Lana
“I feel a four-season approach is a great way to learn, due to our dynamically changing weather systems. I am also deeply grateful for the eco-spirited perspective as it offers a complete experience of a Permaculture lifestyle.” ~ Sonya
“I am glad I took this course at TLC. The land, the vibe, and the teachers were very cohesive. One of the best course experiences I’ve had.” ~Talha
“The PDC course strengthened my views of how to work with the Earth, as well as connected me to a conscious community. It’s given me the tools and knowledge of how to design smart, efficient, regenerative systems. The time spent on the Inner Permaculture was a key part of my learning. Because the course was spread out over a period of four seasons there was time to integrate the teachings in our lives and it really felt like a journey we were all on together.”~John
“The Living Centre is an excellent example of Permaculture. The magical space offers a great landscape to dive into Shantree & Lorenna’s knowledge and experience, and their ability to share it.” ~Ellen
“For anyone interested in learning Permaculture and developing one’s own sense of relationship with this planet, I highly recommend this course.” Jennifer
“Shantree, Lorenna & their support teachers led me through a wonderful PDC experience at The Living Centre. The venue is filled with hands-on learning opportunities, and projects to learn from. I’m grateful for the focus on inner permaculture work, which has influenced me greatly.” ~Simon
“Highly recommend this course. It’s a good balance of inner and outer Permaculture.” ~Randy
“Permaculture is a movement. I am excited to be one of the bodies who can move us into our productive and healthy future.” ~H.M.
“This Permaculture course is a life altering opportunity. I have learned so much about myself and my relationships with others and the planet.” ~Tannia
“Everything was in perfect choreography! You two are an amazing team! You’ve created a lovely balance between you with both outer and inner permaculture! I especially respect how you don’t try to teach all the aspects of permaculture but make it a community project by bringing in others with their expertise. Your permaculture course has truly been a ‘life changer’ and wonderful mirror of hope and possibilities! Thank you!” ~ Lea
“I feel that the balance between the practical and inner aspects of Permaculture really helped me to understand the concept of what Permaculture really is.” ~Andy
“This course provided a wealth of knowledge in different areas of the broad field of permaculture. It provided for a holistic understanding, integrating the diverse aspects of forest gardening, sustainable economics and local money alternatives, alternative energy sources, creative landscape and architectural design, and social and inner permaculture. This approach left the door wide open for students to pursue in detail the aspects that each found most interesting and appealing. I appreciated the creative and hands-on approach to involving students in the learning process.” ~Aldo
“The Forest Gardening aspect of the course was surely a highlight. Shantree has a wealth of knowledge and passion for his plant family that is a rare gem, and I could happily spend many more hours learning from him. I appreciated the recognition that the paradigm shift to a permaculture lifestyle requires an inner shift – inner permaculture.” Robby
” I believe that Permaculture without Inner Permaculture is not really Permaculture at all; the necessary paradigm shift cannot happen without doing the hard work inside. It is a spiritual journey of reconnecting to the inner essence of all that is.” -Maurice
“The 12 principles and 3 imperatives are examples of systems structures on which we can hang our experiences and observations; they help us understand the changes we affect by our actions and evaluate what adaptations are needful based on that new awareness. Thank you again for a great weekend and for bringing yourselves fully present.Laura
“I feel very blessed to have shared with you and our group such a rich and full experience.” Paula
“First, I would like to say that I think the land and the space you provide for teaching is absolutely beautiful and the most crucial aspect for learning. I think the food that you provided during the course was one of everybody’s favourite parts! I think it was very important that you provided fresh, raw, vegan, organic meals so that it can really hit home for people that a lot of the motivation to get involved in Permaculture comes from wanting to live a healthier lifestyle and having those options available. all of the field trips were very informative and fun! I enjoyed all of the guest speakers and think that it was great that you found people from different areas of specialization in Permaculture to help you with teaching us new skills! I can relate to your approach with Permaculture from a “deep ecology” perspective and have a lot of respect for both of you with being able to maintain that throughout your daily lives.” ~ D
Shantree Kacera, D.N., Ph.D.
