East Kent Permaculture: Foundational Weekend Mar 7-8, 2026
By Jo Barker
TL;DR: This permaculture foundation course in the UK offers practical, hands-on learning for integrating earth-regenerating practices into daily life.
- Learn permaculture ethics and principles for personal and land management.
- Explore biological, built, and behavioral permaculture aspects.
- Engage in hands-on activities, including foraging.
- Gain foundational knowledge for sustainable living.
- Prepare for advanced permaculture design courses.
Why it matters: Understanding permaculture principles can transform daily routines, fostering personal well-being and environmental regeneration through conscious choices.
Do this next: Research local permaculture groups or community gardens offering introductory workshops.
Recommended for: Ideal for individuals seeking to integrate sustainable, earth-regenerating practices into their personal lives and communities.
This permaculture course, titled "Permaculture for Everyday Living - A Foundation Weekend," is scheduled for March 7-8, 2026. The Saturday session will run from 10 AM to 6 PM, and the Sunday session from 10 AM to 2 PM. It is hosted by the East Kent Permaculture Learning Centre, located at Abbey Physic Community Garden in Faversham, United Kingdom, an established Permaculture LAND Demonstration site.
The course aims to explore the relevance of permaculture principles to daily life, encouraging participants to align their lifestyles with earth-regenerating practices for improved well-being. The curriculum will cover permaculture principles, ethics, and patterns, demonstrating their application to personal life, land management, and professional endeavors. The program includes practical, hands-on activities, foraging, and other engaging exercises designed to illustrate this design system.
The course content is structured around three main areas: Biological, Built, and Behavioral aspects of permaculture. The Biological component will delve into topics such as food cultivation, foraging, conscious consumption, rewilding, soil health, plant systems, and forest gardening. The Built aspect will cover eco-building techniques, eco-retrofitting, energy efficiency, water management, and material use. The Behavioral section will address community dynamics, interpersonal relationships, financial and economic considerations, life stages (including birth and death), and parenting, all through a permaculture lens.
This weekend program is presented as a foundational introduction to permaculture, suitable for those new to the concept, individuals seeking a refresher, or as preparation for a more comprehensive Permaculture Design Course. The lead facilitator, Jo Barker, brings over three decades of experience and passion for permaculture, covering a broad spectrum of topics from life cycles to food production, construction, and foraging. The course also incorporates knowledge from other experts within the wider supportive community. Andy White is also listed as a course teacher, and the course is open to apprentice teachers seeking to gain experience.
The cost for the two-day course is £120 for the standard price. A higher "pay it forward" price of £180 is available, as is a concessionary rate of £80. Special discounts are offered to members of the APCG, volunteers, staff, and individuals refreshing the course. Payment plans, including installment options, are also available to ensure accessibility.
The course is an in-person, face-to-face event. For inquiries, the contact person is Jo Barker, reachable via email at futurefoodforests@gmail.com or by phone at 07747386994. The venue's postal address is Abbey Physic Community Garden, Behind the Black door, Abbey Place (Alley), Faversham, ME13 7BG, United Kingdom.