Food Forest: Autumn 2026 PDC - 10-Day Permaculture Design
By The Food Forest (Graham & Annemarie)
TL;DR: Gain an internationally recognized Permaculture Design Certificate through a 10-day intensive course at The Food Forest, integrating permaculture principles for sustainable living.
- Learn permaculture design for homes, businesses, and communities.
- Receive direct instruction from permaculture pioneer David Holmgren.
- Engage in hands-on projects for practical permaculture experience.
- Qualify to practice or teach permaculture commercially.
- Course may count towards a VET Certificate IV in Permaculture.
Why it matters: This course offers a comprehensive pathway to apply permaculture holistically, fostering sustainable practices in various aspects of life and potentially opening up new career opportunities.
Do this next: Explore the course curriculum and consider how its principles could apply to your current living or work situation.
Recommended for: Individuals seeking a comprehensive, recognized permaculture education with strong foundational instruction and practical application opportunities.
The Food Forest offers a 10-day intensive Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) course that integrates permaculture principles across all areas of life, not limited to land-based applications. This internationally-recognised training program is designed to help participants design sustainable and abundant homes, businesses, professions, and communities. The course explores how permaculture can be applied holistically to create meaningful and sustainable futures. David Holmgren, a renowned permaculture pioneer, provides face-to-face instruction during the first teaching block to establish foundational knowledge. The course is supported by an experienced team of South Australian tutors, each bringing their own specialties and expertise in permaculture design and implementation. The Food Forest has a long history of demonstrating and teaching permaculture at school, TAFE, university, and community levels, including foundational Accredited Permaculture Teacher Training courses in South Australia. The property operates as one comprehensive teaching area where course participants engage in hands-on permaculture projects such as revegetation or garden construction, providing practical experience alongside theoretical learning. Successful completion of the course qualifies participants for a Permaculture Design Certificate, making them eligible to practice or teach permaculture commercially. The certificate may also be recognised as relevant prior learning towards completion of requirements for the nationally accredited VET Certificate IV in Permaculture. Participants must attend at least 80% of the course and complete their part in the design project to attain the PDC certificate. The curriculum covers essential topics including permaculture ethics and principles, reading landscape and land capability assessment, site mapping, personal, family and community strategies, appropriate human settlements and planning, passive solar design for houses and structures, sustainable energy sources and waste recycling, and linking of design elements for optimum efficiency. The course provides participants with increased confidence and the skills needed to design sustainable places for their future, presenting an opportunity to consider life in a new light through the lens of permaculture principles.