Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC)

Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) Course

Dates: To be communicated

About the Course
The Kusamala Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) training follows the original certification course developed by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren. The 72-hour training is founded on Bill Mollison’s book, “Permaculture: A Designers’ Manual” and meets the internationally recognized requirements for certification. Participants that attend all sessions of the class and complete the final design project will receive a Permaculture Design Certificate.

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to permaculture principles, applications, and design practices. The curriculum will address global environmental and social issues affecting communities throughout the world and across a variety of climate zones, however practical design implementation will be specific to the sub-tropical climate of Central Malawi. The goal of the course is to achieve a basic working understanding of ecological-based planning, site design, and management.

Course Topics
–       Permaculture ethics and principles
–       Theory and methods of design
–       Understanding ecosystems
–       Pattern and systems thinking
–       Reading the land & understanding natural processes
–       Large and small scale land restoration
–       Water management
–       Soil rehabilitation and erosion control
–       Integrated animal systems
–       Intensive vegetable & fruit production
–       Food forests & plant guilds
–       Windbreaks and bushfire control
–       Energy conservation technologies
–       Appropriate technologies and renewable energies
–       Wildlife management
–       Integrated pest management
–       Community development & social permaculture
–       Integrated systems design for human settlements

What is permaculture? 
Permaculture (permanent agriculture) is an ethical design system for creating human environments that are ecologically sound and economically viable. Permaculture integrates innovative science into the conscious development of cultivated ecosystems that have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems.

Who should take this course? 
Anyone interested in having an inspirational and transformative experience. From gardeners and farmers to public officials, this course will give you the tools to find holistic solutions to your land use and resource issues. Learn how to spot patterns in nature and to work smarter, not harder. All are welcome and no previous permaculture training is necessary. Please note that the course is taught in English.

Course Instructors

Luwayo Biswick
Luwayo is the lead permaculture trainer, designer and consultant at Kusamala Institute of Agriculture and Ecology (Kusamala). For over seven years he has facilitated numerous trainings in permaculture design, eco-village design, integrated land use design, and sustainable agriculture throughout the country with various schools and colleges, organizations, individuals, and government, both local and international. He began his study of permaculture at Never Ending Food under the tutelage of Kristof and Stacia Nordin. He is also well known for producing permaculture educational videos and conducting radio and television programs locally and internationally.

Kristof Nordin
Kristof is the co-founder of Never Ending Food, a leading permaculture organization in Malawi focusing on household-level permaculture implementation. He has been involved with the study and practice of permaculture design for over 17 years.  Kristof holds a Diploma in Permaculture Design, certified by the father of permaculture, Bill Mollison, and has facilitated numerous PDC trainings and other permaculture teaching courses throughout the country. Starting with his experience as a Peace Corps volunteer in Malawi and through subsequent years living in Africa, Kristof is an outspoken advocate for using permaculture principles and practices to aid development.

Suggested Pre-Course Reading & Watching

• The Essence of Permaculture eBook (a summary of permaculture concepts and principles taken from ‘Permaculture Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability’ by David Holmgren)
• Patterns, Essay on pattern observation
• Soil- Great film about Soil
• Food Forests and Perennial Agriculture– Geoff Lawton’s Greening the Desert, Parts I & II
• Alternative Economic Systems– “Branching Out for a Green Economy,” a short animated film, narrated by Sir David Attenborough, highlights the role forests can play in national development, a green economy, and climate change. It also reviews the current situation and some transformative solutions.

Course Location
Kusamala is situated on a 20 hectare property in rural Lilongwe, Malawi, a 15 minute drive from the city centre. It is a working permaculture education and demonstration centre located in subtropical Central Malawi. The predominant ecosystem type of the area is shrubland: grasslands scattered with small shrubs. The property contains a commercial garden, household garden, medicinal garden, staple field, and woodlot.

We offer students the opportunity to learn while experiencing permaculture on a variety of scales, from the small, household-level garden to the larger, income-generating staple field. In addition to classroom lectures, students will have hands-on practical exercises making compost, building ridges on contour, as well as completing other permaculture design exercises.

Course Tuition: $650
Tuition includes lunch as well as morning and afternoon tea and snacks, instruction, and a Permaculture Design Certificate.

Register
Please contact [email protected] to sign up for the course.
Or call +265 (0) 999 897 676

Accommodation
Kusamala offers basic dorm rooms for  $20/night. Price includes breakfast and dinner.

There are also a variety of hotels and guest houses in Lilongwe.