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Permaculture Design Certificate 2023-2024

  • Apricot Centre CIC, Huxhams Cross Farm Rattery Lane, Dartington TQ9 6AA UK (map)

SEPTEMBER 2022 - FEBRUARY 2021
£864 INCL VAT FOR 12 DAYS OVER 6 WEEKENDS

Concessions may be available upon request

The Apricot Centre Permaculture Design Course is a part-time, non-residential course that takes place over 6 weekends between September 2021 - February 2022, making it perfect for those wishing to study whilst working or who have other commitments.

The course runs in bite-sized chunks so that you can digest the information and self-study between the sessions. The course is unique in that it is based at Huxhams Cross Farm which has biodynamic status. The farm is a demonstration permaculture site and a rare example of farm-scale permaculture in action; this enables us to show practical examples of permaculture on-site as well as visiting other permaculture designed sites in South Devon.

Our Permaculture Design Course uses creative and practical teaching methods to enable you to develop and experience the principles and practices of permaculture design, with emphasis on guiding you to design in groups and individually with support from your tutors. This structure equips you with the skills to go on to design and implement your own larger farms, smallholding, community gardens, or even your back garden.

The 12-day course covers:

  • Permaculture principles & ethics

  • Renewable energy & sustainable building

  • Simple vegetable growing and fruit growing

  • Soil management & fertility

  • Forest gardening

  • Simple livestock management

  • Transition movement

  • Design skills

  • Visits to inspirational sites

This course is not residential

Dates for this course are:-

9 and 10 Sept

7 and 8 Oct

11 and 12 Nov

2 and 3 Dec

13 and 14 Jan

10 and 11 Feb

The course is run by Marina O’Connell and Bob Mehew, the doctors of the Apricot Centre. Bob is a project manager and has managed the development of the Huxhams Cross Farm from its start, he is an expert in using permaculture design for projects and business development.

Marina O’Connell is a horticulturalist, permaculture designer, tutor, and biodynamic farmer. She has over 30-years of experience in training and growing in sustainable food systems.

Rachel Phillips is an Ethnobotanist, Educator and Nature Connection Practitioner

Bob Mehew is a project manager and has managed the development of the Huxhams Cross Farm from its start, he is an expert in using permaculture design for projects and business development.

Earlier Event: December 10
Seasonal Market
Later Event: March 11
Introduction to Biodynamics