Short courses & workshops

Learn practical skills and knowledge for sustainable living and self reliance through our Workshops and Short Courses. We also offer the residential 2-3 week Permaculture Design Course and short 4-7 day intensive advanced courses for professional development (PD) for the serious permaculture designer, teacher and activist. Our faculty of highly experienced trainers deliver some of these programs elsewhere in the Northern Rivers and overseas. Please contact us if you are interested in hosting a workshop in your area.

2018 Short Course Program

Jan 12-26, 2018  Permaculture Design Course (PDC)  the classic certified PDC originally developed by founder Bill Mollison brought up-to-date with the latest earth sciences, regenerative design and social innovations. Intensive residential course includes full catering & free camping on site. Teachers: Robyn Francis, Janelle Schafer, Annaliese Hordern, Guy Stewart and Angela Skehan

March 4-10 Growing Abundance All Year Round – Food production for Self-reliance & Market Gardening
Learn how to grow an abundance of organic food throughout the year. This 7-day intensive course is ideal for anyone serious about food self-reliance and small-scale commercial market gardening with a focus on vegetable and herb production.

March 24 – 31, 2018  Permaculture Teacher Training with Robyn Francis.  Learn from one of permaculture’s most experienced trainers. From how we learn, different learning styles, creative facilitation techniques and processes, how to develop curricula, session plans and organise training programs. PDC essential.

April 7, 2018 DIY Soap Making & Natural Cleaning Workshop with Robyn Francis. Learn how to make lovely natural soaps and a range of natural cleaning products for the home and personal hygiene. Get some sample to take home.

July 7-21, 2018 Permaculture Design Course (PDC)  the classic certified PDC originally developed by founder Bill Mollison brought up-to-date with the latest earth sciences, regenerative design and social innovations. Intensive residential course includes full catering & free camping on site. Teachers: Robyn Francis, Janelle Schafer, Annaliese Hordern, Guy Stewart and Angela Skehan

August 7-Sept 12, 2018 Growing Abundance Garden to Table 7 week course with classes every Tues (9-5) & Wed (9-3) Learn the full process of planning and growing an abundance of fresh food all year round plus harvesting, storing and preserving your produce. Teachers: Robyn Francis, Angela Skehan and Melian Fertl. NB This course is made up of 2 short course modules which can be taken individually.

August 7-28, 2018 Growing Abundance Year Round – organic food production for small-scale market gardening and maximising domestic food self-reliance, from essential plant knowledge, soil, composting, gardening techniques, crop rotation, organic certification and more. Teachers: Robyn Francis & Angela Skehan. An 8-day course with classes every Tues (9-5) & Wed (9-3)

September 4-12, 2018 Garden to Table & Storing the Harvest – learn about harvest and post harvest treatment, food preservation, conserves, fermentation and other traditional food storage techniques, plus lots of recipes. Teachers: mother-daughter ‘cook and chef’ team, Robyn Francis and Melian Fertl. A 4-day course with classes every Tues (9-5) & Wed (9-3)

September 1-2, 2018  Bamboo Essentials – Learn about clump management, when and how to harvest, treating bamboo for borer beetles, curing and storage, use of tools and basic techniques for cutting, splitting and lashing with Robyn Francis and team.

November 1-18, 2018 PDC-PLUS Extended Permaculture Design Course This extended 18-day PDC-PLUS includes the classic certified PDC originally developed by founder Bill Mollison brought up-to-date with the latest earth sciences, regenerative design and social innovations. Plus this extended course includes additional topics, special excursions to local permaculture projects and extra practical sessions. Intensive residential course includes full catering & free camping on site. Teachers: Robyn Francis, Janelle Schafer, Annaliese Hordern, Guy Stewart and Angela Skehan

To Register: pay online or  Contact us

Overseas courses with Robyn Francis in 2018:
PDC in Beijing, China May 1-15;
PDC in Shenzhen, China Oct 1-15

Course dates to be confirmed for 2019

  Advanced Design Skills – for PDC certificate graduates to develop professional design and consulting skills, draw concept and detail plans, costing, client communications, tricks and tips of the trade with Robyn Francis

Creative Community Facilitation – a Social Permaculture Master Class with Robyn Francis, learn about the power of participatory community action, facilitation processes, planning your project and working with human & cultural diversity

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