Permaculture design is the ethical framework for creating sustainable ways of living and developing ecologically harmonious, diverse, resilient and productive systems that can be used by anyone, anywhere. Permaculture empowers people to be resourceful and self-reliant. It tackles tangible needs like how to grow food like an ecosystem and intangible human needs like creating communities, and minimizing environmental impact at the same time. This course provides the basic principles of sustainable living and permaculture design. The course is a blended course including classroom sessions, outdoor practice and team collaboration exercises.
For detailed information of Iyiekim’s work: https://iyiekim.com/
Course Outline
DAY 1
- Introduction / Current state of the ecosystem and climate crisis
- Requirements for a healthy society
- Definition of permaculture and ethics
- Sustainability and regeneration (principles of ecosystems)
- Pattern understanding and design
DAY 2
- Concepts & themes in permaculture design
- Site-Sector-Slope design
- Water cycle
- Principle of water design (slow, spread, sink + save)
- Water recycle – grey water systems
- An instructional visit to the greywater system of the Village
DAY 3
- Soil
- Types of soils / Soil Food Web (soil microbiology)
- Plant nutrition and soil health
- Methods of soil regeneration
DAY 4
- Compost types: cold, hot, bokashi, vermicompost
- An instructional visit to the compost system of the Village
- Compost workshop
DAY 5
- Functional forests and sustainable food production systems
- How to start a small food garden
- Plant selection, companion planting, biodiversity and pests
- Gardening methods (square foot gardening, no dig gardening, double-dig)
DAY 6
- Alternative food production: mushrooms
- Social and urban permaculture
- Community building and non-violent communication
- Discussions and Feedback
