Instructor: Elham Shahidi

I. History, theory and principles of permaculture

II. Recognizing and understanding natural systems

- Recognizing patterns and relationships: science or intuition?

- Understanding succession

- Plant identification

- Cycles and balance in nature

- Reading the landscape

III. Permaculture in the garden

- Soil and compost

- Garden preparation and planting methods

* No-dig gardening, types of beds, interplanting, crop rotation

- Organic pest control

- Creating a food forest (plant communities and guilds)

- Incorporating animals

IV. Permaculture in wet vs. dry climates

- Water management

* Rainwater harvesting

* Greywater management

* Erosion control

- Challenges and benefits

* Disaster prevention and preparedness

- Making the most of the landscape: strategies to increase productivity

V. Eco-building

- Design

* Location: planning using permaculture zones and sectors

* Passive climate control

* Using patterns found in nature

- Materials (natural and recycled)

- Building with cob and adobe

- Composting toilets and other creative technologies

VI. Permaculture within the community

- Urban permaculture

- Food, philosophy and economics

- Maintaining a healthy community

 

WHAT´S INCLUDED IN THE COST OF THE COURSE?

Transportation upon arrival and departure between Xalapa airport or bus terminal and Finca los Tres Mundos

Transportation for day trips (we will take 1-2 day trips during the course to explore different ecosystems and their possibilities)

3 meals a day, Sunday through Thursday (may exclude lunch on day trips)

All materials used in the course

Certificate of completion

 

WHAT´S NOT INCLUDED IN THE COST OF THE COURSE?

Accomodation (click here for housing options)

Personal necessities including clothing, toiletries, medicines, souveniers and luxury items

Medical costs (we strongly suggest that you purchase international / travel insurance)

Transportation to / from Mexico

Any costs incurred on non-course days