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2008, Living Mandala
creative services by: 360 Degrees
In Association With
Virgin Islands Sustainable Farm Institute
Facilitators & Instructors
Ben Jones
Course Description
Learn how to create sustainable, productive, and beautiful human environments using natural ecosystems as models. Permaculture is an evolving and expanding design system for ecological living, integrating plants, animals, buildings, people, and communities. Through experiential, participatory, field-based, and classroom learning, participants will explore the relationships between personal, social, and ecological sustainability in the rich context of life at the Creque Dam Farm, home of the Virgin Islands Sustainable Farm Institute in St. Croix, USVI.
Course Description
This two week program focuses on design as an ecological process, assessing natural systems, and weaving integrated solutions to local and global problems. Faculty guide students through the design of projects beginning with interviews of clients, needs assessment, development of real solutions, and culminate in a formal permaculture design and presentation.. The design course culminates with presentation of design work to the class, community, and clients.
Course Topics
Permaculture Topics covered included in the PCDC Certification: Site analysis of vegetation and wildlife, natural building, compost and soil, water preservation, guilds, zoning, forest gardens, seed saving, grey water, and tools for planning, mapping, and executing a sustainable, abundant ecosystem and human culture
Contact
For questions and more information regarding the course
e-mail: info@visfi.org or
call: (706) 534-5033
Permaculture Design Certificate Course
Virgin Islands Sustainable Farm Institute
November 9 - 22, 2009
Tuition & Registration
Course tuoition is $1150 U.S. dollars.
This includes all board and camping.
Cabana bunks are an extra $15/night.
Queen Size cabanas are an extra $50/night.
Register Here using our secure web form.
Cultural Mentoring
Woven throughout the weeks will be the principles of Cultural Mentoring. Cultural Mentoring is derived from native teachings from many lineages including that of Tom Brown and Jon Young, and creates support for the development of a healthy individual and community.
Site Details
The Virgin Island programs will be hosted by the Sustainable Farm institute, located in the Virgin Islands, U.S. The Virgin Islands Sustainable Farm Institute is over one hundred acres of rolling green hills and valleys nestled in the highlands of the northwest corner of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. VISFI promotes the development of agroecology: an innovative field of agriculture that enjoins productivity with resource conservation, using ecological and indiginous management models to create sustainable life systems. We believe local, organic agriculture and a practical educational experience are the first steps toward building vital communities and achieving long term sustainability within a healthy environment. These beliefs led to the establishment of our Four Pillars: Education, Sustainability, Community, and Environment. We use these focal points to guide decisions that will promote our farm's vision. For more information om the Sustainable Farm Institute please visit: www.visfi.org
Facilitators & Instructors
Ethan Roland
Ethan is a permaculture designer, teacher, and researcher based in the Connecticut and Hudson river valleys. He studies and practices regenerative design in all corners of the world, from the wild apple forests of Kazakhstan to the tropical monsoon ecosystems of Thailand. Ethan builds resilience for local and global communities through the ecological design & development firm AppleSeed Permaculture, and helps to organize the Northeastern Permaculture Network. He holds an M.S. in Collaborative Eco-Social Design from Gaia University, and is currently working for the university in Organizational Development and to grow the Bachelor's program.
Ethan is a joyfully dedicated plant geek, and works closely with Dave Jacke, Eric Toensmeier, and Jonathan Bates on the Board of the Apios Institute to further the art and science of Edible Forest Gardens. He has planted forest gardens all over the northeast, and is eager to share is passion and experience with developing these incredible ecosystems of abundance.
Dyami Nason-Regan
Dyami has been passionately pursuing permaculture for the last year and a half. Born and raised in Ulster County, Dyami attended Empire State College where she designed and completed her degree in Natured-Based Mentoring. Her solid foundation in working with children in nature serves as a springboard for her growth as a permaculture designer. Following the completion of her permaculture design course she incepted and created a youth-run community garden in the village of Ellenville. She is most interested in pursuing this work because of her passion for feeding people with food grown locally and with care for local ecosystems. Wellness of the Earth and people inspire her work in the world.
Ben Jones
Affiliated Organizations
