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Pathways
Permaculture & Beyond

embodied learning experience 
Feb 18 - Mar 11, 2025

Learn permaculture design and transform how you see Life all around you
 

A 3-week Permaculture Design Course that invites us to embody and apply ecological ways of being from the very first day. This is a program for right now.

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We explore the standard 72-hour Permaculture Design Curriculum while going beyond it to develop our ecological designers' mind and build life skills for a more regenerative human culture. 

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When we work with nature, rather than trying to impose our will, the solution is often found within the problem. 

    - David Holmgren, Permaculture co-originator

We will cover:

Permaculture Design Principles and Ethics

Reading Landscape and Site Analysis

Soils and Composting

Designing for Water

Patterns in Nature

Natural Building Techniques

Biogeography and Ecosystems 

Trees and Food Forrests

Regenerating Degraded Areas

Community and Social Organization

 (and much more)

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The Permaculture Design Tree

Why Permaculture

Permaculture is a holistic design approach that creates productive systems for human settlement in greater harmony with nature. From growing food regeneratively to bio-construction, Permaculture approaches can be applied to homes, communities, broadscale farming and ultimately, ecosystem restoration.

where

This program takes places across Jamaica. We will practice being residents of different localities, with focus on Saint Ann and Saint Thomas, with visits to Kingston, The Blue Mountains and other areas

Permaculture presents a set of design principles derived using ‘whole-systems thinking’ that looks on systems in all their functions, rather than asking only one yield of them;

topics

Permaculture Principles. Design Concepts

- Ethics and Principles - Natural Laws and Design Concepts - Elements and Functions - Ecological Succession -

Soils. Fertility

- Soil Science - Soil Evaluation Skills - Regenerative Soil Management - Composting and Natural Fertility Aids -

Climate. Biogeography

- Climatic Factors in Design - Bioregional Approaches - Ecosystems - Microclimates -

Water. Earthworking

- Water Harvesting, Storage and Recycling - Major Earthworks - Swales, Ponds, Dams -

Energy. Appropriate Technology

- Integrating Renewable Energy in Designs - Determining Appropriate Technologies - Introduction to Solar Energy -

Community. Economy

- Invisible Structures - Social Permaculture - Community and Urban Strategies - Regenerative Economics -

Reading Landscapes. Analysing Sites

- Observation Techniques - Mapping - Sector Understanding - Dynamic Zoning -

Natural Pattern Understanding

- Identifying Patterns in Nature - Patterns as Forms of Distributing Energy - Patterns in Time and Niches - Using Patterns in Design -

Trees. Food Growing

- Trees and Their Energy Transactions - Forests - Tree Crops and Food Gardens - Agroforestry -

Natural Building and Crafts

- Natural Building Techniques - Hands-on Building with Clay, Sand and Fibers - Making Adobe Bricks - Natural Plasters and FInishes - Earthen Walls, Benches and Cookers

Animals. Aquaculture

- Introduction to Animal Integration in Design - Basics of Aquaculture Designs - Designing for Wildlife -

Applied Design Exercises

- On-site design challenges - Practical design projects - Final design presentations -

By valuing and making use of all the resources that are available to us, nothing goes to waste.
- Permaculture Principle #6

team

Lise Charron

Guide. Land Management. Soils and Compost. Food Gardens. Animals. Natural Building.​​

∞​​

Nicola Shirley-Phillips

Guide. Social and Community Permaculture.  Water and Earthworks. Applied Design 
 

∞​​

Averelle French

Guide. Cacao. Agroforestry. Artesanal Chocolate Products. Nature-based Business​​

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Rodjé

Guide. Ecological Being. Program Design. Observation. Learning​

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Danielle Harford

Guide. Pedagogy and Learning. Advanced Permaculture Methods. Writing and Expression.​

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Erle Rahaman-Noronha

Course Content Development.  Caribbean Permaculture Application​

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Celine Ramjit

Guide. Natural Building. Earthen Construction and Artistry. Weaving​

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∞​​

Neochea Flowers-Smith

Guide. Regenerative Food. Ingredients and Inputs. Wellness. and Culinary Creativity​​​​

∞​​

Details & FAQs
  • Location & Getting There
    The location, Artvark Centre, is about 20 minutes away from Ocho Rios, St. Ann in the Colgate community. Getting there via vehicle or public transportation is fairly straightforward. Parking is available. You can view and navigate to the location via Google Maps. Via public transportation: There are taxis that run from Ocho Rios to Orange Hill. You'll need to take one up the hill and walk about 15 minutes from the main road to the location.
  • Schedule
    You may access the full schedule here. We'll release more details closer to the start'of the Course.
  • Clothing & Environment
    We will spend time outside each day at different times of day. Please bring clothing suitable for enjoying light-to-moderate activity outdoors. The environment is generally warm, sunny, and humid. Bring shoes suitable for walking over different terrain and clothes that you can sweat in. For a few activities, you may get a little dirty. If you want, you may also bring swimwear for the pool.
  • Deadlines
    Full Retreat: Registration closes May 14, 2024. The last day to pay for the Full Retreat is May 14, 2024. Course Only: Registration for the Course-Only closes on May 20, 2024 and is subject to availability. The last day to pay is May 20, 2024.
  • Español
    El programa se impartirá tanto en inglés como en español. Habrá traducción disponible e instructores que hablan español. Para determinadas sesiones, el grupo se dividirá en secciones de español e inglés. Aunque el programa es principalmente en inglés, los participantes de habla hispana serán bienvenidos. Recomendamos que los participantes de habla hispana se comuniquen con nosotros directamente para discutir sus necesidades. Nuestro equipo incluye personas bilingües que están listas para ayudar. English: The program will be delivered in both English and Spanish. There will be translation available and instructors who speak Spanish. For certain sessions, the group will be divided into Spanish and English sections. Even though the programme is mainly in English, Spanish-speaking participants will be accomodated fully. We recommend that Spanish-speaking participants contact us directly to discuss their needs. Our team includes bilingual persons who are ready to assist.
  • Food
    The food will feature mostly local foods! We will offer three meals daily. They will be mostly vegetarian with other options available. There are also local food services available who can deliver meals. Participants will have access to a small fridge and kitchen space. If you have special dietary needs, please speak with us or bring some personal food. The nearest shopping locations are in Ocho Rios, which is only 20 minutes away via car.
  • Online Coure Material
    By registering, you have access to all the course materials and additional learning resources via our online platform. Once the course begins, you'll receive credentials to login to the platform. You'll have access for at least 3-years through your OneRegeneration account.

details & FAQs

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