Permaculture and Self Sufficiency Courses

For people with prior experience in permaculture, this course develops further skills beyond Permaculture Systems, covering:

• Design Strategy Evaluation, 
• Understanding Patterns, 
• Water management,
• Earthworks,
• Adapting permaculture to different climates (Humid Tropics, Dry Climates, Temperate to Cold Climates) 
• Work programming and costing; and more.

Learn to become less reliant on the electricity and gas companies and save money through alternative energy sources. This course will equip you with knowledge and understanding of the types of alternative energy, better ways to manage energy consumption, how electric and non-electric systems work, different techniques for storing electricity, and use this knowledge to plan how to convert a buildings energy supply to an alternative system. S1

Environmental management requires the wise use of resources of the earth, in order that they will be able to support or sustain, the generations that are yet to come. This can be done in many ways and in different situations. For example:

• National Parks - The protection of the ecosystems, including endangered species of flora and fauna.
• Agriculture - Sustainable techniques such as the management of soil erosion and water catchment areas.
• Industry - Pollution control measures should be used.
• People - Every person should help to collect and recycle waste.

These examples show that conservation involves the use of resources so that the environment is protected and maintained, and that the ecosystems are rehabilitated and restored.

Use the link below ('read more') to view more comprehensive details on this course

This course was developed for people working or wishing to work in Horticulture with a particular emphasis on the design, development and management of productive natural garden systems.

The course was developed in liaison with both the Permaculture Institute and the Queensland Rural Training Council.

Half the course involves Permaculture systems, Advanced Permaculture, and one relevant elective eg: Organic plant culture. The other half provides a broad, general foundation in Horticultural practices. Upon completion of the course you will be awarded a Permaculture Design Certificate and registration with the Permaculture Institute to work towards their Diploma.

The principles of permaculture and the fundamentals of horticulture are covered in this extensive course. It creates opportunities to work as a consultant or to set up sustainable productive gardens for others.

Use the link below ('read more') to view more comprehensive details on this course.

Go Green in both your home and work.

A unique qualification which may be undertaken with a view to preparing for a change in the way you live or perhaps in preparation for establishing a business or career providing services to the community in this discipline.

• Learn to be more Self Sufficient in your own life
• Lay the foundation for a Career in the Green Industries

  Learn to be more self sufficient from people with decades of experience. This course has been compiled and is taught by a  team of renowned experts in agriculture, horticulture, permaculture and self sufficiency.

  Use the link below ('read more') to view more comprehensive details of this course.
  

   

  
  
  

IS YOUR HOME OR WORKPLACE MAKING YOU SICK?

Develops skills to determine the impact of building construction characteristics upon human health, and to recommend innovations in building design to improve habitability. It covers building materials, construction techniques, electrical wiring, temperature & light control, ventilation, plumbing, ergonomics and psychological factors.

Learn how your environment can significantly impact human health.

This course develops skills to evaluate, describe and explain how physical characteristics of a building and its surrounds have an impact upon human health.

Use this knowledge to manage risk at work, home or elsewhere, to help yourself, family, or community. Some people undertak4e this course for their own self improvement; others to build knowledge and skills to use at work, as a consultant or practitioner.

Go Organic! There are many definitions of organic farming. A commonly accepted definition is "farming without chemical inputs". In the past organic farm production was often considered as being only for radicals or hippies; now it is seen as a viable economic move with benefits for the soil, for the environment generally and for consumers.

All kinds of agricultural products are produced organically - vegetables, fruit, grains, meat, dairy, eggs and fibres such as cotton and wool. Many processed foods can also be produced organically (e.g. bread).

Organic farming has been adopted by some farmers for economic reasons, others for ethical or sustainability concerns. Whatever the reason for going organic, there is no doubt this method of farming is here to stay.

Through this course, learn to manage both plant and animal production in a more natural and environmentally sensitive way and develop a sound foundation for understanding how to set up an organic farm, or convert an existing farm to organic practices.

A growing interest in more environmentally sustainable gardening methods offers the chance to provide the general public the quickest, safest and most enjoyable organic garden practices. This course will lead you through these practices and guide you to develop and maintain your plot, large or small.

Organic plant growing is the production of plants without the addition of artificial inputs such as chemicals that have been artificially manufactured or processed. This includes herbicides, pesticides and fertilisers.


Organic growing has increased in popularity over the past ten years due to the increasing awareness of safety in the garden and on the farm and the desire to produce food that is free from chemical inputs. For decades, farmers and growers have relied upon chemicals to control pests and diseases in order to produce crops for sale. Unfortunately it is only recently that we have become aware that many of those chemicals can sometimes cause health problems to humans, as well as long-term damage to the environment such as soil degradation, imbalances in pest-predator populations can also sometimes occur. As public concern grows, these issues are becoming increasingly important. However the organic grower or gardener should understand that not all organic practices always guarantee a healthy environment, over-cultivation for example can also lead to soil damage. Organic growing practices should aim to ensure quality of both the environment in which we live and of the produce we grow in our gardens and on our farms.

Organic growing of plants works with nature, rather than against it. It recognises the fact that nature is complex and accordingly endeavours to understand interactions between plants, animals and insects. It therefore encourages the gardener for example to learn about the life-cycle of pests and to use this knowledge to control them. It also recognises that the use of chemicals has to be replaced with labour and management. Organic gardeners/growers have to manage pests rather then eliminate them. They need to be vigilant and have the ability to recognise problems and act quickly to minimise the spread of both pests and disease. They may also need to accept some insect damage to the plants they grow as inevitable. 

This course developed was by a large team of horticultural experts from both Australia and the UK, including:

John Mason -author of Sustainable Agriculture, published by Landlinks Press (CSIRO)

Maggi Brown - former Education Officer, HDRA, Ryton

Adriana Fraser - organic enthusiast, 25 years organic growing, consultancy and writing experience

Learn to prepare plans for permaculture systems (ie. a unique landscape where plants and animals live in a balanced and self sustaining ecosystem).

Comment from a student:
Thank you for your support and help with this course. I have really enjoyed the assignments and I have learned a lot about the principles of permaculture. Ned -Permaculture Student

 Permaculture copies patterns from nature, it focuses on the way elements are placed in the landscape and in the way they inter-relate, rather then on the individual elements. Permaculture embraces three main ethical principles as follows:

1. "Care of the Earth" This includes all living things and non living things which together comprise the environment (ie. animals, plants, land, water and air).
2. "Care of People" Permaculture systems should be developed to promote self reliance and community responsibility.
3. “Fair Share”  Set limits to consumption and reproduction, and redistribute surplus - pass on anything surplus to an individual's needs (eg. labour, information or money) in an attempt to pursue the above aims.

This is an "intensive" foundation course. If you are only going to do "one" permaculture course do this! If you do this, do not do Permaculture I, II, III or IV as well (Permaculture Systems contains parts from the others).

Sustainability is a useful concept for farmers, but more importantly it is a necessity for the future our planet. The world relies on the activities of farmers to supply it with food. Whilst satisfying these needs, the processes of agriculture can adversely impact on the land, soil, water-ways and eco-systems and place an enormous strain on the world’s natural resources.

Today the pressure is on for more and more farmers to work towards sustainable systems of farming which produce healthy, nutritious, affordable food and a dependable, secure food supply -without producing a negative impact on the environment. Sustainable farms should protect the environment, preserve open spaces, forests and wildlife and also encourage and conserve biodiversity, plus provide the farmer and farm workers with a good living.

This course is aimed at those who want to help the world move towards the preservation of our natural resources and to maintain the delicate balance of our ecosystems. Economic, commercial, marketing and production techniques are explored in a multi-facetted way to help move a farm towards improved sustainability.

Sustainable agricultural practices must not impact negatively on the environment therefore this course encourages:

• The investigation of how farming practices impacts on and shapes the future of the environment
• Farming practices that suit the local environment and reduce the impact on it
  
• Examination of the best use of natural resources; the use of water in production; preservation of soil quality; responsible use of chemicals and fertilizers; reducing the potential for salinity and pollution of waterways.
  
• The conservation of biodiversity
  
• Long term improvements in productivity
  
• Social improvement, through sustainable practices (both monetary and non- monetary)
  
• Flexibility and risk management (in fluctuating markets and climate variations)