[SustainableTompkins] PDC Frequently Asked Questions

[Steve Gabriel]

SUMMER INTENSIVE PERMACULTURE DESIGN COURSE - Frequently Asked Questions
August 8 - 24, 2008
www.FingerLakesPermaculture.org

*Deadlines extended; SIGN UP BY MAY 16th and receive $100 off tuition!*
$1150 includes tuition, food, and camping
/Sign up by July 1, 2008 and save $50/

The Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute (FLPCI) invites you to join its 
2008 Summer Permaculture Design Course running from August 8 - 24, 2008. 
This is our sixth internationally recognized certification course 
training people of all backgrounds to mimic natural patterns and 
principles in their yards, on their land, and in their homes and 
businesses.

Topics include:
Ethics - Principles - Ecology - Whole Systems -Water - Soils - Pattern - 
Climate - Earthworks - Forests & Trees - Economics - Governance - 
Gardening - Waste Treatment - Buildings - Tools - Appropriate Technology 
- Design - and more!


1. WHO TAKES THE PERMACULTURE DESIGN COURSE?
All sorts... we've had scientists, farmers, a radio personality, a high 
school history teacher, a massage therapist, an architect, college 
students, a bassist, a nurse, a business consultant, environmental 
activists....the list goes on! Our youngest participant was 20 at the 
oldest over 60.

A common thread between the unique group that assembles at a PDC is a 
strong desire to learn about the place we call home and how to become 
proper stewards of it. The diversity of backgrounds and interests makes 
for exciting and passionate discussions and projects. There are over 1 
million graduates worldwide.


2. WHAT IS THE CERTIFICATE ABOUT?
The certificate was originally introduced when Bill Mollison designed 
the first PDC in the late 1970s. His intent was to create an educational 
movement that was characterized by a grassroots approach but that 
carried a legitimacy with other institutions of learning. A certificate 
symbolizes the basic knowledge a student walks away with and their 
lifelong commitment to being active participants in their local 
landbases. Many individuals use the certification as part of a set of 
credentials for teaching, landscaping, or design businesses. Some don't 
care about the certificate.

Once you have attended all of the curriculum modules, you will be issued 
a certificate. There is no time limit or restrictions on this - you can 
take the entire course in one session or over several years.


3. WHERE DOES THE COURSE TAKE PLACE?
Since 2006 we have hosted our courses at the Cayuga Nature Center 
<http://www.cayuganaturecenter.org/> (CNC). The CNC offers a beautiful 
spot close to Ithaca that has ample indoor and outdoor facilities for 
teaching and learning. We have completed several design schematics with 
students for the site, some of which are beginning implementation. We 
currently have two acres of gardens, a budding agroforestry project, and 
several small projects going.

Cayuga Nature Center (CNC) is a place to explore the wonders of nature. 
We invite you to visit our collection of over 40 live animals, stroll 
through our butterfly house, climb around Treetops- our six story 
observational tree-house, or simply enjoy the outdoors while walking our 
five miles of interpretive trails, which meander through a mature 
deciduous forest, along gorges and streams, and past a variety of native 
plants and wildlife. Visit http://www.CayugaNatureCenter.org 
<http://www.CayugaNatureCenter.org/> for more information.

Monday - Sunday 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Trails are open to the pubic from dawn to dusk, 365 days a year.
General Admission: $3 Adults, $2 Seniors/Students, $1 Kids


4. HOW IS THE COURSE TAUGHT?
Lovers of lecture beware! We are always working to improve the way we 
present materials, heading away from a traditional lecture and notes 
style to an interactive and experiential learning. We play plenty of 
games, have group break-out sessions, and engage in projects of all 
types. Typically the morning session is more presentation and content 
heavy and the afternoon focuses on experiencing the theories, 
techniques, and principles in action.


5. WHO FACILITATES THE EXPERIENCE?
Traditionally, the teacher is viewed as an all-knowing person who 
downloads precious nuggets of wisdom and knowledge to the ignorant 
student. We view the role of the instructors as quite different - we are 
here to support a learning journey that is complex and unique to each of 
our students. We all come from our various corners of the world with our 
life experience in tact - and therefore we carry with us a wealth of 
knowledge. While the facilitators for the PDC have a curriculum to 
cover, we look to teach to your specific interests and to draw upon the 
knowledge of students to enhance the experience. We often sit in a 
circle to symbolize the equality of each of us in the course. We are all 
teachers, and we are all responsible for our individual and collective 
learning.


6. WHAT ARE THE COURSE GOALS?
We will develop group goals and expectations early on in the course. Our 
stated goals as facilitators are the following:

  1. Maintain a shared and positive learning environment.

  2. Define coursework by facilitator and student expertise and
     interest while addressing the standard curriculum for certification.

  3. Make the environment revolve around experiential and action learning.

  4. Create systems for feedback so we can evolve the course as necessary.


7. WILL I LEARN ANY HARD SKILLS?
Yes! The most important and emphasized skill will be the ability to 
design. This includes skills in observation, site assessment, mapping, 
gathering data, and creating design drawings. We also learn how to build 
swales, compost piles, and worm bins and use tools like an a-frame and 
water level. We try and get outside as much as we can.


8. WHY DOES THE COURSE COST SO MUCH?
If you compare the classroom hours to other PDC courses, it is clear 
that we offer a more in-depth course at a lower cost. Your tuition pays 
the facilitators, who spend hours researching, preparing, evaluating, 
and supporting the course. We also need to provide for the cost of our 
facilities. Tuition also includes access to resources and a thick bundle 
of readings, notes, and diagrams to help you along your way. We have 
worked hard to minimize costs while providing a living wage for our 
instructors.


10. ARE THERE PREREQUISITES OR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE REQUIRED?
None except a love for nature and a desire to learn and support your 
fellow students and facilitators. We have found that ecology veterans 
and newcomers alike enjoy the course most when they have spent time 
beforehand reading, writing, and determining their personal objectives 
for the course.


ABOUT US
Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute is a project of Cayuga Nature Center 
providing affordable and experiential learning events in the Finger 
Lakes bioregion of New York State. We offer two annual Permaculture 
Design Certification courses, monthly brunches featuring the products of 
local farmers, and a variety of other programming for children and 
adults. Visit http://www.FingerLakesPermaculture.org for more information.