Discover design strategies to work with nature instead of fighting it! You'll get your hands dirty and your wheels turning as we walk through the theory, concepts, tools, and techniques of permaculture design, from observation to execution.

Our days will run from 9am - 6pm, with an hour off for lunch midday. The course will be taught, in Permaculture fashion, by moving from patterns to details. We will learn foundations and core concepts first, drilling down into the details as we move along. Each day we will spend time both indoors and outdoors as we focus on observational skills and hands-on activities. Field trips and farm tours help cement concepts and allow on-the-ground learning to take place in real time. Typical days will see us both indoors and out, often at multiple locations.

You’ll work in small groups to develop a final design project that applies all of the concepts learned throughout the course. Expect to spend some time outside of class on design homework that will be due weekends two, three and four.

Anyone interested in developing a productive, efficient, and ecologically sustainable landscape, including backyard gardens, farms, homesteads, and communities. Permaculture Design applies to projects of all sizes and scales! This course will benefit the novice and the seasoned practitioner alike and is open to all regardless of experience. We have had students from many walks of life, including college students, extension agents, professional designers, homesteaders, soon-to-be retirees looking to plan their projects, apartment dwelling professionals, master gardeners and more.

If you're uncertain where you fit into a course like this, please reach out to us at pdc@shenandoahpermaculture.com.

Whoever you are, there's a place for you in our Permaculture Design Course.

This course will be packed with field trips to regional permaculture projects and hands-on guest workshops. Students often tell us that these are some of their favorite parts of the course.

Early bird discount ends July 17th!

Withdrawal/Refund Policy: You may cancel your registration up to two weeks prior to the program start date and receive a refund of course registration fees, less a $25 administrative fee. Cancellations and refunds after the two week deadline are processed at the discretion of the department. To withdrawal from this course you must send a request in writing to cpdtraining@jmu.edu or by mail. For more information, please visit Policies & Notices.