Lesson Structure:   Permaculture 3, VSS106

There are 6 lessons:

1. Integrating Animals Into A Permaculture System/Garden
   • Locating animals in the Permaculture system, birds, types of gardens, how to plan and prepare zones in relation to animals
2. Role Of Insects And Other Small Animals
   • Ecosystems and their constituents, the web of life, the classification of animals, insect classification, lifecycles, feeding habits and control, companion planting
3. Poultry and Bees
   • Ducks, poultry food, fowls, turkey, geese, bees
4. Grazing Animals: Sheep, Goats, Cattle, Horses, etc
   • Animals as mobile tractors, types of pasture
5. Aquaculture Production Systems
   • Biological filtration systems, clearing dam water, protecting fish, mariculture
6. Aquaculture Species to Grow
   • Australian native fish, yabbies, marron, spiny fresh water crayfish

Learning Goals:  Permaculture 3, VSS106

• Understand the principles behind integration of animals in permaculture systems.
• Understand the role of insects and other small animals in permaculture systems.
• Understand the role of poultry and bees in the permaculture system.
• Develop knowledge of the role of grazing animals in permaculture systems.
• Understand the role of aquaculture production systems in permaculture.
• Develop knowledge of the range of aquaculture species available for permaculture systems.

Practicals:   Permaculture 3, VSS106

• Outline how to plan and prepare garden zones in relation to animals. Provide step-by-step instructions and accompanying photographs or drawings.
• Visit some outside environment close to your home such as a garden, a park, a piece of bushland or a water course. Find and list as many things as you can. Try to see what relationships they might have with other biotic and abiotic components of the environment.
• Draw a ‘Web’ to illustrate the interrelationships you find in the ecosystems you observe.
• Explain “companion planting” in relation to the insect-plant relationship.
• Contact your state department of Agriculture and obtain leaflets relating to poultry which you are particularly interested in keeping.
• Contact your state department of Agriculture and obtain leaflets (and any other publications) relating to bee keeping.
• In no less than 500 words explain the importance of bees to horticulture and the permaculture garden.
• Enquire to the local agricultural agency on how to make dams and how to water proof them.
• Write a report to 1000 words explaining the advantages and disadvantages of aquaculture and mariculture.
• Develop a 5 year plan for developing a one hectare permaculture farm utilising plants, animals and fish (aquaculture). Use drawings and diagrams where needed to assist in this report.
• Attempt to draw a life cycle diagram of a fish or freshwater crayfish. Include all stages and if possible give a size indication or age indication for each stage.
• Select three different aquatic animals which would be appropriate to grow in a permaculture system. For each one in turn, explain how you would incorporate it into a permaculture system.

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Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

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Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
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Assessment

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
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Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
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Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
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Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.