Lesson Structure: Advanced Certificate in Permaculture (Permanent Agriculture)

Permaculture I

1  Concepts

• The basic theory and ethics of Permaculture

2  The Environment

• Ecosystems, the web of life and interactions between living organisms

3  Soils

• Soil management, fertilisers, nitrogen, cultivation, gas and nutrient cycles

4  Climate and Water

• The hydrological cycle, infiltration, microclimates, the Greenhouse Effect, water and plants

5  Forest Systems

• Biomass, how natural systems relate to agricultural systems

Permaculture II

1  Permaculture Gardens: Different Garden Systems

• Spiral gardens, no dig gardens, establishing plants (mulches, irrigation, tree guards) techniques for planting sloping and arid sites

2  Design: Planning techniques and skills

• The design process, pre planning information, drawing a design, selecting plants

3  Garden Zones

• Windbreaks, hedges, screens, the five Permaculture zones

4  Design for Natural Pest, Disease and Weed Control

• Biocontrol, natural pest controls

5  Companion Planting

• Repellant plants, attractant plants, plants that affect the soil, beneficial plant combinations, poor combinations, nitrogen and legumes in Permaculture, cover crops, grain crops

6  Appropriate Technology in Permaculture Design

• Using energy conserving technology, healty buildings

7  Water Gardens

• Wet and boggy garden areas, drainage, wet tolerant plants, small and large water gardens

8  Fruit, Nuts and Berries

• Suitable orchard plants for Permaculture, intercrop species, the Fukuoka system

9  Vegetables and Herbs

• Easy care vegetable gardens, planting, garden care, herb spirals, disease resistance, types of vegetables

10 Mandalla Garden

• Design and cost of a Mandalla garden, organic materials, mulches, keyhole garden beds.

Permaculture III

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,

7  Aquaculture Species to Grow

• Australian native fish, yabbies, marron, spiny fresh water crayfish

Permaculture IV

1  Overview of Permaculture

• Definition of Permaculture, understanding plant names, environmentally safe pesticides, zones, sectors and cycles in Permaculture design

2  Buildings and Permaculture: The alternatives

• Indoor/outdoor buildings, storage facilities, building materials

3  Buildings and Permaculture : Integration into the Environment

• Essential elements for houses in different zones, energy conservation, alternative energy sources

4  Waste Disposal

• Liquid waste, grey water, blackwater, waste disposal and recycling, nitrogen in waste

5  Recycling

• Composting, waste water recycling, conservation and recycling, council recycling

6  Designing for Natural Disasters

• Fire, flood, cyclone, tsunami, biotecture

7  Natural Watering

• Water efficient gardens, mosquitoes, windmills

8  Indigenous Plants and Animals

• Wildlife management, birds in the garden, suitable native plants

9  Preparing Management and Development Plans

• Planning and managing a garden, Permaculture design, work schedules

10 Major Design Project

• A in depth design project for both your own residence and another property

Learning Goals: Advanced Certificate in Permaculture (Permanent Agriculture)

1. Discuss the nature and scope of Permaculture
2. Apply an understanding of environmental systems to considerations given to how a Permaculture system is designed
3. Describe soils and the impact their characteristics have upon natural and man made environments
4. Explain the application of this knowledge to Permaculture
5. Describe characteristics of climate and water, and the impact their characteristics have upon natural and man made environments
6. Explain the application of this knowledge to Permaculture
7. Describe forest systems and their relevance to Permaculture design
8. Understand use and establishment of Permaculture gardens
9. Understand basic principles of permaculture design
10. Understand the role and function of zones in permaculture systems
11. Develop knowledge of natural pest, disease, and weed control methods
12. Understand the principles behind companion planting, and its function in permaculture gardens
13. Understand the features of, and applications for appropriate technology in permaculture design
14. Develop knowledge of the use of water gardens in permaculture design
15. Develop knowledge of a range of plants suitable for permaculture systems
16. Develop knowledge of a range of plants suitable for permaculture systems
17. Design a Mandala garden
18. Understand the principles behind integration of animals in permaculture systems
19. Understand the role of insects and other small animals in permaculture systems
20. Understand the role of poultry and bees in the permaculture system
21. Develop knowledge of the role of grazing animals in permaculture systems
22. Understand the role of aquaculture production systems in permaculture
23. Develop knowledge of the range of aquaculture species available for permaculture systems
24. Develop knowledge of the alternative materials and features available for buildings in permaculture systems
25. Understand the role of buildings in the permaculture environment
26. Develop knowledge of the range and function of waste disposal methods suitable for permaculture systems
27. Understand the role of recycling in modern society
28. Develop knowledge of how to design for natural disasters
29. Develop knowledge of water efficient irrigation techniques
30. Understand the role of indigenous plants and animals in permaculture systems.
31. Develop skills in preparing management and development plans
32. Perform a major design project

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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

General

Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.

Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.

Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.

Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.

Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.

Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.

Enrolment

Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.

Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.

Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.

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?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.

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?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.

Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.

Qualifications

Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?

A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.

Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.

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.