A Two Week Intensive...
Join us for a two-week residential permaculture design intensive that past participants have called "life-changing" and "a source of inspiration". Through lecture, storytelling and group discussion, you will learn permaculture's principles- the indicators of sustainability- and how their application can be used towards solving the needs of any situation- urban, rural, individual, community or business...

Photo Courtesy Four Elements Farm

LOCATION
The site for our course is Four Elements Farm, a Natural Building Learning Center and organic farm nestled in the steep chaparral hills of California's central coast.

Halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo is America's coastal heartland, where agriculture and ranching are still important parts of life. From the rich bottom lands of its river valleys to the rolling hills and jagged peaks of the ancient volcanic landscape, microclimates abound, and on the 47 acres of Four Elements Farm, a Mediterranean one allows a wide selection of fruits and vegetables to grow.

The farm, home to 4 Elements Foods and Elemental Herbs, supplies organic produce to local farmers markets, grocers, fine restaurants and a CSA collaborative with Cal Poly State University. When the owners bought the land, however, it was a veritable junkyard, strewn with the wrecks of 35 cars plus countless pieces of old appliances, barbed wire and construction debris. Their 5 years of hard work has now returned life to the soil, and life returns to the surrounding landscape as well.

Hawk and owl, fox and toad keep company with farm visitors, who come to participate in Four Elements' workshops on rammed earth and straw bale construction, natural clay plastering, biodiesel brewing, and organic farming.

As both backdrop and center stage for the design course, the farm provides us with the opportunity to experience the revitalization process associated with the use of permaculture principles. Three homes, two barns, a greenhouse, citrus orchard, greywater system, composting toilets and outdoor showers are all elements of the farm's growing ecosystem, cycling nutrients throughout.

A Certificate Course for Design Professionals, Homeowners & Students
This course has something for everyone...
This training includes the most inspiring examples of sustainable land use and human ingenuity from around the world.

• Principles of Natural Systems Design
• Sacred Geometry of Fire, Water, Earth and Air
• Simple Steps Toward a Sustainable Lifestyle
• Natural Building & Property Development
• Adding Beauty & Value to Your Home
• Organizing Eco Neighborhoods
• Strategies for Energy Descent & Peak Oil
• Localizing Food Production & Eco-Agriculture
• Green Business Strategies
• Finding your Right-Livelihood Career

Final course work includes student design presentations, community project and (the infamous!) Trade and Talent Show.

Who Should Take This Course
The Permaculture Design Course has truly transformed the lives and enhanced the careers of thousands of people around the world, including architects, landscapers, community developers, social workers, city planners, teachers, students, farmers, gardeners, homeowners, business owners and others. For anyone serious about creating a sustainable future!

THE CURRICULUM
The A to Z of Sustainability! A more fun or informative course would be hard to find. Our text book, Permaculture: A Designer's Manual, by Bill Mollison, was once reviewed by Whole Earth saying "If information had density... this book would be a black hole!.."

The "hands-on learning" focus of the course will be the Design Team Exercises. As we arrive at the different parts of the curriculum, we will learn how, when and where to apply those principles and techniques, and become able to include those recommendations in the final design project presentations.

As one of our recent design course graduates said about her course experience,
" It's the relationship that we build with each other and with nature that will get us through anything. "

For those looking to get more experience in Observation Skills, Natural Building, Sustainable Landscape Construction, Art in the Garden & more, additional hands-on workparties will be scheduled outside of the course.

PART ONE
April 20-23, 2008
Fire, Water, Earth & Air...
Introduction to Permaculture and Natural Pattern Understanding.

PART TWO
April 25 -28, 2008
Food, Water, Shelter & Energy...
Designing & Building the Complete Home Ecosystem.

PART THREE
April 30 to May 3, 2008
Community & Green Business...
EcoVillage Design and Community Celebration.

INSTRUCTORS

• L. Santoyo, Director, EarthFlow Design Works is among the most experienced Permaculture Instructors in the world, and leads a team of Internationally Acclaimed Designers and Educators in the Worldwide Sustainability Movement.
• John Valenzulela , Senior Planner & Designer with EarthFlow Design Works.

GUEST SPEAKERS
Local experts to be announced.

REQUIRED READING

• Permaculture: a Designers Manual
  by Bill Mollison
• Gaia's Garden: A Guide to Home Scale Permaculture
  by Toby Hemenway
• Order from
  Rodale Institute -or- Seeds of Change

OTHER DETAILS

• Optional field trips, beaches, farmers markets and Big Sur Excursion.
• Hands-On opportunities will also be available (bring work gloves, sturdy shoes, hat)
• Musical instruments and reading material may be helpful for relaxing and lounging.
• Lap Top Computer, Drafting, Drawing and other Presentation Material may be helpful for final team presentations

TIMES
See dates above... Daily 9:30am to 5:30pm -with every 5th day off (for research and relaxation)

REGISTER

CERTIFICATION
Requirements include:

• Full Attendance
• Design Team Exercises & Final Presentation
• Participation in the Talent Show
• All Payment Agreements met in full...

TUITION

• $1450.00 (pre-paid in full)
• Includes tuition, most meals, campsite and certification
• Contact us about attending partial course
• Some additional materials and other fees may apply

Note: $250 non-refundable deposit required to guarantee your space. Campsites included; bring your own camping equipment.

Teachers may apply for scholarship discounts.

Cash, Check or Credit Cards accepted
Payment plans are available (with an additional $100.00 administrative fee).
To apply contact: info@earthflow.com

SPONSORSHIP
Become a sponsor and help create the conditions for sustainability to happen!

• Sponsor a student, with tax-deductible contributions to the Terra Foundation's Permaculture Scholarship Fund.
• Contact us at sponsor@earthflow.com for details and additional benefits.