Permaculture Design Course (PDC) September 26

Tuesdays, 14 sessions
From 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM
Starting from 15.9.26 until 5.1.27 (excluding holidays and election day)

Permaculture is a way of thinking and a design and planning method for sustainable human systems. The term is a combination of culture, agriculture, and sustainability (Permanent-Agriculture-Culture).

In the course, we will learn about planning and applying green thinking and practical sustainability according to the principles of permaculture - from the environmental context to the doorstep. Special emphasis will be placed on practical application and experimentation of the topics covered: food forests, heirloom varieties and biodiversity-supportive gardening, soil building and fertile beds, sustainable agricultural methods, composting, designing herb spirals, building water conservation and purification systems, and more. The course includes a tour of the food forest in Kedar, expert lectures, and guidance for planning a personal project, which will be submitted and presented by the participants at the end of the course.

• Learning in a group of about 18 participants.
• Upon completion of the course, an international permaculture designer certificate will be awarded by the instructor, the School of Sustainability, and the "Permaculture Israel" organization.

Where?
The course takes place at the branch of the Tel Aviv-Yafo City School of Sustainability at the Goldberg Orchard in the Agricultural Farm - Google Maps link

About the instructor
Rina Epstein - Instructor of ecological agriculture and permaculture courses, guiding and accompanying farmers in the process of establishing organic farms. She has extensive experience of over 15 years in working with organic farms and educational projects in the fields of sustainability and ecology both in Israel and abroad. A graduate of the Permaculture Design Course (PDC) in Africa, she coordinated the agriculture field at "Kaima" Farm in Beit Zait, managed the organic field at "Farm and Human," and sold the field's produce through the "Community Supported Agriculture" method. She is passionate about working with the land, people, and the environment.

Course Syllabus

• 15.9.26 Root Establishment – Group introduction; farm tour; introductory to permaculture and the environmental crisis; permaculture ethics, planting a tree in the food forest.
• 22.9.26 Permaculture Principles and Soil Medicine – Understanding soil and soil formation processes; conducting soil tests; human-soil relationships; methods for healing and enhancing soil; practical composting.
• 6.10.26 Germination – Plant system/growth process from seed to bloom, reproduction and root systems. Types of vegetable families and heirloom seeds, seed preservation, ways to deal with diseases and pests. Learning transplantation.
• 13.10.26 Planning for Water Independence – Water conservation at home and in the garden; greywater recycling; rainwater harvesting in containers and the soil.
• 20.10.26 The Art of Planning – Natural patterns; component analysis and weaving, zone and sector planning. Site survey and client interview creation; planning process; site mapping and project landscape drawing for the course's final project.
• 3.11.26 The Nutritious Garden – Gardening and agriculture naturally, building various types of garden beds, planting cooperative and guild plants; ecological garden management.
• 10.11.26 The Forest – Trees and succession processes, food forest design; tree proliferation and multi-year tree proliferation, planting trees, cuttings, and grafts.
• 17.11.26 Tour of the Food Forest in Kedar – Off-farm tour – acquaintance with active permaculture farms and inspiring sustainable projects.
• 24.11.26 The Nutritious Garden Part II – Continued meeting and practical work.
• 1.12.26 Planning for Energy Independence – Energy crisis; renewable energy systems; food preservation.
• 15.12.26 Urban Permaculture – Challenges and opportunities in the city for promoting a sustainable lifestyle, urban food growth, urban nature restoration, and nature-based solutions for addressing climate change. *This session will be led by Adva Ophir, Director of the School of Sustainability in the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality.
• 22.12.26 Practical work session in the food forest.
• 29.12.26 Medicinal Plants and Preparing Remedies – Getting to know medicinal plants for home use and preparing remedies.
• 5.1.27 Up the Spiral – Presentation of planning exercises, certificate distribution, and connection to a shared vision.

*The syllabus and session order are subject to changes according to the group's needs, logistical changes, weather conditions, and the tension between wanting to cover more versus wanting to delve deeper.
*Graduates interested in continuing in the field can join the "Forest Pioneers" community for ongoing social events, learning, and work in the forest.

For questions about course content: Rina 058-7927690
For registration and further inquiries: Adva at ofir_a@mail.tel-aviv.gov.il

Interested in getting to know Rina and learning more about permaculture food forests and the course?
Join the online lecture Intro to Permaculture and Food Forests - YouTube link

Parking – Free parking is available at the farm parking lot, entrance from Rokach Street 74 in Ramat Gan.
Google Maps link

Regulations:
Completing missed sessions - In case a participant cannot attend a specific session, there will be an option for completion in the next cycle by prior arrangement. No refund will be given for absence from a session.

Course Price – 3,500 ILS discounted rate for Tel Aviv-Yafo residents / 4,000 ILS regular price.
Can be divided into 12 installments.
The location has a protected space.