Sam Parker-Davies

Hi all,

I teach PDCs at Zaytuna Farm Eco-Hamlet in Northern NSW, Australia, and I'm planning a practical course to follow on from the design certificate. A PDC gives you the design thinking, but a lot of people tell me they finish wanting more hands-on time. Before I build anything, I'd love to hear what would actually be useful to you.

1. Which topic would you be most interested in?

Permaculture in action (a broad mix of practical skills across a working farm)
Earthworks (surveying, swales, dams, spillways, working with machinery)
Soil and compost (soil biology, composting systems, building fertility)
Nursery (propagation, grafting, running a productive nursery)
Natural swimming pools and aquaculture
Other regenerative skills (tell me what)

2. How long would suit you?

1 week
2 weeks
Something else

3. Anything else that would make it worth travelling for?
For example, time of year, accommodation, certification, or the balance between teaching and hands-on work.

Feel free to just reply with your picks, e.g. "Earthworks, 2 weeks", or go into as much detail as you like. Every reply helps shape what I run.

Thanks,
Sam

Hi all,

I'm teaching a 72-hour Permaculture Design Certificate this January at Zaytuna Farm Eco-Hamlet, home of the Permaculture Research Institute, in Northern New South Wales, Australia.

Many of you will know Zaytuna from years of videos and case studies. Studying there in person is a different experience. You'll be learning on a farm with 25 years of established swales, dams, food forests and animal systems, so the water, soil and earthworks content is something you can walk out and see for yourself, not just a slide.

The course
* 72 hours over 10 teaching days across two weeks, with a two-day weekend break
* Full Bill Mollison curriculum from Permaculture: A Designers' Manual
* Farm tours, guest speakers and evening design sessions
* Optional hands-on work in the gardens, food forests and animal systems from 6am to 8am each morning
* You'll finish by producing and presenting your own design[/list]

About me
I've spent over 10 years working on regenerative projects around the world, from aid work in Somalia and Jordan to large-scale organic date farms in Saudi Arabia, eco-development in Greece and Hungary, and farms here in Australia. I live at Zaytuna Farm Eco-Hamlet and teach there regularly.

Pricing (Australian dollars)
Early bird saves $200 AUD when you book before 15 December 2026:
* Single: $2,800 AUD (reg. $3,000)
* Couples: $2,600 AUD each (reg. $2,800)
* Groups of 3 or more: $2,300 AUD each (reg. $2,500)
* Returning students: $2,000 AUD, a $1,000 saving if you've already done a PDC with Bill Mollison, Geoff Lawton or me. Great if you want a refresher or to see the systems on the ground.

Coming from overseas
* The farm is near The Channon, about 20 km from Lismore and an hour from Byron Bay
* Fly into Brisbane International Airport, then hire a car or take the train/bus to Lismore
* January is summer here: hot, humid and often wet, so pack for it
* Accommodation and meals aren't included. On-site camping is available, plus a nearby permaculture farmstay
* Please check visa requirements early on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website

Full details, the day-by-day outline and bookings:
https://courses.samparkerdavies.com/pdc-zaytuna-farm-jan-2027/

Happy to answer any questions here in the thread or email me directly (contact details are on my website)

Sam