2019 Paul Wheaton PDC / ATC

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So have you taken a PDC or ATC yet? Do you know what a PDC and ATC even are? PDC stands for Permaculture Design Certificate and ATC stands for Appropriate Technologies Course.

A PDC provides the knowledge you need to successfully create your own permaculture designs. Whether you are creating these designs for your own property or for clients taking a PDC will help you create designs that truly result in abundance. A PDC will have both field and classroom elements to it.

Here is a long video taken from Paul Wheaton's 2017 PDC showing a classroom session on elemental ecology being taught by Zach Weiss:



An ATC is all about building and using the technologies that fit within the permaculture framework. This may include technologies such as rocket ovens, compost toilets, and wofati and also the skills needed to build them including welding, round wood building, etc. Each ATC will focus on different technologies and skills but will still provide you with enough knowledge and skills to get started with your own appropriate technologies projects. An ATC will have both field and classroom elements to it.

Here is a quick video highlighting what was covered in Paul Wheaton's 2017 ATC:



Should You Take a PDC / ATC?

I know a PDC and/or ATC is a big decision in terms of time and money. But the question is how serious are you about learning permaculture? You could through trial and error, and reading books/articles slowly over the course of years learn enough to become an expert in permaculture.

Or you could jump start this process by taking a PDC/ATC and in just a couple weeks get to a point that would have taken you years to get to otherwise. Plus, it is hard to know which of those free or cheap resources online can really be trusted.

Do you want to learn more about what a PDC is and why you should take one? Here are 2 podcast episodes discussing what a PDC is. These episodes were recorded before Paul Wheaton's 2017 PDC.

Paul Wheaton and Tim Barker on what a PDC is – Part 1



Paul Wheaton and Tim Barker on what a PDC is – Part 2



Paul Wheaton's PDC and ATC

So are you ready to take a PDC or ATC? Paul Wheaton's PDC and ATC are coming up this summer (2019) and now is the time to purchase your ticket.

What is Paul's 2019 PDC All About?

Most PDCs are crafted for beginners - and a lot of professionals get bored. Our PDC assumes that the student is desring a course with a bit more substance and grit. This PDC is designed for scientists, engineers, educators or people with a lot of current knowledge of permaculture. Alan Booker, an engineer himself, has developed a format that caters to these people. Alan’s course will cover everything a PDC normally covers, but is packed with information that can help advanced or expert students take their knowledge to the next level.

The focus of this PDC is on the technical aspects of permaculture and on professional landscape designing for clients. You will be surrounded by like-minded people, and together you will not only learn the framework to survive in a rapidly changing world, but to thrive. You will also develop the skills to heal damaged landscapes while providing for your own needs.

In this course you are designing from the get go. Every new piece of information, every new concept, is delivered in sequence so that it is immediately relevant and applicable. Your design unfolds in step with the days subjects. This helps the learning to really take root in your mind. Learn how to make really good effective decisions. We can't emphasize how important this is if you want to make effective long-lasting change in your life.

Every student will work through the entire design project individually, but always with the support of their design group and the instructors. Students will have multiple chances to present their design ideas and get feedback throughout the course of the first 13 days, building to the final design project presentations on the last day. During these final presentations, each student will present their own design project to the group as if they were presenting to a professional client.

This course is designed to help you really start thinking like a designer. Even if you have a lot of practical experience is various aspects of homesteading already, the Homesteaders PDC will move you past simply thinking in terms of isolated systems and into designing integrated, whole landscapes.

What is Paul's 2019 ATC All About?

The Appropriate Technology Course is about getting hands on experience building solutions with safer and more sustainable materials. This course will also experiment with new ideas in appropriate technology. Some of the past projects and experiments included:
- a giant solar food dehydrator
- a low energy augmentation for a hay box cooker
- a johnson style air well
- a rocket oven
- a rocket water heater
- a biosand filter
- a greywater mulch pit

And every year all of the students get to build experiences with the creations of previous years, plus:
- a collection of solar ovens
- a collection of rocket stoves
- a collection of rocket hot water heaters, rocket kilns, smokers and cooktops
- a collection of willow feeders (composting toilet alternative)
- welding
- driving an excavator

More Info About the PDC/ATC

Learn More About the PDC

Learn More About the ATC

Want to hear from past students? Listen to this podcast to hear from past students as they share their experience with the PDC.



Feedback from the graduates from the last PDC at Wheaton Labs

"A very professional and high-end course making many connections and drawing from many different fields of study... Very comprehensive and, quite frankly, mind-blowing."

"Alan Booker is a tremendous instructor, able to deliver a huge amount of technical information in an enjoyable, engaging, and understandable format."

"The technical knowledge and design mindset demonstrated in this PDC was well structured to be compatible with my formal engineering training. The course provided me with multiple ideas for projects that will be effective on my property, rather than me going forward on my own and fumbling around in the dark."

"My life has been at a crossroads for a time, but now my path is clear. I now have the confidence to move forward and make a better life for myself and my family."

Paul Wheaton's PDC/ATC Schedule

So when are the PDC and ATC being offered? Here is the schedule for the courses:

Paul Wheaton's PDC: June 16 - June 29, 2019

Paul Wheaton's ATC: July 1 - July 12, 2019

What Does the PDC Cover?

Here is a snapshot of what the 2019 PDC will cover. For the ATC check out the official website for more information on what will be covered in that course.

Day 0: Check In (Saturday, June 15)

Day 1: Introduction and Overview (Sunday, June 16)

Day 2: Methods of Design (Monday, June 17)

Day 3: Understanding Pattern (Tuesday, June 18)

Day 4: Climate and Trees (Wednesday, June 19)

Day 5: Water and Soil (Thursday, June 20)

Day 6: Soils, Compost, Crops and Seeds (Friday, June 21)

Day 7: Break (Saturday, June 22)
No required sessions. Instructors will be available during the afternoon to help with design projects.
Optional Bonus Evening Session: Herbal Medicine

Day 8: Earthworks (Sunday, June 23)

Day 9: Humid Tropics & Drylands (Monday, June 24)

Day 10: Temperate Climates & Pasture Systems (Tuesday, June 25)

Day 11: Appropriate Technology (Wednesday, June 26)

Day 12: Aquaculture and Animals (Thursday, June 27)

Day 13: Structures, Community and Economy (Friday, June 28)

Day 14: Design Project Presentations (Saturday, June 29)

Learn More About the PDC

Ready to Get Started?



So are you ready to get started? The PDC and ATC can both help you take the next step on your permaculture journey. Don't miss out on this opportunity!

Learn More About the PDC

Learn More About the ATC

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Other Options if You Can't Travel to Take the PDC / ATC

Can't take time off from work or make the trip to take the PDC or ATC? Here are some other options that while not as good as an in person PDC they can still help you on your permaculture journey.

Geoff Lawton's Online PDC 2.0

177 HOURS OF VIDEO - 2017 PDC/ATC

2017 PDC Teacher's Notes

2017 ATC Teacher's Notes

A couple weeks ago I met a wonderful woman who had studied AT with the guy who coined the term.

She heard me discussing winning the PDC contest with a friend at the local Co-Op where I also mentioned the ATC, and after my friend left started talking to me. She really liked my description of AT describing how while a lot of use would prefer not to use big machines, if you plan to put swales and berms into a large hill side would the appropriate tech be a shovel and hoe, or renting a piece of heavy equipment? While sure the hand tools have a lower impact, they take a lot longer to achieve the end result, while you can knock out the same earthworks and have them gaining benefits for the land before you could ever finish with the hand tools.

She and I discussed many things for a couple hours and it was a great contact I just randomly came across. Never know who you might run into and what sorts of great connection you might make with people.

Hello Folks!!

For those of you who are attending the PDC - now might be the best time to ***go back the kick-starter*** or up your pledge- because if we make the next goal, less than $5000 away from as of this moment, then the "top 6 backers who want to come" will get their PDC ticket for free!!

Non- affiliate link to the kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulwheaton/better-world-book

Let's do some math:

The PDC on its own costs $1650 at this point.
The PDC (if purchased together with the ATC) costs $1300.

If 6 people who wanted to go to the PDC all pledged only $1000, that would bring the kickstarter from $130,000 to $135,000 - and six people would get tickets to the PDC! That means that you would be getting your ticket for $1000, plus all the wonderful and amazing things in the kickstarter (a value of more than $500 on its own). What a deal! The risk would be if those 6 people did not end up in the top 6 somehow.

...if my math is right, in any case. Does it look right?

I wonder how we can tell if we are in the top six?

For good... or for awesome?! ;)

I'm going to the ATC!!!  So I wanted to know if someone else who's going might be interested in sharing a room and car rental to cut costs and environmental impact.  I'm an older woman, quiet, and neat.  Would want another woman for a roommate.  I checked the closest accommodations and there's nothing available during those weeks.  So there's a place that's listed as "cheap and clean" in the instructional email that's about 8 miles away.  I checked this morning and there's still availability.  Don't want to go in to too many details here.  But if you're interested, please reach out to me and we'll see if we can work something out.

Cheers,
Dianne