How to vet a PDC

Hello Permies,

I am new to the forums and am planning on taking a PDC this summer or fall. How do I vet a course? I live in Wisconsin and will be practicing permaculture here. I want to take the best course possible, and am specifically interested in the design process as well as seeing some strong examples of how this applies in the midwest. I believe midwest permaculture is putting on a few courses this year and it seems like there might be something going on in milwaukee. However, most of the info that I found was on the website of the people putting on the course. Any info would be great.

Hello Josh!

Joe couldn't have said it better! Midwest Permaculture was absolutely the best educational experience I have ever had! Anyone can teach you the principles of permaculture design, but at MWP they are truly walking the walk and create an engaging and inspiring learning environment. After my 2008 course, I went back for the teacher's training last fall, and was again blown away by the quality of the course and wonderful connections I made with the instructors and other students. In the PDC we toured local sites practicing permaculture around Stelle and also in Chicago, worked on some projects ourselves, and learned about many examples in the classroom, so I think you'd gain lots of applicable knowledge to take back to Wisconsin.

I actually took the first third of a PDC taught by a group in Colorado before taking the MWP course, and the difference was astronomical. I could have easily read a few books and watched a few youtube videos for all that I took from the Colorado PDC. I don't remember anything about the other students and very little about the instructors. MWP's course, on the other hand, gave me the confidence and conviction I needed to change careers and become a farmer! Hope that was helpful, and best of luck with your PDC!

~Amy

Hi Josh
Check out the Permaculture PDC course we're offering June 24th to July 1st. at Crazy Rooster Farm, Near Eau Claire. It's the same one that was featured in the NY times last summer. It's taught by Wayne Weiseman. Wayne teaches the PDC all over and has been teaching for Midwest Permaculture for several years. You can learn more at www.crazyroosterfarm.com or feel free to give me a call six one 2-382-one 306

Jeff

Thanks for all of the input! Some more questions: What are the minimum requirements for a course to offer Permaculture Design Certification? Is there basic course curriculum that is required? Is there a difference between a Mollison approved course and one that is not? Or is it Mollison approved by virtue of the fact that it meets the minimum requirements?