Career in Permaculture and Oragnic Homesteading

While everyone my age is off getting their degrees and careers in the usual cookie cutter fields, I want to dedicate my energy and time to a different career.

That in permaculture design. With a minor in homesteading.

Probably one of my ultimate life goals is to create a real life Garden of Eden. The ultimate ideal that everyone on this board holds close.

That is the career i wish to pursue. However, I don't think any college would offer a degree relevant to what I wish to do.

What would be the best means of aquiring the skills and experience to fulfill this aspiration?

Would Wwoof be a good outlet? I hear many things, good and bad about the farms and organizations that are part of it. I recently sent for a directory and waiting eagerly at the mailbox.

Anyone have experience with Wwoof? How did you learn your skills?

Thanks.

Welcome pedal. There are colleges that allow you to design your own degree program. You'll have some courses that are fluff, but there's always that.

Why college? Why not apprentice? It is true that there is value in a degree - the diversity of knowledge and inspiration, for instance, but the expense is considerable - and so time consuming. The best way to learn about plants and natural systems is to get your hands muddy and stay up late reading, I think.

While I agree that a traditional college is not necessarily the way to go, I think WWOOFing can be really hit or miss, depending on where you end up. You might have a better shot if you go through an established internship program, like those at the Regenerative Design Institute. If you want to get an actual degree, you might look into the Gaia University.

Hey pedal,
I know that Evergreen State College here in Washington State offers a course which they call Sustainable Agriculture. Under that umbrella term they teach you about homesteading, horticulture, botany, permaculture and manufacturing bio-fuel amongst other things.

Derek

I have enjoyed almost every moment of WWOOF'ing. Naturally there are some unpleasant experience that better be forgotten but these are a result of myself not finding out more about the farm before appearing at their doorstep.

WWOOF'ing does not only open yourself to other culture's but is really satisfying. If you are open to sweating hard from hard labour from time to time or willing to learn by helping build (and clear) an organic toilet then this might be for you. There are many fond memories gathered and more importanty good friends made.

Pedal McCoy wrote:While everyone my age is off getting their degrees and careers in the usual cookie cutter fields, I want to dedicate my energy and time to a different career.

That in permaculture design. With a minor in homesteading.

Probably one of my ultimate life goals is to create a real life Garden of Eden. The ultimate ideal that everyone on this board holds close.

That is the career i wish to pursue. However, I don't think any college would offer a degree relevant to what I wish to do.

What would be the best means of aquiring the skills and experience to fulfill this aspiration?

Would Wwoof be a good outlet? I hear many things, good and bad about the farms and organizations that are part of it. I recently sent for a directory and waiting eagerly at the mailbox.

Anyone have experience with Wwoof? How did you learn your skills?

Thanks.

Hello Pedal! I see this is a pretty old thread but am curious where your life took you in this. Your words about recreating the garden of eden are words I myself use often. It is my dream to live that as my life, but am in a bit of a hole with mortgage and student loan debt and am contemplating a drastic job transition into something more fulfilling with most likely much less money. Just curious how things have turned out for you since posting this.

In the current year, that is really very actual to work in this sphere

That is really rare now