Workshop Suggestions

I am making up a list of workshop ideas that are aimed at introducing permaculture (in some form) to unsuspecting future permaculture lovers.
I'm looking specifically for ideas that would attract a large, general portion of the population.
To me that means there should be a "fun factor" and possibly a final product or event that would give that feeling of reward or accomplishment.
Workshops that could be held in an afternoon would be better than something that lasts over an entire weekend or longer (less commitment for the attendees which is important for people not yet bit by the perma-bug yet).

Some ideas I have are
- an introduction to a food forest, ending with foraging baskets to fill and take home
- an introduction to cob, with each group getting a section of wall (or bench or whatever item) to personalize with shaped clay, added glass or tile, handprints, or <their idea>
- a jam camp with fruit collection in the morning and prepping and preserving in the afternoon. Everyone gets to take home a jar. Or have the fruit pre-picked and concentrate on preservation methods
- same as above but for pickled veggies like cukes, carrots, cauliflower, and green tomatoes.
- learning about an aquaponics system and catching a fish to take home

Basically ideas that are less about "poop is food fertilizer" or "splitting logs is hard work" and more about "homegrown strawberries are delicious and nutritious" and "see how fulfilling or accomplished this feels"
Not because I want to hide any truths but some topics are going to be more effective for catching the attention of other people.


I'm going to search for current workshops for ideas but I thought I might also find some good ideas here too?
And hopefully other people can use this information as well.

Mushrooms. Food, waste management, fertility.

Being able to grow your own vegan protein year found in an urban setting should be huge. By feeding them paper and coffee grounds and other waste streams.

What they do to improve your other plants is astounding. I think it is the fungal activity that is the real secret behind hugels.

Vermicomposting.
I did a class years ago and the kids loved it.
Everyone gets to make a bin and take it home after the class.

Dear Penny, Miles and R. Scott:

What activities. Yes Penny, workshops are good and it is valuable to distinguish them from any other organic workshops that may be happening in your area. People can be introduced to permaculture through them by discussing what you think is the most valuable principle or return to the ethics. It is the principles and design....how these workshop topics such as mushrooms can be integrated into a larger design and work for a better common output than they would alone.

Your ideas are exciting and one day, people will ask for more....do you follow on plans or can you direct them to more design knowledge?

About mushrooms they are basic to every small garden and every urban garden and meeting protein needs is critical. So apart from mushrooms you have quail and intensive aqua-systems. These are enormously productive in Viet Nam. We need to think deeper and harder about what will meet cities needs for protein and energy.

Your courses could form a coherent whole about small scale growing or Urban production or any other topic you wish. Each course could focus on a different principle.

And about fun....yes, but for some learners too much fun is just exhausting, you use Energisers to break up topics, bring people awake, change the mood, open and close courses to build a sense of belonging. Students aren't always aware of your purpose but you are. Im putting together a book of about 60 energisers for premie teachers.

So much to talk about........

Warmly

Rosemary