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The webpage for this event is now live:


richsoil.com/pdc.jsp





You guys, this is huge. And it's incredibly last minute. And it's damned near impossible. But it. Is. EPIC.

It's looking like we'll be hosting our vey own PRI certified Permaculture Design and Appropriate Technology courses this summer right here at the lab.

For those that are unfamiliar with those terms, here's a quick definition for you -

PDC stands for Permaculture Design Course, and it's an intensive hands on learning experience where you'll learn the fundamental basics of permaculture, and how they apply to various situations and landscapes.

An Appropriate Technology course
has more to do with applying mechanical and engineering principles based on permaculture to common lifestyle requirements many people have - in other words, finding a way to heat your water, handle your waste water, heat your home, etc. more sustainably.

Paul would be playing host to Tim Barker (of the Koanga institute in New Zealand) and Howard Story (of Permaculture Institute Asia) during these two 2 week, intensive courses.

Here are the details:

- 18 spots available
- one 2 week PDC
- one 2 week AT course


Cost for PDC only - (includes camping)

$895


Cost for AT course only - (includes camping)

$1295


Cost for both courses - (includes camping)

$1,895


Dates:
PDC May 30 - June 11
AT June 13 - June 25


Location Information:

Wheaton Labs
Missoula Area, Montana

**specific location details are kept discreet, but upon purchase of your tickets, you will be given maps and directions to the exact location of the facilities**


Nearest Airport:

Missoula International Airport

If you need a ride from the airport, it's likely that a shuttle service can be arranged for you. Notify us in advance, and we'll get something worked out to get you here

For those that may not be able to fly with sleeping bags and tents, there are a limited quantity available for borrowing at the Lab, and of course, you can always rent the Tipi, Wofati, or other structures for your stay to lighten your luggage.



Send payments via Paypal to howard.story@gmail.com

If you're traveling with family, there is a lot to do in the surrounding area this time of year, and Missoula is a very family friendly city

For starters, it will be huckleberry season! Depending on the weather, there could be some opportunities to harvest and enjoy some sweet and succulent huckleberries. There are also a lot of family friendly attractions in Missoula, like the carousel and museums, and of course, plenty of great restaurants and breweries for the parents to explore. Check out some fun things to do here.

Also be sure to check out the Missoula Farmer's Market on Saturdays - it's one of the best ones in the country, and a great way to stock up on foods for community meals at these courses!

What you can expect to learn in the PDC:







Day 1 Intro to Permaculture Ethics and Principals

Day 2 Design Concepts and Themes

Day 3 Methods of Design

Day 4 Patterns in Nature and their application

Day 4 Climates, Climatic Factors

Day 5 Trees and their Energies

Day 6 Soils-healthy, humus, clay, sand, horizons, soil biology, pH

Day 7 Break

Day 8 Water-rain, fresh, collection, storage and economics, grey-water, black water

Day 9 Earthworks- swales, ponds, dams, slopes

Day 10 Aquaculture- Efficiency, Aquaponics

Day 11 Alternative Nation - Community building, Eco community, Invisible Structures

Day 12 Natural Buildings- Adobe, Super Adobe, Wattle and Daub, Bamboo, Rammed Earth - Fun "Talent Night"

Day 13 Permaculture Design Presentations

Daily hands on Permaculture Learning by Doing - daily 4pm-6pm - Composting -Berkley 18 day and Cold methods, Heating with compost, Topographical Maps and their use, Earthworks, and more TBA.
BioGas Design, use, application

Tour of Base camp and The Lab to be scheduled in as well

Some AT Course Topics (subject to change)









1. Solar- (passive, heating, cookers, ovens, dryers. Panels, charging, storage, lighting, mobile powered units).

2. Heating Temperate shelters - rocket stoves ( dimensions, materials, uses (hotwater, oven, cooking, mass heating). wood stoves, solar, thermal mass, insulation, floors, composting. Thermal mass greenhouses

3. Cooling Tropical shelters - shade, wind, ground cooling ducts, orientation, thermal mass, roofs

4. Water - filtering, purity, potibility, design, pumps, swales, ponds, drilled wells, collection systems, storage, IBC's, Grey water (recycling, uses, low cost methods, legal, productive uses)

5. Sustainability - energy audits, home, farm, food security - measurement

6. BioChar - production and use

7. Compost Toilets - Types, designs, Humanure, urine, safety, regulation, reality.

Accommodations/Lodging

Tent camping at Wheaton Labs will be available for all participants. There are composting restroom facilities and showers nearby.

For those that are flying and may have trouble bringing tents or sleeping bags, there are a limited number available for you to borrow at Base Camp - check with a staff member to verify.


The tipi is a beautiful way to "glamp", and with a rocket mass heater cob bench, it's cozy too!

If you would like to stay in one of the structures located on site, you can do so for additional fees - refer to the SEPPers Program thread for more information on rates, booking, and available accommodations.

Please email Destiny at destinyATrichsoilDOTcom with additional questions, or to book your stay! Deep discounts have been offered up on renting these structures for those that attend the PDC and/or AT course:


Slumber party at cooper cabin
- Wofati with a rocket mass heater for 17 nights only $200 and 35 nights for only $380. This is a killer deal to experience a wofati and you get to socialize with other permies! (12 spots available.)

The Tipi - With a rocket mass heater - 17 nights for $400 and 35 nights for $740.

Allerton Abbey - Wofati with a rocket mass heater - 17 nights for $800 and 35 nights for $1500

The Love Shack - 17 nights for $300 and 35 nights for $560

Attend the PDC and/or the AT and you get to stay in a Wheaton Labs structure for the lowest price ever!

Meals/Cooking

Please note that no meals will be provided - you will be responsible for feeding yourself. In the past, many PDC participants have cooked together in common areas. Base Camp does have propane cooking implements available, and primitive outdoor cooking is often a fun and engaging part of the PDC experience with your fellow classmates.

Meet the Instructors


Tim Barker - Appropriate Technology Tutor, Koanga Institure in New Zealand





Tim has come a long way since his days as a diesel fitter mechanic and now spends his time between Australia and New Zealand (and sometimes the US) as a semi professional pyromaniac and mad scientist teaching people how to burn stuff and make really cool machines and devices for low carbon living. He currently teaches Appropriate technology for the Koanga institute in New Zealand and Very Edible Gardens (VEG) in Melbourne to name a few

He has previously been farm manager for the Permaculture research Institute of Australia, power station operator/mechanic, Adventure guide and professional turtle wrestler. His rocket stove and char making powered hot water systems, ovens and cookers reflect his passion for elegant simple and durable combustion technologies, other projects include gravity powered water pumps, solar thermal cookers and dryers , Pedal powered washing machines, cargo bikes, hovercraft, wooden boats and aquaponics to name a few. When he is not tinkering he can be found on Macleay island off the coast of Queensland Australia where he and his family live and are currently in the process of building a rammed earth house (with maybe a little sailing thrown in).

He is particularly well known for his safe and effective rocket hot water heating system. Here is Geoff Lawton explaining the system Tim designed and built for PRI Australia.



He brings practical, hands on experience with some truly fascinating projects to the table - this from the Koanga institute "He has the practical knowledge and skills to construct almost any project with limited resources." We're thrilled to have him instructing at our facilities!

Howard Story - Internationally acclaimed instructor for Permaculture Institute Asia



Howard is a permaculture consultant, designer and teacher with a formal training in Natural resource economics, engineering and permaculture-based regenerative whole systems design. He currently runs the Thailand chapter of the Permaculture Institute Asia, and his PDCs have laid the foundation for several other programs. His background and training is extensive, and he is considered one of the world's leading PDC instructors.

Howard trained extensively in USA, Canada and Asia where he took his PDC’s, followed by: Permaculture Earthworks, Permaculture Teacher Training, Permaculture Aid Worker Training and a permaculture internship in Thailand. He has worked all throughout Asia on several permaculture design projects, from Laos to Cambodia, and is considered the foremost permaculture authority for the region.



Howard’s PDC’s serves as foundation for everyone interested in Permaculture. The PDC is a prerequiste for Internships and the Diploma in Permaculture Design, offered through The Permaculture Institute Asia. Credit for this course is now also accepted by a growing number of universities around the world. To date, thousands of permaculture designers worldwide have been certified through this course, and it has no doubt paved the way for more people to spread the education and practices of permaculture.



Howard is considered one of the world's leading PDC instructors, and we are extremely lucky to be hosting him at Wheaton Labs this summer as part of this PDC.

Check out Jessie's thoughts here on the last PDC at Wheaton Labs with Howard Story!



Additional Guest Instructors

Erica Wisner



Dave Hunter

COMMENTS:
 
gardener
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Give this comment a thumbs up if you're interested in the PDC only.
 
Destiny Hagest
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Give this comment a thumbs up if you're interested in the AT course only.
 
Destiny Hagest
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Give this comment the thumbs up if you're interested in both the PDC and the AT courses!
 
Destiny Hagest
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Give this comment the thumbs up if you would rather build a hugel bed than till a garden
 
steward
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The AT course is Alternative Technology, right?
 
author and steward
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Jocelyn Campbell wrote:The AT course is Alternative Technology, right?



Or appropriate technology.
 
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I would like to see the syllabus of what's going to be in the appropriate technology course.
 
Destiny Hagest
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Dustin Hollis wrote:I would like to see the syllabus of what's going to be in the appropriate technology course.



The details are still being worked out, but we have a preliminary list here of things that may be included:

1. Solar- (passive, heating, cookers, ovens, dryers. Panels, charging, storage, lighting, mobile powered units).
2. Heating Temperate shelters - rocket stoves ( dimensions, materials, uses (hotwater, oven, cooking, mass heating). Wood stoves, solar, thermal mass, insulation, floors, composting. Thermal mass greenhouses
3. Cooling Tropical shelters - shade, wind, ground cooling ducts, orientation, thermal mass, roofs
4. Water - filtering, purity, potibility, design, pumps, swales, ponds, drilled wells, collection systems, storage, IBC's, Grey water (recycling, uses, low cost methods, legal, productive uses)
5. Sustainability - energy audits, home, farm, food security - measurement
6. BioChar - production and use
7. Compost Toilets - Types, designs, Humanure, urine, safety, regulation, reality.
 
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I will attend the AT course if it happens!
 
paul wheaton
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Danielle Peck wrote:I will attend the AT course if it happens!



Danielle, make sure that you click on the thumbs up for the appropriate post above!
 
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Any chance of including biogas in the AT course?
 
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Christina Weidt wrote:Any chance of including biogas in the AT course?

Hi Christina, We can cover it sure, no problem happy to add it. Any other requests?
 
paul wheaton
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What would people like to see from a PDC at Wheaton labs?

What would people like to see from an appropriate technology two-week course at Wheaton labs?

What else could make such an event truly epic?
 
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Sounds wonderful, but I am afraid it would not be practical for me to attend in person. However, I am very interested in the topics outlined for the appropriate technology section, and I would be willing to pay an appropriate amount of money for some form of document or media file with the contents. I feel confident that I would not be the only one...

So, in response to your query... The AT course would be TRULY EPIC for me if I could learn from it while remaining physically in Mexico!

Saludos a todos!
 
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Hi all i'm really excited to be coming back to Wheaton labs to Co teach the PDC with Howard and then lead the Appropriate technology course. Iv'e attached some links so everyone can have a look at what i do and ask me some questions but be warned i'm in AT mode at the moment and finishing off a three week course in New Zealand before flying home to Australia so i've got i new stove design and two hot water heaters to finish in three days so its long days and short nights at the moment.

Cheers Tim

Where Does the Appropriate in Appropriate Technology Come From?

Permaculture and Managing Holistically


The Solar Dryer

Low Mass Insulated Barrel Oven



Throwing the BTU's Out With the Bath Water



A Whiter Shade of Pale by Tim Barker

Transport in a Post Peak World

Walking the Middle Path

Rocket Stove - Hot Water!


AT: Ram Pumps for Low Head Applications



Permies Podcast: Rocket Mass Heaters Innovators Event



Permies Podcast: Rocket Mass Heaters Innovators Event, Part 2

Permies Podcast: Rocket Mass Heaters Innovators Event, Part 3

Rocket Stoves Workshop Report Part 1: The Oven


Rocket Stoves Workshop Report Part 2: The Water Heater


Rocket Stoves Workshop Report Part 3: Megan's Mini Rocket Cooker


[This post was edited by Destiny with permission from Howard to fix images]
 
Howard Story
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Howard Story wrote:

Christina Weidt wrote:Any chance of including biogas in the AT course?

Hi Christina, We can cover it sure, no problem happy to add it. Any other requests?


Some possibilities.........Animal systems, Biointensive gardening, Community Gardens, School Gardens, Edible school gardens, Travel Asia free with Permaculture and WWOOFing, Cob houses, Straw Bale Gardens and food growing, Keyline and regenerative broadacre, Permaculture tools, Food security, building community resilience, Urban Permaculture, Black soldier fly- starting and building a business, vermiculture what you need to know, Heating by composting, energy audit and efficiency, Wood gas, more
In the PDC we cover - Ethics and Pincipals, Concepts in design, Methods of Design, Soils, water, trees, climates, patterns in nature, earthworks, natural building, aquaculture, aquaponics, composting methods, Food forests (preparation, planing, starting), Succession acceleration.
 
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This is awesome! Last year I had the opportunity to learn from both Howard and Tim and they are truly inspiring teachers, their depth of knowledge and willingness to explain and instruct made complex ideas understandable for me.

How cool would it be to design the volcano?
It would offer insight into the design process to be able to observe and participate in the design and establishment of water catchment on your property.

I would sure like to see all of the considerations put into a permaculture plan of your property Paul, and be able to watch as the merits of different ideas are discussed and contrasted, and then get outside, get dirty, and do it!

Now that the solar leviathan is set up, wofati 0.8 might be a cool comfortable place to hold classes.
 
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David Lynch wrote:Sounds wonderful, but I am afraid it would not be practical for me to attend in person. However, I am very interested in the topics outlined for the appropriate technology section, and I would be willing to pay an appropriate amount of money for some form of document or media file with the contents. I feel confident that I would not be the only one...




Ditto for me - I would gladly pay for video or audio from the classes! Too many commitments here to be able to go there

 
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Would love to attend both but too rich for my blood at the moment.
 
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David Lynch wrote:Sounds wonderful, but I am afraid it would not be practical for me to attend in person. However, I am very interested in the topics outlined for the appropriate technology section, and I would be willing to pay an appropriate amount of money for some form of document or media file with the contents. I feel confident that I would not be the only one...

So, in response to your query... The AT course would be TRULY EPIC for me if I could learn from it while remaining physically in Mexico!

Saludos a todos!



Yup. No way for me to be there physically, any way to offer video or a paper form of the classes?
 
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I'm also too far away to attend but am interested in the download
 
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Howard! It brought a smile to my face to see that you're going to be going back to Wheaton Labs. I don't think I'll be able to come for the whole thing but I'm going to try to come out for a week or so to work on some bounties. I hope I'll be able to see,you out there.
 
Sarah Joubert
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What about a kickstarter for the AT course? Would mean a wait but worth it!
 
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Great, another PDC course that teachers can't get to. Does anyone ever do them in July/August?
 
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Michael Newby wrote:Howard! It brought a smile to my face to see that you're going to be going back to Wheaton Labs. I don't think I'll be able to come for the whole thing but I'm going to try to come out for a week or so to work on some bounties. I hope I'll be able to see,you out there.



Hey Michael, Would love to hook up again! Come on...

H
 
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Howard Story wrote:

Michael Newby wrote:Howard! It brought a smile to my face to see that you're going to be going back to Wheaton Labs. I don't think I'll be able to come for the whole thing but I'm going to try to come out for a week or so to work on some bounties. I hope I'll be able to see,you out there.



Hey Michael, Would love to hook up again! Come on...

H



That is some workings you got going on. https://permies.com/t/15915/projects/Mnewby-Projects
 
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I'd also like to be registered for that download .
 
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Hi all so a little about my approach to teaching App tech

It's really important to build a fundamental understanding of the subject not just the ability to build something from plans so the first few days of the course are all about thermodynamics and physics as they apply to App tech. Dont for a second think this is a advanced class in the subject but more and exploration as it applies to the real world. This is all about energy literacy and being conversant with the terms and ideas involved. Not only will building a solid base here will give you the ability to asses different technologies in terms or how appropriate they are to your situation it will also give you the nessiscary skills to modify existing designs to your needs and even develop your own designs.

Solar thermal energy

From here we move very easily onto Solar thermal energy. As our most accessible energy source it is the very cornerstone of some of our most effective and robust technologies. Solar ovens, solar dryers, solar passive house design, retained heat cooking and solar hot water are all just variations on a theme, that of collecting heat energy and using it to perform tasks for us. Remember however that there are two sides to a coin so the flip side of collecting solar energy is getting rid of it ie cooling so we also look at ground linked cooling/heating, evaporative cooling, black body radiation etc


Combustion technologies

While most people associate me with rocket stoves i'm very much interested in all combustion technologies as long as they are appropriate to your context. With that in mind we will not only look at rocket stoves but also batch box heaters, TLUDS (top lit up draft gassifiers) and indeed any device that burns a material to produce heat. We will also be looking at what is involved in building simple robust devices using these combustion technologies to cook food, heat homes and boil/heat water.

Human power

While human powered devices have many great applications there are some fundamental constraints not the least of which is most humans cannot put out much over seventy watts in all but the briefest of bursts of activity. So think cargo bikes, pedal powered juicers and washing machines not pedal powered generators charging any but the smallest of batteries.

Biological technology
It's time to take back the term biotechnology meaning biologically based technology. Of course some of our cornerstone Appropriate technologies are about manipulating biological phenomena to achieve certain favourable outcomes the big ones here are Composting toilets, grey water systems and biosand filters.

Electricity

Here i group all the technologies used to generate electricity. Solar PV, hydro, wind etc. All these technologies use much the same infrastructure and storage devices as each other. We will look at and compare the various options ie Nife batteries as opposed to lead acid or lithium, amorphous panels compared to mono or polychrystalline. Horizontal axis wind turbines as opposed to vertical axis but to name a few.

We will also discuss tool selection and use and while you may not be a master welder of carpenter by the end of the course you will be able to stick bits of steel or wood together to build some very handy devices.

This is by no means a complete list of what we are going to cover but i hope it gives would be participants an idea

As ive already spoken about the overarching theme of the workshop is to give participants a fundamental understanding of the subject so they can move forward on their own not to train them to regurgitate information and copy designs without really understanding them as this has limited value.

Cheers Tim
 
Christina Weidt
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Howard Story wrote:

Christina Weidt wrote:Any chance of including biogas in the AT course?

Hi Christina, We can cover it sure, no problem happy to add it. Any other requests?


This sounds fantastic, and I am definitely there if it happens!
 
Destiny Hagest
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This all sounds so incredible - like the ULTIMATE PDC.

This is a really great opportunity for Americans, since both of these instructors work internationally - Wheaton Labs would be incredibly lucky to play host to this event.
 
Howard Story
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So some AT stuff we can talk about -
Human Powered - water pumps, blenders, clothes washers, table saw, jig saws, transportation and more
Solar powered - charging, Electronics, portable, wattage, sizing, buying, costing, installing, charging, storing
Wind Powered - charging, electrics, water pumps, sizing
Water powered - generators, pumps, water wheels

Human Powered



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[This post was edited by Destiny with permission from Howard to fix images]
 
Howard Story
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On the Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) its-

Day 1 Intro to Permaculture Ethics and Principals,
Day 2 Design Concepts and Themes,
Day 3 Methods of Design,
Day 4 Patterns in Nature and their application,
Day 4 Climates, Climatic Factors,
Day 5 Trees and their Energies,
Day 6 Soils-healthy, humus, clay, sand, horizons, soil biology, pH ,
Day 7 Break
Day 8 Water-rain, fresh, collection, storage and economics, grey-water, black water.,
Day 9 Earthworks- swales, ponds, dams, slopes,
Day 10 Aquaculture- Efficiency, Aquaponics
Day 11 Alternative Nation - Community building, Eco community, Invisible Structures,
Day 12 Natural Buildings- Adobe, Super Adobe, Wattle and Daub, Bamboo, Rammed Earth - Fun "Talent Night"
Day 13 Permaculture Design Presentations
Daily hands on Permaculture Learning by Doing - daily 4pm-6pm - Composting -Berkley 18 day and Cold methods, Heating with compost, Topographical Maps and their use, Earthworks, and more TBA.
BioGas Design, use, application
Tour of Base camp and The Lab to be scheduled in as well



 
paul wheaton
author and steward
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Location: missoula, montana (zone 4)
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I just got the official word from Howard and Tim... We are officially having a PDC at Wheaton labs according to the schedule and prices listed above.

We will get this page updated with all of the new information including where to send funds. For the first 48 hours there will be an early bird discount. And the 48 hours will start the moment it is announced on The Daily-ish email.

Most folks will probably stay in a tent. But there will be a few bunks available. Check the thread about the sEpperson program for details on prices. If folks are going to come they might want to get their bunks now. So I guess this is an unfair advantage for the people that monitor the threads here at permies.
 
Destiny Hagest
gardener
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Location: Little Belt Mountains, MT
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Here's a photo of instructor Tim Barker!
TimBarkerRevision10.16.2015.jpg
[Thumbnail for TimBarkerRevision10.16.2015.jpg]
 
Lab Ant
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Location: Orange County, CA
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I attended Howard Story's PDC at Wheaton Labs last summer, and I want to share that I felt like it was a top notch PDC. It was my second PDC course, and the difference between the two was night and day. I felt like Howard, as a PRI certified instructor, offered the kind of in depth learning that was lacking from other permaculture courses I have attended. I have been studying permaculture intensively for over 5 years, and I still came away from this PDC with a new understanding. Howard was able to bring in several guest instructors who helped to broaden the perspective of the course and offer insight into a variety of areasons such as beekeeping and visual landscape design . The fact that the PDC took place at Wheaton labs meant that there were some great hands on activities included in the course, from driving the excavator, to making compost, to skinning rabbits. I guess what I am getting at is that if you have to opportunity to make it out for this PDC, jump on it.

As for the Appropriate Technology course, I had the chance to meet Tim Barker last year at the rocket mass heater event and I was blown away by his knowledge and creativity. There were some great conversations around the fire. If I didn't have a conflicting commitment I would be signing up for his course.

Howard and Tim, I may not be around the Lab at the time of the courses, but I'm glad you guys are coming back and spreading your knowledge!
 
Posts: 57
Location: mid atlantic / northern piedmont zone 6b/7a USA
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Hi!

I'm a recent-ish member of Permies, (and up until now, I have gleefully read the daily-isn email and piles of threads every day (with joy), but never post anything myself (yes, I've felt a little like a "premies.com stalker" But truthfully, I've just felt like I'm just doing my "permie ablutions" persay- putting in the effort/dedication listening to the podcasts, devouring books, and enjoying all the expertise (often taking notes, which later, always reinforces how awesome all the people who are on this forum) offered up so kindly, by others who have been on this road longer than me.

So, up until now, I haven't felt like I had too much to offer really-so I was mum)

But Now! The FATEFUL DAY has arrived! I have a question! (and I thought due to my pickle, perhaps others like me, might have the same one)

I am very interested in attending this PDC combo. After reading the entire thread, I put " sEpperson program" in the search tab, per Paul's post-to find out about bunk space situation. Nothing came up! -I'm now face first into a hedge. -Can someone direct me?

(As I said, in comparison with many on this site/movement/army, I am definitely a newbie-so I apologize if this lingo is something that is old hat, and my feeling flummoxed, has outed me completely wet behind the ears)

Nevertheless, I want to support the Lab and World Domination, so I have decided to emerge from the shadows (ha)-especially due to the limited space factor.

Thanks!
 
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