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CERTIFICATE IN PERMACULTURE CONSULTING VHT037

Duration (approx) 600 hours
Qualification Certificate

Permaculture Consultancy Course

Are you passionate about permaculture and would like to share your knowledge and enthusiasm on to others. This is the course for you.  Learn more about permaculture and how to operate as a consultant.

There are three main modules - Permaculture Systems, Advanced Permaculture and Professional Practice For Consultants.

Then choose three remaining modules from a variety of electives, such as - organic agriculture and farming, sustainable agriculture, alternative energy, nut and fruit production, classroom delivery skills and more.

 

 



Modules

Core ModulesThese modules provide foundation knowledge for the CERTIFICATE IN PERMACULTURE CONSULTING VHT037
 ADVANCED PERMACULTURE BHT301
 PERMACULTURE SYSTEMS BHT201
 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE FOR CONSULTANTS BBS301
Elective ModulesIn addition to the core modules, students study any 3 of the following 12 modules.
 ALTERNATIVE ENERGY VSS102
 ANIMALS IN PERMACULTURE SYSTEMS (PERMACULTURE III) VSS106
 CLASSROOM DELIVERY SKILLS BGN106
 ENVIRONMENTAL WASTE MANAGEMENT BEN202
 FRUIT PRODUCTION -TEMPERATE CLIMATE BHT218
 FRUIT PRODUCTION -WARM CLIMATE BHT217
 HERB CULTURE BHT114
 NUT PRODUCTION BHT219
 ORGANIC FARMING BAG305
 PLANTS AND PERMACULTURE (PERMACULTURE II) VSS105
 SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE - BAG215
 TREES FOR REHABILITATION (LANDCARE REAFFORESTATION) BHT205

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Become a Permaculture Consultant - develop your knowledge and your business.

  • Expand your knowledge and skills to underpin a permaculture business.
  • Compliment existing experience and knowledge, exploring different ways to apply it in a permaculture context.
  • Choose from a diversity of electives to develop specialised skills that differentiate you from other permaculture professionals.
  • This course gives you the standard PDC but goes well beyond - more than 8 times what you would do in a standard PDC. This gives you a significant advantage starting out as a consultant.

Permaculture is a growing movement worldwide that revolutionises the way we manage the environment around us to maximise the use of energy to increase food production and environmental health. Permaculture courses are in demand as are skilled consultants. This is a great course for those already practising permaculture and wanting to take the next step.


COURSE STRUCTURE AND CONTENT
Course Duration: 600 hours.

Start Date: Start at any time - study at a pace that suits you, and with full tutor support for the duration of your studies.

Content: Study three Core Modules and then choose three Elective Modules. Details of the Core and Elective Modules are given below. Follow the links in the module titles to access the web page for each.

This course develops very broad skills, pertaining to sustainability, but with a particular focus on permaculture. There are many different ideas about how to be more sustainable. You will find different people promoting different concepts with great vigour and enthusiasm, and in most cases, these concepts will have something valuable to teach you. Many are quite similar in approach, often being just variations of a similar theme. Each approach will have its application, but because it worked for someone else does not necessarily mean it will work for you. As you study, you will discover different approaches and concepts and learn when and how to apply the most appropriate of these.


PERMACULTURE
The term “Permaculture” is derived from the idea of “permanent agriculture”.

In its strictest sense, Permaculture is a polyculture system of agriculture based on perennial or self-perpetuating plant and animal species which are useful to man. In a broader context, Permaculture is a philosophy which encompasses the design and establishment of environments which are harmonious, highly productive and stable. These environments provide food, shelter, and energy, as well as supportive social and economic infrastructures, in a sustainable manner.

In comparison to modern farming techniques practised in most modern civilisations, the key elements of Permaculture are low energy and high diversity inputs. The design of the landscape, whether on a suburban block or a large farm, is based on these elements. It also takes ethical issues into consideration.

Design is required to place plants, structures and animals in relation to each other so that their functions and yields are enhanced. Permaculture design skills include observation, deduction, analysis, mapping, pattern reading and experience.

Low Input Farming Systems
This approach is based on the idea that a major problem is depletion of resources. If a farmer uses fewer resources (e.g. chemicals, fertiliser, fuel, money, manpower), farm costs will be reduced, there is less chance of damage being caused by waste residues or overworking the land and the world is less likely to run out of the resources needed to sustain farming.

Regenerative Farming Systems
This seeks to create a system that will regenerate itself after each harvest. Techniques such as composting, green manuring and recycling may be used to return nutrients to the soil after each crop. Permaculture is currently perhaps the ultimate regenerative system. A Permaculture system is a carefully designed landscape which contains a wide range of different plants and animals. This landscape can be small (e.g. a home garden), or large (e.g. a farm) and it can be harvested to provide such things as wood (for fuel and building), eggs, fruit, herbs and vegetables, without seriously affecting the environmental balance. In essence, it requires little input once established, and continues to produce and remain sustainable.

Biodynamic Systems
This approach concentrates mobilising biological mechanisms. Organisms such as worms and bacteria in the soil break down organic matter and make nutrients available to pastures or crops. Under the appropriate conditions, nature will help dispose of wastes (e.g. animal manures), and encourage predators to eliminate pests and weeds.

Organic Systems
Traditionally this involves using natural inputs for fertilisers and pest control, and techniques such as composting and crop rotation. In Australia and many other countries, there are schemes which "certify" produce as being organic. These schemes lay down very specific requirements, including products and farming techniques which are permitted, and others which are prohibited. In Australia, you can find out about such schemes through groups such as the Biological Farmers Association (BFA) or the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture (NASAA). See directory for addresses.

Conservation Farming
This is based on the idea of conserving resources that already exist on the farm. It may involve such things as identifying and retaining the standard and quality of waterways, creek beds, nature strips, slopes, etc.

Hydroponics
This approach involves separating plant growth from the soil, and taking greater control of the growth of a crop. This increases your ability to manage both production and the disposal of waste. Hydroponics is not a natural system of cropping, but it can be very environmentally friendly. A lot of produce can be grown in a small area; so despite the high establishment costs, the cost of land is much less allowing farms to operate closer to markets. In the long term, a hydroponic farm uses fewer land resources, fewer pesticides, and is less susceptible to environmental degradation than many other forms of farming.

Matching Enterprise with Land Capability
Some sites are so good that you can use them for almost any type of farming enterprise, for any period of time without serious degradation. Other places, however, have poor or unreliable climates or infertile soils and might only be suitable for certain types of enterprises or certain stocking or production rates. If you have a property already, only choose enterprises that are sustainable on your land.

Genetic Improvement
This principle involves breeding or selecting animal or plant varieties which have desirable genetic characteristics. If a particular disease becomes a problem, you select a variety that has reduced susceptibility. If the land is threatened with degradation in a particular way, you should change to varieties that do not pose that problem.

Polycultures
Many modern farms practise monoculture, growing only one type of animal or plant. With large populations of the same organism, though, there is greater susceptibility to all sorts of problems. Diseases and pests can build up to large populations. One type of resource (required by that variety) can be totally depleted, while other resources on the farm are under-used. If the market becomes depressed, income can be devastated. A polyculture involves growing a variety of different crops or animals, in order to overcome such problems.

Integrated Management
This concept holds that good planning and monitoring the condition of the farm and marketplace will allow the farmer to address problems before they lead to irreversible degradation. Chemical pesticides and artificial fertilisers may still be used, but their use will be better managed.  Soil degradation will be treated as soon as detected. Water quality will be maintained. Ideally, diseases will be controlled before they spread. The mix of products being grown will be adjusted to reflect changes in the marketplace (e.g. battery hens and lot-fed animals may still be produced but the waste products which often damage the environment should be properly treated, and used as a resource rather than being dumped and causing pollution).

Highly topical and highly relevant - Permaculture embraces values and concepts that point towards a more ecologically focussed and sustainable future for our planet. As such, the demand for consultants in Permaculture is only set to develop and grow further.


HOW THE COURSE WORKS
You can start the course at any time.

It is studied by distance learning, so you can study in the comfort of your own home. But this doesn't mean you are all alone in your studies.  Our highly qualified and friendly tutors are there to help you every step of the way.  If you have any questions at all, they are always happy to help.

Each lesson includes set tasks, and is completed with an assignment which the student submits to their course tutor.  The tutor will mark the assignment and return this to the student with comments and suggestions for further reading.


HOW THE CERTIFICATE IS ASSESSED
The Certificate In Permaculture Consulting requires around 600 hours of study. This is made up of six 100-hour modules.

To pass the course –

1. Pass all assignments on the six 100-hour modules. There will be an assignment at the end of each lesson to submit to your tutor for marking and feedback.
2. Pass six examinations – one on each module. These are usually taken at the end of the module and can be arranged at a time and location to suit you.



STUDYING WITH ACS

Quality courses - expert tuition - unlimited support.

At ACS we provide you with more than just a set of course notes.

Your 'learning package' includes:

  • Course notes.
  • Self-assessment quizzes.
  • Assignment feedback.
  • You can interact one on one with a professional tutor with decades of experience - just email, phone or log on to chat to connect with them.



Enrolling is easy - just select your payment option and study method - choose the online option for a 5% discount on the course cost.

Any questions?

Our tutors are more than happy to help and advise you with any questions regarding the course. Please contact us if you have any questions at all.

If you want to develop your knowledge of permaculture and become a teacher or consultant, then this is an ideal course for you. Study in your own home and learn more about permaculture and sustainability. Why delay? Get started today.



 


 
Courses can be started anytime from anywhere in the world!

Meet some of our academics

John Mason (Horticulturist)Horticulturist, Nurseryman, Landscaper, Garden Writer, Parks Manager and Consultant. Over 45 years experience; working in Australia and the UK. He is one of the most widely published garden writers in the world; author of more than 100 books and editor for 4 different gardening magazines. John has been recognised by his peers being made a fellow of the Institute of Horticulture in the UK, as well as by the Australian Institute of Horticulture.
Diana Cole (Horticulturist)Horticulturist, Permaculturist, Landscaper, Environmentalist. Holds a Diploma in Horticulture, degree in geography, permaculture certificate and various other qualifications. Between 1985 and 94, Diana was a task leader with the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers. Since 2001 she has been chairperson of the Friends of Mellor Park (with Stockport MDC). From 2005 she has worked exclusively in horticulture as proprietor of her own garden design and consultancy business in and around Derbyshire; and at the same time as part time manager of a small garden centre. Diana has been an enthusiastic and very knowledgeable tutor with ACS since 2008.


Check out our eBooks

Organic GardeningFor decades farmers have relied upon chemicals to control pests and diseases in order to produce saleable crops. In the ornamental, vegetable and fruit gardens reliance on chemical controls has also been the mainstay for many gardeners.
Commercial HydroponicsThe Commercial Hydroponics ebook is ideal for students, professional horticulturalists and those who want to build a strong foundation knowledge in hydroponics. The commercial hydroponics ebook explains how to set up a commercial hydroponics system, including growing techniques and equipment that you will need. The topics covered in this book include an introduction to hydroponics, site considerations, alternatives, plant nutrition, nutrient film technique culture, rockwool culture, aggregate culture, other techniques, hydroponics equipment, greenhouse operation, plant culture in hydroponics, Vegetable crops, berry and other fruit crops, flower crops, other crops, managing a commercial hydroponic farm and a troubleshooting guide.
HerbsLearn to identify and grow dozens of commonly grown herbs. Explore how to use them. Herbs have a rich history dating back centuries. Used by monks, apothecaries and ‘witches’ in the past, herbs are undergoing a revival in interest. They are easy to grow, scented, culinary and medicinal plants. In a formal herb garden or peppered throughout the garden, herbs rarely fail! Find out how they are used as medicines, for cooking, perfumes and more.
Fruit, Vegetables and HerbsThe Fruit, Vegetables and Herbs ebook is ideal for students, professionals and home gardening enthusiasts alike. Fruit, Vegetable and Herbs provides an overview in techniques to produce food in the garden. Topics covered within this course include 1/ Food from the garden, 2/ Deciding what to grow, 3/ Successful growing, 4/ Fruits, 4-1/ Deciduous fruit trees, 4-2/ Citrus fruits, 4-3/ Tropical fruits, 4-4/ Berries, 4-5/ Nuts, 4-6/ Vine crops, 4-7/ Using produce, 5/ Vegetables, 6/ Mushrooms, 7/ Special growing techniques