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FOUNDATION DIPLOMA IN PERMACULTURE VSS116

Duration (approx) 1000 hours
Qualification

Extensive studies in Permaculture and Permaculture Systems - gain detailed knowledge for professional and career development.

  • Learn about balanced, sustaining and productive garden growing systems.
  • Learn about the fundamentals and principles of permaculture and sustainability.
  • Develop your knowledge to plan, design and manage permaculture systems.
  • Suitable for commercial growers and landscapers, as well as the serious home gardener.
  • Successful graduates of this course will be awarded a Permaculture Design Certificate.
  • The course can be started at any time.
  • Study with the support and guidance of our specialist tutors.

Modules

Core ModulesThese modules provide foundation knowledge for the FOUNDATION DIPLOMA IN PERMACULTURE VSS116
 ANIMALS IN PERMACULTURE SYSTEMS (PERMACULTURE III) VSS106
 INTRODUCTION TO PERMACULTURE (PERMACULTURE I) VSS104
 ORGANIC FARMING BAG305
 PERMACULTURE DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT (PERMACULTURE IV) VSS107
 PLANTS AND PERMACULTURE (PERMACULTURE II) VSS105
 SELF SUFFICIENCY I ASS100
 SELF SUFFICIENCY II ASS101
Elective ModulesIn addition to the core modules, students study any 3 of the following 12 modules.
 ADVANCED PERMACULTURE BHT301
 ALTERNATIVE ENERGY VSS102
 AQUACULTURE BAG211
 AQUAPONICS BHT319
 BERRY PRODUCTION BHT309
 FORESTRY FOUNDATIONS BAG109
 HERB CULTURE BHT114
 MUD BRICK CONSTRUCTION ASS103
 NUT PRODUCTION BHT219
 POULTRY BAG208
 REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE BAG314
 URBAN FARMING -BAG229

It's easy to enrol...

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Select a learning location:
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Select a payment plan:

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Select a learning method

Please note, choosing offline (USB stick) will attract a 5% surcharge on top of the course fee

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Develop detailed knowledge of Permaculture and Permaculture Systems.

  • Study the fundamentals and principles of permaculture and sustainability.
  • Understand the interaction of different natural and environmental elements.
  • Study climate, water, soils and much more to understand how to apply this to permaculture.
  • Understand approaches to waste management and recycling (of energy, water etc.)
  • Understand the impact and integration of plants and animals into a permaculture system.
  • Learn about permaculture design principles and planning and managing a balanced system.
  • Suitable for commercial growers and landscapers, as well as the serious home gardener.
  • Successful graduates of this course will be awarded a Permaculture Design Certificate.
  • The course can be started at any time.
  • Study with the support and guidance of our specialist tutors.
  

UNDERSTANDING PERMACULTURE

Requires an understanding of how Nature Works

Consider Mulch ....

There are lots of conflicting factors to understand: 

Mulch insulates keeping root zone cooler in summer and warmer in winter, coarse mulch absorbs water better, but fine mulch like sawdust can repel water if bone dry, but if a little moist it absorbs and soaks up water, mulch can smother weeds if thick enough, but certain weeds will grow through even thick mulch; mulch can increase or reduce reflection of light - but that may depend on what type of mulch; stone mulches are a better heat bank than organic mulch; but as organic mulches decompose, heat is generated by the decomposition process. If decomposition is fast, more heat is generated, but nitrogen is temporarily absorbed by decomposing bacteria, which can leave plants nitrogen deficient. Eventually decomposition of mulch increases nutrients into soil.

Light weight mulches may blow or wash away; but some mulches are less likely to move. Mulch can also be used to minimise erosion.  Some mulches compact, others don't (eg. wood shavings might be laid down 30cm thick but after a month or so be 20cm thick).

Some mulches attract pests (eg. sugar cane attracts ants, woods may attract termites) others may inhibit pests - snakes & snails might avoid crawling on wood shavings)

Most people misuse mulch, commonly by:

  • Not getting the thickness right
  • Not topping it up often enough
  • Putting plastic under it

Type of mulch, thickness & other aspects depend upon climate, microclimate

30cm thickness is commonly about right in most situations and climates.

 

 

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 FOUNDATION DIPLOMA IS ASSESSED

The Foundation Diploma In Permaculture requires approximately 1000 hours of study. It is made up of ten 100-hour modules.

To pass the course –

  1. Pass all assignments on the ten 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 ten 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.

THE ACS APPROACH TO DISTANCE LEARNING

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.
  • Depending upon your course, your studies may involve independent research, interviews, practical exercises, assessments, Problem Based Learning projects, and more.

OUR STUDENTS SAY

"[The course was] inspirational, motivational and to add to my knowledge in general Horticulture so can add this to my CV for potential jobs and also improve work for my self-employment as a professional gardener/consultant."
Yoke, Permaculture Systems Course

ENROL TODAY - OR CONTACT US WITH YOUR QUESTIONS

You can enrol on our courses today - simply go to the "It's easy to enrol ..." box at the top right-hand side of this page, select your payment plan and your learning method.

Or contact us -

Please get in touch with our specialist Permaculture tutors today; they will be happy to discuss your study aims and answer any of your questions about our courses.
Courses can be started anytime from anywhere in the world!

Meet some of our academics

Marie Beerman B.Sc.,M.Hort.Marie has been involved in horticulture since 2003. She completed a Masters degree in Horticulture at Hannover University in Germany in 2007, and has worked with ACS since 2011 She has co-authored of several ebooks including one on Roses and has a very sound knowledge and experience with horticultural science and research ranging from plant taxonomy and plant breeding to pest, disease and soil management.,
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

Aquaponics eBookThe Aquaponics ebook will give you a great understanding of how to start your own aquaponics production. This 65 page ebook provides you with enough information to start your own home production and even manage issues as they arise. This is a great way to become more self-sufficient and produce a sustainable food source for your own household. Aquaponic farming allows individual families to grow a much wider range of produce, in a much smaller space. They can provide the protein needed for their diet (from fish), as well as the vegetables and fruit they need. Aquaponic systems can be as small as a few cubic meters; or as large as many acres. They are an ideal way of improving productivity on a hobby farm; can be used by restaurants to produce the freshest produce on site, or established inside buildings, in big cities, for urban farming.
Fish for Freshwater Aquaculture and AquaponicsChoosing the most suitable fish for any fish farm or aquaponics system is a very important decision. Some fish species are easier to grow, some are more profitable to grow, and some suit a particular approach to fish culture better than others. Whether operating on a large or small scale; making the right choice of fish type can be the most critical decision, and this is the book to help you make that decision. Suitable for amateurs and professionals, a great overview for students or anyone new to aquaculture; inspiring and revealing for farmers who are thinking of stocking a dam, through to home owners considering re-purposing a swimming pool.
Bees, Beekeeping and HoneyBees play a vital role in pollination of crops, it’s important to improve diversity of bee populations and ensure there are enough of them to withstand any future threats. Learn about bees and how to keep them; learn about maintaining their health and the production and use of honey.
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.