PERMACULTURE DESIGN COURSES PORTUGAL
Explore the world of permaculture and regenerative farming at our educational center in Portugal, nestled in the coastal mountain range of Sintra, just 45 minutes away from Lisbon Airport.
Expect to gain practical answers and solutions for the challenges of today, and immerse yourself in a transformative lifestyle designed for yourself, the global community and our planet to thrive.
From those looking to build communities to those simply looking to connect more with nature or reduce their ecological footprint our course is designed for everyone with no prior experience needed.
Terra Alta is one of the most established Permaculture projects in Europe, located 45 minutes by car from the Lisbon Airport. With 10 years as a permaculture site-in-development, and a centre for research and education with over 20 Permaculture Design Certificate Courses (PDCs) taught, we offer Permaculture education at the highest level, led by artist, visionary and certified Permaculture teacher, Pedro Valdjiu.
COURSE OVERVIEW
The two-week PDC is an internationally recognised intensive program that equips students with:
a comprehensive understanding of the concepts of Permaculture
tools and know-how to design your own regenerative projects
the basics for land design, and whole-systems thinking tools to better navigate society as well as your own inner landscape
It is about 50% practical, with plenty of hands-on activities. We create a participatory learning environment and use interactive, embodied learning methods.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
Bill Mollison’s 72h curriculum
The seven domains of permaculture action from David Holmgren
The principles and ethics of permaculture
Permaculture design method for planning a project and designing a homestead - Schematic design
Orientation to Terra Alta as home and land resource system
Appropriate technology and sustainable energy systems
Animals in permaculture systems
Introduction to plant care and seed saving
Community and social tools for project and personal development
Regenerative landscape design
Water retention and regeneration
Composting and Soil Science
Bio-intensive techniques for kitchen and market gardening
Introduction to Regenerative Agriculture
Vermicomposting flush toilet system
Zero Waste strategies
Introduction to natural building
Food harvesting, preservation, and fermentation
Food Forest design, management, and implementation
Introduction to herbalism
PROGRAM INFORMATION
COURSE FEE
Early bird: 840 euros *only applies to sliding scale "fair"*
Sliding scale price:
- fair: 890€
- regular: 990€
- supportive: 1090€
This includes food and camping. Upon registering you will be asked for your details and a registration fee of 200 € to secure your spot. This is a deposit and part of the course fee. You just pay the balance when you arrive. Please make sure to read our refund policy.
COURSE LANGUAGE
All our courses are conducted in English.
ACCOMMODATION
- Camping with your own tent - free
- 1-2 person size tent is 60 euros* (includes a camping mat)
- Bell tent is 250 euros* (includes all bedding)
- A-Frame (wooden hut) 300 euros* (includes all bedding)
* Total cost for renting for 2 weeks
The campsite is a semi-wild area where we have created level terraces among the trees and stones for people to pitch their tents out of view from the rest of the garden.
FOOD
Three vegetarian meals per day with ingredients sourced from our gardens. Students are part of the preparation of meals and cleaning as this experience is a component of the course.
SUITED FOR
Students looking for practical experience and holistic perspective (our certification can be accredited for university depending on the requirements of your programme-please check with your university first)
Project developers & land holders
Designers, architects, and landscapers
Ecologists and restoration workers
Activists & artists
Farmers
Urban gardeners
NGO-members
People in urban and settlement planning
Social workers
Environmental educators & school teachers
Community members & anyone looking for nature connection
OPTION: MODULAR PDC
Can't take two weeks off? No problem. We have designed a modular course running over 8 Saturdays. Check it out!
STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
CONTINUING EDUCATION
KNOWLEDGE BASE
All students will have lifetime access to our easy-to-use online knowledge base which contains information from the core curriculum presentations, plus additional resources (which we update) to enhance students’ post-PDC self-learning path. This content is meant to be used as a complement to students’ notes taken in class.
ONLINE NETWORK
To keep in touch after the course and connect with Terra Alta's international community of permaculture practitioners, activists and artists, all students will get access to our bespoke online community. This gives the opportunity to share, ask questions, request volunteers or volunteering opportunities, and organise events.
