So What Is Permaculture?
- Jenny Ready
- Nov 17
- 3 min read
A little introduction and some of your most frequently asked questions
Permaculture is a design methodology for creating systems that are resilient, sustainable, and deeply in relationship with nature. This methodology is commonly used in land-based design, though it can just as well be used in social settings, governance structures, or even to design a shoe.
The word Permaculture comes from “permanent agriculture” and “permanent culture”, which says it all! Permaculture draws its inspiration from the patterns, processes and laws of nature, observing how ecosystems function and applying those insights into how we design gardens, farms, communities, social structures etc.
The Three Core Ethics of Permaculture
At the heart of every permaculture design are the three ethical pillars. These are the following:
1. Earth Care - protect and regenerate our home planet
2. People Care - support human wellbeing, equality, and cooperation
3. Fair Share (or Future Care) - redistribute surplus and care for future generations
From how we grow food and design our landscapes to how we share meals, build community and host courses, this is the foundation of how we design Terra Alta.
The 12 Permaculture Design Principles
There are many permaculture design principles developed by both Bill Mollison and David Holmgren. The following principles are the more commonly used ones by David Holmgren. They help translate the ethical pillars into tangible action and act as both practical tools and philosophical guidelines.
1. Observe and Interact
2. Catch and Store Energy
3. Obtain a Yield
4. Apply Self-Regulation and Accept Feedback
5. Use and Value Renewable Resources and Services
6. Produce No Waste
7. Design from Patterns to Details
8. Integrate Rather Than Segregate
9. Use Small and Slow Solutions
10. Use and Value Diversity
11. Use Edges and Value the Marginal
12. Creatively Use and Respond to Change
Once deeply integrated, these principles become apparent in all aspects of life and you might even find yourself designing parts of your personal life around them!
Who Can Take a Permaculture Design Course (PDC) and What Does It Cover?
Anyone with curiosity, openness, and desire to live more sustainably can join a Permaculture Design Course (PDC). There are no prerequisites and our students come from all over the world and all sorts of different backgrounds which creates a diverse, enriching learning environment. Whether you come with some experience or you have never put your hands in the soil, everyone is welcome!
A PDC covers the foundations of regenerative design, including:
Permaculture principles, ethics, and design tools
Forest Gardening
Biointensive Market gardening
Composting and soil health
Natural Building
Social permaculture
Landscape design
And much more…
Our courses are structured to be 50% theoretical and 50% hands-on, for you to be able to put theory to practice and learn by doing!
We are situated in a stunning valley in the lush green hills of Sintra, Portugal (just 20 minutes walk from the beach!) and have been regenerating this landscape for over a decade, cultivating food forests (see our blog post about our forest gardens), bio intensive gardens (see market gardening blog post), natural buildings and a thriving international community.
We have been hosting permaculture design courses for more than a decade, making Terra Alta one of the most established Permaculture projects in Europe.
If you would like to learn more, come join us for one of our Permaculture Design Courses! During our courses you will feel part of a community, you will make friends for life, connect with likeminded people, and learn to live a more sustainable lifestyle no matter whether you are a seasoned gardener, an urban dweller, a land steward or a balcony owner.
What’s the difference between Regenerative Farming and Permaculture?
Regenerative farming and permaculture share the same intention of ecological awareness and soil regeneration, but the focus is different. Regenerative farming focusses specifically on agricultural practices whereas permaculture is a holistic design methodology that includes farming but also integrates social systems, architecture, energy systems and culture.
Why does Permaculture matter?
In this time of climate crisis, biodiversity loss and social division, permaculture offers hope and tangible action through solution based holistic design. It shows us that we have the ability to live in a way that nurtures both the human and the more than human world. Permaculture is not the one holy grail of a solution to all problems, but it is an invitation to immediate action and to reclaim a sense of empowerment, resilience, and most of all a sense of belonging.
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