FAQs

What is permaculture?

Short for “Permanent Agriculture”, Permaculture is a design methodology that aims to mimic nature’s blueprint. It’s a conscious approach to food production and sustainable living. Permaculture seeks to produce more outputs, like food, with fewer inputs, like labor and resources. The Principles of Permaculture are excellent building blocks for food production, housing, relationships, and lifestyle design. While permaculture is not yet widely known, it is rapidly gaining traction within the environmental and sustainability movement. We believe it is a vital component of a sustainable future.

What is a PDC?

A PDC, or Permaculture Design Course, consists of 72 hours of instruction, learning permaculture design from experienced teachers. While the information taught during this course may vary from program to program, a PDC should include everything covered in Permaculture One by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren. Though the certification is not a formal license, it signals to potential clients and employers that you possess valuable knowledge and a passion for sustainable design. There are myriad ways to utilize this certification after graduating, such as consulting, designing, and incorporating permaculture into educational curriculums and social projects.

what is South Shore Permaculture?

South Shore Permaculture is an educational organization focused on teaching permaculture and building a community around shared values. We offer a range of educational opportunities, from afternoon workshops to our flagship six-month Permaculture Design Course. In time, we plan to expand our offerings to include even more opportunities for learning and community engagement. If you have an idea for a workshop or event, please share it with Jessica@SouthShorePermaculture.com. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram, and subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated!

What is your mission and vision at South SHore Permaculture?

Our mission is threefold: to spread the message of permaculture, build community, and positively impact the environment both locally on the Southeastern coast of Massachusetts and globally.

We envision a future where care for the earth and its inhabitants is the norm, where we consistently produce more than we consume, and where most people embrace an abundance mindset over one of scarcity.

IS the pdc APPROPRIATE FOR GRADUATES OF OTHER PDCS?

Absolutely. Whether you’re brand-new to permaculture or a seasoned permie professional, there’s always something new to learn or experience with this course. Additionally, our focus on building community and fostering local connections on the South Shore is a unique aspect of our program.

is this course family-friendly?

Some of it is! Your microphone will be muted during class (unless you have a question or comment) and you’re welcome to have family with you at that time. Some of our in-person events will also be family-friendly, and we’ll note this when applicable. We’re also planning kid-specific events for Spring of 2025 - join our mailing list here if you’d like to receive updates.

is this course accessible to folks who are not able-bodied?

Most of this course is accessible to anyone. Some in-person events, like our Earthworks Workshop, may present challenges for participation, but your presence is always welcome and encouraged. Our goal is to make this information accessible to as many people as possible. Please feel free to reach out to Jessica@SouthShorePermaculture.com if you have any additional questions or need any special accommodations.

What if I am not available for some of this course? Would I still be able to access the class content?

Yes! We will record our online classes and share them with students so that they can watch and rewatch classes. Unfortunately, we will not be able to record our in-person events and will, therefore, not have a recording to share. However, as a PDC alumnus, you’re welcome and encouraged to join in-person events for free during future PDCs.

What are your community values?

To learn more about our Community Values, click here.

What is your Refund POlicy?

To learn more about our Refund Policy, click here.

What is your Privacy Policy?

To learn more about our Privacy Policy, click here.

What sets our PDC apart from other Design courses?

Our PDC covers much of the same foundational information as other courses, but with a specific focus on the New England ecosystem. This localized approach empowers students to apply their education to healing and strengthening our community.

Additionally, we are committed to accessibility and offer a scholarship program, sliding scale, and payment plan to ensure our courses are financially feasible for everyone. For more information, check out the PAYMENT OPTIONS section below.

  • The full PDC includes 20 online classroom sessions, divided into four sections with five classes per section. Classes are held virtually once a week on Thursday evenings, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., running from January through June. All sessions are recorded, allowing students to catch up if they are unable to attend live. The classroom portion is comprehensive and features instruction from a variety of knowledgeable and experienced teachers.

  • The in-person portion of this course will take place at various locations throughout the South Shore, scheduled on weekends. These events will range from movie nights to intentional community tours and more. Students will gain practical knowledge through hands-on participation, guided by experienced professionals.

  • The material covered in this program is both expansive in scope and tailored specifically to our New England region. We’ll start with the fundamentals of permaculture, including principles, pattern recognition, landscape reading, and site analysis. From there, we’ll delve into topics such as native plants, fungi, soil testing, and much more. All of this will be explored through the lens of our Northeastern coastal environment, equipping you to immediately apply what you learn to your home and community.

payment options

course tuition

All of our courses and in-person events are consciously curated by our team to provide students and participants with the most comprehensive education and experience possible. This requires time, energy, and expertise, built on years of dedication by our team of professional educators, farmers, and permaculture experts. We put great care into creating what we feel is one of the best Permaculture Design Certifications available—we hope you agree. To view our available courses, click here.

Payment plans

To make our courses as financially manageable as possible, we offer flexible payment plans through the Afterpay platform. You can break your tuition into smaller, interest-free installments, ensuring that cost is not a barrier to accessing this valuable education. If you'd like to arrange a payment plan, please contact us at Jessica@SouthShorePermaculture.com.

Scholarships and sliding scale

We are committed to making permaculture education accessible to everyone, regardless of financial circumstances. To support this mission, we offer both scholarships and a sliding scale for course tuition. Scholarships are available for those who need significant financial assistance, while the sliding scale allows students to pay what they can within a suggested range.

Both options use the same application process to help us understand your financial needs. If you’d like to apply for a scholarship or use the sliding scale, please fill out the form below or email us for more information. We trust our community to approach this process thoughtfully, ensuring these opportunities remain available to those who need them most.