South Shore Permaculture’s
PERMACULTURE DESIGN COURSE
4th Annual
PDC 2026
From Backyard Gardens to homesteads and regenerative farms, gain skills that apply directly to New England homes, gardens, neighborhoods, & more.
Welcome to our 4th PDC!
January 29 - June 11, 2026
South Shore Permaculture’s Permaculture Design Certificate Course is offered once a year and takes place over the course of six months.
The course’s 72 immersive hours consists of weekly meetings through Google Meet (2 hours/week) and in-person events such as nature walks, permablitzes, and farm tours throughout Eastern Massachusetts.
You’ll graduate with a globally-recognized Permaculture Design Certificate.
NEW Reduced Pricing for 2026:
$1,499/person
“South Shore Permaculture’s PDC program is a major asset to the South Shore community and anyone looking to develop the ability to design ecologically integrated landscapes & food systems that are aligned with permaculture principles. The skills taught in this PDC are valuable to those interested in co-creating a more localized food system while restoring the health of these lands. This PDC program is one-of-a-kind in that it approaches permaculture design with a bioregional focus specific to the Northeast region.”
— Julia Chase, 2024 PDC Alumna
Why Our PDC?
South Shore Permaculture 4th Annual Permaculture Design Course (PDC) is an opportunity to learn from experienced teachers the tools and techniques to create abundant, regenerative landscapes and transform your local community.
In addition to learning the skills to design and implement sustainable systems that honor both people and the planet, you’ll receive:
🌱 72 Hours Expert Instruction
🌱 4 Weekend Immersions at Biodiverse Locations
🌱 Globally Recognized Certification
🌱 Lifetime Alumni Network Access
🌱 Bioregional Expertise You Can't Find Anywhere Else
🌱 Community That Lasts Beyond the Course
PDC Course Outline
In both online and In-Person classes, South Shore Permaculture’s PDC covers a wide range of permaculture principles and practices. Here are a few highlights:
Introduction to Permaculture: You’ll start with the foundations — ethics, principles, and design methodology. Learn how to mimic nature’s patterns in your own space and why working with nature is more effective than against it.
Community Building: Permaculture isn’t just about plants — it’s about people. You’ll learn to create resilient social networks, organize shared projects, and foster collaboration with neighbors and local organizations.
Edible Landscapes: Transform lawns, yards, or communal spaces into productive ecosystems. From perennial guilds to fruit trees, vegetable beds, and herb spirals, you’ll see how small spaces can yield abundance.
Homesteading 101: Explore practical skills like composting, seed starting, natural building, and passive solar techniques. Even if you don’t want livestock or a full homestead, these skills enhance your backyard ecosystem and lifestyle.
Observation and Design: Field trips and in-person exercises will help you observe patterns in your local ecosystem and practice designing productive, regenerative spaces. You’ll leave the course confident to create your own permaculture plan.
Tentative Course Schedule
January 29 - June 25, 2026
Our PDC operates on a Hybrid schedule with a mix of online classes and in-person workshops.
Online Classes
Online classes: Thursday evenings, 6:30-8:30 PM (2 hours/week for 24 weeks = 48 hours)
In-person weekends: 4 strategically timed gatherings spread over 6 months
In-Person Classes
(Weekend Class Times TBA)
Weekend 1 (March 14-15):
Movie & potluck night to build community bonds
Nature walk at Weir River Farm practicing observation skills
Fox walk exercise to heighten your senses
Weekend 2 (April 18-19):
Your first permablitz! Apply design principles to a real South Shore site
Full-day tour of Sirius Community ecovillage
Natural building demonstrations
Farm-to-table lunch grown on-site
Weekend 3 (May 16-17):
Food forest tour at Leland Street Cooperative Garden
Earthworks workshop at local South Shore home garden: Learn to shape land for water management and soil building
Weekend 4 (June 13-14):
Immersive farm tour at Fowl Play Farm (Brett Sovick's working permaculture farm)
Natural building project (cob oven or similar)
Optional overnight camping for deep community connection
Base Map Workshop and ‘Client” site visit for final project
Upon completion of the six-month long course, you will receive a globally-recognized Permaculture Design Certificate.
Enroll today for $1499 (new lower price!)
Graduation: July 25
Final Design Presentation and Graduation (family and friends welcome) - at Foul Play Farm
Meet Your Instructors
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![2026 Permaculture Design Course Instructor Todd Breitenstein]()
Todd Breitenstein
Land Healer
Your lead instructor, known as ‘The Grateful Gardener’ is a NOFA organic land care professional and an expert in everything from ecology to conservation to permaculture. His approach to teaching is rooted in decades of hands-on experience, deep ecological knowledge, and an infectious passion for the land. -
![2026 Permaculture Design Course Instructor Brett Sovick]()
Brett Sovick
Regenerative Farmer
Owner of Fowl Play Farm in Duxbury, MA, Brett’s work serves as a living model for municipalities and communities across the South Shore, demonstrating how small-scale regenerative farming can feed people while restoring land. -
![2026 Permaculture Design Course Instructor Jessica Fox]()
Jessica Fox
Social Permaculture
With a Bachelor's in Cultural Anthropology, a Master's in Gastronomy, a yoga teacher certification, and a Permaculture Design Certification, Jessica understands that sustainable systems aren't just about plants, they're about people.
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![2026 Permaculture Design Course Instructor Chloe Buzzotta]()
Chloe Buzzotta
Social Permaculture
As co-founder of Whole Systems Network and serving in the Global Ecovillage Network movement, Chloe has dedicated her work to community building for a greener and just Earth—not as an abstract ideal, but as a lived, practiced reality. -
![2026 Permaculture Design Course Instructor Kevin Richardson]()
Kevin Richardson
Soil Master
The creator and founder of Organic Plant Magic, Kevin is a mastermind of creating soil formulas and is always looking for new ways to grow amazing things! From Kevin, you’ll learn about soil health, structure, biology & chemistry, composting, and all the incredible ways soil and plants really work together.
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![2026 Permaculture Design Course Instructor Dave Scandurra]()
Dave Scandurra
Foodscaper
Dave is the founder or Edible Landscapes of Cape Cod and co-founder of the Food Forest Initiative of Cape Cod. He believes that edible perennial plants will play a profound role in the future of regenerative agriculture and agroforestry—and he loves sharing what he's learned.
“South Shore Permaculture's mix of online and in-person learning made it accessible and fun. I highly recommend SSP to everyone who is interested in building new skills and meaningful connections to support a more resilient future for themselves and their community. The knowledge, resources, guidance and support I received have been invaluable and well worth the investment of time and tuition.”
— Mary Ann Ormond, 2024 PDC Alumna
A PDC is for you if YOU:
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Want bioregional expertise for New England climate
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Need a flexible hybrid format that fits your work/family life
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Learn best by doing, not just listening
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Value local teachers who farm and design here
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Want globally recognized certification that opens doors
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Are ready to be part of a regenerative movement
What makes South Shore Permaculture’s PDC Different?
