In 2021 Toru Education enabled a group of twenty people from different backgrounds to train as Permaculture Designers in Aotearoa New Zealand. From hands-on learning in the compost pile to fireside lectures, participants gained both new experiential knowledge to last a lifetime, and a new community that is still actively nourishing each other's lives beyond the completion of the course.
The Permaculture Design Certificate course was grounded in the four seasons with one module happening each quarter, throughout one full year. Allowing participants' 'breathing space' in between to digest the learning, and to balance the course commitment with the rest of their lives.
Learning happened in a range of locations, from fully operating farms to inner-city houses. This demonstrated how permaculture practice can be applied to one’s own unique scenario. Covering a plethora of content from practical design across the wide-scope of land and dwelling stewardship, to strategic questioning and other forms of solo and interpersonal relational skills from a permaculture perspective. Exemplifying how everything is connected through a complex, vital web.
With the generosity of coordinator, host and cook Doris Zuur, core teachers Garry and Emily Williams and Rachel Pomeroy, cultural advisor Denis Grennell, along with invited teachers James Richardson, Matt King, Jessica Hutchins, Steve Porteous, Jenny Lindberg, Toru Education provided a high quality, enthusiastically valued experiential learning experience.
Rooted in considerations for time of year, impacts and influences of weather, stars, soil and stories, the cohort of PDC 2021 gathered in honour of building lives that are deeply connected to what ultimately keeps us all healthy. A regenerative ecosystem, the lowest impact exchange with whenua where growing kai, wood and animals is concerned, permaculture, biodynamics and Hua Parakore all woven in. Living with true seasonality - in how we impact land and how we are in ourselves. Knowing when to act, and when to rest. When to observe and when to influence. How permaculture practices positively impact disaster recovery, working with clients on designing systems for low impact land management that prioritises plant and soil health. Ultimately, permaculture principles can be applied to anything.
This course comes highly recommended by the 2021 participants. Direct quotes follow:
The course has enabled each participant to build their resilience and deepen their connection to community and place. If you wish to help fund or participate in a future course, contact Doris at toru.experience@gmail.com .
Photos by Bob Zuur. Copy by Beka Whale.