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I have been getting some questions about Permaculture lately and it has been specific to PDCs (permaculture design courses) in a lot of instances.  Mainly is a PDC worth taking and what do you really get out of it.

This is where I may take some flack from some Permaculture teachers, I do not believe a PDC is right for many.   Here is why, a PDC is a 72 hour course, it is either rammed into 2 weeks in person or done over time online.  60-70% of the material is philosophy over techniques and tactics or tactics and techniques that will not apply (at least directly) to the vast majority of those who live in modern “western societies”.

In short while knowing how a water lens forms, exists and how not to damage it on a South Pacific atol is interesting and leads to deep thinking and a better designer in time.  It is not exactly relevant to house wife in Iowa with a half acre that wants better food for her kids or a guy in Florida that wants to grow a garden and raise rabbits and quail.

None of this is negative of a PDC, just blunt honesty and it is not new for me, either.  I wrote this long article on it over 7 years ago.

What Exactly is a Permaculture Design Certification and What Isn’t

Join Me Today to Discuss…

• What is permaculture for the everyday person and why should you care
• Why the PDC is amazing but not for everyone, specifically may be not at the moment
  • The biggest disappointments PDC students seem to have
    • Not what was expected
    • Expensive
    • Huge time commitment
    • Much of the information is not directly applicable to their goals
    • Provides philosophy vs. specific knowledge
    • The money could have been better spent, not to mention the time
• My views on personal permaculture design for everyone
  • The first element to examine is you, yourself and your family
    • Define your output goals – what do you want to produce/provide
    • Define your ability to do maintenance, projects, etc. in skill and time
    • Consider your longevity plans for living on a property
    • Embrace every design restriction and let it guide you
    • Put ideology in your back pocket, don’t throw it away but don’t be held hostage by it
  • Additional Advice
    • Do not get married to any specific tactic or element
    • Deeply consider how every element will interact with all other elements
    • Think deeply about Brad Lancaster’s quote, “before I plant a tree I plant the rain”
• In doing this consider your primary needs/wants
  • Energy and the conservation there of
  • Food (just know it is about more than food)
  • Recreation and beauty
  • Medicines and other herbal uses
  • The impact on wildlife
  • The primary energies on your property and that effect it (NOT metaphysics)
  • Storage, tool maintenance and organization
• Some resources I recommend
  • An introduction to Permaculture by Bill Mollison (free PDF) – Link
  • Gaia’s Garden by Toby Hemmenway – Link
  • Practical Permaculture by Jessi Bloom & Dave Boehnlein – Link
  • My intro to permaculture series on Youtube – Link
  • My Permaculture Channel on Odysee – Link
• Final Thoughts
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Video Version of this Podcast

Resources for today’s show…

• Find Me on Nostr
• Article Explaining the GrowNostr Initiative
• Join the Members Brigade
• TspAz.com
• TSPC on Discord
• TSPC Group on Telegram (group chat)
• TSPC Telegram Channel (just messages from me)
• Jack on MeWe
• Join Me on Odysee
• All My Recommend Bitcoin Tools and Resources

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Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon.

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