Permaculture Forest Gardening (Online

Permaculture Forest Gardening (Online - Independent)

This online course will introduce you to permaculture design principles and strategies which allow you to grow a productive edible garden that mimics a natural ecosystem and includes many layers and elements, like a natural forest system does.

Tuition $225.00

What is an edible forest garden?

Forest gardens are a permaculture design technique that models edible, perennial-based gardens after the way woodlands grow naturally. Permaculture is a holistic design approach that takes inspiration from nature to create sustainable gardens that aim to function like natural ecosystems do. It also includes the ethics of Care of People, Care of Earth, and Fair Share to ensure that the current and future needs of people and ecosystems are included in the design as well. Forest Gardens are planted in layers of edible and medicinal species of trees, shrubs, perennial and annual plants, ground covers, roots, vines, and fungi. Over time they become diverse ecosystems that produce abundant food and medicine for people, food and habitat for wildlife, soil regeneration and carbon sequestration systems, community building opportunities, and peaceful places for reconnecting humans and nature. Permaculture Forest Garden design elements can be incorporated even in small spaces - you don’t need to plant a whole forest, though we encourage you to if you can!

Begin Your Permaculture Gardening Journey!

This pre-recorded, fully online independent learning Permaculture Forest Gardening course will introduce you to permaculture and teach you the basics of permaculture design theory and edible forest garden design.

What You Will Learn

Learn how to transform your own yard, school, workplace, or park into an edible forest garden by developing an understanding of: Permaculture Design Ethics, Principles, Strategies, and Techniques Site & Human systems Assessment * Plant Ecosystem Functions and Design Application * Edible and Native Plant Selection & Installation to Rewild our Landscapes * Maintenance: Weeding, Watering, Fertilizing * Harvesting & Preparation (Food, medicine, value added products) * Preservation and Propagation * Hibernation, Composting, Mulching – closing the loop.
How You Will Learn

This is an asynchronous online course consisting of eight classes for you to complete on your own schedule. There are quizzes for you to complete as you progress through the course to check your concept understanding. In addition, for each lesson, design practice exercise recommendations to walk you through your own design project are included. This is an independent study course and there is no instructor engagement included. Course sessions will be released on a monthly basis beginning in April, 2021. Students will have access to course material for one year from the course start date.
Skills You Will Acquire

Each pre-recorded class session will include suggested practice activities for skill-building and design practice to be completed on your own. Over the course, you will develop your permaculture design skills through practice exercises: Applying Permaculture Principles and Ethics * Applying Design Strategies and Techniques * Monthly Garden Planning * Monthly Garden Activities * Developing Observation Skills * Starting a Garden Journal to record your gardening journey.

Suggested Supplies

(Not included in tuition) At least one of the following recommended books: *** 1) Introduction to Permaculture, Bill Mollison *** 2) Gaia's Garden, Toby Hemenway *** 3) Food Not Lawns, H.C. Flores *** 4) The Food Forest Handbook, Darrell Frey and Michelle Czolba *** 5) Creating a Forest Garden, Martin Crawford *** Supplies you may want for completing the design project assignments: * A plant ID book of your choice. * A nature journal or notebook to record your plant experiences. * Graph Paper * Ruler * Colored pencils *

Instructor

Permaculture Forest Gardening Instructor

Permaculture Design and Gardening Instructor

Connie Kollmeyer

Connie has been an organic gardener for 25 years and specializes in natural, sustainable, and regenerative growing systems that produce an abundance of food, flowers, and herbs in relatively small spaces. She runs her own small-scale suburban farm, Copper Fox Farm, using her years of experience and learning, including knowledge gleaned from her 2014 Permaculture Design Certificate (hosted at The Resiliency Institute) and her Master Urban Farmer training through the University of Illinois Extension. You may have met her at local farmers markets selling fresh heirloom produce, herbs, and flowers, plus foraged items and herbal preparations. To broaden her foraged and herbal knowledge and offerings, she completed The Resiliency Institute’s Edible Wild Plants Certificate and Bioregional Herbalism Certificate. Connie also owns and manages Plot Twist Permaculture, growing gardens for others in their own outdoor spaces and coaching them to become successful organic gardeners on their own. Connie is a Master Naturalist, Environmental Educator, Adjunct Sustainable Urban Agriculture and Study Abroad Instructor at College of DuPage, and recently earned an International Permaculture Teaching Certificate after completing training in Spain. She is a volunteer in local natural areas as well as gardens and seed libraries dedicated to increasing food security, sovereignty, and community resilience. She has a small flock of backyard hens, and as a lifelong learner, she is currently learning beekeeping as well, and is pursuing her master of science degree in regenerative organic agriculture.

FAQ

Is there a certificate for this course?
No, because there is no direct instructor engagement or assessment there is no certificate for this course.
What is the refund policy?
Full refunds are available prior to the first class session. After the class has begun, a pro-rated refund can be requested before the second class date. After the first class, no refunds can be provided, however a letter for donation can be provided for your tax purposes.
How long will I have access to the course material?
You will have access to the material for one full year starting at the first class date.

You will also love our other class offerings!

This course is also offered in a Live-Virtual format with a certificate option, as is our Bioregional Herbalism course! If you are near Chicago, join us for an in-person Immersion Course to get hands-on experience!