Permaculture Design Course, 24 March - 4 April 2017
Vàrzea da Gonçala's annual spring PDC is open to registrations. This 2017 edition wil be our 12th full Permaculture Design Course, led, for the sixth consecutive year, by the excellent Peter Cow, whose international reputation is steadily growing.
The course for 2017 will cover the internationally-recognised 72-hour syllabus, and Peter will be giving a particular bias to the subject of social permaculture, There will also be a masterclass in eco-gardening with Chaym Feldman. All in the beautiful setting of
the Cerca valley, 7km from Aljezur, on the west Algarve of Portugal.
More detailed information on the course content can be obtained by emailing Peter directly at: [email protected]
For a candid view of Várzea da Gonçala life over the last 4 years, please visit our Blog, by following the link near the top of the home-page.
The course for 2017 will cover the internationally-recognised 72-hour syllabus, and Peter will be giving a particular bias to the subject of social permaculture, There will also be a masterclass in eco-gardening with Chaym Feldman. All in the beautiful setting of
the Cerca valley, 7km from Aljezur, on the west Algarve of Portugal.
More detailed information on the course content can be obtained by emailing Peter directly at: [email protected]
For a candid view of Várzea da Gonçala life over the last 4 years, please visit our Blog, by following the link near the top of the home-page.
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What is Permaculture anyway?
The term was coined by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren in Australia in the 1980's as an amalgamation of the words permanent and agriculture.
The philosophy is based on following nature's ways, where systems are self-sustaining in the long term. By interacting judiciously with natural systems, and intervening in ways based on observation and awareness, permaculture aims to bring out the best of nature's inherent power and productive potential. With the extension of the concept to human society in general, "agriculture" now tends to be substituted by "culture".
Permaculture can also be seen as a respecting of ways which were well-known and practised throughout human history, simply because where external inputs were not available, the maximum output by necessity had to be made of the local natural system, in order to grow food to survive, as well as to allow interactive community relationships to flourish. Humans used to be an integral part of nature, and permaculture is an expression of the fact that we need to recognise this as our future salvation..
We can see permaculture as a philosophy, and a call to understanding, as opposed to a set of instructions to be followed. This philosophy is thankfully grounded in the connection with the earth, so that ideas that are not truly functional simply don't work. And the lasting success of permaculture is based on the fact that it works!
It's power is in how it acts as a focus for practical creativity, based on ancient wisdom and modern science, putting ideas under a single umbrella to be tried and tested in our very real world.
Our 2017 course
Several new features will be present at the Várzea for the 2017 edition, especially in the development of our food forest, advanced gardening systems, and, as alluded to above, a strong focus on the Social Permaculture angle, in which Peter Cow is a rising star.
There will, as usual, be suberb, plentiful, delicious food, for which the Várzea has built a reputation over the years. This year the menu for the meals will be 100% vegan, and mostly gluten-free. Our cooks are experienced at making highly nutritions vegan food for courses.
Camping and all facilities are included in the price of €480. Limited indoor accommodation for the full 12 days in available for an additional €70 per person.
There are social evenings (please bring an instrument if you can play), a full tour of the Várzea, evening projected film-shows in the Pit, our social space, and baking and pizza nights.
Also, there are many marked walks in the nature, and quiet spaces to get away from the crowd. Bird-life is particularly rich in this unspoilt valley.
Participants note that the final day of the course finishes with a celebration party on the evening of the 4th April, and we ask if at all possible that you stay that evening and depart the next day. It will be a good night.
To enquire about a place on the course, please email us, using [email protected] To make a firm booking, we ask for a deposit of €150, and the method of paying can be found on the "booking" page of this website. The deposit will only be refunded if the participant cancels more than 3 weeks before the start date. Please, those choosing to pay through paypal, remember to pay the commission in advance. This is about 3.5%. Thanks.
We are accepting up to 18 students. Any questions about venue, facilities, infrastructure, or anything else, please email us at: [email protected]. Questions regarding the course content, please contact: [email protected] .
Several new features will be present at the Várzea for the 2017 edition, especially in the development of our food forest, advanced gardening systems, and, as alluded to above, a strong focus on the Social Permaculture angle, in which Peter Cow is a rising star.
There will, as usual, be suberb, plentiful, delicious food, for which the Várzea has built a reputation over the years. This year the menu for the meals will be 100% vegan, and mostly gluten-free. Our cooks are experienced at making highly nutritions vegan food for courses.
Camping and all facilities are included in the price of €480. Limited indoor accommodation for the full 12 days in available for an additional €70 per person.
There are social evenings (please bring an instrument if you can play), a full tour of the Várzea, evening projected film-shows in the Pit, our social space, and baking and pizza nights.
Also, there are many marked walks in the nature, and quiet spaces to get away from the crowd. Bird-life is particularly rich in this unspoilt valley.
Participants note that the final day of the course finishes with a celebration party on the evening of the 4th April, and we ask if at all possible that you stay that evening and depart the next day. It will be a good night.
To enquire about a place on the course, please email us, using [email protected] To make a firm booking, we ask for a deposit of €150, and the method of paying can be found on the "booking" page of this website. The deposit will only be refunded if the participant cancels more than 3 weeks before the start date. Please, those choosing to pay through paypal, remember to pay the commission in advance. This is about 3.5%. Thanks.
We are accepting up to 18 students. Any questions about venue, facilities, infrastructure, or anything else, please email us at: [email protected]. Questions regarding the course content, please contact: [email protected] .
