Permaculture Design Course, 31 March - 14 April 2019
Location: Varzea da Goncala, Aljezur, west Algarve, Portugal
Course price: 560 euros, 14 days, all meals and camping included
Várzea da Gonçala are proud to announce our 15th full, certificated, Permaculture Design Course, running for 14 days from the 31st March, through to Sunday, 14th April. "The Varzea" is an active, evolving 12-year-old Permaculture project, located in the beautiful and tranquil Cerca valley, near the town of Aljezur on the west Algarve.
Leading the course again are Daphna Givon and Arturo Whitelegg, residents in our little valley for 9 years, and with experience teaching full PDC's in Portugal and Isreal. Both are exceptional teachers, and have intimate familiarity with the natural dynamics of the area, from the hydrology to the social functioning.
The full two-week format of the course allows for more time applying the principles taught to hands-on stuff.
Leading the course again are Daphna Givon and Arturo Whitelegg, residents in our little valley for 9 years, and with experience teaching full PDC's in Portugal and Isreal. Both are exceptional teachers, and have intimate familiarity with the natural dynamics of the area, from the hydrology to the social functioning.
The full two-week format of the course allows for more time applying the principles taught to hands-on stuff.
The theme of this PDC is to be closely connected to the very real issues which we face as a developing smallholding here at Várzea da Goncala, now in our 13th year, and also to the wider context of a local group of practically-minded neighbours. Our local neighbourhood is also at an interesting stage of evolution, and the issues faced and ways forward for a land-based community are real-world ones. Whilst the particular circumstances of climate and ecology are based in Portugal, the principles involved are applicable to all situations. Daphna and Arturo's intimate connection with these dynamics allow a more insightful discussion of many of the subjects covered in the course.
Continuing the theme of connectedness, we again emphasising the importance of supplying the food for the course from as local and as sustainable sources as we are able.
First resource is our own garden, next those of our neighbours, then the local smallholders' market, then locally-sourcing markets. The meals will be vegetarian, primarily vegan, and as usual the food will be plentiful, wholesome and very good!.
First resource is our own garden, next those of our neighbours, then the local smallholders' market, then locally-sourcing markets. The meals will be vegetarian, primarily vegan, and as usual the food will be plentiful, wholesome and very good!.
During the 2 weeks of the course there will be 2 rest days, with the opportunity to explore the amazing surf-beaches of the west Algarve, and the local town of Aljezur, or to chill in the beautiful nature of our valley. The west coast is a different world to the touristically-developed south Algarve. The coastline is a National Park, and so free from hotels. and golf courses. The pace of life is "tranquilo" and the air is the cleanest in Europe.
The price for the course is €560 per person, and that there is an upper limit of 15 students. The price includes all meals, camping, and all other facilities. There are hot showers, washing machine, table-tennis, outdoor chess, darts, petanque, tree-house, hammocks, river-bathing, hill and valley walks, and secluded places to chill out. Sleeping accommodation is available for an additional €75 per person for the 2 week duration of the course.
Below is a presentation of the course from the course leaders, Daphna and Arturo...
The permaculture designing approach invites us into a process of integrating different disciplines, knowledge and traditional technologies with modern ones.
It calls people committed in creating sustainable human environments under any social, ecological, and cultural context.
By promoting a higher level of self-sufficiency, we transform “passive consumers” into active and responsible producers.
Course Themes
The content of the course includes a great variety of topics, which we present as circles;
1st circle: Permaculture Theory : Ethics & principles Ecological foot print Sustainability Observation skills Designing methods (how to design systems which cooperate with nature) The process of design
2nd circle: Resource Managing: Soil & micro-organisms Water on the landscape Wild energies and microclimates Zero waste Sustainable economy
3rd circle: Sustainable Living: Ecological and natural building Water recycling Organic farming Food foresting Renewable energy Fair technology
4th circle: Social creativity: Health and Spirit Alternative education Intentional communities Cooperatives and Fair trade Leadership and Initiative
Course Dynamics
As we work together with nature, we learn to embrace its changes and challenges. We offer a planned curriculum for the course, but are open for a natural flexible flow, within the molds.
The course will run for 2 weeks, coinciding with spring's growing moon. This extended length is to allow ourselves a conscious rhythm of learning, applying and reflecting. We will have 2 days off for resting, and personal tasks.
The daily studying routine includes a combination of theory and practical, mental and emotional challenges, and hands on activities, while always observing.
With the Varzea being our main site, we will visit, learn and share different activities in neighbour smallholdings and house-holds, while also offering specialist local teachers to share their wisdom & experience with us.
The PDC certificate is conditioned by the presentation of a designing project, which will be carried out as part of the course curriculum, and allows the students to have their first permaculture designing experience, through co-operation within a group.
The course will be guided by Arturo & Daphna, a neighbours to Várzea da Gonçala. As well as the teaching, there will be constant attention, guidance, and experience on offer. We will be able to share from our diverse life experience in all aspects, and from different points of view.
There will be a maximum of 15 students, to allow an intimate group dynamic, and respond the site’s capacity. Different activities would occur in groups, to allow a better flow of learning and communicating.
Meals are vegetarian, and based on as much organic and local goods as we can get. This is for supporting local producers and offering a live example of small-scale influence.
Thank you for your interest. Please contact Arturo and Daphna at the email address below if you have any questions regarding the course content.
[email protected]
It calls people committed in creating sustainable human environments under any social, ecological, and cultural context.
By promoting a higher level of self-sufficiency, we transform “passive consumers” into active and responsible producers.
Course Themes
The content of the course includes a great variety of topics, which we present as circles;
1st circle: Permaculture Theory : Ethics & principles Ecological foot print Sustainability Observation skills Designing methods (how to design systems which cooperate with nature) The process of design
2nd circle: Resource Managing: Soil & micro-organisms Water on the landscape Wild energies and microclimates Zero waste Sustainable economy
3rd circle: Sustainable Living: Ecological and natural building Water recycling Organic farming Food foresting Renewable energy Fair technology
4th circle: Social creativity: Health and Spirit Alternative education Intentional communities Cooperatives and Fair trade Leadership and Initiative
Course Dynamics
As we work together with nature, we learn to embrace its changes and challenges. We offer a planned curriculum for the course, but are open for a natural flexible flow, within the molds.
The course will run for 2 weeks, coinciding with spring's growing moon. This extended length is to allow ourselves a conscious rhythm of learning, applying and reflecting. We will have 2 days off for resting, and personal tasks.
The daily studying routine includes a combination of theory and practical, mental and emotional challenges, and hands on activities, while always observing.
With the Varzea being our main site, we will visit, learn and share different activities in neighbour smallholdings and house-holds, while also offering specialist local teachers to share their wisdom & experience with us.
The PDC certificate is conditioned by the presentation of a designing project, which will be carried out as part of the course curriculum, and allows the students to have their first permaculture designing experience, through co-operation within a group.
The course will be guided by Arturo & Daphna, a neighbours to Várzea da Gonçala. As well as the teaching, there will be constant attention, guidance, and experience on offer. We will be able to share from our diverse life experience in all aspects, and from different points of view.
There will be a maximum of 15 students, to allow an intimate group dynamic, and respond the site’s capacity. Different activities would occur in groups, to allow a better flow of learning and communicating.
Meals are vegetarian, and based on as much organic and local goods as we can get. This is for supporting local producers and offering a live example of small-scale influence.
Thank you for your interest. Please contact Arturo and Daphna at the email address below if you have any questions regarding the course content.
[email protected]
All enquiries about registration, availability, or the venue and facilities should be addressed by email to [email protected].
To enrol, we ask for a deposit of €150 per person, which can be paid either by bank transfer or paypal,
Please pay the deposit only in advance, not the full amount.
Our address for paypal is [email protected]
Please, when paying by paypal, make sure that you pay their commission (about 3.5%) yourselves, thank you.
If doing the bank transfer, our bank is BPI, and the name of the account holder is CHRISTOPHER LEWIS
The bank NIB is: 0010 0000 4524 5751501 86, which is for use within Portugal.
If you are outside of Portugal, you need the international codes, which are:
IBAN: PT50 0010 0000 4524 57515018 6
Swift/BIC: BBPI PTPL
If neither of these methods is possible, please write, and I am sure another way of payment can be worked out.
To enrol, we ask for a deposit of €150 per person, which can be paid either by bank transfer or paypal,
Please pay the deposit only in advance, not the full amount.
Our address for paypal is [email protected]
Please, when paying by paypal, make sure that you pay their commission (about 3.5%) yourselves, thank you.
If doing the bank transfer, our bank is BPI, and the name of the account holder is CHRISTOPHER LEWIS
The bank NIB is: 0010 0000 4524 5751501 86, which is for use within Portugal.
If you are outside of Portugal, you need the international codes, which are:
IBAN: PT50 0010 0000 4524 57515018 6
Swift/BIC: BBPI PTPL
If neither of these methods is possible, please write, and I am sure another way of payment can be worked out.
We hope you can make it to share springtime in the west Algarve!
