Full Permaculture Design Course with Steve Read

1st - 10th May 2007

English

A ten day, residential, certified Permaculture Design Course led by Steve Read. The course will cover the International Permaculture Institute Syllabus, including practical work projects around the community. There will also be the opportunity to practice yoga and meditation, and to walk in the beautiful surroundings of the Cévennes National Park.

Cost (includes 3 vegetarian meals a day):

€400 indoors / €350 camping (concessionary rate: €300 camping)

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This course will be based on the International Permaculture Institute Syllabus:

Principles of Natural Systems
Methodologies of design
Pattern in Design
Classical Landscape Profiles
Soils
Design for Catastrophe
Buildings and Structures
Appropriate Energy Conserving Technology
Forests and Trees
Water in Landscape
The Cultivated Ecology
Aquaculture and Mariculture
Waste Disposal and Recycling
Wildlife Management
Seeds and Nurseries
Informal / Formal Economy
Land Access and Urban Systems
Legal Forms
Village Development
Commerce


Steve Read, a bit about him

With a background in environmental science, economics and ecology and a Bsc from Greenwich University, Steve worked for a while as a scientific researcher working on projects such as the cleaning of oil-fouled seabirds, Toxocara Canis prevalence in parks and open spaces around London and methane production from landfill.

He completed a 72 hour design course in Dolgellau in 1991 and 2 years later was awarded his Diploma of Permaculture Design. He became active with the PmC Association in the U.K. as representative for the South-east London Permaculture Group where he worked with others to set up a Local Exchange trading system, a 'box-scheme', courses and training and creating links to business and countryside.

Eventually he moved to Brickhurst Farm in Kent with the objective of setting up market gardens to supply the successful Box scheme. He took over the running of the Permaculture Association, running it from the farm and using energy from renewable resources. The Association later moved on to Chicken Shack in Wales and the farmowner decided to move in a different direction so Steve and his family moved to a derelict barn in Brittany which they have transformed into a house with solar water heating, bio-gas production, wind turbine, 'reedbed' grey water treatment and a Corbett system coppice orchard. The building was developed using traditional techniques and materials such as lime, hemp, clay and wood.

During all this period he has been consistently designing, running courses and giving talks all over the world, continually working to deepen his knowledge and understanding.

Studies of martial arts with Malcolm Edge in London and subsequently Aikido with Gèrard Blaise in Paris and a lifelong interest in Yoga have gone a long way to helping Steve develop both personally and as a Designer. The non-violence of true Aikido, the Ahimsa of Yoga and the Ethics of Permaculture merge seamlessly into one.

Currently he teaches Permaculture, Yoga, running 6 classes a week, and works as a consultant to people wanting to develop permacultures, researches the Coppice Orchard system of food production, works as a greenwood turner using a pole lathe and is busy building Varda style wooden living wagons for those wishing to live lightly on the planet. Steve has also written numerous tracts and articles on Permaculture and ecological development as well as the eco-philosophical book 'A Chivalry of Gardening'

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http://www.thedharmahouse.com