Ever Wondered…
“What can I do with a Permaculture Certificate?”
Meet Our Alumni and Get Inspired By Their Stories!
We have over 500 graduates of our Permaculture Design Certificate course, and they’re doing some extraordinary things. This page is dedicated to showcasing their great work through beautiful videos, clever interviews and profiles of successful student businesses and projects.
Two filmmakers set out to document 10 of our grads in action as they start homesteads, businesses, conferences and more. Warning: beautiful footage and inspiring stories will make you want to jump up and follow suit!
This series tells the stories of 10 past students of our Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) course, documenting what they’ve done with the knowledge, skills and inspiration they acquired from the course. Two film makers set out to find these graduates and catch them in action, capturing their successes, struggles, and transformations as they embark on new endeavours – starting gardens, homesteads, community projects, businesses, building sustainable homes and structures, hosting conferences and much more.
At this turning point in human history, where people from all walks of life have begun searching for a more fulfilling and sustainable way of living, these PDC graduates show what is possible, and in doing so demonstrate the essence of the permaculture movement that is sweeping Calgary and the world. We hope that watching these videos inspires you as much as we were inspired by creating them; so kick back, press play, and enjoy watching positive, practical change in action!
10 Part Series Trailer:
With countless Verge grads launching their own permaculture careers and projects, it’s getting harder and harder to keep up! So each month, we profile at least one PDC grad and their permaculture business or project. If you’ve ever daydreamed about quitting your job and starting a meaningful career healing the earth, these grads will show you how it’s done.
Explore our Verge Alumni Profiles:
Taking a Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) can be a life-changing experience. Many of our students leave the course so inspired and full of ideas, they end up making dramatic lifestyle changes, sometimes leaving their jobs to pursue careers in permaculture. And not surprisingly. In this exciting, dynamic and earth-healing field, there’s a lot of room for work. So what does life after the PDC look like? Read on, as Sara Haney, a PDC graduate herself, interviews seven of Verge’s PDC graduates about the career and life changes that followed their course.
Life after the PDC Interviews:
-
I can’t say enough GREAT things about this permaculture experience! I accidentally found Verge 2 weeks before the class started. I was already obligated for a lot of foreign travel out of the country when I had signed up and was worried I would have issues participating with the various time zones. The way, this class is structured allows professionals to do life and still do a good job learning and catching up through the video recordings. It is definitely more fun participating on a weekly basis but it was not always an option for me. I feel my Angels, were looking out for me when they introduced me to Rob and his staff. I had been asking around to many people in my area in Vermont for planning help for my farm;coming up with a master plan for my 10 acre property. I am well on my way to finalizing my perma plan and feel very excited about what will develop over the next few years as I start to implement. Thank you to everyone for your passion and incredible teaching skills.
-
I didn’t really know what permaculture was before coming, all I knew was Permanent Agriculture. Now all that has changed! Along with my life! Permaculture isn’t just about agriculture, but every aspect of living. It is a way for the future and future generations.
-
Verge put on a well-executed course that was full of interesting content, included practical and hands-on learning, and was very well-organized. Each day was different and equally as valuable. It was absolutely worth every minute and penny spent.
Environmental Coordinator, City of Saskatoon
-
Rob and Michelle Avis lead an inspired, organized and informed two week adventure into a refreshingly positive view of sustainability. Rob shines as an instructor, delivering easily understood and detailed explanations of permaculture design principles and it’s practical tools. We left with an excellent understanding of subjects and ideas that were new to us.
The Harvest Pantry
-
For the fee of the course, it was absolutely yielded within the first weekend of the course time. I intend on becoming an instructor within the permaculture community. The passion from Rob and Michelle truly inspired me to take the next step. Permaculture is by far the most educationally stimulating course I have ever taken! Thank you!
-
Thank-you for being such a vocal, sincere, passionate advocate for the ability of ethics to restore the possibility of trust in family and community relationships
-
Rob and Michelle’s continuous passion for seeking out innovative approaches and finding ways to disseminate valuable information in the community with a keen eye for business sense has been a game-changer in Calgary, and across Alberta.
The Meaningful Work Project
-
The best education I have ever received! I am a changed person and really feel like I understand and belong to our planet now.
-
Your Permaculture Design Course is magnificently well-rounded, and I'm recommending it to anyone who'll listen.
Facebook Profile
-
This design course really helped to us draw connections to integrate shelter more closely with the landscape.
Dirt Craft Natural Building
How Permaculture Changed My Life
In this newest blog series, we feature personal stories from past alumni about how how permaculture changed the direction of their outlooks and careers.
