2024 Verge Permaculture Design Certification (PDC)
Course Details
Scroll down to meet the teaching team, for a peek inside our student portal and for FAQs
What’s Included in Your Package
Foundational Package | Practitioner Package | Professional Package | |
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24-hour live-online Foundational course |
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Five on-demand elective modules |
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Office hours for final project support |
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Advanced permaculture planning and design course |
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Food forest masterclass |
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Full year access to course library including 8 on-demand masterclasses |
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Access to foundational and on-demand course recordings |
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(1year) |
(Lifetime) |
Permaculture Institute of North America accredited Permaculture Design Certification |
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PRICE |
$499CAD(est. $369 USD) |
$1,799CAD(est. $1,301 USD) |
$2,799CAD (est. $2,049 USD) |
*** Early Bird Price Ends May 1 ***
Foundational Course Details & Schedule
We meet two times per week live-online, Mondays and Thursdays ⇒ 2:00 – 5:00 pm PT | 3:00 – 6:00 pm MT | 5:00 – 8:00 pm ET
Dates | High-Level Topics Covered |
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Thursday, May 30 Monday, June 3 Thursday, June 6 |
Welcome, Course Overview & Dashboard TourModule 1Permaculture Ethics & Principles | Food, Energy, Water & Shelter Nexus |
Monday, June 10 Thursday, June 13 |
Module 2Methods of Design & Pattern |
Monday, June 17 Thursday, June 20 |
Module 3Values & Vision, Community Design Planning |
Monday, June 24 |
Module 4Community Design – Group Project |
Practitioner & Professional Course Details & Schedule
Module | High-Level Topics Covered |
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May 30-June 24 |
The complete Foundational Course | Live-onlineSee full schedule in the table above |
June 25-July 21 |
Choose five on-demand modules | Learn at your own paceSee full details in the table below |
July 22-July 27 |
On-Site Learning Intensive | CalgarySee full schedule in the table below |
August 5, 8, 12, 15, 19 & 22 |
Office HoursDrop in office hours and additional group time with your design mentor for Q&A and direct feedback / support with your final project |
August 26, 2024 |
Final Projects DueComplete your final project and receive personalized feedback from one of your design project mentor. |
On-Demand Module Details
Take at your own pace and complete the modules June 25-July 21.
Three mandatory electives PLUS choose two optional electives.
Module | High-Level Topics Covered |
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REQUIRED |
Mapping ToolsUnderstand the importance of mapping for permaculture design. Learn the tools to draw your base map, zone and sector maps and flow diagrams for a site design. |
REQUIRED |
Climate & MicroclimateGain awareness of the climatic conditions relevant to your context, how climate factors will influence your permaculture design and how to implement strategies to reduce the risk of climatic extremes. |
REQUIRED |
Structures & EnergyExplore the benefits of incorporating alternative structures & energy (like passive solar, straw bale, solar, wind, etc) into your permaculture designs. Understand that energy efficiency is achieved through optimizing energy use and production. |
OPTIONAL |
Livestock IntegrationAll ecosystems require animal integration to fully thrive. Explore broad-acre holistic management practices and the methods of integrating different types of livestock to yield maximum land regeneration. |
OPTIONAL |
Permaculture CareersExplore pathways to transitioning your career with a permaculture focus. Understand how to best leverage your existing skills, education and available resources within the evolving permaculture career landscape. |
OPTIONAL |
Agroforestry/KeylineExplore the details and benefits of incorporating agroforestry systems into your permaculture design. Understanding Keyline design basics, how it compares to on-contour design and what contexts this approach is most relevant. |
OPTIONAL |
Rainwater Harvesting 101Explore & debunk the myths around rainwater harvesting. Learn how to calculate your rainwater harvesting budget and best practices for designing your system.
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On-Site Learning Intensive Details
Module | High-Level Topics Covered |
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July 22 |
Welcome | Soil | Compost |
July 23 |
Trees & Their Energy Transactions | Cold Climate Forest Gardening |
July 24 |
Water | Composting Toilets | Wastewater | Alternative Strategies | Group Project |
July 25 |
Resilient Permaculture Gardening Strategies | Permablitz |
July 26 |
Design Case Studies | Design Project Overview | Group Project Presentation |
July 27 |
Permie Tour → Local Permaculture Properties Tour & Course Closing Party | Wrap-Up Party & BBQ |
Professional Package Details
The Food Forest Masterclass | September 2024
Designed to guide homeowners, contractors, and aspiring professionals in converting conventional gardens lawns into productive, low-maintenance food forests. Learn from leading experts in regenerative agriculture and permaculture design, gaining practical skills and insights to create resilient landscapes and nurture biodiversity, enhance your food security, and support ecosystem health. This course is your gateway to not only beautifying your space but also actively contributing to a healthier planet and strengthen your eco-resilience.
- 6 weeks | Live-online or watch the Recordings at your own pace
- 24 hours, 6-weeks x 4-hour of lecture and interactive/Q&A sessions
Advanced Permaculture Planning & Design | Late Fall 2024
This course has been built as the essential next step for those who have completed a Permaculture Design Certification Course, addressing the common challenge of feeling overwhelmed by the possibilities post-certification. This live, online course leverages an engineering approach to permaculture, focusing on practical, technology-driven planning and implementation strategies across five key steps: clarifying vision, values, and resources; diagnosing needs; designing or revising projects; implementing improvements; and monitoring progress. Learn more…
*** Dates are subject to change. ***
The Verge Course Library | One-year access starting September 1, 2024
A full year access to the Verge course library through the Verge Permaculture Academy.
- Over a hundred of hours on-demand lectures, Q&As, webinars and other recordings you can watch at your own pace presented by permaculture experts including Bill Mollison, Toby Hemenway, Mark Krawczyk, Morag Gamble, Starhawk, Dr. Peter Coombes, Stefan Sobkowiak, Michelle Avis, Dan Chiras, Carmen Lamoureux and many more
- 8 on-demand masterclass recordings including:
Take your first, foundational step into life as a permaculturist.
The path to becoming a permaculturist is anything but clear. The Verge Permaculture Design Certification course gives you the structure and support you need to make sense of it all and partner with nature to build a more hopeful tomorrow.
Verge’s Permaculture Design Course Teaching Team
With Special Guests
PLUS, Design Mentors and Support team that help us pull this off!
Find full bios of our core teaching team on our About Page.
Peek inside our student portal in our 2024 PDC on-boarding video.
COURSE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ON-SITE LEARNING INTENSIVE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- July 22 – 27, 2024
- Class from 9am – 6pm daily (with regular breaks)
- Link to detailed class schedule
- Event will be hosted in Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Venue: (Tentative) Hull Services Campus: 2266 Woodpark Avenue SW
- Campus Map
- Featuring Permaculture installations: Passive Solar Greenhouse, market garden, food forest and pond.
- Site is accessible via public transit.
- 40+ Hours of instruction
- You will be provided with a light breakfast, lunch & afternoon snack and we will be able to accommodate most dietary restrictions. You will be responsible to provide your own dinner. We will be following up with a survey to gather this detailed information from our registered students before July.
- Hands-on experience completing a permaculture project installation (Permablitz)
- Tour of various permaculture properties/projects in the Calgary area
Accommodations are not included with your course purchase. There are many options available to accommodate a variety of budgets, including group or individual airbnb rentals; hostels, university dorms, hotels, local hosts, etc. A more detailed list of available & recommended accommodations will be provided as part of your course package.
- Bring yourself a writing utensil and a notebook for your notes (or your preferred means of taking notes).
- We recommend you also bring a reusable water bottle & coffee mug as well.
- If you are coming from out of town, you will want clothing suited for a warm/dry climate (approximately 23 to 26 C or 73 to 79 F).
If you are unable to attend the in-person portion of the course, we recommend that you only register for the Foundational package now. We will have upgrade options available in Fall 2024, for you to complete the remaining coursework to receive your certification.
Please send an email with the details of your situation to amy@vergepermaculture.ca and we will evaluate on a case-by-case basis.