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Read below about our 2004 Certification Course
The Midwest's Premier
15 Day Design Certification Course
 Hosted here in Stelle!
Permaculture - The Critical Link?
It is becoming more and more apparent to the American populace that we need to continue to find better ways to grow healthier food while reducing or eliminating the use of herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers. Caring for our land, air and water is an essential component in our quest for more wholesome and nutritious foods as well as our entire lifestyle.
 But what if there were a way that we could not only grow vibrantly healthy foods, but do so while serving many other benefits at the same time?
For instance:
- What if we could create a secure and healthy income for the farmers, their families and the workers they hire, all while reducing or eliminating chemical inputs?
- What if we could stop soil erosion completely, and instead nurture the soil, building it year after year, thus leaving a secure legacy for our grandchildren and children?
- What if we designed and operated our building and energy systems more in harmony with nature such that we conserved more of the energy nature provides and were able to produce our own energy for transportation and heating from the land upon which we live?
- What if we could minimize flooding and hold excess water for dryer times, thus minimizing the effects of drought as well?
- What if we could restore abundant wildlife and natural diversity and rebuild our forests, without interfering in our food production or negatively impacting our economy?
- What if we could revive our rural economies and communities through a healthy resurgence of the family farm thus providing incentive for the younger generation to remain on the farm?
- What if we recreated a form of community living where we worked cooperatively to raise food, building materials, and produce fuels. People could be involved part time to secure their basic needs, then be free to pursue their other dreams and joys.
- And one last thing, what if we created all this and as a result the people involved no longer felt overwhelmed, alone or concerned about their future or security?
 This is what permaculture is about. It is the art and science of ecologically designing human beings' place into the environment. It is about the care of people, the care of the planet and the commitment to produce no pollution by turning all byproducts or excess into something that can be used by either plants or animals. It marries indigenous wisdom with scientific understanding.
It sounds simple. It is simple. All that is missing is information, desire and commitment. The practical nature of a permaculture design system leaves one wondering why everyone on earth does not implement these principles in their daily lives today. 15 Day Permaculture Design Certification Course
The International Institute for Ecological Agriculture (IIEA) is experienced in offering premier courses in permaculture design. Not one, but over a half dozen experts carefully lay out the possibilities and the practical solutions to creating an ecological living system that is not only sustainable in its operation but profitable as well. David Blume (lead instructor and permacultural pioneer) has proven his acumen in permaculture by operating a three-acre farm for 10 years that netted $75,000 per year. The land was not located in some fruited valley but was hillside scrubland on a 30 degree slope. If he can do it, so can you.
 About David Blume
Pioneer in the permaculture movement.
President IIEA
PBS Host of ‘Alternative Fuels' Series
Actual Hands-on & Profitable Experience
Has Trained & Certified Hundreds
(IIEA-International Institute for Ecological Agri-culture)
 & Joel Salatin ( Special Full Day Instruction on July 27)
Third Generation Alternative Farmer
Writes for Stockman and Acres USA
Author of 4 Books and Frequent Speaker
Featured in National Geographic
Expert on Animals, Marketing & Profitability
Separate tickets will be available for Joel's one day presentation .
Who Can Benefit From the Course
Whether you want to add Permaculture skills to your already existing landscaping, farming, ranching, environmental, teaching or building business - start a Permaculture business - help communities to feed themselves efficiently - earn a decent income on your own land or just garden and live this lifestyle in your own backyard, this course promises to be life-changing! This is the course where you will learn every facet of Permaculture and ecological agriculture from known experts in the field and how to practice it profitably.
College and University Students – Check with your school advisors about doing independent study and receiving selective course credits. Call IIEA for further information at 1-888-PERMACULTURE
What is Permaculture? Permaculture is an approach to ecological design with the aim of creating efficient, productive, and self-sustaining systems. Based on the ethics of ‘care of the earth' and ‘care of people', permaculture integrates our basic human needs for food, shelter, energy, water, and waste management with economics and social science. In Permaculture design, everything is a resource, nothing is wasted. There is no need for synthetic chemical or fertilizer inputs because the balanced ecosystem eliminates their need. The result is a whole systems approach that can be applied beneficially to such diverse areas as complete yard & gardening design, small acreage sustainability, profitable farming/ranching, community economic and social development, and large or small scale eco-businesses alike.
In a higher sense, Permaculture can be viewed as conscious manipulation of an ecosystem to produce a balanced, harmonious relationship between human needs and the needs of nature.
A Day with Joel Salatin
Since most of David's experience has been in warmer and dryer climates, he felt it was important to include instruction from a qualified, experienced and successful agriculturalist that is intimately familiar with snowy, freezing, humid and wet conditions. There are few as qualified as Joel to share such experience and insight. Joel is scheduled for a full day speaking engagement on July 27. Anyone who wishes to participate on that one day only is welcome to attend. See Joel Salatin Day for more details on Joel and this day long event.
About the Course and David Blume
The International Institute for Ecological Agriculture (IIEA) permaculture course is one of the most extensive, in-depth, hands-on and personal courses available anywhere. After a full day of classroom and hands on learning from David and his team of experts, the relaxed evenings often bring even more presentations. The entire group will practice their new skills near the end of the course through the creation of a group permaculture design done for the very site and land that the course is being hosted on - Stelle.
David is an ecological biologist and organic farmer. President of the International Institute for Ecological Agriculture, he is a frequent speaker at conferences, and a PBS television series host. His work has included preventing desertification in Ghana, growing edible mushrooms on coffee processing waste in Mexico, and creating community food security in Haiti. His book on alternatives to fossil fuels, Alcohol Can Be a Gas! is soon to be released.
This course is rich enough in material for professionals yet presented in an easily comprehended format for the lay student. Permaculture is a copyrighted word and in order to use the word for your own personal needs, you must be certified. Registration is limited, as are some scholarships. The full course fee includes all instruction, certification, virtually all organic vegetarian meals, camping facilities (limited lodging available at additional charge), and a marvelous experience of community living.
Price: $1477.00 |
For more information about Blume and the Course particulars:
www.permaculture.com
Application, Enrollment & Contact Information
David Blume - IIEA
534 La Honda Dr., Aptos, Ca. 95003
1-888-PERMACULTURE
Email: info@permaculture.com
Web: www.permaculture.com
We Thank Our Local Business Sponsor:
Kankakee Natural Foods
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