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Hands-On Summer Solstice
Permaculture Design Certificate Course
America's Coastal Heartland: San Luis Obispo County, CA  June 14 - 27, 2009
http://earthflow.com/SLOPDC09.php


Organic Farm Life... Join us as we return to Four Elements Farm to live the rhythm of farm life and learn Hands-On Permaculture.

Start the day picking in the berry patch!
Hands-on opportunities on the organic farm and garden abound throughout the course: chickens, composting, fruit tree management, harvesting and preparing for farmers markets and more.

Then, through lecture, storytelling and group discussion, you'll learn permaculture's principles- the indicators of sustainability- and how their application can be used towards solving the needs of any situation- urban, rural, individual, community or business...

LOCATION
The site for our course is Four Elements Farm, a Natural Building Learning Center and organic farm nestled in the steep chaparral hills of California's central coast.  Halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo is America's coastal heartland, where agriculture and ranching are still important parts of life. The Farm is minutes away from world-class wine country and unspoiled beaches... The farm, in addition to supplying organic produce to local markets, fine restaurants and a CSA collaborative with Cal Poly State University, is also home to 4 Elements Foods and Elemental Herbs.

Hawk and owl, fox and toad keep company with farm visitors, who come to Four Elements for workshops on rammed earth and straw bale construction, natural clay plastering, biodiesel brewing and organic farming. As both backdrop and center stage for the design course, the farm provides us with the opportunity to experience the revitalization process associated with the use of permaculture principles. Three homes, two barns, a greenhouse, citrus orchard, greywater system, composting toilets and outdoor showers are all elements of the farm's growing ecosystem, cycling nutrients throughout.

This course has something for everyone...
This training includes the most inspiring examples of sustainable land use and human ingenuity from around the world.
Final course work includes student design presentations and (the infamous!) Talent Show.

Who Should Take This Course
The Permaculture Design Course has truly transformed the lives and enhanced the careers of thousands of people around the world, including architects, landscapers, community developers, social workers, city planners, teachers, students, farmers, gardeners, homeowners, business owners and others. For anyone serious about creating a sustainable society!

THE CURRICULUM
The A to Z of Sustainability! A more fun or informative course would be hard to find. Our text book, Permaculture: A Designer's Manual, by Bill Mollison, was once reviewed by Whole Earth saying "If information had density... this book would be a black hole!.."

PART ONE June 14-17
Fire, Water, Earth & Air...
Introduction to Permaculture
and Natural Pattern Understanding.

PART TWO June 19-22
Food, Water, Shelter & Energy...
Designing & Building
the Complete Home Ecosystem.

PART THREE June 24-27
Community & Green Business...
EcoVillage Design and Community Celebration.

INSTRUCTORS
Larry Santoyo, Director, EarthFlow Design Works is among the most experienced Permaculture Instructors in the world, and leads a team of Internationally Acclaimed Designers and Educators in the Worldwide Sustainability Movement.

TUITION -Cash, Check or Credit Cards accepted
$1500: Early Registration Discount -if paid in full by May 1
$1550.00 Paid in Full by June 7
Includes tuition, most meals, campsite and certification through The Permaculture Institute USA
Contact us about attending partial course

Note: $250 non-refundable deposit required to guarantee your space. Campsites included; bring your own camping equipment.
-Teachers may apply for scholarship discounts. Some Work-Trades available -check website below, send proposal ASAP

REGISTER:
http://earthflow.com/SLOPDC09registration.php

info@earthflow.com
805.459.0452

In cooperation with EarthFlow Design Works, HopeDance Media, Four Elements Farms, The Permaculture Institute USA & The Terra Foundation