What is Permaculture?
Permaculture is a set of design principles centered around whole systems thinking simulating or directly utilizing the patterns and resilient features observed in natural ecosystems. It uses these principles in a growing number of fields from ecological design, ecological engineering, regenerative design, environmental design, and construction. Permaculture also includes integrated water resources management that develops sustainable architecture, and regenerative and self-maintained habitat and agricultural systems modelled from natural ecosystems.
What is a PDC?
The Permaculture Design Course (PDC) has been taught globally to hundreds of thousands of people. It was developed by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren to teach the principles and foundations of ecological design to benefit the planet and society. With recognition of collapsing socio-ecological systems, the PDC is an immersion in an ethical and ecological mind/skill-set to create positive change.
20th of April (arrival day) – 2nd May 2021*
* these dates may change if the pandemic situation and DGS measures do not allow us to do it safely. In that case participants that can’t make it on new dates will be fully refunded.
Quinta das Relvas
Rua Quinta do Alferes s/n
3850-503 Portugal
Leaded by Sílvia Floresta from Ecoaldeia do Vale
550€ (training) + 200€ (accommodation + food*)
There will be a limited number of vacancies and they usually run out fast – save your seat as soon as possible!
*for the extra cost of 100€ per person it will be possible to stay in one of our eco tiny houses instead – 2 pxs per house (couple’s bed). It’s ideal for a couple!
– accommodation on shared glamping tents (2-4 people per tent) with clean sheets, pillow and mattress, electricity, wifi on common areas, and hot showers;
– vegetarian meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner and 2 small coffee breaks) prepared by our staff;
– 12 days of theoretical and practical course;
– final certificate;
– insurance;
– access to all our facilities (pool, garden, woods, farm animals etc.).
You can check photos of our facilities here!
Yes 🙂
The course will be in english but our team is mostly portuguese (as well as Sílvia, the trainer) so if you need any help with translation we are happy to do it!
(PT) Apesar do curso ser em inglês, a nossa equipa é maioritariamente portuguesa (assim como a Sílvia, a formadora) pelo que se necessitares de ajuda com a tradução podes contar connosco!
– comfortable warm clothes;
– a raincoat;
– mosquito repellent;
– gardening gloves;
– rubber boots.
– If you come by car to just need to access the N1/IC2 road in Albergaria-a-Velha and then head north. When you arrive to Branca (our village) you’ll turn to your right, heading east (the montains) – we are 500mts from the main road. At the end of “Rua da Avenida Nova” turn right; our main gate will appear on your left with white portraits painted on the wall. Once there please call us so that we open the gate for you: you can park inside the farm 🙂
– to take the bus also works fine. You can take a “Rede expresso” bus to Albergaria-a-Velha and then a local bus to Branca – this local bus may be for free depending on your schedule! There you should go out near the second Galp gas station and then walk 500mts direction east through “Rua da Avenida Nova”. The old wall at the end of this road is us 🙂
– train is also an option but more expensive: you can take a train to Estarreja but from there you only have taxis coming to Branca. A one-way trip will cost you around 12euros.