Permaculture Design Course – Punta Mona

Regenerative Lifestyle, Integrating Health, Practical Design, Community and Social Awareness
Explore all aspects of sustainable practices by learning from those in the field.

Program Includes:

~ 72+ hour Permaculture Design Course & Certificate upon completion
~ Discussions in: Triple Bottom Line Business, Education Alternatives, Slow Food, Economics in Agriculture, Green Building, Alternative Energies, Community Development and more…
~ Hands on Projects
~ Daily Yoga
~ Sea Kayaking, Cacao Party, Mud Bathing & Snorkeling

Topics Covered: what to expect…

The World Situation
What is Permaculture?: Ethics, Principles & Characteristics
Ecological System Basics & Bioregions
Design Methods & Map Reading
Climates, Elements & Microclimates
Soil Science
Earthworks
Water Management
Plants to Trees & Trees to Forests
Windbreaks and Wind Corridors
Patterns in Nature; Context (culture, climate, etc.)
Zone 0: Bio-Architecture
Zone 1: Home Garden
Zone 2: Fruit Tree Forest; Animals & Orchards
Zone 3: Field Crops & Large Animals
Zone 4: Harvest Forests
Zone 5: Forests
Wildlife Management & Integrated Pest Management
Ethical Investment, Land Ethics and Access, Incomes from Acres
Suburban & Urban Permaculture
Ecovillages
Invisible Structure Models
Design for Disaster

Workshops & Field Activities:

Orientation to Punta Mona and Tropical Ecosystems
Weekly Sharing Circles
Compost Making, Biofermentation & Micro Organisms
Permaculture Design group project
Water Management Exercise
Soil Exercise
Bio-Char
Chinampas
Onsite Analysis

Discussions:

Value Added Products, Triple Bottom Line Business Models and Fair Trade Practices
Creation of an Ecovillage: Tactual, La Ecovilla & Rise
Integrating a sustainable lifestyle in the modern world
GMO crops, CSAs, Economics in Agriculture and the Slow Food Movement

Daily Flow:

6-7 am: Morning Yoga
715-830 am: Breakfast
830-9 am: Farm Duties
9-12 pm: Class Time
12-2 pm: Lunch Break
2-5 pm: Class Time
5-6 pm: Break
6-7 pm: Dinner
7-9 pm: Evening Activity

* all projects determined based on group interest

Tuition for 2 Week PDC: $1800

Includes program, Permaculture Design Course, all meals, lodging, activities and daily yoga.

Tuition includes all meals, lodging, all activities, internet access and all workshops/activities.

Or inquire with your university/professor about receiving internship or independent study credits!

Notes:

* Transportation to Punta Mona by boat is not included, cost is $10-50 per person (depending on number of people in boat).

* Meals are organic and primarily vegetarian. Eggs and cheese are included and occasional fresh, line caught fish & organic chicken.

* Costa Rican citizen/resident prices available upon request.

Refund Policy: All deposits are NON-Refundable, Course fees are refundable up until ONE month before the course starts.

Facilities, Housing, Meals & Participation:

Permies will be housed in shared double and triple co-ed accommodations for the entire program. We have availability for couples to come and have a private room, we also have a few private cabins, which are available for an additional $400. Private cabins can house two people and are good for a couple or a small family.

Lodging is rustic and comfortable with custom-made no-see-um bed nets and screened rooms with locks. Beds are singles and doubles and will be first come first serve in regards to who sleeps where.

Facilities are shared by all living at Punta Mona. We have 3 showers with solar hot water and dry-composting toilets in two locations.

Most classes are hosted in our outdoor classroom, in the living room of our main lodge or in the Yoga Shala. We recommend you bring your own yoga mat or little pillow to sit on.

Meals are communal and prepared fresh daily from fruits and vegetables grown organically on site or purchased from an organic farm in Costa Rica. At Punta Mona we are dedicated to wholesome, organic meals prepared with love. We consider the cuisine to be “jungle gourmet” and have a trained and seasoned staff to make sure all meals are mind blowing. We serve vegetarian meals and can accommodate vegan and gluten free diets.

We will serve farm fresh eggs daily as well as local cheeses and once weekly organic, free-range chicken from a neighbor’s farm. Fresh line caught fish is also available when we go fishing.

Permies will participate in various daily activities around the farm such as trail maintenance, beach clean up, housekeeping, composting and helping to clean the kitchen after meals.

We are an off-the-grid farm and all energy usage must be fully respected. Permies can have one shower per day and can charge their devices during the day-time only. We have internet available during specified breaks and encourage you to disconnect to reconnect.

Located in the deep tropics, on the beach, Permies can expect bugs, rain, sunshine and humidity. Please follow the packing list that is sent to you upon registering to ensure comfort and a pleasant living experience”.