Summer Session Self-Paced Online Learning: May 15 - June 5, 2025 The online learning component consists of four concept chapters (taking 2-4 hours of reading each week), four untimed, open-book, graded quizzes, and four 2.5-hour online meetings.Online sessions on Thursdays from 6-8:30 p.m. PST.
1. May 15, 2025 (Orientation)
2. May 22, 2025
2. May 29, 2025
3. June 5, 2025
Through a series of videos, readings, and bi-weekly discussion sessions students will gain a foundational understanding of earth systems, the principles of permaculture, and basic design methodology. This material will lay the conceptual groundwork needed for the hands-on design training.
Hands-on Training at OAEC: June 19-28, 2025 10-days: Thursday, June 19th at 10am through the following Saturday, June 28th at 12pm. Includes organic, vegetarian meals and shared accommodations.
The in-person portion of the course has two goals: to practice hands-on permaculture skills and to undertake a design project. We will use the OAEC site to learn some of the practical applications of permaculture such as conservation hydrology, earthworks, food forests, composting, and more. The design project will be at a local community or homeowner’s residential scale. There may be the opportunity to help implement the design project over the year.
Cost, Discounts and Cancellation Policy $2500 is the base cost for individuals, due at the time of registration. Includes lodging and organic, vegetarian meals during the on-site training.Early-bird discount - $100 off if you register at least 30 days before the start of the online portion of the course.Group discounts - $50 off for each person in your team of two or more. Sign up at the group rate and add your teammates' names to your registration form. And yes, you may combine the early bird with the group discount for a total of $150 off each for up to 4 people.Subsidies for Social-Ecological Justice Movement Groups - We partner with a network of organizations to offer courses for groups (not individuals) working on land-based projects centered around social, racial, gender, and ecological justice, especially by BIPOC-led organizations. Our funding support allows for these long-term collaborations. Unfortunately, we don’t have funding to offer additional PDC scholarships at this time. If you belong to one of our existing partner community groups, please contact the OAEC staff person you are working with directly to enroll in the course.
We regret that we cannot accept Americorps Education Awards and are unable to offer individual scholarships or work trades at this time.
Giving this course as a gift? Email us *protected email* .
Cancellation and Refund Policy % Course Fee to be Refunded
Terms for Refund
100% refund minus cc processing fee
At least 90 days notice before the start date of the online portion of the course
50% refund minus cc processing fee
At least 60 days notice before the start date of the online portion of the course
25% refund minus cc processing fee
At least 45 days notice before the start date of the online portion of the course
12.5% refund minus cc processing fee
Between 45-30 days notice before the start date of the online portion of the course
No Refund
Less than 30 days notice before the start date of the online portion of the course
*Upon registering, you will receive a registration confirmation via email from *protected email* . Please check your spam folder if you don't receive it.