Permaculture for People and Places with Suzie Cahn, of Carraig Dulra organic permaculture farm https://www.dulra.org/

Grow food, build soil, and design shared spaces that care for nature and community.

Course Outline (8 Weeks –Permaculture for People and Places)

Week 1: Local Plants and Permaculture Ethics Explore the plants in your local neighborhood—learn to identify them and discuss their uses for people and biodiversity. Introduce permaculture ethics and principles, focusing on care for the earth, care for people, and fair sharing. Activities include pair and group work to share knowledge and co-create learning experiences.

Week 2: Reading the Urban Landscape, Ecology, and Habitats Learn to observe physical and social spaces, including sunlight, shade, wind, water, soil, plants, animals, and people. Introduce ecology, habitats, and how ecosystems function, connecting these to permaculture thinking. Develop skills in seeing your surroundings as interconnected systems.

Week 3: Edimentals – Ornamental and Edible Plants Discover plants that are both beautiful and edible, and explore ways to incorporate them into urban gardens. Learn practical approaches to planting for both usefulness and biodiversity, integrating permaculture principles in design and observation.

Week 4: Perennial Planting, Forest Gardening, and Permaculture Principles Introduction to perennial planting strategies and forest gardening. Explore how these approaches support soil health, ecosystem resilience, and ongoing plant productivity. Reinforce permaculture principles and ethics in practical applications.

Week 5: Design with nature applying Permaculture Principles explore design webs, zones, and energy flows (sunlight, water, and human movement) to guide planning in your space. Learn how permaculture principles and ecosystem thinking inform design choices, making the most of available resources.

Week 6: Permaculture Design Examples and Project Scoping Examine real-life examples of permaculture design and begin scoping design practice briefs for personal or community projects. Emphasis on collaborative discussion, co-creation, and social permaculture principles that support people and the planet.

Week 7: Design Task Practice Work on hands-on design tasks, applying everything learned so far. Focus on plant selection, layout, and system integration. Receive and give feedback in group and pair activities, refining designs collaboratively.

Week 8: Design Presentations, Reflection, and Next Steps Present and discuss your design in a supportive group setting. Reflect on what you have learned, explore local resources and permaculture networks, and plan for ongoing learning and implementation.

Note: One or more of the classes may involve outings as the weather warms up- by arrangement with the group.