Permaculture as a identity mark...

[Paul Cereghino]

Hi folks,

since I'm talking to the motherland of Permaculture. What are your thoughts on the current status of 'Permaculture' as an international brand? Who can use permaculture to refer to a professional practice? Who can use permaculture to brand a non-profit project or a site? Im not a big fan of copyrights, but am a firm believer in courtesy to elders.

In a similar vein... what would you recommend for "sanctioned permaculture training" in the US, but who has advanced degrees in vegetation ecology, and years of practical experience in design, and has been studying permaculture source material for the last 15 years! Most courses appear to spend days providing introductions to topic that I have taught.

Basically I am feeling like I need to spend money training with a plumber, a welder, and an electrician more than a 'permculture' trainer - but am interested in advancing the permaculture 'brand' in my practice and professional life.

Hopefully I have provoked and interesting coversation.. ;)

[Jez]

G'day Paul,

Anyone who has done a PDC (Permaculture Design Certificate) can then legally use the term 'Permaculture' in their business, non-profit project or whatever.

That also qualifies you to teach, but these days you must get your course teaching notes approved by the Permaculture Institute if you want to be able to issue PDC's to your students and thereby convey to them the benefits of having the Certificate. Pretty sure the above applies to the US too (although these are relatively new developments here in Australia) - but best to check with the Institute which is online here (Click to view) (http://www.permaculture.org/) and direct specific questions to them.

The way I see it, the above measures are to help ensure quality of teaching and student satisfaction, rather than to profit from copyright or anything like that.

I think it's great if people have specialised fields to incorporate with their PDC.

Best of luck with your further enquiries and subsequent projects/ideas.

[kathleenmc]

Hi Paul...

Great question to ponder and I do think you're on the right track.

I would get a certificate in plumbing, so you can be the one who plumbs in the water tanks and grey water systems. I would get a certificate in electrical fittings, so you can fit the solar panels and wind turbines to the houses and the grid. I would get a certificate in welding, carpentry, etc etc..... All these things are what is needed if permaculture is going to be a part of retrofitting the suburbs for the future.

And you will make a living out of it!

A guy here in Aus, called Michael Mobbs, lives in the middle of Sydney. He's been totally out of the service grid for a while now. He wrote a book called 'The sustainable house'

http://www.sustainablehouse.com.au

If you go here you will see how he is now earning a living. I spoke to him over the weekend and at the moment he is the only person identifying as this in Aus. He's part of the movement to help change the mindset of governments on all levels. I don't think he identifies as a permie, but he uses all the permie techniques to do something about how he chooses to live.

I now identify as a permaculture consultant, landscape designer and trainer. I trained with Robyn Francis in Nimbin (nthn NSW) doing a 12 month course for accredited permaculture training (cert 4). I started this business 5 months ago and am now going really well.

Sustainability is the buzz word of the day and I think it's a great opportunity to take action to bring about change.

Goodluck with what you plan to do.

Kathleen