organizing experiential learning events for sustainable and regenerative design

Who: Permaculture enthusiasts from all over the region
What: A 75 + hour intensive design course
Where: Cayuga Nature Center (www.cayuganaturecenter.org)
When: August 8 - 24
Why: It's time to implement a systematic approach to changing our lives
How: Lecture, exercises, hands on demonstration, discussion

 

GOALS FOR THE COURSE

We will develop group goals and expectations early on in the course. Please spend some time reflecting on your motives for taking the course
and what you hope to receive from it. Our stated goals as facilitators are the following:

1.    Maintain an equal and positive learning environment

2.    Cover the standard curriculum while incorporating student and facilitator expertise and interest

3.    Facilitate experiential and action learning as a community

4.    Create systems for feedback so we can better serve student needs

OUR LEARNING COMMUNITY
FLPCI believes that each person has inherent skills and gifts to share. As a result, we design our courses to cultivate a community where we learn from each other and the natural landscape. The instructors facilitate our progress through the curriculum and endeavor to find a balance between "coursework" and the interests of participants. In doing so, we illustrate the promise of a permaculture network as a localized response to a myriad of current cultural issues.

INSTRUCTORS

 Steve Gabriel has served as land use manager at Cayuga Nature Center since 2006 and is Program Coordinator for the Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute. His experience draws from a diverse educational and organizational involvement, including studies all over the United States and abroad. He currently teaches several 72-hour Permaculture Design Courses, organizes conferences and large events, and offers private design consultation services. Steve is facilitating the development and implementation of an overall land use plan that will incorporate agriculture, forestry, habitat and interpretive elements for the Cayuga Nature Center.

Karryn Olson - Ramanujan began studying permaculture in 1997 and has completed certificate courses in both Northern California and India. Karryn and her family moved in 2003 to Ecovillage <http://www.ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us/> at Ithaca, where they are learning how to live in community and transforming their back yard into a food forest.

Kay McGrenaghan Cafasso  is a permaculture instructor, designer, gardener, and natural builder.  She is inspired by the ability to regenerate natural systems with thoughtful design of landscapes, dwellings, and communities. She received her permaculture design certification through Naropa University in 2002 and has since been involved with permaculture courses across the country.  Kay holds certificates in solar home design and natural building construction from Solar Energy International, she has experienced community life at the Isle of Errraid in Scotland, and has helped to start up Co-op Power, a member-owned cooperative for renewable energy.

SCHEDULE FOR THE COURSE
SG = Steve Gabriel
KOR = Karryn Olson-Ramanujan
KC = Kay Cafasso

Breakfast will be served from 7 - 8:30

Lunch will be served from 12 - 1

Dinner will be served from 5:30 - 6:30

The Talent Show is a long time tradition of most Permaculture courses. There are a few reasons behind this. One is to have the challenge/experience of getting up in front of your peers and perform. Another is to discover the mutual support we can give each other during difficult times. And, of course, its a lot of fun!! Plan to present something for a bout 10 - 15 minutes; sing a song, do a dance, play a game, read a poem. Consider a talent that is not only a reflection of who you are but also pushes your comfort zone.  

A Gifting Circle will occur during the closing circle on Aug 24. Please bring an item that you wish to hand off to a classmate. Consider an object significant to you that others would find meaningful or useful. 

COURSEWORK
Students will be asked to do a number of things during the course. We will be doing individual and group work, having many question and discussion sessions, and working on mini assignments outside of class. The amount of energy you invest will directly determine the benefits you get from attending the course.

Please dedicate a journal to the course; you will use it for any notes you wish to take as well as for assignments, reflections, etc. A binder or folder for handouts and your own set of pens/pencils are also helpful.

At this time we don't require the purchase of a specific book, but we do recommend Introduction to Permaculture by Bill Mollison to get you started. You can order it through the Permaculture Activist: www.permacultureactivist.net

 
LOCATION
The entire course will take place on the grounds of the Cayuga Nature Center. Check out www.cayuganaturecenter.org for more information. We are in the process of creating a land use plan for the long term, regenerative development of the landscape, roughly 160 acres on the West side of Cayuga Lake.

DIRECTIONS
Contact us if you are willing to pick up/drop off participants that live along your travel route.

From the North:
Take Route 13 South into downtown Ithaca. Turn right onto Buffalo St and then make a right onto Route 89 (Taughannock Blvd). Travel six miles and we are on the left.

From the South:
Take Route 17 to Route 13 North. Turn left onto Buffalo St and then make a right onto Route 89 (Taughannock Blvd). Travel six miles and we are on the left.

From the East:
Take Route 79 W to Ithaca. Turn left onto Cayuga St. Turn left onto Buffalo and make a right onto Route 89 (Taughannock Blvd). Travel six miles and we are on the left.

From the West:
Take 17 E; same as South directions. 

 Ithaca is serviced by an airport and bus station. Trains can be taken to Syracuse, about 45 mi away.

 If you need help finding your way, please let us know.

MEALS
Meals will be provided at the course with your tuition. At three meals a day for sixteen days, we charge less than $5 per meal. We aim to serve food that is mainly seasonal, local, and organic. Let us know ASAP if you have any dietary restrictions.  

We will provide coffee, tea, and light snacks for you throughout the day.

ACCOMODATION
Outdoor Camping is available on site in a designated area in the woods. We can share information on area hotels and B&B's if you are interested. We encourage you to camp and share all meals as part of community building. Please let us know ahead of time if you are planning to stay on the grounds.

RULES
*NO Alcohol or Drugs
*NO Glass containers
*NO Campfires (except as facilitated by CNC staff - we will have these!!)
*NO Dogs

 
LIST OF ITEMS TO BRING

-      notebook/binder, pens, pencils, ruler, markers, colored pencils, etc.

-      travel mug

-      boots, shoes, sandals

-      gear to swim in the lake!

-      layers, outdoor weather gear, rain gear

-      camping/sleeping materials (bring a flashlight!)

-      course materials and handouts

(we may add more as time approaches)

PAYMENT
The fees for the course break down as follows:

         Tuition: $950 (minus $100 before 5/1, minus $50 before July 1)

            Meals: $200

            Lodging: Donation

            Total: $1050 - 1150

Couples who sign up together will be charged $1600 for tuition. Sorry, we cannot discount food. 

Full payment will be due on August 10, prior to dinner.

Please mail a $200 deposit to reserve your spot.

PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: CAYUGA NATURE CENTER

Mail to:
Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute
Cayuga Nature Center
1420 Taughannock Blvd
Ithaca, NY 14851

 We can also take credit cards: please contact Steve at the CNC 607-273-6260

QUESTIONS & CONCERNS
Please be in touch with any of these. Remember, this is your course, and the more active you are in providing information and feedback, the better we can respond and plan for the most beneficial course presentation

Steve (Program Coordinator, Instructor) steve@fingerlakespermaculture.org, 303-815-3535

Karryn (Instructor) karryn@fingerlakespermaculture.org

Kay (Instructor) kay@fingerlakespermaculture.org

Michael (Support) michael@fingerlakespermaculture.org

1. WHO TAKES THE PERMACULTURE DESIGN COURSE?

All sorts... we've had scientists, farmers, a radio personality, a high school history teacher, a massage therapist, an architect, college students, a bassist, a nurse, a business consultant, environmental activists....the list goes on! Our youngest participant was 20 at the oldest over 60.

A common thread between the unique group that assembles at a PDC is a strong desire to learn about the place we call home and how to become proper stewards of it. The diversity of backgrounds and interests makes for exciting and passionate discussions and projects. There are over 1 million graduates worldwide.


2. WHAT IS THE CERTIFICATE ABOUT?

The certificate was originally introduced when Bill Mollison designed the first PDC in the late 1970s. His intent was to create an educational movement that was characterized by a grassroots approach but that carried a legitimacy with other institutions of learning. A certificate symbolizes the basic knowledge a student walks away with and their lifelong commitment to being active participants in their local landbases. Many individuals use the certification as part of a set of credentials for teaching, landscaping, or design businesses. Some don't care about the certificate.

Once you have attended all of the curriculum modules, you will be issued a certificate. There is no time limit or restrictions on this - you can take the entire course in one session or over several years.


3. WHERE DOES THE COURSE TAKE PLACE?

Since 2006 we have hosted our courses at the Cayuga Nature Center (CNC). The CNC offers a beautiful spot close to Ithaca that has ample indoor and outdoor facilities for teaching and learning. We have completed several design schematics with students for the site, some of which are beginning implementation. We currently have two acres of gardens, a budding agroforestry project, and several small projects going.

Cayuga Nature Center (CNC) is a place to explore the wonders of nature. We invite you to visit our collection of over 40 live animals, stroll through our butterfly house, climb around Treetops- our six story observational tree-house, or simply enjoy the outdoors while walking our five miles of interpretive trails, which meander through a mature deciduous forest, along gorges and streams, and past a variety of native plants and wildlife. Visit http://www.CayugaNatureCenter.org for more information.

Monday - Sunday 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Trails are open to the pubic from dawn to dusk, 365 days a year.
General Admission: $3 Adults, $2 Seniors/Students, $1 Kids


4. HOW IS THE COURSE TAUGHT?

Lovers of lecture beware! We are always working to improve the way we present materials, heading away from a traditional lecture and notes style to an interactive and experiential learning. We play plenty of games, have group break-out sessions, and engage in projects of all types. Typically the morning session is more presentation and content heavy and the afternoon focuses on experiencing the theories, techniques, and principles in action.

5. WHO FACILITATES THE EXPERIENCE?

Traditionally, the teacher is viewed as an all-knowing person who downloads precious nuggets of wisdom and knowledge to the ignorant student. We view the role of the instructors as quite different - we are here to support a learning journey that is complex and unique to each of our students. We all come from our various corners of the world with our life experience in tact - and therefore we carry with us a wealth of knowledge. While the facilitators for the PDC have a curriculum to cover, we look to teach to your specific interests and to draw upon the knowledge of students to enhance the experience. We often sit in a circle to symbolize the equality of each of us in the course. We are all teachers, and we are all responsible for our individual and collective learning.


6. WHAT ARE THE COURSE GOALS?
We will develop group goals and expectations early on in the course. Our stated goals as facilitators are the following:

1. Maintain a shared and positive learning environment.

2. Define coursework by facilitator and student expertise and interest while addressing the standard curriculum for certification.

3. Make the environment revolve around experiential and action learning.

4. Create systems for feedback so we can evolve the course as necessary.

7. WILL I LEARN ANY HARD SKILLS?

Yes! The most important and emphasized skill will be the ability to design. This includes skills in observation, site assessment, mapping, gathering data, and creating design drawings. We also learn how to build swales, compost piles, and worm bins and use tools like an a-frame and water level. We try and get outside as much as we can.


8. WHY DOES THE COURSE COST SO MUCH?

If you compare the classroom hours to other PDC courses, it is clear that we offer a more in-depth course at a lower cost.

Your tuition pays the facilitators, who spend hours researching, preparing, evaluating, and supporting the course. We also need to provide for the cost of our facilities. Tuition also includes access to resources and a thick bundle of readings, notes, and diagrams to help you along your way. We have worked hard to minimize costs while providing a living wage for our instructors.


10. ARE THERE PREREQUISITES OR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE REQUIRED?

None except a love for nature and a desire to learn and support your fellow students and facilitators. We have found that ecology veterans and newcomers alike enjoy the course most when they have spent time beforehand reading, writing, and determining their personal objectives for the course.

ABOUT US

Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute is a project of Cayuga Nature Center providing affordable and experiential learning events in the Finger Lakes bioregion of New York State. We offer two annual Permaculture Design Certification courses, monthly brunches featuring the products of local farmers, and a variety of other programming for children and adults. Visit http://www.FingerLakesPermaculture.org for more information.