Permaculture is an ethically based, whole-systems design approach to creating sustainable landscapes and human settlements. It strives to create agriculturally productive environments that have the diversity, stability, and resiliency of the natural biosphere while harmoniously integrating people and landscapes.

As an interdisciplinary design method, permaculture is rooted in horticulture and agriculture, but also spans into regional planning, ecology, animal husbandry, technology, architecture, and international development. This introductory permaculture course explores the fundamentals of permaculture science and design. Throughout the course, students will work individually to create a permaculture design plan for a site of their choosing.

Textbook: Gaia’s Garden—A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture, 2nd Edition. By Toby Hemenway. 2009.