Permaculture Design Course Portugal 2026 September PDC

Permaculture Design Course 

Portugal 2026

19-28 September 2026  

Douro Region Porto Portugal

Join our Permaculture Design Course in Portugal 

from 19–28 September 2026 in the Douro Region near Porto.

Course taught by 

Doug Bullock (USA) and  Helder Valente (PT)

and the New School Permaculture  team.

Join this course and learn from 2 of the early direct students of Bill Mollison the creator of Permaculture.

Douro Region Porto Portugal

September 2026

19 Set-PLV Permaculture Local Visits
19/21 Set-CIP Curso de Intro a Permacultura 

19/28 Set-PDC Permaculture Design Course

29/30 Set-PLV Permaculture Local Visits

If you want, you can just be part of one of the courses or come for the full experience.

Book now at:

maininfonsp@gmail.com

To know more about our future courses click HERE

The New School Permaculture  is very happy to announce one of the most excinting permaculture courses in Europe this year. 

We will have the guidance to learn how nature works of Doug Bullock, one of the Bullocks brothers from Orcas Island in Washington.

Douglas Bullock is among the most experienced and recognized permaculturists in the world.

Its not everyday you find someone with more than 40 years of experience in permaculture systems that you can learn from.

Since 1981, Douglas Bullock has lived with his extended family, friends, and skill builders on their Permaculture Homestead on Orcas Island. 

Douglas has facilitated or directly participated in comprehensive Permaculture projects and classes at their site and at sites around the world, including Australia, New Zealand, Hawai'i, Costa Rica, the Bahamas, Nicaragua, Peru, Spain, Poland, California and Washington.

Doug and Helder working in the Amazin jungle in December 2012

Having traveled extensively collecting and studying agricultural systems, he is familiar with a wide range of climate strategies and crops. His specialties include permaculture design, tree crops, nursery practices, creating small and large-scale wetland environments, and implementing appropriate technologies. Douglas has also written articles and pamphlets on permaculture featured in the Permaculture Activist and in the International Permaculture Journal.

Have you ever asked yourself this questions? 

How can i get more connected with nature and understand how it works?
In what way can i save energy on everything i do?
How can i recover and redesign areas or objects in a way that they become more ecological and nature friendly?
How can i live a more healthy life without having to buy so many chemical products?
How can i develop or be part of a network of people that is inspired to be of positive change to this world?

Did you ever found your self having this ideas?
 
I want to develop design skills and find a new way of thinking.
I want to support other people to find a way to live a low impact lifestyle  
I would like to be living connected with nature working the same way it works.
I see myself living with a community that works toguether.
I want to recover an old farm and live with what it can produce.

On this course we will answer these questions and will support  these ideas

 

Thic course will be next to the Tamega river.

On this course we will cover the same topics covered on the conventional PDC with an extra atention on how to keep vineyars with the permaculture way of thinking.

   
What is Permaculture?

Permaculture is a sustainable design system that provides for human needs while having positive effects on the surrounding environment.

 It is based on the ethics of earth care, people care and fair share, and provides practical solutions to the global crises we are currently facing.

To know more about what we do on the PDC click HERE

 PROGRAM DAY BY DAY 

1st Open day for community (Visit to the hosting farm of Laura and Pip in the Tamega River Region) (INTRODUCTION TO PERMACULTURE)

2nd History of permaculture and how nature works

3rd soils                                                                                 

(NEXT DAYS ONLY WITH PDC STUDENTS)

4th water

5th Gardens and Forests 

6th Natural buildings and Alternative energies 

7th and 8th social structures 

9th Design 

10th Presentations and party.                                        

 (NEXT DAYS ARE OPTIONAL)

11th (Guided ecological tour with Teachers by Kayak on river) 

12th ( Visit to local farm with Old Forest)

As co-teacher you will have Helder Valente

Helder studied and worked with pioneers like Bill Mollison and Geoff Lawton in Turkey, Doug Bullock in the Amazon, Rosemary Morrow in Austria, Graham Bell in Scotland, Darren dougherty, Ernst Gotcsh, Sepp Holzer in Portugal and many others in countries like Haiti, Canada, Egipt, Finland, Peru, always learning and practicing this sustainable design methods.

While living in the city he dedicated 5 years on developing urban permaculture projects and for the last 5 years traveling and developing permaculture institutes around the world. 

 It all started in 2009 teaching permaculture to students at the agriculture university and since then learning and teaching in many different climates and getting to know the old ways and new ways of sharing information.

 By December 2012 in the Peruvian Amazon working in support to the shipibo indigenous communities Helder created the New School Permaculture and  is now developing alternative educational methods.

In 2013 the New School has been presenting at the IPC International Permaculture congress in Cuba

The New School Permaculture uses creative and inspiring educational tools that enable the students to empower each other in a way that many people have never experienced in their lives before.

To see testimonials from our students
click HERE

The course is presented by creative non formal education methods, that are based on creating a bridge between the right and left side of the brain, so that the analytical and creative abilities of the students get fully stimulated and get the most out of the experience...for many people is the most empowering and inspiring transformative process of their lives...and they carry this with them every were they go....and thats our goal.

The subjects covered during this Permaculture Design Course include:

The ethics and principles of Permaculture
Learning strategies
Educational Methods
 Reading the landscape 
Pattern in design
Biodiversity
Water preservation
Forests and trees
Soils building
Climates
Buildings and natural construction
Alternative economies
Community development

 INFO 

Contacto:

maininfonsp@gmail.com

If you want to be part of this course fill up the registration form
CLICK HERE

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Permaculture Self-sufficiency course - September - Portalegre

PSSC
Permaculture Self-sufficiency course 

10 to 11 Outuber 2026

Portalegre-Portugal

Course by Helder Valente and
New School Permaculture team.

Contacto: maininfonsp@gmail.com

In this course, we will explore self-sufficiency at all levels, focusing on the production of our own food, medicines, housing, energy, and clean water, as well as the social and community aspects of sustainable living.

Bring your ideas, projects and maps and we will design them all together and it becomes a learning experience for everyone involved.

The course is centred on how to produce your own food, exploring the easiest, most productive, and most nutritious crops to grow.

We will also cover energy, including simple and efficient ways to heat your home using sustainable solutions.

Water is another essential topic. You will learn how to harvest, store, and purify water, ensuring a reliable supply of clean, safe water with simple, low-cost methods.

We will explore sustainable housing and shelter, looking at natural building techniques, ecological materials, and home design that works in harmony with nature.

You'll discover how to apply self-sufficiency principles even in small spaces, making it possible to grow food and live more sustainably whether you have a large property, a small garden, or even live in the city.

The course also covers natural medicine, introducing some of the most valuable medicinal plants to cultivate, as well as edible and medicinal wild plants that can be found in nature.

There will be practical, hands-on sessions where participants will apply what they have learned, gaining confidence through direct experience.

Helder's teaching approach is always adapted to the needs and interests of the participants. Rather than following a rigid programme, each course is shaped around the group's questions, goals, and level of experience, ensuring that everyone learns the knowledge and skills that are most relevant to them.

Neste curso iremos falar sobre autossuficiência a todos os níveis tendo como base a produção da nossa alimentação, medicinas, habitação, energia, água pura e claro a parte das comunidades e social

Vamos falar do social, como nos organizarmos em comunidade para uma autossuficiência mais fácil.

Um curso onde os conteúdos sâo adaptados às necessidades das pessoas

Tendo como base o como produzir a própria comida e quais os cultivos mais fáceis e mais nutritivos Vamos falar em energia, como aquecer a casa da forma mais fácil e eficiente. Vamos falar de agua, como purificar e como ter agua da forma mais facil e pura Vamos falar de casa e abrigo, métodos de construção sustentáveis e design de casas

Iremos também falar sobre como aplicar a autossuficiência a pequenos espaços mesmo que a pessoa viva na cidade.

Também iremos falar de quais as medicinas mais importantes que podemos cultivar e as plantas selvagens comestiveis e medicinais Também iremos ter uma parte prática onde as pessoas vão poder por as mãos na massa O tipo de ensino que o Hélder faz é adaptado às necessidades dos alunos por isso as pessoas aprendem mesmo o que querem e precisam.

Contacto: maininfonsp@gmail.com

Plant Propagation Workshop October Portalegre 2026

PPW Plant Propagation Workshop 

 Portugal | 10/11 October 2026 

Learn Plant Propagation Techniques in central Portugal Portugal

Course by Helder Valente and
New School Permaculture team.

Contacto: maininfonsp@gmail.com

To know more about our future courses click HERE

Learn How to Propagate Your Own Plants

This training combines two complementary workshops:

• 8–9 October – Agroforest Design Workshop (ADW)
• 10–11 October – Plant Propagation Workshop (PPW)

Healthy agroforestry systems begin with healthy plants.

This practical workshop teaches reliable propagation techniques that allow you to produce your own trees, shrubs and perennial crops.

Plant propagation is one of the most valuable skills for anyone interested in gardening, farming, agroforestry or regenerative agriculture. By learning how to successfully propagate plants, you can produce your own fruit trees, shrubs, herbs and perennial crops without relying on commercial nurseries.

Whether your goal is to establish a productive food forest, expand an orchard, conserve rare plant varieties or simply grow more plants for your garden, propagation gives you the knowledge and confidence to create healthy, resilient planting material.

During this workshop you will learn proven propagation techniques through practical demonstrations and hands-on exercises, allowing you to understand not only how to propagate plants, but also why different methods are used for different species and seasons.

Topics include

• Uncoventional plants and food crops
• Seed propagation
• Seed collection
• Seed storage
• Seed treatment
• Germination techniques
• Taking cuttings
• Division
• Layering
• Grafting basics
• Nursery management
• Potting mixes
• Root development
• Caring for young plants

Participants will take part in practical propagation sessions throughout the workshop.

---

Practical Learning

This workshop combines practical field experience with the scientific principles behind successful plant propagation.

By the end of the workshop you will be able to:

• Select the most suitable propagation method for different plant species.
• Improve seed germination using appropriate treatments and growing conditions.
• Propagate plants from cuttings, division and layering.
• Understand the basic principles of grafting and when it should be used.
• Produce healthy nursery plants for gardens, orchards and agroforestry systems.
• Prepare suitable growing media and propagation environments.
• Care for young plants during their establishment phase.
• Apply propagation techniques to regenerative agriculture, food forests and ecological restoration projects.

All techniques are demonstrated or practised during the workshop, giving participants the confidence to continue propagating plants at home or in professional projects.

Learning takes place outdoors whenever possible.

You will:

• Observe existing agroforestry systems
• Analyse landscapes
• Identify species
• Design planting systems
• Propagate plants
• Work in small groups
• Receive practical guidance throughout the workshops

The emphasis is on learning by doing.

---

Meet Your Teacher

Helder Valente

Helder Valente is the founder of New School Permaculture and has dedicated many years to studying, teaching and applying permaculture and regenerative design principles.

His work focuses on creating productive landscapes that integrate food production, biodiversity, soil regeneration and water conservation. Through practical education and hands-on experience, Helder helps participants understand natural ecological processes and apply them to farms, gardens, community projects and private land.

His teaching style combines ecological theory with practical field experience, giving participants the confidence to design and implement regenerative systems suited to Mediterranean climates and beyond.

---

Why Attend This Workshop?

Unlike many classroom-based courses, this workshop focuses on learning by doing. Every participant has the opportunity to practise propagation techniques under guidance while working with real plants in a living landscape.

The workshop is suitable for beginners who want to develop practical gardening skills, as well as experienced growers looking to improve their understanding of propagation techniques used in regenerative agriculture and agroforestry.

By joining this workshop you will gain practical knowledge that can immediately be applied to home gardens, farms, community projects, nurseries and ecological restoration initiatives. The skills you learn will help you become more self-reliant, reduce the cost of buying plants and increase your ability to establish diverse, productive and resilient landscapes.

What You Will Take Home

After completing these workshops you will have:

• A solid understanding of agroforestry principles
• Greater confidence designing regenerative systems
• Practical propagation skills
• Better understanding of tree ecology
• Knowledge of species selection
• Improved design skills
• Practical experience gained in the field
• Inspiration for your own projects

---

Why Learn with New School Permaculture?

At New School Permaculture, we believe that meaningful learning happens through direct experience. Our workshops combine ecological understanding with practical application, allowing participants to develop real skills that can be immediately applied to gardens, farms, community projects and regenerative landscapes.

Helder Valente has been involved in the permaculture movement for more than 30 years, teaching, designing and learning alongside communities around the world. Over the decades he has travelled to more than 50 countries, sharing knowledge across diverse climates, cultures and ecological conditions while facilitating hundreds of workshops and courses.

This international experience provides a broad perspective that is grounded in practical reality. Rather than offering fixed solutions, our teaching focuses on understanding ecological principles and adapting them to local conditions. Participants learn not only techniques, but also how to observe, analyse and make informed decisions within their own landscapes.

Workshops are intentionally kept practical, interactive and supportive. Learning takes place through observation, hands-on activities and direct participation, ensuring that every participant gains confidence through experience rather than theory alone.

Our goal is simple: to empower people with the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create resilient, productive and regenerative systems that continue to evolve long after the workshop has ended.

About the Venue

The workshops take place  in Portugal's spectacular Portalegre Region.

The site provides an ideal indoor and outdoor classroom where participants can observe regenerative systems, forest gardens, orchards and Mediterranean landscapes while learning practical agroforestry design.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need previous experience?

No. Beginners and experienced practitioners are equally welcome.

Is the course practical?

Yes. The workshops combine classroom learning with extensive hands-on activities.

Will I receive course materials?

Yes. Participants receive supporting learning materials during the workshops.

What language is the course taught in?

Depending on students main language it can be in PT or ENG with translation.

Can I attend only one workshop?

Yes. Each workshop can be attended independently, although together they provide a complete learning experience.

---

Reserve Your Place

Places are limited to ensure a high-quality learning experience.

If you would like to develop practical skills in agroforestry design and plant propagation while learning in one of Portugal's most inspiring landscapes, we invite you to join us this October at New School Permaculture.

Contacto: maininfonsp@gmail.com

Agroforest Design Workshop October 2026 Portalegre

Agroforest Design Workshop

 Portugal | 8/9 October 2026 

Portalegre-Portugal

Course by Helder Valente and
New School Permaculture team.

Contacto: maininfonsp@gmail.com

To know more about our future courses click HERE

Learn to Design Productive Agroforestry Systems and Propagate Trees for Regenerative Landscapes

Join us in the Portalegre, Portugal

Discover how to design resilient agroforestry systems and confidently propagate trees, shrubs and perennial plants in this practical, hands-on learning experience with New School Permaculture in Portugal.

This training combines two complementary workshops:

• 8–9 October – Agroforest Design Workshop (ADW)
• 10–11 October – Plant Propagation Workshop (PPW)

Whether you are creating a food forest, regenerating farmland, starting a homestead or managing an existing property, these workshops will provide practical knowledge that you can immediately apply to your own land.

The workshops take place in the beautifui region of Portalegre, Portugal, where participants learn directly from a living landscape through observation, practical exercises and real design examples.

The course is taught by Helder Valente, founder of New School Permaculture, who has many years of experience designing regenerative landscapes, teaching permaculture and implementing practical agroforestry systems adapted to Mediterranean climates.

---

Why Learn Agroforestry?

Agroforestry is one of the most effective ways to regenerate degraded landscapes while producing food, timber, biomass, animal fodder and ecosystem services.

A well-designed agroforestry system can:

Improve soil fertility naturally

Increase biodiversity

Reduce erosion

Improve water retentionProduce abundant food

Store carbon

Create resilient farming systems

Reduce external inputs

Rather than working against nature, agroforestry works with natural ecological processes.

---

Who Are These Workshops For?

These workshops are suitable for:

• Farmers
• Smallholders
• Homesteaders
• Gardeners
• Orchard owners
• Permaculture practitioners
• Landscape designers
• Environmental educators
• Ecological restoration projects
• Anyone wishing to regenerate land

No previous experience is required.

---

What You Will Learn

During this workshop you will learn:

• Principles of agroforestry
• Reading the landscape
• Water and topography
• Tree succession
• Forest ecology
• Productive food forest design
• Tree guilds
• Species selection
• Mediterranean agroforestry
• Soil regeneration
• Microclimates
• Practical design process

Participants will work on real site designs using observation and practical exercises.

---

About the Venue

The workshops take place at New School Permaculture, located in Portugal's spectacular Douro Valley.

The site provides an ideal outdoor classroom where participants can observe regenerative systems, forest gardens, orchards and Mediterranean landscapes while learning practical agroforestry design.

---

Meet Your Teacher

Helder Valente

Helder Valente is the founder of New School Permaculture and has dedicated many years to studying, teaching and applying permaculture and regenerative design principles.

His work focuses on creating productive landscapes that integrate food production, biodiversity, soil regeneration and water conservation. Through practical education and hands-on experience, Helder helps participants understand natural ecological processes and apply them to farms, gardens, community projects and private land.

His teaching style combines ecological theory with practical field experience, giving participants the confidence to design and implement regenerative systems suited to Mediterranean climates and beyond.

---

What You Will Take Home

After completing these workshops you will have:

• A solid understanding of agroforestry principles
• Greater confidence designing regenerative systems
• Practical propagation skills
• Better understanding of tree ecology
• Knowledge of species selection
• Improved design skills
• Practical experience gained in the field
• Inspiration for your own projects

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need previous experience?

No. Beginners and experienced practitioners are equally welcome.

Is the course practical?

Yes. The workshops combine classroom learning with extensive hands-on activities.

Will I receive course materials?

Yes. Participants receive supporting learning materials during the workshops.

What language is the course taught in?

Please check the current course information for language availability.

Can I attend only one workshop?

Yes. Each workshop can be attended independently, although together they provide a complete learning experience.

---

Reserve Your Place

Places are limited to ensure a high-quality learning experience.

If you would like to develop practical skills in agroforestry design and plant propagation while learning in one of Portugal's most inspiring landscapes, we invite you to join us this October at New School Permaculture.

Contacto: maininfonsp@gmail.com

Permaculture Design Course Azores - Portugal October

Permaculture Design Course

Azores - Portugal 

October 

We are super happy to present 2 Permaculture courses with the legendary Doug Bullock

You can check all our next courses globaly in our agenda HERE

Course by Doug Bullock and Helder Valente with

the New School Permaculture  team

8 /17 Oct -PDC Permaculture Design Course

19/23 Oct - PFC Permaculture Forest Course

24/26 Oct -Local Visits

If you want, you can just be part of one of the courses or come for the full experience.

INFO Contact:

maininfonsp@gmail.com

The New School Permaculture  is very happy to announce one of the most excinting permaculture courses in Europe this year. 

We will have the guidance to learn how nature works of Doug Bullock, one of the Bullocks brothers from Orcas Island in Washington.

Douglas Bullock is among the most experienced and recognized permaculturists in the world.

Its not everyday you find someone with more than 40 years of experience in permaculture systems that you can learn from.

Join this course and learn from 1 of the early direct students of Bill Mollison the creator of Permaculture.

Since 1981, Douglas Bullock has lived with his extended family, friends, and skill builders on their Permaculture Homestead on Orcas Island. 

Douglas has facilitated or directly participated in comprehensive Permaculture projects and classes at their site and at sites around the world, including Australia, New Zealand, Hawai'i, Costa Rica, the Bahamas, Nicaragua, Peru, Spain, Poland, California and Washington.

Having traveled extensively collecting and studying agricultural systems, he is familiar with a wide range of climate strategies and crops. His specialties include permaculture design, tree crops, nursery practices, creating small and large-scale wetland environments, and implementing appropriate technologies. Douglas has also written articles and pamphlets on permaculture featured in the Permaculture Activist and in the International Permaculture Journal.

This course will be in one of most beautiful regions of Portugal, S.Miguel Island - Azores.

Helder was a student of Bill Mollison and creates a mix of traditional permaculture with inovative education

Helder Valente is a british Permaculture association 

Educator member and master diploma holder and tutor.

Helder Valente studied and worked with pioneers like Bill Mollison and Geoff Lawton of the australian permaculture institute at the Architecture University of Istambul Turkey, Doug Bullock in the Amazon, Rosemary Morrow at the Alpine Permaculture Academy in Austria, Graham Bell food forest in Scotland, Darren dougherty, Ernst Gotsch, Sepp Holzer in Portugal and many others in countries like Haiti, Cuba, Panama, Costa Rica, Brasil, Mexico, Canada, USA, Egipt, Finland, Spain, Peru, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, France and UK always learning and practicing this sustainable design methods.

It all started in 2009 teaching permaculture to students at the agriculture university and since then learning and teaching in many different climates and getting to know the old ways and new ways of sharing information.

While living in the city he dedicated 5 years on developing urban permaculture projects and for the last 5 years traveling and developing permaculture schools and institutes around the world and suporting indigenous tribes and people at risk. 

By December 2012 in the Peruvian Amazon working in support to the shipibo indigenous communities Helder created the New School Permaculture and  is now developing alternative educational methods.

In 2013 the New School has been presenting at the IPC International Permaculture congress in Cuba and sharing experience about ecosocial regeneration.

To join us on Facebook click HERE

Have you ever asked yourself this questions? 

How can i get more connected with nature and understand how it works?

In what way can i save energy on everything i do?

How can i recover and redesign areas or objects in a way that they become more ecological and nature friendly?

How can i live a more healthy life without having to buy so many chemical products?

How can i develop or be part of a network of people that is inspired to be of positive change to this world?

Did you ever found your self having this ideas?

 

I want to develop design skills and find a new way of thinking.

I want to support other people to find a way to live a low impact lifestyle  

I would like to be living connected with nature working the same way it works.

I see myself living with a community that works toguether.

I want to recover an old farm and live with what it can produce.

On this course we will answer these questions and will support  these ideas

• Many people look for Sustainability projects because they have a concern related with the way humans are interacting with nature and the impact they have on the planet. By being part of this movement we look to reduce our ecological footprint and develop a deeper connection with nature

• Permaculture its a design based system that looks to create balance between man and nature by a sustainable management of resources. Permaculture its about understanding how nature works and work with nature rather than against nature. Permaculture its also a way of living based on functional design and decision making from the perspective of flow of energy.

• By being part of the development of a permaculture project we envision to develop our capacity to become active agents of change towards a positive future. Despite all the problems in the world our choices determine our impact, by a regenerative management of our resources and materials we can create a brighter future

• Permaculture projects have a big focus on reducing their ecological impact, the intelligent management of garbage, the production of food using organic methods and the construction of houses using local natural materials are some of the good examples that you will find, permaculture its a life changing experience and you will find many things to discover.

• By focusing on nature we discover the importance of rhythm and seasons, often we wake up with sun rise or stop to work at sunset,we plant the seed and wait months or years to have the harvesting, understanding natural cycles its a very important part of permaculture studies and to be attuned with the energy flows of nature, deep observation its an essential part.

• Water is the source of all life, and its availability can change dramatically from a dry climate in the desert to a wet climate in a rainforest. Proper water management becomes a priority in ecological design and to see water following a functional human designed system its a special experience.

• By being able to close cycles we see organic garbage from the kitchen become super fertile garden compost that will then produce delicious organic food. Soil creation and improvement, its the first thing we design for when we start a new project and once it starts it never finishes.From compost to natural fertilizers, to worm farming to animal feed, there are many ways to manage the organic waste but it usually stays all the project and its all converted on precious black soil.

• One of the great experiences in permaculture projects its to be able to eat the fruits of our work, its very usual to find large abundant vegetable gardens and diverse food forests producing a large diversity of fruits and berries .Producing its a part of it but also important its the processing of such crops.To make marmalades, vinegars, sourkrauts, jams and wines its a common experience in permaculture projects. Be ready to have great meals.

• There are many different visions towards ecological regeneration, sometimes you find regenerative agriculture that has a special focus on animals, sometimes you find agroforestry projects that have a special focus on trees and sometimes you will find organic farming that focus on all aspects of farming, permaculture also focus on building of houses, natural architecture, how to organize social networks and project management.The main line that connects all of them its to use low impact natural methods instead of intensive short term chemical options.

• Repair, reuse, reduce,  recycle, repurpose, that is all part of closing the cycles : To be able to have a future in harmony with the planet we need to stop exponential growth and exploitation of resources. To reduce our need for new things means to reduce the need for mining and industrial contaminating factories in poor countries, closing loops its the way to avoid that.

• By working outside in direct contact with nature you will experience what it is to feel the wind on your face and the soil under your feet, that helps with our sense of belonging to the planet and you will find that closer connection. Nature can also be devastating and with strong energy flows, we have to be able to adapt and figure out the best way to deal with it. 

• Natural Building is a hot topic that everyone naturally gets interested in. Everyone has the dream of a beautiful natural house in Nature. It is common to find houses made of clay, of wood, of stone and even houses of straw, it always changes with climate and available resources but the focus is always bioclimatic architecture and natural bioconstruction.

• Animals There are people good with plants, and there are people good with animals, some people are good with both, find your place and what do you especially love. Connection with farm animals is a great way to ground the stress and to take care of a very sensitive being. By doing this we have a strong help to find where we fit.

• By being part and helping on a permaculture project will give you some more clear ideas about how we can live in harmony with nature and how to design a future that goes from competition to cooperation, from exploitation to abundance and from egocentric to ecocentric. Take a step on this brighter future and you will see the world change around you

                        Create your path and let the path guide you

Permaculture Design Course

In this course you will learn 
the New School Permaculture design secrets.

    "The PDC is the course that creates the certified permaculturists, many people practice permaculture in an intuitive way with wonderfull results, on this course we learn about the thinking of permaculture, the way we look at things, so this course has the objective of changing the way we look at the world, thats why for many people its a life changing experience."

To see the amazing fruits we can grow
click HERE

What is Permaculture?

Permaculture is a sustainable design system that provides for human needs while having positive effects on the surrounding environment.

 It is based on the ethics of earth care, people care and fair share, and provides practical solutions to the global crises we are currently facing.

The New School Permaculture uses creative and inspiring educational tools that enable the students to empower each other in a way that many people have never seen before.

Diana Arhire

     My review of New School Permaculture Internship

September- October, 2020

One thing was clear for me from the beginning- if among all this world pandemic chaos, all these people are still coming for the internship, across the middle of the Atlantic- it’s going to be a special one! I felt inspired, supported, understood, challenged, encouraged. As they say, every conflict is an opportunity, and if we see this pandemic as a global conflict, then it could indeed be a great opportunity- for change, for slowing down, for going deeper not further, for (inner) gardening, for Permaculture!

I’m grateful for all the amazing people I met during the courses, so many laughs, hugs, spontaneous dancing, building and burning our first fireplace. Our Perma-tribe was led by our eco-shaman Helder, the most unusual, non-conformist teacher I ever had, with his great sense of humor & observation skills, he knows how to bring out the best in people. Lots of cool (horror) stories from his many experiences around the world. Bring popcorn.

And so, brave people from 10 different countries, so different from each other, yet we got together for the same reason or cause- we want to shift from an outdated broken society model to a conscious, harmonious co-existing with Nature, where we can all be involved, from growing a pepper on your urban balcony (and maybe some guerrilla planting shhh) to regenerating soils, forest, and rivers. It’s a change of mindset where you realize (or more like you are being reminded) that ANYONE can make a change. Anyone can grow food, in any conditions. Each of us plays an important role, wherever we are, and whoever we are- a farmer with many lands, or the weirdo of the family, backpacking around the world- we are all connected in this web of transformation and we are the influence in our community or family, and nowadays, influence is power. So this Permaculture internship was for me, among other things, about Empowerment.

Empowerment and understanding the Essence- whatever the question is, the answer can be found in Nature, by observing, interacting and experimenting. We humans, as Observers, can change the world around us, thus we are creators of our own worlds (inspiration from quantum physics). When we slow down and observe Nature, we see problems as solutions, we understand the natural succession of things, where each part plays a role in the cycle of life, where there are no invasive species, just pioneer soldiers doing their job to balance something our or to regenerate damaged soils or ecosystems. By understanding the Patterns in Nature, we understand ourselves, and by understanding ourselves we move upward in the spiral of Life.

I’ve learned that Permaculture is about compassion, for all life forms- it’s empathizing with the Earth, with Nature, with the plants, with the animals, the insects, the rivers, the soils, but also with ourselves and the other humans beings across the globe. It’s a holistic approach on Life.

I’ve learned that techniques and recipes are useful but once you understand The Essence of a process, you don’t need the recipe anymore. You can make your own fertilizer, you can make your own vinegar!

I’ve learned that when working with Nature, as with people, being gentle is more important than having a lot of knowledge and experience. Mindset and attitude are more important than any material resources.

With every course of the internship it felt like I’m putting a puzzle together to finally see “the bigger picture”:

PDC design course: the most intense course in my opinion, touches many aspects of our lives, from good design of our gardens and lives, to patterns in nature. We started by learning about Permaculture classics and their methods, like Bill Mollison that said:

“Permaculture is a dance with Nature- in which Nature leads.”

We continued with Natural Succession, understanding the process and purpose of an eco-system, from Gramineae to forests. We studied soil composition and the importance (VERY important) of soil health in relation to balanced systems, abundant yield and sustainable agriculture. Of course we also touched classic topics like different types of composts, dry toilets, water management and household efficiency.

It wasn’t all hard work and taking notes, we also had chill open space at night and occasional movie nights when we would watch inspiring films about Permaculture projects around the world, for example the virtual tour around David Holmgren’s farm (another classic), or the online interview we had with Brian Laufer and his amazing plant collection.

Finally, we got to designing our first Permaculture project, for our first “client”- our dear host Ana, understanding her needs, vision, mission and objectives- great teamwork and very efficient Design Plan Process (OBRADIMCE)!

Another important aspect of this course for me was working on our dream project, design to details, because our dreams are the seeds of change, waiting patiently in the darkness, to be sprouting in the right conditions (inspiration from the Seeds Workshop with Pablo).

Social course: challenging for me personally, as it requires A LOT of extroversion and getting out of comfort zones, but I survived apparently! Playing games (the games saved me) as a way of learning and rediscovering the inner child, the true source of creativity. We learned each other’s gifts, talents, fears and dreams.

We talked about eco-villages and community projects, their challenges and perspectives, and how decisive communication methods are. Alternative economies were also touched, as well as event design & celebration in the context of a successful Project Management.

The “World Café” method of group work really inspired me, to see my colleagues brain-storming on world problems and their solutions, like how to introduce Permaculture in poor areas, in refugee camps, to the elderly and to the children, and how we could get everyone involved in making this world a better place.

Another cool moment I’d like to mention is learning about the role of a Teacher (Permaculture teaching or other)- we tried different approaches and methods of teaching, and my personal discovery was that as long as you teach about something you’re passionate about, about something you personally enjoy, teaching becomes fun, a game of “take and give”, where the “master” becomes the “student” and the other way around.

Again, we had inspiring interviews with Permaculture friends, like Silvia Floresta and her Food Forest ; or Pedro Teixera with his Urban Permacultue project “Espaço Compasso” in Porto in the north of Portugal,  talking to us about Sociocracy as the alternative healthy “politics” of the future.

Water course: the secrets of Water (8 magical words and they all start with an S, good luck guessing!) and all kind of biodynamic aspects (witcheries) on how to understand and explore this primordial resource, that is being shaped not only by climates and landscapes, but also by planets and electro-magnetic fields (nerdy, I know), a resource so ancient, powerful yet so fragile under the impact of irresponsible human activity.

We discussed global water problems & ethical solutions, water landscape, quality and filtration systems, but also about more complex systems like Aquaponics, Hydroponics, Aeroponics and DUCKPONICS (yup, it’s a thing and I love ducks even more now... also geese).

Fun practical class on swales and efficient water systems- we got together at Peer’s land (one of the students), on the mountain side of the island, amazing ocean views and vast open space, surrounded by forests and rolling green cow pastures. And we digged. Then we had some pizza, then we digged again, music, laughing, party-mode team work swale digging. Result- amazing terraces that catch the excess rain water to guide it, save it and safely store it down the valley, to feed the plants and trees, preventing land erosion and flooding. Beautiful!

Soil and Mushrooms course: my fascination with the mushroom world started in my childhood, but during this internship I was astonished to learn just how interconnected everything actually is, and how “myco-permaculture” integrates fungi into the eco-system to maintain healthy soils and improve plant growth, or what we now call “wood wide web”. We considered different methods of growing delicious mushrooms in our food forest, garden beds, around trees as companions, innoculating tree logs with different species of gourmet but also medicinal fungi.

Especially interesting (extra nerdy) to me was to learn about mycorrhizal symbiotic relationships between fungi and plants, trees- it’s a whole underground world there beneath our feet and most of us are not even aware of it!! Soil and fungi go hand in hand like good old friends, and we’re only beginning to understand the complexity of this relationship, how fungi could stimulate plant growth and better reach of resources and nutrients, an invisible landscape under the surface, what a trip! Dip your baby trees in a mycorrhizal solution before planting and in a few years you have Boletus growing in your orchard- garden of Eden vibes, or more like Alice in Wonderland vibes. Speaking of which- that’s how it felt to me when we went for a hike in the island’s old forest around Lagoa do Congro, a magical place filled with myth, mossy blankets, fallen old trees slowly decomposing into the soil, devoured by beautiful clumps of mushrooms, popping up here and there along our path, Armillarias (edible btw), Ganodermas, Russulas, Amanitas (that first Amanita Muscaria made my day) and even a rare white Coral mushroom. The fungi working slow but steady in the darkness and silence of the forest, balancing out human impact, contamination, deforestation, monoculture, it all gets processed into the Natural Succession of the forest, by these quiet sentinels of Nature, spreading their mycelium fractals deep into the soil, connecting Life and Death, decomposition and rebirth. I can only come back to learn more on this!

Food forest course: finally, all our questions answered, because everything goes down to 1 thing basically- and obviously I won't say it here!

Starting with the basics- how to plant something (you gotta start somewhere); companion planting (what goes where and who likes what); tips on trees (excuse the pun), from planting to mulching, pruning, grafting, and harvest processing; importance of bio-diversity (F* monocultures!); soil quality and funky fertilizers (one rule- use what you have in abundance); natural pest control; to more fancy stuff like creating Mandala Gardens (or any other poetic shape), following natural Patterns to incorporate efficiency with beauty, because that’s how Nature likes it (if you didn’t know now you know).

Special class with our sweet Pablo from Tenerife- he talked about his passion for seeds, being part of a local seed bank association, he had much to share on the importance of seed network, selecting, processing and storing seeds of different species, to preserve, maintain but also encourage local bio-diversity as part of our cultural heritage.

Fascinating to see how all the layers interconnect and interact with each other to create a healthy garden or eco-system, for the body and soul.

Speaking of body and soul, we took a few days off to enjoy the island of Sao Miguel and its magical beauty.

The old forest at Lagoa do Congro welcomed us with an abundance of mushrooms, moss and ferns that made me feel like Alice in Wonderland (look for the mythical “portal” above the lake).

Terra Nostra botanical garden enchanted us with its ancient trees and rare plants, blue lotuses and monkey puzzles (you can eat the nut). Bonus- there’s a thermal lake in the middle of the park and we soaked our bones there for a well-deserved happy end.

We also visited local permaculture warriors and their beautiful farms: Ricardo’s amazing veggie gardens and orchards, plus tips and tricks about commercial gardening; our dear Peer’s land (one of the students), on the top of the hills where you can see the endless ocean and glimpses of the other island, and where we learned about swales and their importance in land regeneration and water use efficiency; last but not the least, Ana’s orchards, our brave host that had us camping between her fruit trees during the internship, sharing her knowledge and inspiring visions. Side note- her cuddly cats were also a personal inspiration to me.

And here we are, 1 month completed, we all made it alive, more or less, tired but super “inspiraled”. Some intense study, some feet in the mud, some funny road trips, some staring at trees, some seeds smuggling….but what happens in Azores, stays in Azores. Ok people, moving on. Time to save the world!

To see more testimonials from our students
click HERE

The course is presented by creative non formal education methods, that are based on creating a bridge between the right and left side of the brain, so that the analytical and creative abilities of the students get fully stimulated and get the most out of the experience...for many people is the most empowering and inspiring transformative process of their lives...and they carry this with them every were they go....and thats our goal.

INFO Contacto:

maininfonsp@gmail.com

To see what grows in the region
click HERE

The subjects covered during this Permaculture Design Course include:

The ethics and principles of Permaculture
Learning strategies
Educational Methods
 Reading the landscape 
Pattern in design
Biodiversity
Water preservation
Forests and trees
Soils building
Climates
Buildings and natural construction
Alternative economies
Community development




To know more about this course click HERE

To know more about the content of the course you can check our videos on you tube

 know more about our seed bank

 Atlantis Seeds click HERE

More videos of Helder

TV Italia HERE 2015

Spanish national TVE HERE 2014

Video at IPC Cuba Congress HERE 2013

Video at IPC Cuba HERE 2013

Portuguese RDP HERE 2013

Spanish national TVE HERE 2013

Reportagem da SIC HERE 2012

Biosfera da RTP HERE 2011

Biosfera da RTP HERE 2010

Biosfera da RTP HERE 2009

Para ler mais entrevistas do Helder

Entrevista para Atlantico Express dos Açores AQUI

Entrevista para BIOSFERA sobre festival de permacultura AQUI

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There will be some early bird discounts for people that sign up in advance