Permaculture and Regenerative Systems Certificate
Program Overview
This certificate program provides training for participants who are seeking to create and design regenerative food and medicine systems within resilient communities. It provides robust curriculum in permaculture design, including basic permaculture training as well as related courses in botany and plant ID; design methods, process, and mapping; herbal production; and hands-on earthen building projects.
This program is 1 of 3 certificate programs that when combined comprise the Permaculture Design and Resilient Ecosystems Diploma. Please note that enrolment space is prioritized for diploma students. Please see Admissions below for more information.
Length: 12 weeks
Offered: May-July
May 2021 program is FULL
Hours: 240 total
Program Enrolment: 20 students maximum
My experience in the Permaculture Design and Resilient Ecosystems Diploma has been life altering in all of the best ways. The way I look at the world, at our ecosystems and at our history as individuals and a society has forever been changed. The value of understanding regenerative farming, sustainable practices and how to thrive while practicing permaculture principles are priceless. I am grateful for all of the instructors that shared their passions with us and continue to plant seeds of inspiration and knowledge for a brighter future.
– Nikki Wilkinson, Alumnus
Why Pacific Rim College?
What You’ll Learn:
Key Learning Outcome #1
To understand the importance of biodiverse food and medicine systems.
Key Learning Outcome #2
To prepare, plant, and tend to a mixed annual and perennial edible garden.
Key Learning Outcome #3
Skills for cultivating and harvesting medicinal plants, and for safely processing plant materials to create medicinal products
Key Learning Outcome #4
Ability to identify various plants that grow in the Pacific Northwest using taxonomic keys and other resources.
Key Learning Outcome #5
To understand how to site, select materials for, and apply various natural building techniques.
To me, the PDRE program embodies holism in every sense of the word. It is a re-remembrance of what it means to be a human on this earth, and reminds us how to co-create with the land and its people in an inventive, harmonious way that celebrates the unique gifts and contributions of all. When I think back to all that I have experienced through this program, I recall how it felt to make a hawthorn tincture, or learn how to sheet mulch, or taste a medlar for the first time. It has taught me a deeper, more grounded way of interacting with the past and the future in this pivotal time on earth – honouring where we come from, learning how to be a good ancestor.
– Dominique Argan, Alumnus
Core School of Permaculture Design Instructors
Hannah is a professional agrologist and ethnobotanist, and her research interests span agroecology, permaculture, medicinal plants, and indigenous land-management and cultivation techniques.
Maurita holds a Masters in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability and works as the Executive Director of LUSH Valley Food Action Society in the Comox Valley.
Mark is a co-founder of the City Repair Project in Portland, Oregon, and founder and principal of Communitecture, Inc.
Rachel is a Naturopathic Doctor focusing on mental health and counselling through a variety of modalities including botanical and Chinese medicine.
Christina has 15 years teaching experience in organic horticulture, landscape design, and plant ID.
Liza is a Medical Herbalist and Holistic Nutritionist deeply committed to expanding her knowledge about all things plant-related.
Joshua Clae Wagler was born into a family of farmers, foodies, and nature lovers, and has been studying and practicing sustainable design and development for the past 15 years.
Brandon has been studying nature, agriculture, and culture for more than 20 years and is co-founder of The Blue Raven Farm.
Curriculum
Below is a list of all courses included in the Permaculture and Holistic Management Certificate. Please click on course links below to see more course information including descriptions and prerequisites.
Food and Medicine Systems
Natural Building Techniques
Permaculture Design
Total Requirements
Learning Sites
This program is offered primarily at the college’s two herb farms: Tiny Tree Herb Farm (main campus) and Ravenhill Herb Farm. These farms are located on the beautiful and fertile Saanich Peninsula, about 25 minutes north of our downtown campus.
Tiny Tree Herb Farm is located near the coastal community of Brentwood Bay overlooking the Malahat. This 6-acre farm organically grows a variety of food, along with medicinal and culinary herbs, trees and mushrooms. The rich soil, spring-fed water and ample sun exposure makes it a beautiful place to grow.
Ravenhill Herb Farm is a locally-run farm overlooking the Saanich Inlet of the Salish Sea. This 10-acre west coast oasis grows food, medicinal herbs, and culinary herbs, all organically, for the community and is dedicated to sharing knowledge of sustainable living and permaculture practices. The farm also is home to many happy animals including goats, livestock guardian dogs, and chickens.
Admissions
This certificate program is part of the 9-month Permaculture Design and Resilient Ecosystems (PDRE) Diploma. Please note that priority is given to diploma students, however, certificate applicants may be accepted into the program on short notice if space becomes available. Interested certificate applicants must submit an application to be placed on the waitlist.
Entering students must have a high school diploma or an equivalency test. In addition, all non-native English speaking applicants must demonstrate a mastery of written and spoken English. Any foreign applicant may be required to submit an official score report from an English proficiency exam such as TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Test System).
To apply for this program, please click on the link below. We do not have a set deadline for applications and entry into this program will likely only be granted in January upon another student’s withdrawal. To greatly increase your chance of getting into this certificate, we encourage you to apply for the full 3-semester PDRE Diploma. Certificate applicants will be considered in order of application submission.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition for the Permaculture and Regenerative Systems Certificate total $3300 and are broken down as follows:
– A $250 non-refundable registration fee and a signed student contract is required for acceptance into this program.
– A $3050 tuition payment is due 10 days before the first scheduled day of the semester.
– A $100 program supply fee is due with each semester’s tuition payment.
Please click here for a description of Academic Fees in PDF format.
Financial Aid
This program is approved for Canada Student Loans. British Columbia residents can apply for student loans online through StudentAid BC. Students can also pick up a paper application from PRC or any other academic institution registered with Canada Student Loans. For non-British Columbia residents, please visit hrsdc.gc.ca for information about Canada Student Loans.
For a list of all financial aid programs available to PRC students, please visit our Financial Aid page.
Post-Graduation
Graduates of the Permaculture and Regenerative Systems Certificate program will be poised to be leaders in the permaculture realm and can seek employment in the permaculture design field, in greenhouse/nursery management, in a horticulture and/or sustainable agriculture business, in herbal medicine production and processing, in community development and organizing, and as a natural builder.
This program comprises a third of the curriculum of the Permaculture Design and Resilient Ecosystems Diploma. Graduates who complete all 3 certificate programs in the School of Permaculture Design are eligible for a Permaculture Design and Resilient Ecosystems (PDRE) Diploma. Students cannot transfer into the PDRE diploma program and must either begin their studies in the diploma program or complete each of the 3 certificate programs as individual programs.
