Permaculture Design Course

Discover the transformative power of permaculture.

Designed for the Mid-Atlantic, this course is for homesteaders, commercial permaculture farmers, and those just beginning their permaculture journey. We emphasize hands-on learning and practical application. You’ll get your hands dirty as we walk through the theory, concepts, tools, and techniques of permaculture design!

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Upcoming Courses

  • A group of people walking through a lush farm with vegetables and plants, under a blue sky with scattered clouds, surrounded by trees with fall colors.

    FALL 2026 COURSE

    Held at the University of Mary Washington

    Register Now
  • Two people planting seedlings into the soil in a garden, with a greenhouse and a man taking a photo in the background.

    SPRING 2027 COURSE

    Details to be announced

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  • “You all have changed my degree of interest in farming to a level that I did not think could be possible.  Everyone has such a diverse teaching style, but as I observed you as a whole your different styles create such a powerful team.”

  • “I have never been in a class that had this energy.  You guys set it up in such a way that I did not feel judged and felt very safe and supportive ...This class truly changed my life for the better and I cannot thank you all enough for that! Now I have the confidence to start my own project.”

  • ​"Thank you again for literally the best class I’ve ever taken.​"

  • "This course opened me up to a whole new community and world I never knew existed.  It has changed my opinions and ideas about agriculture and has taught me so much about permaculture, other humans, life, and myself.  I am grateful for that."

  • "I learned more than I thought possible, and yet I realize I know so little (or rather, there is so much more to learn).  Every minute brought a new discovery and new realization about just how vast a world of knowledge and potential we are swimming in."

  • "It's obvious that teaching is a shared passion within the SPI team.  You are all supportive of every student as well as the rest of the teaching team.  You are truly "walking the walk" in Permaculture.  Your teaching team is outstanding."

  • “I think it was perfectly balanced between technical information and hands on.  The human element was a big surprise and great."