Basics of Permaculture (6 hours)     

This class examines permacultural concepts and principles that are broadly useful in designing sustainable landscapes, natural areas, structures and communities of the highest quality. Coursework includes the three ethical and 12 design principles of permaculture, methods of design using multiple connections, and the causes and importance of climate. It also includes zones (designs that reduce labor); sector (designs that incorporate wild energies such as wind and rain); pattern and edge (designs that increase biodiversity and direct sectors); and mapping (thoughtful placement of trees, animals, structures, gardens to use all these principles). THIS CLASS IS A REQUIRED PREREQUISITE FOR ALL OTHER PERMACULTURE CLASSES. Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credit is available.

Instructors

Bob Randall, Ph.D has taught anthropology in universities for 16 years while studying and researching ecological anthropology. He is the author of Year Round Vegetables, Fruits, and Flowers for Metro-Houston, 12th edition. He was one of eight Urban Harvest Cofounders in 1994, and retired in 2008 after 21 years of heading Houston’s community gardening programs. Bob has used permaculture for 30 years and became a certified permaculture designer in 1996.

Cas Vanwoerden is an engineer who co-founded Animal Farm Permaculture Center and Market Farm in Cat Spring, which is completely off the energy grid, and uses solar energy for its electricity needs. He received his Permaculture Designers Certificate in 1994.

Gita Vanwoerden is co-owner of the Animal Farm Permaculture Center and Market Farm, and sells at several area markets. She has been a pioneer in modern Houston market vegetable farming (see www.trcat.com/animalfarm) . Gita received her Permaculture Designers Certificate in 1994.

Shawn McFarland, AIA, LEED AP has been a registered architect for over 25 years, practicing all phases and types of construction. She became a certified permaculture designer in 2000, and has been practicing green architecture since that time, specializing in ecologically efficient design.

Bill Hancock is one of the coordinators of the "Art-4-Health" Project Experience. He also writes a column in the Indigo Sun called "Can You Dig It?" . He became a certified permaculture designer in 2003.

M. C. Swearingen has been an arborist since 1991 and earned a Permaculture Designers Certificate in 2004. She assists homeowners and professionals by teaching them how to manage trees for safety, health, strength and beauty. This includes selecting species, maintenance, and removal of branches.  

Date: Sunday September 20, 9:30 am – 5:00 pm

Location: Urban Harvest Classroom

Price: $87 for all students

To register: Call Urban Harvest at 713-880-5540 during our office hours. Please register at least three business days before the class.