anyone done a permaculture design course?

[safronsue]

i'd be interested to hear of people's experiences from doing a pdc. did you gain from it? do you apply the principles learnt now? was it hard work? good fun? recommend it as an experience? basically, how was it?

[baldybloke]

I have done an 'Introduction to Permaculture' course that ran through the basics, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Since then I have pondered undertaking a full PDC but the cost and time commitment have so far put me off. Apart from applying the principles here at home I have to consider if I was going to then pursue it further, and get involved in other people's designs or run courses.
Might I suggest Aranya's new book on Permaculture design, which I have just finished reading, which outlines the principles and steps required to complete a design. This is a book well worth getting and I shall be dipping into it time and time again.
I am currently reading Looby MacNamara's 'People and Permaculture' which is also well worth a read.
I hope this helps.

[safronsue]

thanks, helpful. Aranya's book keeps cropping up. it's one to get i think.
i'd be interested in doing the course purely for self benefit, not planning on making a job out of it at all, which is one of my questions actually, how much of the course is on the professional development. Our garden is so in need of structuring and we have so much unused potential for food production that this might be the most sensible option for me to really soak up some information and get to grips with ideas...plus i just love being a learner!