PERMACULTURE INSTITUTE 11a Camino Ancon Santa Fe New Mexico 87506 Tel. 505-455-0154 www.permaculture.org PART 3: PERMACULTURE DIPLOMA: PROCESS, FIELDS OF STUDY, MENTORSHIP ISSUING ORGANIZATION: PERMACULTURE INSTITUTE SCOPE: The provisions in Part 3 describe steps for applying for diploma DURATION: Permanent. EFFECTIVE DATE: January 5, 2014 unless a later date is cited at the end of a section. OBJECTIVE: This part establishes the steps for the process of working towards a diploma in permaculture. FIELDS OF PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE and ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL REQUREMENTS A. A person desiring to apply for permaculture diploma shall select no more than three fields of practical experience. Each field of experience will require a separate documentation and fees. B. Traditional fields of practical experience are listed below. An additional field may be added upon formal request made to the Board. Education: Permaculture Design Course, special education, education via electronic media or the development of educational aids in the fields closely related to permaculture. A person desiring to apply for permaculture diploma in the field of EDUCATION shall have: 1. attended at least two reputable permaculture design certificate courses taught by different instructors/teams of instructors, at least one of these courses must have been attended in person (not over the internet) in the period of no less than two 2. attended a Permaculture Teachers Training course; 3. taught an equivalent of 180 hours of direct teaching time during conferences, public gathering, community college classes, and any other educational opportunities, in fields closely related to permaculture; 4. has developed and submitted his/her class syllabi for each educational event taught, as part of application portfolio; 5. co-taught in full permaculture design course under the supervision of another permaculture diplomat in Education; 6. has received endorsement / recommendation by a permaculture diplomat after peer review of his/her work, prior to applying for diploma Revision date: 12/4/2013
Site Design: For those acting as design consultants to a variety of projects, rural and urban. A person desiring to apply for permaculture diploma in the field of LAND/SITE DESIGN shall have: 1. attended at least two reputable permaculture design certificate courses taught by different instructors/teams of instructors, at least one of these courses must have been attended in person (not over the internet) in the period of no less than two 2. Presented a portfolio documenting at least 7 different designs and their evolution over time; 3. Presented evidence of relevant continuing education/ participation in professional events, an equivalent of 32 credit hours minimum over a period of at least two 4. Has received endorsement / recommendation by a permaculture diplomat after peer review of his/her work, prior to applying for diploma; 5. Presented at least two designs for peer review, at a professional permaculture gathering, PDC, Permaculture Teacher Training or any other major permaculture educational event where other permaculture diplomats are present. Media: For development of information systems based on film, photo libraries, print or electronic systems, and journalism. Authors who have produced a significant thesis relevant to permaculture, or developed findings in any area of research; Site Development: For work performed on land over a significant period to develop a permaculture system or community facility or project. A person desiring to apply for permaculture diploma in the field of SITE DEVELOPMENT shall have: 1. attended at least two reputable permaculture design certificate courses taught by different instructors/teams of instructors, at least one of these courses must have been attended in person (not over the internet) in the period of no less than two 2. Presented a portfolio documenting site design and process for a period of at least 2 years, its evolution over time; 3. Presented evidence of community benefit derived from site development such as demonstration, education, community food security, biodiversity preservation etc. 4. Presented evidence of relevant continuing education/ participation in professional events, an equivalent of 32 credit hours minimum over a period of at least two 5. Has received endorsement / recommendation by a permaculture diplomat after peer review of his/her work, prior to applying for diploma; Community Service: For those who devote their time and skills to populations in poverty, tribal peoples, and disadvantaged or aged groups; Finance and Business: For developing and promoting local employment, non-monetary exchange, cash recycling in community, forming co-ops, facilitation of new business models, and those financial and business systems that contribute to the well being and sustainability of communities; Page 2 of 6 Revision date: 12/19/2012
Appropriate Technology/Technical Development: For those developing technical systems or inventions that improve efficiency, increase sustainability, and provide better transport, energy processing systems, recycling, conservation of resources, and improve the lives of the users while protecting the environment; DIPLOMA PROCESS There are two tracks on the path of earning a Diploma in permaculture. A. Track One is best suited for people that have recently received their first Permaculture Design Course certificate and who wish to have guidance in their Continuing Education and Field Experience to achieve level of professionalism expected of permaculture Diplomat. B. Track Two is best suited for those already with significant practical experience, practicing various aspects of permaculture over a substantial period of time. Track One: - Complete reputable Permaculture Design Course and receive certificate in Permaculture - Follow steps outlined in the Continuing Education section of our website, www.permaculture.org/permacult ure-resources/continuingeducation/ - Start practicing, keep track of your work, create a Portfolio of Experiences - Apply and register with the as Permaculture Practitioner in Training and pay all applicable fees - You will be matched with a mentor who will guide your process, assist you with developing a Learning Plan and Mentorship Track Two: - Complete reputable Permaculture Design Course and receive certificate in Permaculture; - Acquire in-depth practical applied Field Experience and engage in ongoing Continuing Education in one or more fields of permaculture in a period over five years from your first PDC; - Submit Application, Path to Diploma Portfolio & Mentorship Report demonstrating professional excellence, practical experience and adherence to ethics of permaculture, and pay all applicable fees. - If adequate evidence is provided to meet eligibility requirements you may be eligible for Diploma. Additional learning, continuing education and field experience may be required upon peer review of your work. Page 3 of 6 Revision date: 12/19/2012
TRACK ONE PATH TO DIPLOMA LEARNING PLAN & MENTORSHIP OUTLINE REQUIREMENTS: A. Upon receipt of your Application, Portfolio of Experiences and fees, Permaculture Institute will assign Program Director to match applicant with a Field Mentor. Field Mentor works with the applicant to develop Diploma Learning Plan. The Diploma Learning Plan requirements are described as follows: 1. The purpose of learning plan is to establish the field of permaculture in which you intend to achieve diploma; and to set forth details on your objectives and methodology of continuing your education, learning and acquiring extensive practical field experience in said field. Each field of permaculture requires a separate learning process/ separate diploma process. 2. Learning Plan shall cover a period of at least two years half-time (1020 hours per year, or longer time is working less than half-time) and must provide detailed and specific information pertinent to practical (field) learning in addition to theoretical learning. Learning Plan may be adjusted later if needed with approval of program director. 3. Learning Plan shall establish specific outcomes of your learning process, such as resulting sustainable projects or initiatives, or other specific results. Direct community benefit must be shown as a result of your applied learning. Focus is placed on directing Permaculture Practitioners in Training towards achieving extensive practical (field) experience while creating tangible real-life projects as outcome of their learning. A specific project is selected by the applicant with input from the mentor (see below). 4. Relevant classes, workshops, courses, work-study programs, and other trainings may count toward time requirement. 5. Learning Plan shall be submitted to the by the Field Mentor on behalf of the applicant, electronically, five pages maximum length at font size 12 normal spacing. Links to websites, blogs, etc in the Learning Plan are not accepted. Learning Plan will be reviewed, suggestions will be made and applicant will move on to working on implementation of the plan. When you are ready to have your professional expertise and practice to be evaluated by peers, please follow the steps below: - Complete educational requirements as stated in Part 2 (General Requirements) and Part 3 (Specific Requirements); - Submit Application with your Path to Diploma Portfolio & Mentorship Report and pay all applicable fees. Your documentation will be reviewed by the College of Diplomats. - If adequate evidence is provided to meet eligibility requirements for Diploma, you may be eligible for Diploma of Permaculture as per conditions set forth by Diploma Process. Additional learning, continuing education and field experience may be required upon review. Page 4 of 6 Revision date: 12/19/2012
PATH TO DIPLOMA PORTFOLIO & MENTORSHIP REPORT REQUIREMENTS: A. Path to Diploma Portfolio: 1. Path to Diploma Portfolio is a compilation of relevant experience in field work, Continuing Education and practice of permaculture to inform the College of Diplomats about your work and achievements. Each Diploma field requires a separate Path to Diploma Portfolio. 2. Path to Diploma Portfolio shall cover a period of at minimum two years of full time (or equivalent) of practice of permaculture in the selected field. It must provide detailed and specific descriptive and graphic information demonstrating professional competence and excellence in practice throughout the entire period of time. The portfolio shall include information about projects, with names of locations, organizations, individuals, projects etc and their contact information as is pertinent. 3. Path to Diploma Portfolio shall cover specific outcomes of your work/practice, such as resulting sustainable projects or initiatives, or other specific results. Direct community benefit must be shown as a result of your work. Provide information on current status of your projects/initiatives (active, inactive, demolished, forming etc). The College looks for evidence of excellence in practice and extensive practical experience while creating tangible real-life projects. 4. List relevant classes, workshops, courses, work-study programs that you attended/facilitated. If teaching, include class syllabi in full. 5. Path to Diploma Report shall include information on Mentorship, as described below in Part B. 6. Path to Diploma Portfolio shall be submitted electronically at font size 12 normal spacing. Board will not review links to websites/blogs (unless such website or blog is exclusively created to highlight the work of the applicant). 7. Submitted materials are reviewed by the College of Diplomats. Page 5 of 6 Revision date: 12/19/2012
B. Mentorship requirements are described as follows: 1. Each applicant is believed to have learned with multiple teachers/mentors (possibly outside of the field of permaculture) who influenced his/her practice, methods and philosophy. Provide information on inspirational mentors and teachers relevant to your permaculture practice, and specifics on your learning from them. 2. Provide mentor (s) names and contact information whenever possible. 3. If possible include recommendation from one or more your mentors for your work. Page 6 of 6 Revision date: 12/19/2012