While Permaculture as a design system is information intensive, in our Design course students have the opportunity to ground that information in experience. Our design certification courses are designed to meet accreditation requirements for students in an independent study program.
Courses offer a balance of classroom presentation, field demonstration and hands on instruction.
After completing the permaculture design course, students may apply to apprentice at La'akea Permaculture Gardens or one of several other organic farms in the area. These apprenticeships are an excellent opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of permaculture and organic farming techniques by working side by side with experienced permaculture designers and farmers. Click here to read an article about La'akea written in the Hawai'i publication, Ka'u Landing , in 1999. Click here to read an article comparing a 'permaculture island' life with 'mainstream' life, written in a mainland publication, The Octopus in 1998.