Permaculture Institute of North America

https://pina.in

This is the professional association for permaculture designers and educators in North America. I’ve been on the board since 2015. They have a very affordable, work at your own pace diploma program that offers a number of diplomas and entrance levels. The program is based on mentorship - you can choose a Field Advisor to work under and submit your work to them to get feedback on it. Once you’ve met the requirements, submit the needed paperwork for a diploma.

This organization is relatively new and continues to rapidly expand. It offers design contests with prize money, and currently we’re working on a number of major projects to expand the scope of permaculture design in the mainstream.

Anybody can be a member and you will receive newsletters, the right to vote in contests, and other perks. You are also supporting a central organization that can accelerate the acceptance of permaculture as a respected profession, and the ability of designers to galvanize the energy and organizational power to create major projects.

GAIA University

https://gaiauniversity.org/

This university is accredited in the UK, and is the only university we’re aware of that focuses entirely on regenerative topics. Run by veteran permaculture designers, it offers in-depth education on project management and other key skill sets needed to become a professional designer. Like any college, tuition can be expensive, but people who have graduated feel it was well worth it. In the US, the college has no physical location; all classes and projects are online.

Advanced courses

PINA diplomates offer advanced courses in teaching, climate change issues, broadscale work and food forestry. Check the pina calendar for upcoming classes. We will soon offer classes in gardening, food forestry and regenerative finance.

University courses

Some students want to increase their skills through university programs. There is a permaculture track at UMass. Other universities are working on similar tracks. Agroecology is a subject that is growing in popularity and recognition worldwide and is very aligned with permaculture. Some students choose to pursue higher education in botany, environmental science or other sciences. Systems engineering, systems thinking, or ecological design are tracks offered in some colleges.

8.1.2. Continuing Formal Education

You must be logged in to access this course