Program Details
Update, April 20, 2022 from Dave Shaw. As stated in the video above, Santa Cruz Permaculture became stewards of an 18.5 acre farm adjacent to Año Nuevo State Park two days ago. This will be not only a production farm but also a site for our new course that’s been decades in the making, The Permaculture Immersion. While the vision for this Immersion has been brewing within our community for awhile, as those who have taken courses with me know, the details are still being worked out now that the location has been set. Therefore, this site is intended to provide enough richness for you to sign up to join our inaugural cohort in July yet it’s also a work in progress that will continue to evolve. Here are important details and please read the FAQ for more.
Skill building. What skills and practices do you and your communities need as we transition towards a life-sustaining society? The farm provides the perfect environment and practice space for re-skilling. We plan to practice what skills you’ve expressed a desire for such as farming, watershed & forest restoration, tools & appropriate technology, health & wellness, education & culture, economics & social entrepreneurship, and strategies for combatting social injustice.
Personal empowerment & Coaching. The program is very student-centered in its design. Our goal is to support you with further identifying and delivering your unique contribution, your gift, and becoming even more who you truly are. Each week of the program includes empowerment practices that we hope you’ll incorporate as tools on your personal transformation tool belt. Additionally, one-on-one coaching is built into the process to support you with your personal, professional, and/or political project work.
Top-notch guides and community partners. We’re blessed to have a rich network of changemakers and community leaders eager to support you. Furthermore, the guides in our network are each deeply engaged in their communities. We aim to amplify our movements through exposing you to the best people, places, and communities we know of so that you’ll have a rich support network to engage long after the program ends.
Stunning and accessible location. The farm and surrounding forest and beach are awe inspiring. It feels good to be there and the natural beauty will enhance our experience. Furthermore, the farm is only a 20 minute drive from the Westside of Santa Cruz.
Community. The friendships and professional networks you’ll join through the program will last your lifetime. We have over 1,000 alumni from our programs and make great efforts to support life-long learning and community engagement.
“By the time you graduate you will have a better understanding of who you are, what you really care about, and how to design and implement our collective future. Also, the family you become a part of is priceless. I recommend this course for anyone interested in anything. It applies to all aspects of life.” – Jaime Longoria, Attorney at Law