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permaculture - Extended Permaculture Course in Mexico

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  • From: Skye <skye@tortuga.com>
  • To: Permaculture Newsgroup <permaculture@listserv.oit.unc.edu>
  • Subject: Extended Permaculture Course in Mexico
  • Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 10:23:10 -0600


Extended Permaculture Design Certificate Course and Community
Experience Program

at Tamu Tariaticha Community, Patzcuaro, Michoacan, Mexico

Aug. 14 to Sept. 11, 1999

¨No other permaculture course gives you the opportunity to learn about
indigenous Mexico in the heart of the Purepecha region, to taste the
delicious comida of Mexico, to learn to bake bread from a French chef,
to learn from Permaculture teachers internationally known for their
creativity, to experience a Temascal, to visit pyramids, to live
within an international community, in a warm climate, in one of the
most intriguing and ancient cultures of the world - Mexico

The Program
The basic aim of this program is to extend the normally brief
introduction to Permaculture experienced in most other courses. The
minimum of 72 hours for the Design Certificate Course is obviously
barely sufficient to scratch the surface of what is possible. Many
participants leave theses courses with a sense of being overwhelmed,
and have difficulty deciding where to start. Often this is accentuated
by need to integrate the new concepts into everyday life. To accomplish
this, many people often soon find the time to visit other Permaculture
projects, to live at those projects, or to go WWOOFing.

This program will offers these opportunities and will enable people to
make the necessary integration and adjustments in a more gentle,
supportive manner.

In addition to the vast amount of information from the Extended Design
Certificate Course (and the personal changes that that often triggers)
participants in the program will live within the Permaculture community
of Tamu Tariaticha for the duration of the course. There will be time
to develop additional skills, with a wide range of choices ranging from
actually putting up a building, to learning how to cook the produce
harvested (and how to finish the process by composting it!).

On-going Work Experience
At the completion of the Extended Course, people with reasonable
knowledge of the Spanish language will be able to choose from a variety
of projects and activities with some of the organizations with which
Tamu works. Many of these NGOs are keen to have help from willing,
useful people. In most cases this activity will be on a work exchange
basis. Activities possible - Community Development, Project
Implementation, Agrofrestry, Organic Farming, Local Environmental
Action etc. Locations vary from Campeche in the south to Queretaro in
the mid-north. The work of these organizations is extremely impressive,
and an opportunity to work with such groups will be a valuable and
rewarding experience.

People with little or no Spanish, will have the opportunity of joining
the community of Tamu (as many of us speak English) as a "permanent
visitor" (or is it ‘temporary resident") to work and live with us.

In either case, it will be up to both parties to agree on the
conditions and details of the work and stay involved.

Student-lead Approach
The overriding philosophy of this program is one of student
empowerment. This means that the course will not have an inflexible
fixed curricula imposed on it. Nor will the work experience and
training be dictated by the course organizers. But rather both will be
negotiated with the participants. While there is basic information
which must be covered under the Design Certificate Course, there is
considerable room for negotiation on the range of content and delivery
mechanisms. Similarly, there are many projects which could be
undertaken., the exact details will be determined with the participant
to ensure the needs and interests of each person is catered for.

Design Certificate Course
The program includes a full Design Certificate Course covering the
basic concepts of Permaculture and its applied strategies. Topics
include: Principles of Permaculture Soils Water Gardening Orchards
Production of Maiz and Grains Microclimates Management of Pests Aridland
Strategies Animal Systems Alternative Energy Ecological Housing Urban
Strategies EcoVillages Social Strategies Financial Strategies Practical
Design Exercise

Endorsement by Institute of Mexico
This Certificate Course is fully endorsed by the Permaculture Institute
of Mexico, and a students will be awarded their Permaculture Design
Certificate.



The People
Skye is internationally known as a creative, inspiring teacher, who
co-authored the "Manual for Teaching Permaculture Creatively": Having
taught a variety of Permaculture courses in Australia for over six
years, Skye came to Mexico to teach three years ago, and has found it
hard to leave the country since. Skye now lives in Mexico, is based at
Tamu, but spends much of his time travelling Mexico to teach those who
want to listen. In recent years Skye has taught in Mexico, USA,
Cuba, Japan, England, Germany, Kenya, South Africa and Australia.

Sergio Mamert - has lived and worked in Mexico for over 20 years. A
creative designer of jewelry, Sergio prefers to work outside and has
been an active and successful organic gardener for many years, both in
Chiapas and Michoacan. He is a skilled baker, and a herbalist. Sergio
is one of the early pioneers of self-reliant living and community
development in Mexico.

Jenny Cook - originally an environmental journalist, Jenny came to
Mexico over 11 years ago. In the state of Guanajuato she spent many
years working for local environment, ecology and community development
groups, and organized some of the early Permaculture courses in Mexico.
It is now very difficult to get Jenny out of her garden. . In
addition to these people of Tamu Tariaticha itself, a number of guest
teachers will be involved in parts of this course.

The Community
The community of Tamu Tariaticha (Purepetcha for the "four winds") was
originally purchased some twelve years ago. by a group of friends who
wished to live simply, on the land.

The Area
The center of the area of Patzcuaro is the lake of the same name. The
area is well known for its copper work and wood craftsmen. The lake was
the basis of large fishing industry, but this has now largely
collapsed. The area has a long history, the original culture of the
Purepetcha had their capitol at Tzintzuntzan (an hour from Tamu) and
still exert a strong influence in the area.

There are many fine markets in the area. And within reasonable driving
distance there are important attractions, of natural beauty, cultural
value or tourist interest. Patzcuaro is a small city and most personal
requirements can be easily obtained within the central business
district. Services such as film processing, photocopying, international
faxes etc are all readily accessible.

The climate is cool sub-tropical, with warm and wet summers and dry
cool winters (we do get many frosts over winter). During the course the
weather will most likely be reasonably warm with some rainy days. This
is the peak growing time of the year.

How to get here
The community of Tamu Tariaticha is situated twenty minutes from
Patzcuaro. From the International airport of Mexico City, it is
possible to get to Patzcuaro by direct coach, or via Morelia. It will
take approximately 6 hours for the trip. (Further details on how to
find us will be sent upon registration).

Registration
The fee of $1200US for the four weeks of the Design Cerificate Course
includes accommodation, food and field trip costs.

To ensure your place in this course, we require a deposit of minimum
of $200US. Please forward this as a check made out to "Skye",
alternatively you may deposit this money directly by electronic
transfer to the account of Skye, with the Bancomer Bank, Patzcuaro
Branch (# 465), account number 1004142-8. Please send your check (or
copy of bank deposit to the above account) along with a brief letter
giving your basic details, address, and anticipated arrival
arrangements.

For further information, or specific inquiries, please contact us
immediately.

--
Skye - Apdo # 391, Patzcuaro, Michoacan, CP. 61600 México.
fax (52) 01 (434) 24743
Profesor y diseñador en Permacultura
Director del Instituto de Permacultura de México A.C.
Talleres de desarrollo humano, planeación participativa y
economía comunitaria.





  • Extended Permaculture Course in Mexico, Skye, 06/28/1999

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