permaculture

[Claudia Joseph <permie@earthlink.net>]

Sorry about the misfire.  My close command is right next to send, ARGHH!

I have been following the curriculum conversation with interest.
Assessing value seems to naturally follow fee based courses.  When I 
give the information away for free I don't feel any constraints.

I am often surprised that people seem to choose courses 
idiosyncratically.  Convenience, affordability and recreational value 
can all figure in.

It seems that teacher certification would be the way to safeguard the 
course format - but who wants to do all that work? Perhaps a central 
web site could post bios or some form of peer review.  It's all 
subjective but a work history would provide some information to 
potential students.  Years of commitment to practice and site 
development are tangible factors.

Regular academic institutions are valued for increasing earning 
potential and creating social pecking order.

Is there a hierarchy in permaculture too?   Many favor anarchy but 
self-organization seems to be occurring.

The fact that anyone who pays for a course (mostly) gets a certificate 
tends to nullify giving a single certificate much weight. The work one 
does speaks for itself - when people know about it.  Disclosure is 
central to integrity.


There are  brilliant and not-so-good practitioners, as in most fields.  
And, there are many people using the word who are not certified. What 
to do about that?  If teaching standards are high the word continues to 
be useful. Poor interpretation dulls its brilliance.

Lastly, there is a community college in Oakland that offers a 
certificate for $25 a unit.  They have an eco-house and student farm on 
campus.  It is probably the most affordable program in the US and I 
don't think Chris Shein (who runs it and presents the standard 
material) is even talking with anyone on this list.  Possibilities are 
endless. Controls are difficult. I think providing prospective students 
with some nationally formulated information could be of benefit. Again, 
who can do THAT work?

A happy spring to all.

Respectfully,
Claudia Joseph
Brooklyn, NY


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