permaculture

[Paul Cereghino <paul.cereghino@comcast.net>]

Hi folks,

What are your thoughts on the current status of 'Permaculture' as an 
international brand?  Who can use permaculture to refer to a 
professional practice?  Who can use permaculture to brand a non-profit 
project or a site?  Im not a big fan of copyrights, but am a firm 
believer in courtesy to elders.

In a similar vein... what would you recommend for "sanctioned 
permaculture training" in the US, but who has advanced degrees in 
vegetation ecology, and years of practical experience in design, and has 
been studying permaculture source material for the last 15 years!  Most 
courses appear to spend days providing introductions to topics that I 
have taught.

I am not saying that I wouldn't benefit greatly from a PDC AND enjoy it, 
but I am feeling that I should take my sparse time and resources and 
train with a plumber, or a welder, or an electrician more than with a 
'permculture' trainer - but am interested in advancing the permaculture 
'brand' in my practice and professional life.

Hopefully I have provoked and interesting coversation.. ;)

Paul Cereghino
Olympia, WA