PDC Internship
We have replaced our popular PDC Internship program with a Permaculture Apprenticeship. It is similar to the internship although a certificate is not issued at the end of it. The learnings are much the same.
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The Facts
Kaitiaki Farm is a 5.1 hectare (13 acre) property located 2 km outside Whanganui, New Zealand. We operate as a mixed-use operation leveraging niche markets for annual crops, perennial crops, nursery trees and animals. Our primary interests lie in holistic land management, regenerative agriculture, eco design, appropriate technology, renewable energy and human-scale solutions, as well as home building and renovation. We've had dozens of learners from all over the world come for eight to twelve weeks of hands-on learning. Each season brings different chores and projects. The usual schedule of work on the farm is 4 hours for 5 days with 2 days off, although this can vary as conditions require. The living arrangement is familial - you are truly a part of our family while you are here with us (and for ever after!). We dine every evening as a family and our energetic children are a large part of family life. There are a number of bespoke sleep outs that serve as accommodation. |
The Curriculum
The apprenticeship can be described as a conversational permaculture course. Daily chores and season projects embody the permaculture design principles and sustainable living skills. We spend a lot of time teaching and talking. This slows down our work but makes the experience what it is – an endless series of ‘teachable moments’. This type of learning experience is extremely rare anywhere in the world and would not come from a book or standard PDC course. That said, we have a huge library of books and lots of connections locally and nationwide of practicing permaculturists. Kaitiaki Farm and it’s holistic management strategy provide inspiration and motivation to immerse oneself in a living four dimensional permaculture design. |
