What kind of people 

do a practical course 
by correspondence?

Students and Graduates Worldwide -  in over 30 countries! 
(Africa, Argentina, Australia - every state, Brazil, Bermuda, Canada- BC,ON, Croatia, France, Finland, Hong Kong, Holland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jerusalem, Jordan, Japan, NZ, Malaysia, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of South Africa, Portugal, Qatar, Spain, Thailand, Tonga, UK, USA. -Alaska, CA, FL, KS, HA, IA, IL, IN, TN, MT, NM, OR, PA, SD, TX,VT, WA,WI,) 

Back in 1994 we identified a real need for  PDC by Distance (Correspondence) learning. Now we have students and graduates in over 30 countries, are providing scholarships, and helping build sustainable communities and healthier lifestyles. 

This course is designed for people who like to ask questions; who want to know how things work and need time to experiment; and set out on their own knowing that they have support and feedback from others experienced in permaculture. The course grows every week with new ideas and information, our ultimate goal is to produce a very approachable computer package. We provide far more information than could be discussed in a standard face-to-face course and we aim to always keep the notes easy to read and quick to access.  
We also have flexibility in the course that helps people tailor it to their current needs and situation.

Permaculture is complex but a common sense approach to responsible living.  To have access to a comprehensive text, other peoples experience, ideas and research and a personal and caring tutor is a special and very satisfying way to learn.

Who joins up?

• Some participants are students at a University lead by a team leader who is usually their lecturer some are research students doing higher degrees.  Other participants are at home with a young family and wanting to set up a healthy lifestyle.
• People who want to learn at their own pace - they still need to be very well motivated! Some of our students are working long hours, some have young children needing unscheduled attention.
• People who approach permaculture in a unique manner, some of our students have social reasons for preferring to work through permaculture their own way. Others have a strong network of friends and even a local Permaculture group, but want fresh input and access to our large information bank.
• People who are isolated physically - we have students in remote parts of the world as well as people only a few streets away. People who have work and family comittments.
• People who like to read and question what they learn, to form their own understanding.

Who graduates?

Not everyone graduates and some people take longer than planned to finish but there are no extra charges or cut off dates.  We are patient and supportive. The teaching standard is vital to the success of our project and to the name of permaculture in general, we have to assure students and other teachers that our students "know their stuff".  Our teaching project is very unique even in the broader education community e-learning is considered 'new'.  We teach people in  remote (socially or physically) and often in difficult circumstances.  For more than a decade are teaching project has listened to the student's needs.  This has resulted in having a unique policy not to stress students by setting exams times or dead lines.  We have found many other means to help them achieve their goals.  There ultimate goal is to find a sustainable world future and live a healthy interesting life.  Their goals have become our goals.

Our graduates have an extremely high success rate as designers and are well respected in the permaculture community.

TESTIMONIALS: Greetings, Bob Ewing here in Saint John New Brunswick, Canada, I took April Samson-Kelly's online course and received my certification in 2000. This is and was an excellent course and has made a major diference in my life and work. Bob Ewing 
We started in 1993 and now have students and graduates in over 30 countries! We are honoured by the commitment, high standard and ease in which our students have become permaculture designers, teachers and leaders. We are very proud of them.

© Leisure Coast Permaculture Visions For more information, e-mail us at