Anezka Sebek
New York, USA - Professor Emeritus, The New School Visiting Professor IIT GandhinagarOSU PDC Student, PDC StudentThis course is for all of us who love and care for the earth. If you are ready to dedicate time, energy, and focus on the 20 weeks that this course demands, this is an extraordinary investment. It will begin your journey as a permaculture designer if you have not already gotten your skills up as a landscape architect or farmer. For me, this was completely new territory. At times, I was seriously overwhelmed by the requirements. As I would tackle each assignment methodically I got over my state of overwhelm and learned from this journey of discovery. The attention that I got from Javan Bernakevitch was endlessly patient and kind. The materials contained in the course will take me another six months to fully navigate, explore and continue my permaculture education. The course is open to us for several years and I know that I will need to consult the resources many times as I practice what I learned. The learning in this course is not only on an information level. In this course we are required to become aware of the community of permaculture and regenerative agriculturists in our immediate environment. In this way, we are encouraged to broaden our understanding of the local ecology and permaculture and regenerative practices. 20 weeks ago, I faced a truly steep learning curve but with the helping, and encouraging input from our instructor and coach during the course, I now look forward to learning more.
Timothy Stewart
Project Manager - Memba, MozambiqueEducation, OSU PDC Student, PDC StudentI started my regenerative journey two years ago. I had also done an introductory course from Elaine Inghams soil food web, I had a keen interest in permaculture, but I have never taken a pdc before. I was developing tools for landscape restoration and design but I still didn’t have a toolbox in which to organise everything. I had heard that the OSU advanced PDC program was one of the most comprehensive with some of the best instructors in the world. It most certainly lived up to my expectations.I did not know I was going to be assigned to Javan as a teacher and serendipitously I had already encountered Javan’s work through some courses I had done through regenerative living and already knew Javan’s approaches to be deep and holistic.The course exceeded my expectations in ways I hadn’t anticipated. The bi-weekly meetings with the class and Javan, were invaluable in tying everything together. Javan’s input truly stands out and makes this course exceptional. Bringing together people from all over the world—each from unique climates, soils, weather patterns, cultures, and challenges specific to their ecotones—to share their approaches to creating a net positive impact on the biosphere was inspiring. Having someone with Javan’s depth of experience guide these discussions is priceless and highlights the true value of this course.
Ruben Anderson
Urban farmsteader - CanadaEducation, OSU PDC StudentThis was definitely time very well spent, this course is a great value for anybody who wants to build or deepen their relationship with the land.My family is moving to the land I grew up on, and in the mean time of moving limbo I took this course. This has been a fantastic way to learn more about the property. I have such a deeper foundation because the course structure forced me to cover all the bases rather than me just following my particular interests.
It also took a lot of pressure off family conversations, because it wasn’t threatening change—”It’s just for school”.The course has regular deadlines, alternating with live Q and A sessions. Javan was a huge resource in these sessions—ranging widely from connecting students to people working to coexist with elephant herds…right down to suggestions for my very arid site.A great deal of work has gone into producing resources for students. There are many short videos on each topic, and a template to provide a presentation framework. The template has page-by-page links to videos, spreadsheets, and further readings, and page-by-page examples of past work. I found this really elevated my work; I was learning and working at a higher level because I wasn’t spending time wondering what questions I should even be asking.
Highly recommended.
Nicolas Mejia
Data analytics consultant - ColumbiaEducation, OSU PDC StudentI recently completed the Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC Pro) online course provided by Oregon State University, led by instructor Javan Bernakevitch. The course focuses on permaculture design principles, offering a solid understanding of landscape and organism interactions. I discovered this course through one of Andrew Millison’s videos, which sparked my interest in permaculture. My goal was to better understand the landscape and its organisms to develop a site that aligns with its possibilities and my needs. The course was well-structured, with modules, assignments, and interactive sessions. Applying the concepts to my own project and receiving feedback from Javan and fellow students worldwide was valuable, and connecting with local permaculturists and other students enriched my experience.
This course provided a more structured understanding of permaculture concepts, boosting my confidence and creativity. The clarity of Andrew Millison’s videos and practical examples tailored to my tropical climate were especially helpful. Interactive elements like office hours and assignment feedback fostered engagement and deeper understanding. The course significantly impacted my personal and professional development. I now feel more confident in site analysis and design. I recommend the PDC Pro online course to anyone planning to buy land, new property owners, or long-term residents looking to integrate elements within their property creatively and holistically. Curiosity and a holistic approach to problem-solving are the only prerequisites.
Nicholas Howard
Songwriter and Music Producer - Sound/Recording/Mix Engineer - New York, USA“I was drawn to this course, most magnetically, by a land purchase we made after years of watching Andrew Millison and other YouTube permaculturists. I had a dream that I wanted to realize on this piece of land, and after an initial consultation by Millison and Neil Bertrando, I concluded that I had to know more and felt the only place that would teach me more would be the OSU curriculum built by my consultants and their colleagues.The curriculum is detailed, dense, thorough, and works you through a well organized path to a holistic destination. Along the journey, I had the honor of having Javan Bernakevitch as my instructor and he led us all with a patient and dedicated manner reserved for those that noticeably love what they do. His feedback was positive but also based in reality and you can tell he wants everyones “final” designs to be the best they possibly can be.I highly recommend this course for anyone interested in bringing Permaculture to their corner of the world.Thanks to Javan, Andrew and Neil, I am now dreaming in reality.”
Nathan Riva
Tower Rigger - Canada/EcuadorEducation, OSU PDC Student, PDC StudentThe Permaculture design course truly was worth every penny. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is seriously consideringdesigning a landscape whether big or small. I first started reading books about permaculture, and watching Andrew Millisons Youtube videos. His videos really resonated with me. His ability to explain things clearly and eloquently helped me get started and interested in learning the techniques and skills required to design a landscape. So, when I saw him advertising a six month long design course with Oregon State University, I jumped at the opportunity.I am working on a homestead in Ecuador, and was feeling overwhelmed with trying to design a permaculture site. The books and videos were a great introduction, however, the course really opened up the world of what it means to intelligently design something.Thanks to my great professor, Javan Bernakevitch, I was able to make the best of this six month long course. Javan was extremely helpful and insightful. The knowledge and experience Javan brought to the table was first rate! I feel very fortunate to have been one of his students. I know what I learned during this course will serve me for the rest of my life. Thanks Javan and Oregon State for the last half year. It was great!
Daniel DiVito
Marketing Consultant, Healthcare - New Jersey, USAOSU PDC StudentI was looking to escape corporate life; spend more time outside, with family, and be healthier. Through hobby gardening I was superficially introduced to permaculture and found OSU’s permaculture design certificate program through a google search.The experience has been life altering – I’ve learned that the lifestyle I want to live and the things I believe about how humans should interact with each other and their surroundings has a name, principles, ethics, and even a manual! The class content is interesting and inspiring. Javan’s feedback based on his vast experience is thoughtful and constructive. I entered the course thinking I’d need to buy a 10-acre farm to implement what I’d learn, and now upon completion I’m overwhelmed by the potential of my 1/4 acre urban plot. I recommend the OSU PDC to anyone who wants to learn how to live more harmoniously with nature.
Juan Fernando Restrepo
Garden and Irrigation designer - ColumbiaOSU PDC StudentPermaculture is the best method to analyze a place, taking into account the multi-dimensionality of the site and being able to understand its potential, analyzing its pros and cons, from a point of view with common sense and its relationship with others. Coming to an OSU permaculture course opens the door to finding the potential of the site as well as asking many useful lifelong questions. Thank you very much to the instructor Javan for his words and his effective way of communicating, seeking to enhance the positive side and broaden the horizons of the designs. A highly recommended course for all those who want to expand the world in a holistic way, learning from the designs of others and enhancing their own perception of space and oneself.
Vinay Kumar
Electronic Engineer - IndiaOSU PDC StudentCompleting the Permaculture Design Course at Oregon State University in the USA marked a pivotal turning point in my life. This course was not just a journey, it was a transformational experience that I am grateful for.The course presented its fair share of challenges, but the rewards were immeasurable. It gave me a deep understanding of the core principles of permaculture, which serve as a blueprint for crafting sustainable and resilient systems.
I dedicated substantial time and effort to mastering these principles through hands-on assignments. These assignments were not just tasks but opportunities for growth and learning. They allowed me to explore and apply the intricate nuances of permaculture in practical scenarios.
One of the highlights of this course was the chance to review my peers’ permaculture projects. This collaborative learning process was nothing short of fantastic. It broadened my perspective and instilled a sense of community and shared purpose.
Coming from a background in Electronics, this course was a paradigm shift for me. It broadened my horizons and deepened my appreciation for sustainable living and design. It provided me with a new lens through which to view the world.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Andrew Millison and the dedicated staff at Oregon State University for curating this life-altering experience. Additionally, I want to offer a special thanks to Javan K. Bernakevitch for his invaluable assignment reviews, constructive feedback, and unwavering support throughout the course.
In retrospect, I can confidently say that this Permaculture Design Course was nothing short of life-changing. I consider myself fortunate to have embarked on this journey, and I’m deeply appreciative of the profound impact it has had on me. I wholeheartedly endorse the Permaculture Design Course at Oregon State University to anyone seeking to explore permaculture or to build a more sustainable and resilient life. It’s an opportunity not to be missed.
Thanking you,