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.
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!
Channa Abeygunawardene
Entrepreneur - Sri LankaEducation, OSU PDC Student, PDC StudentTaking this class has been a truly rewarding experience. You’ve been an exceptional [lecturer/mentor/advisor], and I can honestly say I haven’t encountered a more inspiring teacher. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Linda Danda Nash
Nurse Practitioner - Pennsylvania USAEducation, OSU PDC Student, PDC Student“The only thing I regret about my PDC experience at OSU is not enrolling in this course earlier. Had I enrolled in this class during my 2019 home purchase, I would have saved both money and time. I gained important knowledge and skills from this course, like water harvesting techniques and planting on slopes, that I wish I had known before. I also learned about regional challenges and how to incorporate features to mitigate these challenges like fire and flood. Although I had already integrated permaculture features in my garden like rain barrels and composting, the newfound knowledge made me more efficient and organized. For instance, the assignment on watershed and run off calculations highlighted the ineffectiveness of rain barrels on my property, resulting in my instructor suggesting the minimum use of an IBC tank instead.I received feedback from my classmates and Javan my instructor on all my assignments. He hosted biweekly zoom calls covering important components of assignments and professional aspects of Permaculture design. Whenever I find myself stuck, I submit my questions, which are answered on the recorded zoom meeting. The cross section assignment was challenging for me but Javan walked me through it during a one-to-one zoom call. Thanks to his expertise and video links, I can construct a Hugelkultur, draw cross sections even with my lack of drawing skills and improve the soil using the leaves on my property.I am thrilled to continue this journey and grateful for Javan’s incredible support throughout my OSU Permaculture design course experience. I can’t wait to start implementing my design and delving into topics such as soil building and water harvesting. “
Deanne Vincent
Business Developmen & Web Designer - Ottawa, CanadaEducation, General, OSU PDC Student, PDC StudentI chose to do the PDC course through Oregon State University because of the level of professionalism, expertise, and guidance that was offered. It’s an established program that has an abundance of resources to cover everything you need and more. I gained so much knowledge going through it because of how the course was set up; with the online material, office hours, and applicable design project. Having Javan as my course instructor was the best part of this course. The energy he brings to office hours, constructive feedback, and any engagement with students is one of a kind. His use of technology and depth of experience and knowledge really elevates the course and I couldn’t imagine anyone better to learn from. This course was a great mix of being welcoming and challenging you to further your growth in this field. The projects were exactly what you need to learn and well thought out to use moving forward for any other designs. I’m so grateful, thank you Javan and OSU PDC! I highly recommend this course to anyone interested in Permaculture — we need you. Know that what you put into it will be fruitfully returned!
Meera Rajesh
Social Worker - Karnataka, IndiaEducation, OSU PDC Student, PDC StudentThanks to Javan for guiding through the course. It was excellent learning experience, reviewing portfolios of other student it gave me an opportunity to learn other world ecosystems, climate, plants and other public policies.
Concept map designing was a piece of cake! It’s all because of kind of research the course made me to do in earlier assignments. Doing that, everything fell in its place without any hassles. Enjoyed the course as well as felt very challenging with most of assignments asking for ecological data, indigenous people in my country it’s not document properly and had to rely on primary data. Overall it turned out to be good. With this it does not stop i have further many other question which i need to dig into and learning is a never ending process. Finally i am doing this to serve for mother earth and children who are the future. Hopefully one day i will also have farm.
Ashley Paton
United States Postal Service Officer in Charge (OIC) - New York, USAEducation, OSU PDC Student, PDC StudentWow! I can’t believe that it’s over! I’m extremely grateful that I decided to take the leap toward this course because it taught me so many different things, as well as re-framed my thoughts when it came to landscape design. It has been refreshing to learn about permaculture and really challenge myself in terms of design. This is something that I will constantly learn about and grow with and evolve from, so I am very excited to start working on other projects and actually implement this design on our own property.
Thank you for the well thought out coursework and assistance throughout the last twenty weeks! It’s been amazing to hear your perspective and learn from you and I’ve extremely grateful for that.
Tinka Sjögren
Entrepreneur & Transformative coachEducation, Land Design, OSU PDC Student, PDC StudentThe gratitude I feel now is bigger than any word! I am happy that I took this course (even though English really troubled me)! I love all the insights I have had and knowledge I have gain during this year I have spent with this course. I am happy that I had a second chance to complete this with full focus!
I am pretty satisfied with my first design. I know that it is a first attempt and with this little knowledge and experience, I probably already would do things differently. You gave a good tip in last office hour: ask for help! This is a learning journey and by doing, observing nature, talking with the trees and people and asking help we get better.
Thank you Javan for your patience. kindness, helpful feedback and your wisdom! Thank you! I have loved this Journey so much and it has taught me in so many areas of life!