testimonial

I came to know Javan and the work he does, through Darren Doherty and his online training REX. Six months down REX’s program, I separated from whom was then my partner, and the land project were starting suddenly stopped.

After almost a year I contacted Javan to help me looking at the bigger picture, put myself on the spot and help me making the questions, I was not daring to ask myself (about my current situation or what I really wanted from life), or probably didn’t even know existed.

Making your own Holistic Context is part of Rex’s program, so I was a bit familiar with it and had done some work on it. However, it was very important to follow Javan’s steps and guidance to go deeper into creating my Holistic Context and learning about decision making. I felt Javan was always there on the other side of the line, answering all my doubts and offering extra time for completing my homework. So as I guess is quite common at first, my initial HCs were quite loaded, way too long and quite influenced by the examples I had as reference and inspiration.

For our penultimate session Javan asked me to do a viability analysis of potential land-based enterprises. The research I made and the numbers I clarified, left it quite clear that it was not possible for me to make a living from the land in my personal circumstances and context. It was a big blow to my plans and the energy I had already invested on the land. I then followed his advice to go back to my HC and do another editing.

Feeling desperate made me go into surviving mode and this helped me to distil the HC to be more realistic and stay with what is essential and true to myself. At the same time, I came to realize what I want to do for living, and when I went back to my newly edited HC, realized what I want to do is completely in line with my values. I felt it was good timing for me to have my HC edited by the time my previous plan kind of stuttered. I felt I had a structure upon which I can rest and keep  perspective going forward.

This work with Javan has been very important. I feel very fortunate I came across his path. I hope to find work of my own that helps people as much as he helped me. I think it’s a work that has the potential to benefit us all especially these days and the state of the world

It’s amazing to have gone from feeling absolutely lost in life to how I feel now, I’m excited for what’s next.

Thank you so much.

I really enjoyed your presentation on Keyline theory and design at the Ecological Farmer’s Association of Ontario conference.  It was the clearest and most comprehensible explanation of keyline that I have experienced. It is a concept I’ve read about and also heard a presentation or two on  it over the years.  With your use of the marker it was an “on Hands” demonstration of how keyline design works and provided a 3 dimensional explanation.  Thank you!

When I started working with Javan I was looking for help to become better at planning and organizing my life, and striking a better work/life balance. I have learned so much about myself through this process. I now have a better understanding of what my priorities are, and more realistic expectations of myself. I feel lighter, more relaxed, and if I lose track I know I have the tools to help me get moving again.

This was the perfect timing and opportunity for me to take the OSU PDC because it was online and I had to make a design for my new site. I have learned so much about everything! I though I knew it all, but I realized I didn’t. I observe differently and I see a lot of opportunities now that I never saw before; my brains just works different and I love it!

Your feedback helped me to get a better understanding and you start with a compliment which is really nice if you expect the worse. The reading, lecture and video’s were good and gave a lot of information. Thank you so much Javan. I realize that this was just the beginning; I already changed my plan every day and I’m already feel an urge to do the next permaculture-isch course.

Just had a chance to watch your doc over coffee and color me impressed! It is beautifully shot, full of compelling characters and brims with such smart information and ideas. Love the line that we need to change ‘the climate between our ears!’

I think it should be mandatory viewing for every homeowners association meeting in the American West.

I wouldn’t be where I am today without Javan’s help; without prioritizing, focus (which I didn’t have before), having someone to regularly be there to check in with, talk to and hold me accountable. Now I’m able to focus on my career goals, closely aligned with my values, and I realize how powerful this is. Now I know what questions to ask, to both myself and others. It’s helped enormously, more than I could have ever imagined. The momentum has gathered and people are showing up again and again to accompany me on my journey and work with me. It was such an honour to work with Javan, to benefit from his experience and his razor-sharp way of diagnosing and cutting straight into the issues.  I’m extremely grateful for this work and it’s been incredibly valuable. Thank you again, Javan, for all of your help!

The Facing Fire documentary was enlightening, heartfelt & highly educational.  For the first time, I finally heard a sound and readily available solution for the dangerous wildfires that have been plaguing our forests for years.  Most importantly, Javan offers us as the viewer an opportunity to change our relationship with fire from a fearing one to a collaborative one.

In this documentary he interviews some of the Native American Indians and invites us as a society to draw upon their ancient wisdom and embrace their unique perspective.  The perspective of bringing controlled and conscious small fires into our local communities all over the world guided by ancient wisdom.  I am deeply inspired by Javan’s mission and since I work with children and families my first thought is to bring this documentary to the younger generation and show this in every classroom all over the world.

The Oregon State University Permaculture Design Course is an expertly organized course of instruction that appropriately leverages an online learning environment, and along with dedicated and professional instructors, conveys an important body of knowledge in a relatively short period of time. The course materials (videos, text, and supplementary content) coupled with the weekly assignments allows students to quickly put concepts into practice. Doing peer reviews in large groups exposes you to your classmates, a variety of locations, and varying methods for implementing the course content. Peer reviews add an additional dimension to learning the course material while allowing you the space to make your personal journey. I took the OSU Permaculture Design Course to improve my family’s access to food which is frequently impacted by natural disasters. I left the course with the tools I need to be successful in designing my own site, but I also gained a deeper appreciation of nature as well as curiosity that will push me to seek additional knowledge. I emphatically recommend this course to anyone who is interested in Permaculture, desires to gain a better understanding of the natural world or is simply interested in being more involved with their food.