We feel that the richness of a really good training comes from three factors:
1. The wealth of resources made available to students before, during and after a training (handouts, presentation materials, links to videos, links to websites, recommended books, etc.).
2. The richness of the content, containing alive and relevant information along with a wide variety of exercises (some hands-on).
3. The skills, experience and passion of the instructors. 'Who a person is' speaks as loudly as 'the information they share'.
"The course was excellent. The heart of the materials felt honed and honest by the teachers. The experience was fun. I laughed a lot. I made some new friends. And I deepened my understanding of things. Thank You."
Ross G. - Indiana - Ph.D. Literary Professor and Poet (40)
"I loved all the technical and concrete information! Learning details about creating guilds, surveying a site, and how to make a graft were so valuable to me. I am really glad I came."
Anna V. - Chicago, IL - School Garden Coordinator (28)
"I had so much fun with my design team. I want to design more projects with them. The guild exercise and the A-Frame workshops were tremendous too."
Seth H. - Chicago, IL - Americorp Volunteer (28)
"Thank you so much. I really loved all of the real-life farmers that we met and to be able to learn directly from them."
Charity - Arkansas - Single mom. Starting her own small farm (30)
"This training is absolutely critical for all. A great experience."
Kelly C. - Ph.D. Prof. at Univ. of Wisconsin (52)
"I enjoyed the opportunity of working with, and listening to, people of such diverse backgrounds, cultures and experiences. And I really appreciated the generosity and skill with which potentially difficult situations and discussions were handled."
Laura B. - Rural IL - Home schooling mom of 10 and small farmer (48)
"I loved the intensity of the training and how it was woven into looking at our own personal inner being."
Mark P. - Chicago, IL - Architect, husband and father of 2 (34)
"I was super inspired by the comprehensive nature of the instruction, workshops and activities. They touched my mind, body and soul."
Heidi A. - California - NFP Director and Social Work (38)
" I loved this course. The knowledge I have gained has inspired me to get my hands dirty in permaculture."
Jesse T. - Small Town Illinois - Recent B.A. in Landscape Architect - (25)
"This course was extremely beneficial and absolutely reinforces my excitement and motivation to continue moving in this direction and doing this work."
Sara C. - Rural Wisconsin - Recent College Grad and new farmer (26)
"The course provided me a unique opportunity to learn and grow on many levels. It certainly was a 'Permaculture Course Intensive'! I loved it. And, we created community. Thank You."
Sharron M. - Rural Michigan - Late mom. Entrepreneur. New farmer (55)
Final Question on Evaluation Form:
"On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your overall course experience?" Average Rating from all Students:
9.7out of a possible 10
Graduates from Grass Valley, CA, PDC - November 2009
Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm
"I appreciated working on projects, all the information, the videos, the site visits with such variation, all of it. I was never bored."
Lorna P. - Joliet, IL - Retired (63)
"I could feel the love, compassion and passion Bill and Wayne have for people and earth - truly wonderful teaching by example."
Ingrid S. - Lincoln, NE - Dancer, Gardener, Mom - (40ish)
"Showed how permaculture is more than just gardening but a moral, ethical, spiritual lifestyle."
Steve K. - Los Angeles, CA - Contractor & Tai Chi Master (40)
"I learned more than I thought possible. The site visits were amazing. I loved our overall group. Great vibe and life changing teachers. Thank you."
Nate A. - Ann Arbor, MI - Non-Profit Administrator & Musician (33)
"Wayne and Bill, you were the most inspiring teachers I have ever had."
Ryan S. - Granville, OH - Organic Farm Certifier & Athlete - (28)
"The plant walks with Wayne were a highlight."
Andy T. - Grass Valley, CA - Yoga Farm Administrator - Past Engineer (32)
Final Question on Evaluation Form:
"On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your overall course experience?" Average Rating from all Students:
9.1out of a possible 10
Graduates from Stelle, IL, PDC - October 2009
"Incredible teachers and curriculum."
Heidi R. - Elkhart, IN - Beginning Farmer - (37)
"Wayne and Bill's teaching/communication styles are effective and complementary. Lots of great information shared through hands-on opportunities."
Linda H. - Grayslake, IL - Business Owner (50)
"I will always remember and cherish this experience. This course felt like the first big step in the right direction."
Angela S. - Harrisburg, IN - Corporate Sales Rep. (43)
"Bill and Wayne, you have a big vision... idealistic even... but are very grounded and practical in your approach to the application of it."
Esther S. - Fox Lake, IL - Retired (68)
"I loved drawing various elements of PC together and weaving them into the fabric of the future and community. Thank You."
David M. - Zion, MI - Non-Profit Director (59)
"I think the webinars were key to everyone bring ready to arrive at class, ready to work and gel as a group."
Julie K. - Tahlequah, OK - Small farm entrepreneur and mom (38)
"Interesting, varied, enthusiastic and exciting. Very warm and welcoming. Important information and inspiring discussions, even at meals. Liked the combo of Bill and Wayne's styles."
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"This was an eye opening experience. I am a better human being because of this week. I made some connections with people who may become life long friends."
Denise M. - Ava, IL - Horticulturist (43)
Final Question on Evaluation Form:
"On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your overall course experience?" Average Rating from all Students:
9.9out of a possible 10
Graduates from Madison, WI, PDC - August 2009
"This training exceeded my expectations. It was life changing. I see permaculture and all it embraces as the best hope for peace in the world."
David F. - Ann Arbor, MI - Musician (42)
"The price of the course is well worth it. The teachers work well together."
Noah W. - Madison, WI - College Student (20)
"This training far exceeded my expectations.
Would I recommend it to others? Heck ya!"
Brian K. - Heber City, UT - Landscape Designer and Contractor (31)
"This course was the best birthday gift I have ever considered for myself and the future."
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"I would definitely recommend this training to anyone interested in sustainable design."
Jim L. - Madison, WI
- College Professor (48)
"I would absolutely recommend this course. I am really glad I registered early. It gave me time to do the webinars, read the materials and try to apply permaculture design principles before the class."
Katie K. - Ann Arbor, MI - College Administrator (40)
"I thought the idea of the webinars before the training was excellent."
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"I wish every high school freshman could be offered the opportunity to take this training."
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"I think the awareness and outlook you brought to me about co-ops and community was one of the greatest things learned this week. I will live by these (permaculture) principles forever. I would 100% recommend this course."
Tyler L. - Madison, WI - Recent College Grad (23)
"Meeting and having access to someone as knowledgeable as Wayne (Weiseman) really gave me confidence. His teaching is very good."
Tony B. - Anoka, MN - Computer IT & Suburban Farmer - (36)
Final Question on Evaluation Form:
"On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your overall course experience?" Average Rating from all Students:
9.3out of a possible 10
Feedback long after the training is over...
We know that students leave an intensive training on a high so when we hear from them months or years later, it means much to us.
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Bill... Everything that I do, think, and feel seems to revolve around permaculture! I love it!
Sherry R. - Portland, OR. - Viola, WI Graduate - June 2007
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I am loving my permaculture work.
Lynne M. – Minneapolis, MN - Stelle, IL Graduate - Oct. 2006
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It's harvest time and there is no better time than that. Primarily i have let most all herbs go to seed this fall for collection in anticipation of next spring at the farm. I should be able to collect in seed and vines about $3000.00 worth for the big planting. Just from a city lot and that doesn't include eggs, honey, vegetables, 50 broilers, grapes (wine), hops(beer), some herbs other than seed and of course the usual bushels of tomatoes (I love those tomatoes), peppers, squash, well you get the picture and I will send some later if you would like. My next project is the solar water and PV system. I'll keep in touch.
Victor S. - Minneapolis, MN - Stelle, IL Graduate - Oct. 2006
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Hi Bill... It has been a wild year...not a year later and I'm co-managing a small CSA and market garden at an intentional community near Toronto, Ontario. It has been a very busy season with lots to learn but the grounding from the Permaculture course at Stelle set me off on the right footing ...especially the emphasis on relationships and community! I feel blessed to have had teachers like you and Wayne for this course. Adrienne L. - Ottawa, ON, Canada - Stelle, IL Graduate - Oct. 2007
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I've fallen in love with permaculture - all that heady energy, fireworks, and electricity is still going. Here's my little progress report.
Have been wandering around the neighborhood with a broom gathering big bags of leaves from the sidewalk. Driving to horse stables to shovel my station wagon full of manure - it gets very hot in there. Coming up with plans for the chicken coop and have planted more alpine strawberries amidst crimson clover. Trying to figure out how to direct the roof water into the yard and am fixing up the outdoor bath tub so that it will drain into a little rain garden. My husband and I are planning to host a neighborhood open house to talk with our neighbors about peak oil and permaculture - hoping to inspire our 'hood' to begin growing food and collaborating. Seems like the best approach to domestic security I can fathom.
Having a ball!
Elanne K. - San Francisco, CA - Grass Valley, CA Graduate - Nov. 2008
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