If you can afford it, permaculture design certification courses and other expensive trainings are a terrific way to get grounded in the basics of permaculture. (See Trainings for upcoming events, workshops, and other educational opportunities.) This page is for folks who may not have access to such opportunities, or who are simply determined to learn permaculture for free. It can be done!

PERMACULTURE RESOURCES
-The Ethics and Principles of Permaculture – By David Holmgren; transcription from design course held at Tir Penrhos Isaf in Wales.

-The Essense of Permaculture – By David Holmgren – An extract from Permaculture: Principles and Pathways To Sustainability. Holmgren, the co-creator of permaculture, provides a nice summary of the ethics and principles behind permaculture design.

-Collected Writings of David Holmgren 1978-2000 – A collection of twenty-seven magazine articles, conference papers, public lectures, book reviews, and other works by David Holmgren, co-creator of permaculture. Holmgren has made these PDF’s available on the web as screen-readable only. A CD version is for-sale, which allows full access including print as well as permission to copy and use for workshops.

-Permaculture: A Beginner’s Guide – By Graham Burnett This 60-page booklet is a permaculture-for-dummies style primer with lively illustration, covering permaculture ethics and principles. A nice learning tool to capture the essence of permaculture in a nutshell.

-Introduction to Permaculture: Concepts and Resources

A Permaculture Primer By Dan Earle and Sue Hutchins

RECOMMENDED READING
Permaculture: A Designer’s Manual by Bill Mollison

TRAININGS