Program Overview

This certificate program provides training for participants who are seeking to create and design regenerative food and medicine systems within resilient communities.  It is comprised of robust curriculum in permaculture design, including basic Permaculture training alongside courses in energy systems, soil science, ecological restoration, and winter gardening. Students work with organizations in the community requiring design assistance to create real-world permaculture designs. Classroom-based lectures and theory are paired with hands-on experiential learning.

Learning Sites

This program is offered primarily at the college’s two herb farms: Ravenhill Herb Farm and Tiny Tree Herb Farm. These farms are located on the beautiful and fertile Saanich Peninsula, about 25 minutes north of our downtown campus. Ravenhill Herb Farm is a locally-run farm overlooking the Saanich Inlet of the Salish Sea. This 10-acre west coast oasis grows food, medicinal herbs, and culinary herbs, all organically, for the community and is dedicated to sharing knowledge of sustainable living and permaculture practices. The farm also is home to many happy animals including goats, livestock guardian dogs, and chickens. Tiny Tree Herb Farm is located near the coastal community of Brentwood Bay overlooking the Malahat. This 6-acre farm organically grows a variety of food, along with medicinal and culinary herbs, trees and mushrooms. The rich soil, spring-fed water and ample sun exposure makes it a beautiful place to grow.