The Permaculture Design course Portugal is certified by the Permaculture Association with the only Permaculture Diploma tutor in Portugal. You will cover the standard 72 hour PDC syllabus, receive a certified PDC certificate and have the opportunity to join the Food Forest, Agroforestry and Natural Building courses that follow.

You will experience living off-grid in a community setting. You will see a working permaculture farm with food forests, agroforest, many working examples of permaculture systems, sheep, pigs, chickens and enjoy yoga and meditation classes.

Taught by Tom Henfrey and Keela founders Kimberly and Laurence Manchee. Keela’s courses have a practical focus as are hosted on a busy working Permaculture farm with many established permaculture systems.

The Keela Yoga Farm Permaculture Design course Portugal combines the standard PDC curriculum with hands-on experience of life at a working permaculture farm. You can take it alone, or in combination with the courses on food forests and natural buildings in the weeks immediately following for month-long intensive training in practical sustainability.

As well as learning about permaculture philosophy, its ecological foundations, design methodologies, and real-world applications, you’ll get your hands dirty in the vegetable gardens, composting systems, food forests, silvopasture, and appropriate technology systems, and managed woodlands on an established 18-hectare site.This course will suit you if you are thinking of applying permaculture in your own life, by setting up or joining your own land-based project. It also works well for people seeking ideas, skills and inspiration to embark on a more fulfilling path in life and make positive contributions to the state of the world. Certified by the Permaculture Association (Britain), it offers a foundation to further your permaculture journey via the Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design or other advanced training.

What is included in this PDC?

• The standard 72 hour PDC syllabus and you will receive a PDC certificate
• Two theory classes every day
• Two practical sessions every day
• Homesteading workshop
• Offgrid living workshops
• Events with the local community and eco markets
• 3 healthy organic meals per day – a chef cooks lunch and dinner. Students cook on rotation on weekends and breakfast
• 1 Yoga or Meditation class each day
• A trip to another farm for a help day

Watch a video of a one-month permaculture internship from Keela Yoga Farm

Tom Henfrey – Certifed PDC teacher

Tom is a co-teacher at Keela Yoga Farm’s Permaculture Design Courses. He is the only certified Permaculture Diploma tutor in Portugal. He is an author of various permaculture and ecology books and has 20 years of experience in Permaculture and Ecology. Tom co-taught his first PDC at Keela Yoga Farm in March 2022 and it was an absolute success, please do join for the next PDC. He brings huge value to Keela Yoga Farm’s courses as a co-teacher. Read more about Tom Henfrey

Laurence Manchee – Co PDC teacher

Co-founder of Keela Yoga Farm. He is on the board of the WOOF Portugal Association, an author in Permaculture Magzine and leads Agroforestry courses and Permaculture Internships. Laurence has built many Natural Building houses, and permaculture systems and managed an 18-hectare reforestation and agroforestry project with animals integrated, including Sheep, Pigs and Chickens. He will be your lead teacher for permaculture systems, agroforestry and practical farm work.

Kimberly Manchee – Yoga teacher

Kimberly Manchee is the co-founder of Keela Yoga Farm. She is the farm and kitchen manager and resident Yoga teacher. Kimberly teaches workshops on Reiki, food fermentation and preserving, makes cheese, connects the fresh farm food to the kitchen, runs yoga retreats, teaches local yoga classes and looks after the farm animals. Have a read for more information on Kimberly Manchee.

Full 4-week Permaculture, Food Forest & Natural Building course 2022

Join us for 4 weeks to learn about all aspects of permaculture, growing food and natural building. Experience living off-grid in nature, eating healthy food, yoga classes and weekends to explore the local area or enjoy nature. Suitable for those with no experience or with a lot of experience. Ideal for someone who would like to start their own project one day.

• 19th – 2nd October 2022 – Permaculture Design Course
• 3rd – 9th October 2022 – Food Forest & Agroforestry Course 
• 10th – 16th October – Natural Building Course. We have many natural building examples but you will also get to build one.

Continued Learning

PDC holders may opt to study for a Permaculture Diploma by joining this or future PDCs as a Permaculture Apprentice to work towards your Permaculture Diploma in applied permaculture. This will be with Thomas Henfrey only certified Permaculture Diploma teacher in Portugal.

Cost for Permaculture Design Course Portugal

• EUR 50 non-refundable deposit per course to confirm your place
• The rest is payable on arrival:
  • €650 Permaculture Design Course
    • + €35 for a PDC certificate from the Permaculture Association  (PA) and 1-year membership to PA
  • €350 Food Forest Course
  • €350 Natural Building Course
• Bring your own tent for free or book a tipi or caravan (€80 for a tent or €150 for a caravan)