Established permaculture farm
Permaculture Apprentice
Welcome to the Permaculture apprenticeship program in Portugal. Join our Permaculture community and deepen your skills in community management, permaculture and off-grid living. Learn the skills to become a permaculture teacher, farm manager or gardener. Stay on at Keela with a paid job.
Permaculture Apprentice
You will live with us for at least three months. During your stay at Keela, you will assist with running the permaculture farm, permaculture courses, managing volunteers, and helping guests with their projects. You will also have a main task of helping run the vegetable gardens, garden, farm or forests. Depending on your interests or skills
Your pay will be based on your level of experience; however, wherever you are, full training will be given. You will lead a practical class and a theory class during the first PDC, and then expand what you teach in future PDCs.
You will be provided accommodation, food, education and expenses—opportunity to have employment at Keela if you stay after three months.
Download information Pack
Permaculture Design Course Portugal
About you
You want to become a permaculture teacher, farm manager, gardener or want to start your own permaculture farm or homestead
You want to live a healthy and sustainable life
Available to stay at Keela for at least 3 months
Can you arrange a visa for Portugal if needed
Able to self-organise
Able to take the lead in a group
Proactive
Able to work well as a team
Able to adapt to a changing environment
Able to handle long hours and lots of people during Permaculture Courses
You have completed a Permaculture Design Course or have experience that relates to gardening, farming or forestry work or are prepared to take a PDC at Keela
Strong and able to move around farm equipment, push wheelbarrows full of materials and lift 25kg bags of materials and feed if needed
2026 Date Options
Full apprenticeship
Start Date: 23rd March 2026
Finish Date: 22nd November 2026
Short apprenticeships (min 3 months)
2026 Start Dates: 25 May, 12 July, 23 Aug, 12 Oct
Permaculture apprenticeship portugal
What is included in this Permaculture Apprenticeship?
Assistance with your Permaculture Diploma projects
A small salary and bonuses based on performance
Accommodation
Coaching to become a teacher of certain permaculture topics
Community living on the land and within the local community
Responsibilities on the farm: either garden, animals, maintenance kitchen, marketing or community management
3 healthy meals per day
Calisthenic workout or yoga classes
Certificate in Applied Permaculture Design
We prefer that our apprentices are currently pursuing or wish to start the Diploma in Permaculture Design.
The Diploma is accredited by the Permaculture Association UK and requires the completion of ten permaculture designs using various frameworks.
To receive payment for the apprenticeship, you must complete two designs and have the Certificate in Applied Permaculture Design
You will have the opportunity to complete two designs for areas of our farmland within your first three months, after which you can implement these designs. Additionally, you will receive free technical tutoring from Laurence Manchee. If you have not yet started your diploma, we can recommend our in house tutor Tom Henfrey to assist you.
Apprentice area of responsibility options.
Video from our Summer 2023 PDC
Past Permaculture Apprentices
Case studies
Henri Hoffren
Co-Teacher
Henri from Finland, has had his homestead in Portugal for four years and joined the Keela Apprenticeship program in 2023. He has assisted in multiple PDCs, assisted with all aspects of the course, and led some practical and theory classes. He now will teach at most of our 2024 courses
CoHost and Teacher
Kevin joined us in January 2025 for a one-year residential apprenticeship. However after helping with 3 PDCs and completing a teacher, he became a co-teacher at our Permaculture Design Courses. Kevin also helped manage volunteers, co-taught natural building courses and managed our woodlands.
Co Host and Teacher
Xana from Portugal joined Keela apprenticeship program in 2024 and since then has been assisting with all aspects of the courses and the farm. She co-teaches on some courses and leads both practical and theory classes.
She now will teach at most of our 2024 courses
Assisting the teachers
We will usually have a new teaching apprentice on the farm who is learning how to become a permaculture teacher. Usually these are graduates of Keela´s Permaculture courses. Apprentices will assist the teachers with their classes and help manage the farm while Laurence is busy teaching.
Finance & travel information
Traveling to Keela Permaculture Farm
Keela is Based in the Village Mata Da Rainha near Fundao in Central Portugal
- Fly to either Lisbon or Porto Airport.
- Take a coach or Train to Fundao Station
- Arrive by group taxi from Fundao station to the farm
Breakdown of apprentership finances
- An apprentice will receive a small wage plus bonuses after each course that an apprentice assists with. This is not just a reward for your hard work, but also a recognition of your growth and development. Your pay will increase with your ability to lead, teach or manage, inspiring you to continue to develop your skills.
- If you have not completed a PDC and have relevant experience, you will need to join our PDC and specialist courses, which cost between €950 and €1700.
- If you have not completed your first two diploma designs you will need to pay for your diploma which costs €250
- While the program covers your food and essential needs, you’ll be responsible for other personal expenses such as nights and days out off the farm, toiletries, or snacks.
Permaculture apprenticeship portugal
What to expect?
Watch various videos about Keela Permaculture Farm on our youtube channel. Including a Natural Building Course, a tour of the farm, volunteering on the farm and many others
Making new life long friends
Being the healthiest you ever have been due to the healthy air, natural water and farm to table food
Learn new skills every day
Being on call all the time for volunteers and other guests
Free days off to explore the local area or relax on the farm
Be the fittest you have ever been due physical farm work and yoga and workout classes
3 healthy organic meals per day
Long and hard working days
What our past students have say
Google and Facebook Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Download information pack
For more information about the apprentice please download our information pack.
Apprentice application form
