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 teacher and possibly stay on at Keela with a paid job.
Permaculture Apprentice
You will either live with us for at least three months or just join us to assist with our Permaculture courses. During your stay at Keela, you will assist with running the permaculture farm and the permaculture courses, managing volunteers, and helping guests with their projects.
You will volunteer with us and help us run the first three permaculture design courses. You will lead a practical class and one theory class on the first PDC and then increase what you teach over future PDCs. If you decide to continue with us after three PDCs, you will receive some pay.
Permaculture Design Course Portugal
About you
You want to become a permaculture teacher, farm manager or start your own permaculture farm
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
Strong and able to move around farm equipment, push wheelbarrows full of materials and lift 25kg bags of materials and feed if needed
Start Date Options
24th March 2025
12th May 2025
7th July 2025
15th September 2025
5th November 2025
Permaculture apprenticeship portugal
What is included in this Permaculture Apprenticeship?
Attend and assist 3 Keela Permaculture Farm PDCs and receive a certificate worth €950
Assistance with your Permaculture Diploma projects
Accommodation in a caravan if you do not have a campervan
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 organic meals per day
Daily 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 after three months of 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
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
- For the first three PDCs, you will have the unique opportunity to participate in a work exchange apprenticeship. This is a special arrangement where you will work on the farm in exchange for invaluable learning and experience in leading and teaching.
- 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.
- After three PDCs and two diploma projects, you will receive pay. 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 reach new heights in your career.
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 daily yoga and workout classes
3 healthy organic meals per day
Daily calisthenic workout or yoga classes
What our past students have say
Google and Facebook Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Apprentice application form
