Keela Permaculture Farm

Permaculture Design Course Portugal

Permaculture Design Certificate More Info

Thank you, please find more information about or Permaculture Design Course here. It is a big course with a lot happening so there is a lot of info here. So we will also send this info to you by email in chunks.

We would lobe to help you on your permaculture journye, what would help us if you could reply to one of our emails letyting us know what you wsant to get out of a pdc, why you want to it and if you have any questions.

Choose your course

Practical Classes

You won’t just see land regeneration, vegetable gardens, and natural building in action — you’ll be part of them. Every day includes a 2.5-hour practical session in a different area of the farm, and it’s usually what guests love most: hands in the soil, tools in hand, learning by doing. Every practical connects to the next: you make the compost that feeds the garden, grow the food you’ll cook, harvest the firewood for your shower, chip wood for the agroforest, prune trees for reforestation, and cut timber for natural building. Nothing here is separate — it’s all one system, and you’re inside it.

Every practical connects to the next: you make the compost that feeds the garden, grow the food you'll cook, harvest the firewood for your shower, chip wood for the agroforest, prune trees for reforestation, and cut timber for natural building. Nothing here is separate — it's all one system, and you're inside it.
Every practical connects to the next: you make the compost that feeds the garden, grow the food you'll cook, harvest the firewood for your shower, chip wood for the agroforest, prune trees for reforestation, and cut timber for natural building. Nothing here is separate — it's all one system, and you're inside it.
After a theory session on compost methods you can use at home, get hands-on with at least two compost systems here at Keela — building or maintaining compost for next season. It's a genuine full circle: every PDC group makes the compost that grows food for the group after them.
After a theory session on compost methods you can use at home, get hands-on with at least two compost systems here at Keela — building or maintaining compost for next season. It's a genuine full circle: every PDC group makes the compost that grows food for the group after them.
Everyone makes their own ferment — our way of preserving excess veg for the off-season. Each day you'll eat ferments made by the PDC group before you, then make a batch for the one after. A tasty kind of continuity.
Everyone makes their own ferment — our way of preserving excess veg for the off-season. Each day you'll eat ferments made by the PDC group before you, then make a batch for the one after. A tasty kind of continuity.
Walk through and work in three different forestry and reforestation systems, using a range of tools to maintain the forest. You'll harvest woodchips for garden mulch and biochar, firewood for the outdoor shower, and timber for natural building — all from the same trees you're helping care for.
Walk through and work in three different forestry and reforestation systems, using a range of tools to maintain the forest. You'll harvest woodchips for garden mulch and biochar, firewood for the outdoor shower, and timber for natural building — all from the same trees you're helping care for.
Help plant and maintain the vegetable gardens that feed you during your stay. There's nothing quite like eating the food you're learning to grow — and often, the veg you plant will be harvested by the next PDC group.
Help plant and maintain the vegetable gardens that feed you during your stay. There's nothing quite like eating the food you're learning to grow — and often, the veg you plant will be harvested by the next PDC group.
Study — and actually live in — natural buildings built by past guests. Then try a method yourself, whether that's dry stone walling or building with clay. The best kind of proof that it works.
Study — and actually live in — natural buildings built by past guests. Then try a method yourself, whether that's dry stone walling or building with clay. The best kind of proof that it works.
Learn to multiply plants through seed, cuttings, layering, and division. You'll explore several methods and try a few hands-on — a skill that can genuinely save you money by growing your own plants at home from here on.
Learn to multiply plants through seed, cuttings, layering, and division. You'll explore several methods and try a few hands-on — a skill that can genuinely save you money by growing your own plants at home from here on.
Learn to turn simple, natural ingredients into your own soap from scratch. You'll work through the process hands-on — from mixing to molding — and leave with bars you made yourself, plus a skill you can easily take home and keep using
Learn to turn simple, natural ingredients into your own soap from scratch. You'll work through the process hands-on — from mixing to molding — and leave with bars you made yourself, plus a skill you can easily take home and keep using
We'll walk you through every tool you'll use on the farm and during your PDC, including how to sharpen kitchen knives and garden tools. You'll prep and sharpen the tools you'll rely on throughout the course — a small skill with a big payoff.
We'll walk you through every tool you'll use on the farm and during your PDC, including how to sharpen kitchen knives and garden tools. You'll prep and sharpen the tools you'll rely on throughout the course — a small skill with a big payoff.
Learn to use different pruning tools, then get hands-on — pruning small trees solo and larger ones as a group. Guests consistently name this a favourite: there's something powerful about connecting with a tree and shaping how it grows. These are reforestation trees, so your work leaves a lasting mark.
Learn to use different pruning tools, then get hands-on — pruning small trees solo and larger ones as a group. Guests consistently name this a favourite: there's something powerful about connecting with a tree and shaping how it grows. These are reforestation trees, so your work leaves a lasting mark.

Permaculture Design Course Schedule

All our PDCs are followed by a one week specialist course. Either Advanced Permaculture Design, food forest course or a natural building course. Join the PDC, Food Forest or Natural Building course alone or stay for both.

Below you can find the schedule for some of our recent PDCs to get an idea of what it will be like. Our schedules vary on every PDC, as some things are seasonal or dependent on which teachers are available for specialist workshops, or which co-teacher Laurence will bring in.

Permaculture Design Course Schedule June 2026
Permaculture Design Certificate Schedule April 2026
Permaculture Program November 2025
Permaculture Course Schedule September 2025

Daily Pattern

You won’t just see land regeneration, vegetable gardens, and natural building in action — you’ll be part of them. Every day includes a 2.5-hour practical session in a different area of the farm, and it’s usually what guests love most: hands in the soil, tools in hand, learning by doing. Every practical connects to the next: you make the compost that feeds the garden, grow the food you’ll cook, harvest the firewood for your shower, chip wood for the agroforest, prune trees for reforestation, and cut timber for natural building. Nothing here is separate — it’s all one system, and you’re inside it.

Practical Classes

Every practical connects to the next: you make the compost that feeds the garden, grow the food you'll cook, harvest the firewood for your shower, chip wood for the agroforest, prune trees for reforestation, and cut timber for natural building. Nothing here is separate — it's all one system, and you're inside it.
Every practical connects to the next: you make the compost that feeds the garden, grow the food you'll cook, harvest the firewood for your shower, chip wood for the agroforest, prune trees for reforestation, and cut timber for natural building. Nothing here is separate — it's all one system, and you're inside it.
After a theory session on compost methods you can use at home, get hands-on with at least two compost systems here at Keela — building or maintaining compost for next season. It's a genuine full circle: every PDC group makes the compost that grows food for the group after them.
After a theory session on compost methods you can use at home, get hands-on with at least two compost systems here at Keela — building or maintaining compost for next season. It's a genuine full circle: every PDC group makes the compost that grows food for the group after them.
Everyone makes their own ferment — our way of preserving excess veg for the off-season. Each day you'll eat ferments made by the PDC group before you, then make a batch for the one after. A tasty kind of continuity.
Everyone makes their own ferment — our way of preserving excess veg for the off-season. Each day you'll eat ferments made by the PDC group before you, then make a batch for the one after. A tasty kind of continuity.
Walk through and work in three different forestry and reforestation systems, using a range of tools to maintain the forest. You'll harvest woodchips for garden mulch and biochar, firewood for the outdoor shower, and timber for natural building — all from the same trees you're helping care for.
Walk through and work in three different forestry and reforestation systems, using a range of tools to maintain the forest. You'll harvest woodchips for garden mulch and biochar, firewood for the outdoor shower, and timber for natural building — all from the same trees you're helping care for.
Help plant and maintain the vegetable gardens that feed you during your stay. There's nothing quite like eating the food you're learning to grow — and often, the veg you plant will be harvested by the next PDC group.
Help plant and maintain the vegetable gardens that feed you during your stay. There's nothing quite like eating the food you're learning to grow — and often, the veg you plant will be harvested by the next PDC group.
Study — and actually live in — natural buildings built by past guests. Then try a method yourself, whether that's dry stone walling or building with clay. The best kind of proof that it works.
Study — and actually live in — natural buildings built by past guests. Then try a method yourself, whether that's dry stone walling or building with clay. The best kind of proof that it works.
Learn to multiply plants through seed, cuttings, layering, and division. You'll explore several methods and try a few hands-on — a skill that can genuinely save you money by growing your own plants at home from here on.
Learn to multiply plants through seed, cuttings, layering, and division. You'll explore several methods and try a few hands-on — a skill that can genuinely save you money by growing your own plants at home from here on.
Learn to turn simple, natural ingredients into your own soap from scratch. You'll work through the process hands-on — from mixing to molding — and leave with bars you made yourself, plus a skill you can easily take home and keep using
Learn to turn simple, natural ingredients into your own soap from scratch. You'll work through the process hands-on — from mixing to molding — and leave with bars you made yourself, plus a skill you can easily take home and keep using
We'll walk you through every tool you'll use on the farm and during your PDC, including how to sharpen kitchen knives and garden tools. You'll prep and sharpen the tools you'll rely on throughout the course — a small skill with a big payoff.
We'll walk you through every tool you'll use on the farm and during your PDC, including how to sharpen kitchen knives and garden tools. You'll prep and sharpen the tools you'll rely on throughout the course — a small skill with a big payoff.
Learn to use different pruning tools, then get hands-on — pruning small trees solo and larger ones as a group. Guests consistently name this a favourite: there's something powerful about connecting with a tree and shaping how it grows. These are reforestation trees, so your work leaves a lasting mark.
Learn to use different pruning tools, then get hands-on — pruning small trees solo and larger ones as a group. Guests consistently name this a favourite: there's something powerful about connecting with a tree and shaping how it grows. These are reforestation trees, so your work leaves a lasting mark.
This course is certified by the Permaculture Association UK

June PDC Portugal :   September PDC Portugal : November PDC Portugal

Video from our Summer 2023 PDC

Permaculture Design Course Portugal

Your Permaculture Design Course Lead Teacher

Laurence Manchee

PDC Lead Teacher

Co-founder of Keela Permaculture Farm. Laurence is certified by the Permaculture Association to teach certified PDCs. An author in Permaculture Magazine and teacher of Agroforestry, Permaculture Design and Natural Building Courses. Laurence will be the lead teacher on all courses. Laurence has lived a permaculture life at Keela since 2016. He is a farmer, shepherd, gardener, builder and homesteader. 

Prices & travel information

2026 PDC costs

All prices include 23% VAT
  • Full PDC Course (including food): €950 
  • Extra nights (including food): €50 per night
  • + Accommodation 

2027 PDC costs

  • Full PDC Course (including food): €850 + VAT = 1045.50 
  • Extra nights (including food): €50 per night
  • + Accommodation 

Discounts availible

  • €150 for Portuguese residents
  • €75 per week for volunteering during the course 
  • €150 if joining the following specialist course
  • Only one discount can be applied

Accomodation

  • Accommodation (more info and photos)
    • Your tent or Caravan (free)
    • Private Caravan €150 
    • Tent with bedding €100 
    • Local farm house room €40 per night (Car required and dogs accepted)

Traveling to Keela Permaculture Farm

Keela is Based in the Village Mata Da Rainha near Fundao in Central Portugal
  1. Fly to either Lisbon or Porto Airport.
  2. Take a coach or Train to Fundao Station
  3. Arrive by group taxi from Fundao station to the farm

Click here for full information about arriving

What our past students have say

Google and Facebook Reviews

I stayed in Keela for 3 amazing weeks, for a natural building course. The place is beautiful, the food delicious and Laurence and Kimbo are really welcoming. I recommend everyone one to go for one of their courses or retreats
Simone Meleddu
Awesome place! I’ve been here for both the permaculture course and the natural building course and both were loaded with insight, info and hands on skill development; building on and helping with real projects on the farm.
Quint HV
Amazing experience. Spent 2 weeks in August´21 here. We kept traveling after that, trying to find places we can learn about permaculture. Nothing could stand up to what was offered to us at Keela.
Loui Bri
Keela yoga farm inspired me in so many ways! I will carry the experience and knowledge with me for a lifetime.
Sibel Dogan
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Booking Form

Please select the date from the drop down menu below. Then select your course
Ticket Price Quantity
PDC 15th – 28th Sept 2024 Deposit €100.00 Sold out
PDC 14th – 27th April 2024 Deposit €100.00 Sold out
PDC Jan 2025 Deposit €100.00 Sold out
PDC 16th – 29th June 2024 Deposit €100.00 Sold out
PDC April 6th 2024 Deposit €100.00 Sold out
PDC May 25th 2025 Deposit €100.00 Sold out
Permaculture Design Course Deposit €100.00 Sold out
PDC November 2025 Deposit €100.00 Sold out
Food Forest Course Deposit €100.00 Sold out
PDC September 2025 Deposit €100.00 Sold out
PDC July 2025 €100.00 Sold out
Permaculture in Practice Course Deposit €50.00 Sold out
Natural Building Course Deposit €50.00 Sold out
Foundation Diploma 29th April – 5th May 2024 Deposit €100.00 Sold out
Shared tipi with bed and bedding €150.00 Sold out
Twin Tent private pod with mattrace and bedding €100.00 Sold out
Caravan with bedding €150.00 Sold out
I will bring my own camper €0.00 Sold out
I will bring my own tent €0.00 Sold out
Plant a tree to offset your carbon €20.00 Sold out

Please provide your tax number for your country as portugal tax system requires us to provide this

€

Option to apply to volunteer during the course for a discount. -Note this is 1.5 hour work per day on top of long days for a €75 discount per week.

More info

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills needed to create sustainable systems that benefit both people and the environment. Register now and start your journey towards becoming a permaculture designer! Click here to secure your spot.

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Keela Permaculture Farm

We are an off-grid permaculture project in Portugal. We open our homestead and farm to visitors who want to attend a Permaculture Design Course, Food Forest Course, Natural Building Course and Yoga retreats with Permaculture.
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