2018 PERMACULTURE DESIGN COURSE WITH ATITLAN ORGANICS AND ZACH LOEKS
The course is held at the stunning Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. The lush natural beauty of the landscape, combined with hands-on work alongside Mayan farmers, make this an authentic, truly special experience. You will work in two different sites, which provide a variety of climates and microclimates, giving you so much more information than other similar courses. You will implement your design project in a local community, which means you will have a huge impact by significantly helping community members prepare their land for small-scale food production.
The course is led by two amazing permaculture instructors and various guest teachers, which provides praticipants with a rich diversity of experiences and knowledge.
Zach Loeks grew up in permaculture and today has the Kula Permaculture farm in Ottawa, Canada. His decades of experience have led to not only a successful permaculture and market garden enterprise, but also the creation of his book The Permaculture Market Garden. This is our first collaboration with him and we're psyched to share his knowledge and passion!
Atitlan Organics has focused on building a profitable small scale permaculture farm, and has recently partnered with swanky The Bambu Guest House to offer farm-to-tanble restaurant and lodging for ourse participants. Together, the two sites provide a truly effective learning model for permaculture study.
What is Permaculture?
There are literally hundreds of definitions of permaculture and as far as we are concerned, they are ALL VALID. Part of respecting and valuing diversity and self-regulation means tolerating ideas or interpretations that one may not agree with. That being said, we have our favourites.
While we spend a lot of time in the garden and working in nature, permaculture is applicable to all aspects of life. A more technical approach to permaculture suggests that we mimic nature and natural patterns to design and implement ecosystems that meet our collective needs. A deeper definition considers the whole of human culture and suggests that permaculture is a tool for designing new ecological culture, considering the whole of the earth in all of its strategies. Whatever definition works for you is cool. We like to say, it doesn't matter what you call it, just so long as the work gets done!
Get connected to your food. From seed to the table!
Work closely with various animal systems!
Harvest and process coffee and other local products!
Get lots of real hands-on practical eperience!
Learn how to propagate plants the easy way in our interactive nursery.
Studying Permaculture in Central America offers amazing opportunities to learn from indigenous cultures, rich natural patterns, and enormous diversity. Permaculture in Central America is representative of the edge effect or Edge Valuing Principle of Design. As one of the world's centres of biodiversity, Central America attracts people from all over the world interested in learning through nature. Permaculture practices can be seen in action via the surviving indigenous traditions that are common in Central America. Studying permaculture in Central America offers designers great opportunities to learn from diverse groups of people in incredibly diverse natural settings.
Lodging and Food
Atitlan Organics works closely with the Bambu Guest House, which is a five minute walk from the farm and the place where the participants stay for the duration of the course. The Bambu Guest House is a brand new, natural building boasting bathrooms and balconies in each room, new comfy beds, wifi, super hot water, and amazing views of the lake, mountains, and rivers. The Bambu Guest House is proof that natural building can be clean and luxurious. Lodging is shared, but private rooms are also available for an additional charge.
Permaculture Design Courses have always been known for their excellent, organic, locally grown food and our weeklong intensive is no exception. The Bambu Guest House has a Farm to Table Restaurant that serves up delicious and filling plates mainly composed of Atitlan Organics and other local farm products. Currently, Atitlan Organics supplies all of the milk, yogurt, cheese, salads, cooking greens, honey, coffee, chicken, taro root, pigeon peas, and herbs to the Bambu Guest House Restaurant. The restaurant is run by three young, local, aspiring chefs named Antonio, Maricela, and Petrona, all only 19 years old. They are amazing!
All food, snacks, coffee, tea, and frescos are included in the weeklong permaculture course, as well as lodging for the duration at The Bambu Guest House. Three meals a day are served, buffet style, as well as coffee and tea throughout most of the day and two daily snacks as well. Basically, you are well-fed and well-kept. It feels soo nice! If you are interested in private housing, please mention that to us when you write.
Directions
Coming from Antigua, you would go to Panajachel, which is one of the three big towns on the lake and takes about 3 hours to arrive. From Panajachel, you take a boat (lancha) at the public dock. Tell the captain that you are going to the town of Tzununa (zoo-new-nah) which is three public stops from Panajachel. Get off at the Public Dock in Tzununa and take a Tuk Tuk or little three wheeled car and tell them you want to go to El Bambu. It costs q5 per person per tuk tuk and should be around q15 to q20 per person for the Lancha ride. When you get to El Bambu, go through the gate and up to the main building. Someone will show you your room. As noted, we are in the little town of Tzununa, quiet and still 'undiscovered'. From the guest house you are less than 10 minute walk to the lake and less than 20 meters from beautiful rivers. You are a 45 'minute walk or a 10 minute tuk tuk ride away from the town of San Marcos la Laguna. This has many places to eat, drink, practice yoga, etc. Again, we can help you get to the lake from Antigua or the airport, or from anywhere. Just let us know and we can arrange a shuttle for you.
