Thank you for your interest in Vital Cycles! This is a unique dual certificate program in both Permaculture Design and Personal Ecology recognized by the Permaculture Institute of North America (PINA).
The Vital Cycles course is a broadened, deepened approach to the traditional Permaculture Curriculum, designed to encompass a multiplicity of regenerative design patterns and practices. Our longer course format includes material on and integration of Human Ecology, the exploration of how our human bodies and consciousness reflect the natural world. We highlight emergent and less well-known authors, researchers and project planners working in varied facets of human and planetary health and healing. Our cohorts are small (maximum 25) which facilitates an intimate group with time for folks to share, connect and learn from each other, as well as physical space and opportunity for gaining practical hands-on skills.
Please complete this form if you:
1) would like to receive information about upcoming free intro sessions and/or workshops
2) would like to schedule a phone
We are looking forward to sharing the coming year and co-creating community.
The dates of our 10 two-day weekends throughout 2023 are below (arrangements can be made to make up sessions).
Tuition is sliding scale $2295-1495. Payment plans are available as well.
How do we intentionally design our lives and landscapes in balance with natural and human cycles to create thriving selves, families, and communities in a vibrant, natural world?
The Vital Cycles Year
Join us for 10 months (February-November) weaving together permaculture design and human ecology. This is a PINA recognized Permaculture Design Course (PDC) and includes over 40 hours of additional materials and practice on Human Ecology. Class sessions are Saturdays 9 AM to 7 PM, and Sundays 9 AM to 5 PM. Please contact us at
vitalcyclesinfo@gmail.com if you have any questions, or call us at 831-288-2090.
2023 Dates & Topics
Breaking Ground February 25-26, 2023breath, ecotones & edges, principles & patterns, invisible structures, design science, alchemical mandala
Breathing Seeds March 18-19, 2023soil, nourishment, microbiomes, soil inoculants, compost strategies, sheet mulching, seeds
Radical Roots April 22-23, 2023sleep, water, earthworks, climate, bioremediation, rainwater roof catchment, swales and berms
Emergence May 20-21, 2023movement, agroforestry, trees, transpiration, plant guilds, place making, awe, tree guild planting
Expansion June 24-25, 2023awe, pollination, personal energy flow, pruning, snapping & pinching
July Summer Exhale! Group camp with class, family and alumni (Date TBD July 7-9 or 14-16 - Save the Dates)
Full Flower August 26-27, 2023creativity, invisible structures, regenerative economics, land access and policy, urban permaculture, bioregionalism, grey water systems
Fruitful Harvest September 23-24, 2023 connection, ancestors, designing for resilience, animals, urban permaculture, energy
Cycle Propagation October 21-22, 2023
healing, homesteading, pruning, fermentation, food as medicine
Wild Visions November 4-5, 2023
design project presentations, permaculture networks and pathways, graduation & going forth
In Vitality!
Anne & Lydia
