From Self to Soil: A whole systems Permaculture Design Course rooted in connection: an integrated Permaculture Design Course for self, community and earth.
Starting the weekend of 15-16th November, this six-weekend course brings together three local community experts and leaders: Steve Jones, Ceri Jordan and Julie Leoni to deliver a Permaculture Design Certificate which integrates care for the self, the community and the natural world.
Oswestry and surrounding areas are rich in bio-diversity and people working and living in harmony with nature so is the perfect location for this internationally accredited course. Building on the interest generated at the launch of Farmotherlands at Booka in April 2025 the Permaculture Design Certificate course offers a framework to develop individual, community and environmental health now and for future generations. The course invites people into deep connection with self, each other and the natural world in order to grow health for all through food production, land use, community, mindfulness, nature, and the powerful connection between humans and the land.
‘The greatest change we need to make is from consumption to production, even if on a small scale, in our own gardens. If only 10% of us do this, there is enough for everyone.’ Bill Mollison (Permaculture Co-founder)
The six-weekend course will integrate permaculture principles and practices, yoga and mindfulness, coaching, psychology and group skills so that those attending leave with a rich harvest of experiences, relationships and knowledge to allow them create a healthier life for themselves, their communities and future generations.
Permaculture is a design system born from close observation of natural patterns and ecosystems to create regenerative, resilient and productive food and land systems. The Permaculture Design Certificate is an internationally recognised qualification covering the ethics of earth care, people care and fair share which includes 12 design principles and culminates in a practical design project.
‘We abuse land because we see it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.’ Aldo Leopold
Ghandi asked us to ‘be the change you want to see in the world’ and Satish Kumar invites us to engage with head, hand and heart and these principles are at the heart of the course.
The course will be held at Treflach Farm and link with Tom the Appleman, Babbinswood Farm and Osnosh among other local regenerative enterprises.
‘Despite all our achievements, we owe our existence to a six-inch layer of topsoil and the fact that it rains.’ Paul Harvey
Each of the course leaders have over 30 years of experience in their own areas of expertise and have a wealth of skills and knowledge to share with participants. They all share a systems understanding that health for the individual depends on the health of the community and the health of the natural systems we lean on for food, water and clean air.
Steve Jones has decades of experience working in permaculture. He has led and been involved in sustainability organisations—including the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT), Cwm Harry, Reading International Solidarity Centre, and the Permaculture Association. He has led Permaculture Design Certificate courses for decades at home and abroad having a positive impact on local and global communities and he will skilfully guide participants through the theory and practice of natural systems
Ceri Jordan started her work life in the corporate world marketing and buying internationally before changing her life after a solo walk along Offa’s. She is an experienced Yoga & Meditation teacher, advanced Breathwork™ instructor and Sound Healing practitioner. She has developed practices that support others with tools and techniques to regulate their nervous system in an often overwhelming world. Her teachings blend ancient wisdom and modern knowledge in an accessible and insightful way, to support each participant’s journey through the course with somatic and mindfulness based practices.
Julie Leoni, educator, life coach, yoga and meditation teacher and author of Farmotherlands, has spent years involved in intentional communities facilitating cross-generational events. Her interest is in community building and connection within and between the human and more-than-human world for the health of people and planet. Her areas of expertise include, grief, climate psychology, systems thinking, relationships and communication.
‘The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it and to foster its renewal is our only hope.’ ― Wendell Berry
The course is structured around six weekends across a year in order that participants can integrate the PDC with their work and family life. It also allows the practice to be integrated between the weekends and invites an awareness of the passing of the seasons.
Dates
- 15-16 November 2025
- 10-11 January 2026
- 21-22 February 2026
- 23-24 May 2026
- 6-7 June 2026
- 4-5 July 2026.
Saturdays will run from 09:00 to 20:30
Sundays from 09:00 to 16:30.
The course cost includes content and materials, organic, homegrown home-made food during the course day: lunch and dinner on Saturday lunch and afternoon tea on Sunday.
The course does not include accommodation although camping is available at Treflach Farm and an accommodation list is available on request.
Cost for the course £995.
There will be a maximum of 14 places so that participants have opportunity for individual attention from the three facilitators.
In order to book, please provide £250 deposit by 25th September 2025.
To ask more about the course contact: julieleoni.com@gmail.com
‘Sitting at our back doorsteps, all we need to live a good life lies about us. Sun, wind, people, buildings, stones, sea, birds and plants surround us. Cooperation with all these things brings harmony…’ ― Bill Mollison, Introduction to Permaculture
