Program Overview

Permaculture is a design system that aims to create a sustainable and self-sufficient ecosystems, by utilizing local resources efficiently. It is a holistic approach to sustainable living that addresses the problems of climate change, soil degradation, water pollution, and nutrient depletion in foods. The solution lies in the permaculture approach. For instance, cow-based agriculture can be an essential component of a sustainable farming system, as it allows for nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and soil building. Additionally, sustainable living practices such as composting, rainwater harvesting, and reducing waste can help reduce the impact of pollution on the environment.

Permaculture and Beyond is a 9-day residential program at perfect setup of our Permaculture farm located in the Art of Living International Center Bangalore, India. This program is built on the 12 founding principles and the ethics of permaculture applied to the Indian context.

The curriculum includes theory classes, demonstrations, hands-on experiences, activities, learning by doing and interacting and more over combined with yoga and meditation sessions from the experts.

Sessions by Experts who live by the Permaculture principles

Permaculture and Beyond is covered across various subjects - Fundamentals of Permaculture and Design, Air, Water, Earth, Cows, Agroforestry and Plant Health. We further introduce Yoga and Meditation in the daily activities which helps to prepare our mind and body towards imbibing the knowledge.

Air & Microclimate Management

The practice of Agnihotra is followed in our ancient agriculture practices which not only helps in purification of the air but also provides nourishment for the farms.

Hands on Learning

In this course, the emphasis is on learning by doing which enhances our muscle memory which lasts long. Whatever you will learn, you will be able to experience it handson, be it composting, sowing, harvesting, or agnihotra. Practicles are the main attraction of this program which will provide you an opportunity to "observe and interact", the first principle of permaculture.

Soil and Earth Care

Soil should be breathable, nourished and live. Taking care of soil is one of the most important aspect of permaculture. We will provide you powerful tools, to bring your soil to life which will help you to take care of your plants.

Agro-Forestry

Permaculture training will enable you to cultivate in an agro-forestry manner by growing multi-layered plants together as a joint-family. This approach not only provides diversity and optimal yield but also resilience to pest and disease attacks.

Water Management

Water provides life to the farm. Industrial agriculture is leading to depletion of ground water level as well as its contamination due to excess use of pesticides and fertilizers. In permaculture, we harvest the rain water with the help of ponds, trenches and swales which results in ground water recharge and provide you with water availability for the entire year.

Model Permaculture Farm Visits

The farm visits on the permaculture farms, started by our earlier permaculture graduates provides a perspective on how things can progress during the different stages of permaculture journey. It helps us understand the learnings on what went well and what can be done better. Interaction with others who are ahead in the journey provides us unique opportunity to learn quickly and establish a connection with them for future.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Benefits of this Program?

• The Art of Living International Center in Bengaluru is amazingly rich with diverse flora and Fauna. Our Model Permaculture farms provides for an ideal set-up for an experiential teaching-learning process. Emphasis is on “learning by doing”.

• Our Gaushala has 17 different native breeds of cows, around 1500 in number.

• All farms are 100% organic and natural with protected cultivation & open cultivation.

• Water harvesting projects in place at the campus itself.

• National seed bank

Where you will learn?

• Our Permaculture farm in the Art of Living International Center Bangalore campus will be your main training site. This is our beautiful permaculture model farm, which is built on a rocky terrain and has been nurtured for more than a decade.

• In-house Sri Sri Gaushala which has more than 1500 native breeds of cows (17 different Indian breeds).

• Few farms nearby our campus built by our Permaculture students.

• And above all, Bangalore ashram – The international headquarter of Art of Living Foundation – is a spiritual abode created by our beloved master Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar. It is a place where learning happens not only in the mind, but also in the heart. We will also learn Yoga and Meditation in this bangalore ashram.

All these put together is a perfect setup for experiential learning.

What you will learn?

✅ Fundamentals of Permaculture Design

💨 Air & Microclimate Management

💧 Water Management & Conservation

🌎 Soil Health & Earth care with Desi Cows

🌳 Agroforestry & Food Forest Creation

🐞 Integrated Pest & Disease Management

🧘‍♂️ Yoga, Pranayama & Meditation

This program will fully equip you to start cultivating on your own in a permaculture style and also get associated with our growing permaculture community who are enthusiastic about sustainable living and also towards helping others to live a healthy lifestyle.

Who should do it?

• If you want to live a healthy, happy life which is completely in harmony with nature – then you must.

• If you are a conscious individual who feel that we Humans are responsible for the dire situation of our Mother earth – then you must.

• If you own a farm land or planning to have one, but do not know from where to start for chemical-free and regenerative way of cultivation, then this is a right place for you.

What are the Prerequisite for this program?

• There is no prerequisite for this program. The program starts by covering the concepts for the beginners and slowly hand-hold you towards advanced topics of permaculture which are also aligned to the ancient wisdom.

• Undertaking our online Home Grown Home Cooked which happens more frequently will be an added advantage but not a pre-requisite.