Regenerative Design

27th to 28th September 2025: 2-Day Introduction to Permaculture Course

NOTS are partnering with Cultivate to provide a 2-day Introduction to Permaculture Design course in March 2025.

This participatory, thought-provoking learning experience in Cloughjordan Ecovillage is suitable for anyone who wants to understand the basics of Permaculture Design with an emphasis on land stewardship and resilient community building, all in a unique and inspiring environment.
This course teaches a practical and accessible approach in regenerative design, systems thinking, both of which are required to build resilient & fair systems that harmonize with nature.

Course Information:

• Dates: Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th September
• Time: 10.00am to 5.00pm each day
• Venue: Community Enterprise Centre, Cloughjordan Ecovillage
• Trainers: Davie Philip, Sarah Davidon and Ben Whelan
• Costs: €180 when you sign up through NOTS. You can also contact pdc@cultivate.ie for more information about the course.
• Accommodation is available at Django’s Eco-Hostel and other B&B’s on request, please book accommodation separately.

Who is this Course For?

This introductory 2-day ‘taster’ course is designed for anyone passionate about creating a regenerative future. Whether you’re:

• An agroecological or organic farmer seeking to deepen your understanding of regenerative and permaculture practices
• A community activist striving to inspire positive change in your local area
• A socio-ecological entrepreneur looking for tools to build resilient and impactful projects
• A community changemaker—whether you’re an activist striving to inspire positive change in your local area or a catalyst igniting collaboration and driving transformative action
• A sustainability educator eager to expand your teaching with regenerative design and permaculture principles, or
• A permaculture practitioner aiming to broaden your perspective and connect permaculture ethics with regenerative design

Through interactive and enjoyable sessions, you’ll engage in hands-on activities, and explore real-world applications with ample time for questions, answers, and collective exploration ensuring a rich and immersive learning experience.

Tutors: 

Davie Philp, has over 25 years of experience in advocating for local resilience. He is a co-founder of Cloughjordan Ecovillage, where he is based, and is a facilitator and programme coordinator with Cultivate, the Sustainable Ireland Cooperative. Davie has an interest in local food economies, sits on the Board of Talamh Beo and is a coordinator of the Feeding Ourselves ‘Community of Practice’. Davie is a registered teacher with the Permaculture Association.

Ben Whelan, specialises in forest gardening, microclimates, permaculture plants and enterprise & money systems, Ben has been teaching permaculture with Cultivate since 2000 and has taught and published in many areas of sustainability including permaculture, bioregionalism and local economics. Ben is a registered teacher with the Permaculture Association.

Sarah Davidson is the coordinator of Cuan Beo, the biodiversity area and community seed bank at Cloughjordan Community Farm. She works with the farm on the Horizon Europe project SOILCRATES, supporting soil health and enhancement. Sarah has an MSc in Land Reclamation and Restoration from Cranfield University,  has completed the Soil Food Web Foundation Course with Elaine Ingham and a Permaculture Design Certificate with Geoff Lawton.