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This is a super-ecological, multi-residential house for up to 12 people at Sirius. Some of its features include: passive solar
construction, super insulation, radiant in-floor heating, composting toilets, local lumber, non-toxic stains, steel roof which
collects rainwater for the gardens, photovoltaic array (1.8kW), and three types of soundproofing.
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About Edible Forest Gardens, by Dave Jacke:
"...The book I will be keeping by me for the seasons ahead... is Edible Forest Gardens by Dave Jacke with Eric Toensmeier. ... Edible Forest Gardens offers a vision of the garden that reaches well beneath its aesthetic surface and into its ecological depths. It reminds us that whatever gardens are an oasis from, they can never be an oasis from the natural world or our own underlying economic needs."
-Verlyn Klinkenborg. The New York Times Book Review, June 5, 2005
"...Perhaps as important as it's applied ecological contributions is its psychological gifts of hope and visions of achievable, more meaningful ways of living in a post-oil world."
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Dr. Stuart Hill, Foundation Chair of Social Ecology, University of Western Sydney, Australia |
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"Living Routes gave me the design experience and confidence to pursue my master's in environmental science. I will be working
on my dream project: building a house called the Winnipeg Urban Permaculture Initiative."
– Anna Weir, summer 2003 |
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Learn how to create sustainable, productive, and beautiful human environments using natural ecosystems as models. Permaculture
is an evolving and expanding design system for ecological living, integrating plants, animals, buildings, people, and communities.
Through
experiential, participatory and classroom learning, participants will explore the relationships between personal, social, and ecological
sustainability in the rich context of life at the Sirius Community - an educational and spiritual ecovillage in scenic western Massachusetts.
A Two-Part Course:
I.Permaculture Design
The first two weeks of the program focus on design as an ecological process, assessing natural systems, and weaving integrated solutions to local and global problems. Faculty guide students through the design of projects beginning with interviews of clients, needs assessment, development of real solutions, and culminate in a formal permaculture design and presentation. Class and research time will be at Sirius' beautiful Octagon as well as in the gardens, forest, homes and orchards which surround it. At least one day-long field trip is scheduled to visit local permaculture projects.
II. Hands-On Practicum
The second week begins after a 2 day break for the regional permaculture gathering and celebration at Nuestras Raices urban farm in Holyoke, MA. The gathering is separate from the permaculture design course and is therefore optional. After the regional permaculture gathering and completion of client projects, we visit several ongoing permaculture projects including the homestead of lead instructor Jono Neiger, Montview Neighborhood Farm, and other locations. We engage the sites in their needs and planning around the permaculture implemented in these different situations and get our hands dirty helping with projects ranging from orchard planting, sheet mulching, to laying out swales. This is a time to learn while doing and see diverse approaches to putting permaculture into practice in neighborhoods, farms, homesteads, orchards and more.
Check out the student weblogs »
Browse the photo gallery »
Sirius is an...
- Intentional Community of 35 adults and children, based on respect for the individual, cooperation with nature, and spiritual growth.
- Ecovillage, practicing sustainable techniques including organic tilth and co-creative gardens, passive and active solar architecture, composting
toilets, rain and waste water cycling, off-grid energy, water catchment, greenhouse bioshelter and season extending techniques.
- Educational
Center, seasonally offering a wide array of workshops, internships, and short courses on sustainable living and design.
Read more about Sirius and its location »
The official UMASS course title for this 4 credit program is: Plant and Soil Science 398P Section 2
Reading and Designing the Landscape
Essence of Ecological Design principles and skills; Site Mapping; Land assessment for optimal, multi-functional use;
Patterns and cycles of nature; Basic plants engineering skills
Water in the Landscape
Water storage and restoration keyline management, swales, dams, and water catchment; Aquaculture, streams, ponds, tanks, & plants;
Grey and black water treatment and use
Building Healthy Living Soil
Soil structure, texture and pH; Sheet mulching & composting; Green manures, living mulches, and intercrops; Remineralization
The Cultivated Ecosystem: Human Habitiat
Human habitiat: Integrated gardens and orchards with small livestock and wildlife; Species selection and designed management; Ecological
pest management; Rotational poultry systems; agroforestry systems
Shelter
Patterning for energy efficiency; Alternative and least toxic building materials; Appropriate technologies
Community Strategies
Regional economics; Urban-suburban restoration; Village and community design; Design report writing and presentation
Earn 4 transferable credits through the University of Massachusetts - Amherst
Find out about transferring credits to your home school »
View the full curriculum for this program »
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The Octagon is a great space where students and faculty do daily check-ins and group atunements in the Sirius Community Center.
Used also for community meetings, dining, yoga and celebrations, it was built mostly with volunteer labor using local wood
and non-toxic stains.
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| 66 hours |
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Classroom (outdoor/indoor) - includes lecture, discussion, exercises, small group work, etc. |
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| 10 hours |
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Design Projects |
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| 8 hours |
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Educational Field Excursions |
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| 30 hours |
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Practicum Experience, including site visits to farms and homesteads, and hands-on projects in several locations. |
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The course contains assignments in reading, writing, design work, portfolio and assessment.
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Get contact information for an alum of this program »
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Students learn by doing with instruction in outdoor classrooms nearby the fields, gardens and eco-systems where students put theory into practice.
more photos »
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Students get hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture and ecological design as they earn transferable college credit.
more photos »
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Jono Neiger
M.A., Landscape Design, Conway School of Landscape Design, MA
B.S., Forest Biology, SUNY Syracuse College of Environmental Science and Forestry, NY
Jono has a diverse background in ecology, environmental research, conservation, restoration, land stewardship, and landscape design. A permaculture teacher and designer since 1996, he was the Land Steward and Permaculture Apprenticeship Program Director at Lost Valley Educational Center in Oregon for 5 years. Jono is a Conservation Biologist with 17 years experience, is founder of Regenerative Design, a permaculture design and consultation firm in Leverett, Massachusetts and is a faculty member at the Conway School of Landscape Design. A sought after speaker at events, businesses and workshops nationwide, Jono's recent presentations include: Moving Towards Sustainability, Questioning the Invasive Species Paradigm, Urban Permaculture, Northeast Permaculture, and Natural Building Alternatives: Strawbale, Cob and Living Roofs.
Kay Cafasso, Assistant Faculty
B.S., Environmental Geosciences from Boston College
Natural Building and Solar Home Design Certification, Solar Energy International
Permaculture Design Certification, Naropa University
Kay is a permaculture instructor, designer, gardener, and natural builder. She is inspired by the ability to regenerate natural systems with thoughtful design of landscapes, dwellings, and communities. She received her permaculture design certification through Naropa University in 2002 and has since been involved with permaculture courses across the country. Kay holds certificates in solar home design and natural building construction from Solar Energy International and is a seasonal earth plasterer of straw bale and natural homes. She has experienced community life at the Isle of Errraid, a sister to the Findhorn Community in Scotland and has helped to start up Co-op Power, a member-owned cooperative for renewable energy in the northeastern US.
Ethan Roland, Assistant Faculty
B.S., Biology, Haverford College
M.S., Associate Candidate, Gaia University International, Integrative Eco-social Design, TN
Ethan is a permaculture designer, teacher, and researcher based in the central Connecticut River valley. He studies and practices regenerative design in all corners of the world, from the wild apple forests of Kazakhstan to the tropical rainforest ecosystems of Central America. Ethan runs the ecological farm & home design firm AppleSeed Permaculture (www.appleseedpermaculture.com) and helps to organize the Northeastern Permaculture Network (www.northeasternpermaculture.wikispaces.com). Recent work includes integrated ecological master planning, international teaching in Thailand, and research on carbon-fixing perennial agriculture.
Dave Jacke, Guest Lecturer
M.A., Landscape Design, Conway School of Landscape Design, MA
B.A., Environmental Studies and Land Use Planning, Simon's Rock College, MA
2006 Brooklyn Botanic Garden Keynoter, Dave is a professional ecological landscape designer, land-use planner, permaculture consultant and educator. His holistic approach to ecological design integrates the "inner landscape" with social and economic structures, technology and natural resources. His book, Edible Forest Gardens: A Delicious and Practical Ecology was published in 2005 to wide acclaim. Dave has also authored numerous articles on sustainable design, most published in the national trade journal The Permaculture Activist.
John Gerber, UMass Faculty Sponsor
Ph.D., Vegetable Physiology/Agricultural Education/Soil Science, Cornell University
M.S., Vegetable Physiology, Cornell University
B.S., Botany, University of Rhode Island
UMass Amherst professor of plant and soil sciences and former dean of the College of Food and Natural Resources, Executive Director, Consortium for Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, and former VP of the American Society of Horticultural Science. John teaches courses in Sustainable Agriculture, Plants and the Environment, Dialogue on Agricultural Issues, Agricultural Systems Thinking, and Sustainable Living. He has published numerous books, articles, reviews and texts, including Agriculture and the Environment: Bridging Food Production and Environmental Protection in Developing Countries. Presenter at dozens of conferences and workshops including Agricultural sustainability: a global perspective - a 1994 USAID Workshop on Agricultural Sustainability, John has conducted research in vegetable cropping systems, plant nutrition, seed emergence and seedling vigor of new sweet corn genotypes, and pepper flowering and fruit set.
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