Permaculture at Farm Scale

Permaculture is a practical method of developing ecologically harmonious, efficient and productive systems. Around the world farmers apply permaculture principles at scale, learning from natural ecosystems to design farms that use resources responsibly and are good for the land and the people who work it.

In this course you will first learn the basics of farm-scale permaculture, then go in-depth through field sessions on local farms to learn more about how to apply the principles to your own land and business.


Am I eligible?

To be eligible to apply you must meet the following criteria:

  • Commercially manage at least 3 hectares of land, or a smaller area that requires at least 550 standard labour hours per year.

  • Be based in Monmouthshire OR within the Wye and Usk catchments and within an hour’s drive of NP15 1GA

  • Be willing to host the group for a one-day workshop on your farm as part of the course (your tutor Nim will lead the workshop).

  • Be available to attend all sessions on the dates below.

What is involved?

There are six places available. Successful applicants will receive:

  • A two-day introductory workshop on 8–9 June 2024, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at Trefoil Meadows, Gwehelog, Usk, NP15 2HS.

  • running 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m: 17 June, 1 July, 15 July, 29 July, 2 September, 16 September.

  • Two hours of one-to-one mentoring with the course tutor

  • Email and telephone support as required

There is no final assessment or test. By the end of the course you will understand permaculture principles and techniques, and feel confident applying them at farm scale to your own holding and business.

Cost and funding

The cost is £150 per person, non-refundable, payable when you accept a place.

The course is subsidised by Monmouthshire County Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Selection process and how to apply

To apply for a place, please complete the application form (click to open).

Applications close at noon on 17 May 2024. Successful applicants will hear from us by phone or email on 24 May.

Applications will be assessed by the tutor, a representative from Monmouthshire County Council, and an independent third party . All applications will be anonymised. In choosing the successful applicants the panel will consider the area of land covered, geographical location and accessibility for on-farm field days, and the need to create a coherent group of holdings with similar objectives.

Led by Nim Robins

Nim Robins is a permaculture designer, educator and passionate facilitator, with her roots and fingers deep in the soil. Nim has a deep determination for cultivating change in our world and supporting, inspiring and empowering others to do the same through participatory and creative education. Alongside building up the permaculture systems here at Cynefin farm, Nim provides permaculture design advice and consultations, and shares nature-based regenerative education with people of all ages.  
Nim is certified with the UK Permaculture Association and regularly shares a wide variety of courses, from foundation level all the way through to full PDC’s and specialist advanced design courses, alongside also supporting and assessing those studying at diploma level with the UK Association. Nim is also a core teacher with Children in Permaculture - where she focuses on shifting children's education through inspiring teachers to weave permaculture through their curriculums and learning spaces

Nim loves to tend gardens, have adventures with her children, sleep out under vast starry skies and swim in the ocean. She’s also pretty passionate about homesteading and self sufficiency in a whole load of different ways. But one of the things that lights her up most of all is to bring people together around a shared vision of resilience and regeneration, and to nurture deep, authentic connections to ourselves, each other and to the world around us.