Crystal Waters Food Production and Design Immersion Experiential

  Australia

• Sunshine Coast: 
Sunshine Coast

Term: Fall 
Dates: 30 March- 8 May 2010

Description: There is a real and growing need for more designers who have a good grounding and hands-on experience both for paid consultancy and to assist in the voluntary NGO sector. It is for these types of postings we are aiming the training for in our 2010 EDE. The 2009 Ecovillage Design Education here at Crystal Waters was a success! The small group of participants bonded exceptionally well, and learnt many practical skills complementing the theory. The 2010 programme at Crystal Waters will again be offered as a six week residential, and will contain a similar balance of theory, practical, hands-on aspects, community involvement and tours. The main focus of this programme will be on food localisation, design and economics. If you are planning to be active in teaching EDEs in the future or designing eco villages or just wish learn the "how to's" to reducing your carbon footprint and leading a more sustainable lifestyle then this course is for you! Places will be limited to 8-10 people to allow for personalized learning and mentoring. There are still places available for our 2010 Programme and are extending the generous earlybird discount of AUD 500 if the course fee is paid in full by 28th February 2010. Don't miss out. Take advantage of the attractive USD to AUD exchange rate now to secure your place!

The program, while covering the EDE Curriculum also provides the much needed hands-on component that many people are looking for. By doing the actual hands-on, get-dirty work, participants really get to grips with the reality of what is outlined in the theory section. In shorter courses this is simply not possible. By the end of the programme, participants will have achieved a deep understanding of what is involved in successful, sustainable, food production, will have gained knowledge in ecovillage design. Importantly, they will have gained hands on experience in design, as well as a wide range of practical and life skills impossible to achieve in a purely classroom setting. Extensive and highly productive gardens, orchards, woodlot, herd of cattle, poultry and beehives provide the perfect practical backdrop to the learning experience!

* Theory and Practice

In recent times we have increasingly been hearing that people are looking for courses that go beyond the theory of sustainable practice and allow them to cement their new theoretical knowledge in reality. We also get regular requests for residential intensives in ecovillage living from people who would like to experience living at an ecovillage first hand and having some kind of formal tuition at the same time. We have therefore created this programme which we feel will meet both needs, and provide the 'muscle memory' people are looking for. Crystal Waters Ecovillage offers the perfect place for this to occur.

Highlights: This residential experience is a very grounded programme and quite unique as it has been created by people who have actually designed, developed, and lived in ecovillages - people who have brought projects from concept to completion, not just talked about it. The programme will be held within Crystal Waters, where participants can see working examples of sustainable living practices, theory applied and ecological, economic and social solutions: what works and what doesn't.

Crystal Waters is located in the upper Mary River Valley in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland of South East Queensland, and is within 1 hours' drive from many of the popular beaches (Noosa, Maroochydore, Caloundra) as well as the Heritage Listed Fraser Island and Great Sandy Straight. Field trips will include some of these areas and participants will have free time in which they can explore themselves, this most beautiful region.

Qualifications: This course is for anyone with a keen desire to live more sustainably and wishing to make their own positive changes to reducing their carbon footprint. It is also for those looking to acquire a good grounding in the practical and hands-on plus learning about design. The Crystal Waters Food Production and Design Immersion Experiential will cover a range of topics giving participants this strong foundation in the how to of food production and designing and living in a sustainable settlement. No formal qualifications are necessary.

Cost in US$: approx USD 3904 ; earlybird discount offered

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Australia Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 8-10

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Crystal Waters EcoCentre's Mission Statement: To promote the establishment of sustainable systems by providing ethical and beneficial consultancy and education services which are sensitive to the cultural and environmental circumstances of our clients.

Year Founded: 1990