Edible Forest Gardens

An Intensive Design Course Weekend-only option available.
Edible forest gardens mimic the structures and functions of natural ecosystems while producing food and other products, with an emphasis on low-maintenance perennial crops. These gardens (and larger-scale operations) can provide critical ecosystem services while meeting human needs. Design and plant selection help provide fertility, control of weeds and pests, and more. This 5-day residential course will emphasize the design process, with hands-on design work for all participants. Participants will also learn the art and science of habitat mimicry, polyculture assembly, and plant a demonstration forest garden.

A special focus of this course will be eco-cultural restoration of indigenous management of native useful plants and landscapes. Course materials include a "palette" of useful species for the Front Range as well as Western Slope, including many underutilized useful native plants. Those who already have a Permaculture Design Certificate can choose to take this class as an Advanced Permaculture Design Course and gain an Advanced Design Certificate.

The workshop will start Friday evening with introductions and orientation.

Read more about our plans with Edible Forest Gardens at Woodbine

Instructors: Eric Toensmeier, Pavlos Stavropoulos, Jim Gibson, Mary O'Brien, and guests

Meals: Yes, Saturday breakfast till Wednesday lunch.

Lodging: Yes, dormitory style cabins, dorm rooms and camping (If you are camping you must bring your own equipment). Space in our cabins and dorm rooms are available on a first come, first serve space (sheets are provided, you need to bring your own pillow, blanket or sleeping bag, and towel).

Cost: In order to make our programs as accessible as possible while still covering our costs we have a four tier fee structure. Please pay the highest amount that you can so that we may offer lower fees to others. Registration information can be found on our registration page.

• Supporter: $800-$975
• Regular: $775
• Lower Income: $575-$725
• Registered Volunteer: $475

Scholarships and Worktrade: Limited scholarships and worktrade opportunities available.

Weekend only option

In response to many requests by people who don't have the time to take the full 5-day design course, we are now offering the option to attend only the first two days (Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday). Those attending the first two days only will receive a thorough grounding into the principles of edible forest gardens with a particular emphasis on home-scale and urban environments. Those who stay for the entire 5-day course will get more hands-on experience, a broader coverage of diverse and larger-scale systems, and engage in intensive design process. The Advanced Design Certificate is only available with the full 5-day course.

The workshop will start Friday evening with introductions and orientation. The weekend section will end Sunday at 5:30pm.

Instructor: Eric Toensmeier

Meals: yes (Saturday breakfast through Sunday lunch)

Lodging: yes, if camping you must bring your own equipment.

Cost: In order to make our programs as accessible as possible while still covering our costs we have a four tier fee structure. Please pay the highest amount that you can so that we may offer lower fees to others. Registration information can be found on our registration page.

• Supporter: $300-$400
• Regular: $275
• Lower Income: $175-$250
• Registered Volunteer: $125