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Commenced:
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01/03/2011 |
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Submitted:
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21/11/2012 |
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Last updated:
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19/10/2020 |
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Location:
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125 Crescent Lane, Stelle, Illinois, US |
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Phone:
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815-256-2215 |
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Website:
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http://midwestpermaculture.com/ |
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Climate zone:
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Cool Temperate |
Midwest Permaculture is in the early stages of implementing a full permaculture design in partnership with Center for Sustainable Community on their 8.7 acre property adjoining the community of Stelle, IL. PDC Design Courses, various workshops and work-party days are all hosted throughout the year.
Midwest Permaculture delivers many PDC Courses and various trainings, some of which are taught on the 8.7 acre property you see here. It is owned and managed by the Stelle, IL, nonprofit organization, Center for Sustainable Community (CSC).
View Full Project Design Overview
Key elements in the design include:
- Hugelkultured swales with linear food forests;
- Year round permaculture greenhouse(s) to generate large amounts of food and income;
- Aquaponics systems for fish and vegetable production;
- Small camping cabins for students, interns or guests made from clay slip, clay brick, cob and superadobe;
- Wood gasification units (pictured) to generate heat and power (electricity and internal combustion engines);
- Thermal mass rocket stoves for cabin/home heating of water and space;
- The coppicing and pollarding of trees for wood fuel and fodder for livestock;
- Moldering (composting) toilets;
- Solar showers with back-up rocket stove water heaters (everyone gets a hot shower);
- Various cooperative ventures;
- More.
We welcome the participation of interested persons, everywhere.
Pictured: PDC Students Digging a Hugelkultured Swale
Individuals who take a training with us inStelle will be able to learn about and see the overall deisgn project as it is unfolding in real time. Students will also be invited to participate 'hands-on' in whatever project(s) is underway at that time.
To our national and worldwide students, both of the Chicago International Airports (O'Hare and Midway) are less than 2-hours from Stelle. We will assist you in getting here. Sorry, we teach only in English.
Note: The various badges displayed in people profiles are largely honesty-based self-proclamations by the individuals themselves. There are reporting functions users can use if they know of blatant misrepresentation (for both people and projects). Legitimacy, competency and reputation for all people and projects can be evidenced and/or developed through their providing regular updates on permaculture work they’re involved in, before/after photographs, etc. A spirit of objective nurturing of both people and projects through knowledge/encouragement/inspiration/resource sharing is the aim of the Worldwide Permaculture Network.
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MemberA member is a permaculturist who has never taken a PDC course. These cannot become PDC teachers. Members may be novice or highly experienced permaculturists or anywhere in between. Watch their updates for evaluation. |
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Permaculture MatchmakerOne of these badges will show if you select your gender and the "I'm single, looking for a permaculture partner" option in your profile. |
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PDCPeople who claim to have taken a Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) course somewhere in the world. |
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PDC VerifiedPeople who have entered an email address for the teacher of their PDC course, and have had their PDC status verified by that teacher. Watch their updates for evaluation. |
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PRI PDCPeople who’ve taken a Permaculture Research Institute PDC somewhere in the world. |
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PDC TeacherPeople who claim to teach some version of PDC somewhere in the world. |
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PRI TeacherWith the exception of the ‘Member’ who has never taken a PDC, all of the above can apply to become a PRI PDC Teacher. PRI PDC Teachers are those who the PRI recognise, through a vetting board, as determined and competent to teach the full 72-hour course as developed by Permaculture founder Bill Mollison – covering all the topics of The Designers’ Manual as well as possible (i.e. not cherry picking only aspects the teacher feels most interested or competent in). Such teachers also commit to focussing on the design science, and not including subjective spiritual/metaphysical elements. The reason these items are not included in the PDC curriculum is because they are “belief” based. Permaculture Design education concerns itself with teaching good design based on strategies and techniques which are scientifically provable. PRI PDC Teachers may be given teaching and/or consultancy offerings as they become available as the network grows. |
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Aid WorkerThe individual with this badge is indicating they are, have, or would like to be involved in permaculture aid work. As such, the individual may or may not have permaculture aid worker experience. Watch their updates for evaluation. |
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ConsultantThe individual with this badge is indicating they are, have, or would like to do paid permaculture design consultancy work. As such, the individual may or may not have permaculture consultancy experience. Watch their updates for evaluation. |
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Community ProjectCommunity projects are projects that help develop sustainable community interaction and increase localised resiliency. |
Living, Woven-Willow-Brush Fence
First Earth-Shelter Cabin Finished
2016 Graduates of Teacher Training
Teacher Training 2014 a Success
There are 9 more permaculture teachers in the world now and each will represent permaculture with integrity and skill.
PDC at Pierce Cedar Creek
Bill Teaching Farming-Focused PDC in Michigan
2014 Internship Opportunities
Work along side of us as we develop the systems and resources for resilient and abundant living.
Closing Wishes For 2013
Year end wishes and greetings from Bill.
EarthCamp Village
Construction of the first cob building in our EarthCamp Village has begun!
Our Perennial Yields Increase
A walk around our yard showcasing perennials and the yields they produce.
Spring Rains Fill Our Earthworks Multiple Times
While the city of Chicago was shutting down due to too much rain last week just 60 miles north of us, the swales, ponds, berms and rain gardens we have put in around our home and in Stelle did their job of filling up and holding water back from the creeks
2013 Internship Program
We have two internship program sessions this summer that still have openings.
First PDC Course Hosted at Arbor Day Farm - USA
We decided to host a PDC at the beautiful Lied Lodge on Arbor Day Farm last March (2012) and learned afterwards that it was the first PDC course hosted there.
Thermal Mass Rocket Stove Workshops
Students who attend these workshops learn about and build an actual, functional stove.
Chinampas Element Added to the Design
The chinampas of central Mexico, developed centuries ago by the Mayans and Aztecs, are said to have been the most agriculturally productive systems ever devised my humans.
Winter PDC at Midwest Permaculture
Just letting folks know that we have decided to do 4 courses in our community of Stelle this year...one each season.