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Re: Registering Permaculture as a Trade Mark.






> > there, however I have related being allowed teach Permaculture after
doing
> > a PDC as like talking to a body builder and expecting to go away with
big
> > muscles.
> 
> granted, but to my understanding it isnt quite as flimsy as that - it is
> taking the course and than do 2 years of monitored practical work. at
least
> this was when i went for my certificate (actually took me 8 years before i
> got around to apply for the certificate and 11 before i gave my first
design
> course). has this changed?
> 
> georg

Hello Georg
First I would like to express my appreciation to both Permaculture List
Servers or whatever they are called for allowing this open discussion, few
people can appreciate freedom of speech unless they have been through the
problems of its supression and it is invariably necessary for a reasonable
understanding to be reached.

 When I did my PDC (1996 ish) I was told that I would be allowed to teach
Introduction to Permaculture Courses as soon as I had finished and use the
word Permaculture in any business, including a design or consultancy
business.  I was told it was expected (but I don't recall it being
mandatory) that we get at least two years practical experience before
teaching PDC's.  I came to permaculture from a background of involvement in
organic home food production and concern for the environment and
sustainability.

My PDC course didn't add a great deal to my knowledge or ability to produce
my own food or live sustainably, I had encountered far more knowledge in
these areas outside the aligned permaculture movement.

I have since conducted courses in home food production and allocated some
time addressing what I see problems of perception from permaculture
teachings such as "edge effect" (my experience is the greatest labour imput
is at the edge of a garden) and teachings against planting in straight rows
reasons too various for here)

Education can be attempted by trying to give people an understanding or
trying to give them facts, or more simply put, teaching people how to think
or teaching them what to think.  Facts without understanding creates a
situation whereby people have no idea of the limitations of their facts.  

So, why am I concerned at the recent Trade Mark attempts?

The word permaculture is starting to get a greater understanding, we could
call call the same thing by other names, however we would have to re-create
the understanding.  We have to build on that understanding so that people
can use the facts put to them.

However my concerns are that the directions of permaculture are being
influenced to a great extent by people dependant on it for their income,
just one example of this may be the attempt at Trade Marking that has given
us some great discussion lately.

Neil Barraclough