Advanced Permaculture Principles Application in International Aid:

Interns from all over the world come to Living Ecology’s permaculture internship in India, and are responsible for the design and implementation of a sustainable farming project in Aranya Agricultural Alternative’s Tribal Development Program Area. Interns will visit many successful project sites and see the results of various permaculture practices. Following Aranya’s Agricultural Alternatives’ effective development method, interns will live with villagers, learning about their traditions and needs, building relationships and community trust. Interns will then be mentored in creating their own permaculture project, carrying it out, and following up on long-term results.

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Prerequisites for Permaculture Internship:

Admission to Living Ecology’s internship in India requires previous permaculture education for admission. Permaculture Design Course (PDC) certification is recommended for admission. However, equivalent training or experience will open up the opportunity for consideration. This is an introduction to permaculture practical applications, but prior knowledge of the basic principles is necessary. If there are more applicants than space allows, interns will be chosen based on agricultural experience.

Upon completion of the program, interns receive the Aranya Agricultural Alternative’s Permaculture Practitioner in International Aid Certification.

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Permaculture Internship for International Aid in India:

1) Social Study of the Village:

Interns learn social mapping and surveying. They spend time making connections in villager’s lives, learning through teachings and customs. Final certification will require a social report based on experience gained throughout the duration of the project.

2) Environmental Study:

Interns work on recording a plant database, methods of animal husbandry, climate and land use. A report of the present environmental situation, including what is possible and what is probable will be created.

3)  Design Project:

Map land and project area, reasons for project and its projected impact. Interns create a design for their farm, and facilitate implementation of the plan with the villagers’ help. Together, they create an agriculture masterpiece that is meant to last.

4) Final report:

Follow-up report measuring the impact of Living Ecology’s permaculture internship in India.

 

Note: Changes have been made to the internship. There is now a three month option for those interested. The planting, follow-up, and certification are not included in this option.

Introduction to Permaculture Program

(3 days) Starts Jan. 11, 2016

• Aranya Agricultural Alternatives mission and history.
• Visit to Aranya’s City Farm School.
• Visit rooftop water harvesting sites that directly recharge wells.
• Time for shopping: supplies and appropriate Indian clothing.

 

Aranya FarmWater harvesting Earthworks Course

Jan. 15-19, 2016

• Watershed education and government projects.
• Survey techniques: how to create contours using A frame, U tube, and dumpy level.
• Water harvesting structures: water absorption trenches, swales, percolation tanks, ponds, dam walls, spillways, gully plugs, check dams, gabion structures and stone outlets.
• Landforms – concepts of design.
• Planting and soil erosion.

 

Follow up Report

August 2017
Follow up report assessing success and impact of the intern’s permaculture project.  The intern will learn what worked in their design plan and what needs adjustment or follow up and will make suggestions. [Intern can do follow-up report in-person or receive photos and information from Aranya staff or interns of the following year.] The report will be evaluated by Narsanna Koppula and Raya Cole.

 

Certification

Upon completion of their project, interns receive Aranya Agricultural Alternatives Permaculture in International Aid Certification.  Those who successfully finish Living Ecology’s internship in India will have the skills necessary to implement aid projects across the globe, sharing permaculture’s practical application with those in need. Successful intern projects will be showcased in the 2017 International Permaculture Conference tours.

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Internship/ Certification Costs:

Four Month Internship:

 $4,550

Cost Covers: 

• Food
• Accommodations
• Transportation
• Translator
• Mentorship
• Supplies
• Permaculture in International Aid Certification
• Follow-up Report

 

Three Month Internship:

 $4,350

Cost Covers: 

• Food
• Accommodations
• Transportation
• Translator
• Mentorship
• Supplies
• Planting and Implementation Facilitated by an Aranya Employee

Airfare to India is the intern’s responsibility for both the seven month and the three month internships.

Crowd-funding

Projects (certification) can be completed in the name of an organization or community that sponsors the intern; consider fundraising in your local community to help support the implementation of this permaculture internship in India, an international aid project that creates long-term resilience. We support fundraising initiatives for interns who are pre-qualified.