TERRA ALTA PERMACULTURE
We are an off grid permaculture education & research centre with a focus on permaculture design, regenerative agriculture, cultural regeneration and art
Real experience is the best way to engage people in cultural and environmental regeneration. That's why we decided to open our home, Terra Alta, to empower those seeking alternative ways of life to learn, grow and become agents of positive change in the world.
This abundant, healing land in the middle of a protected valley in Portugal is where we host courses and educational events teaching regenerative farming and cultural regeneration techniques while providing a real example of creative, dynamic and harmonious co-living.
WHAT IS PERMACULTURE?
Permaculture is a design methodology that draws inspiration from natural ecosystems to create sustainable human systems. There are many different practices and techniques within the permaculture movement, including regenerative agriculture, natural building, water management, renewable energy and much more. The principles are based on observing and interacting with natural systems to maximise efficiency and productivity while minimising waste and negative impact on the environment.
PERMACULTURE DESIGN COURSES
Our 2-week long Permaculture Design courses give a rich, comprehensive introduction to living, designing and creating in harmony with nature guided by the 12 principles of permaculture. They also offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience of community living and the dynamics involved in successful social projects.
Terra Alta is one of the most established Permaculture projects in Europe, with 15 years as a permaculture site-in-development and education centre, with over 40 certified Permaculture Design Courses taught.
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WHY DO WE STUDY PERMACULTURE?
By studying permaculture, we tap back into our knowledge of how to create self-sustaining and regenerative systems that provide for our basic needs while enhancing the health of the planet.
We re-learn how to work with nature and create abundance and resilience in our lives and communities.
Permaculture principles can be applied to many different settings, from small gardens to large farms, so it's really for everyone! Studying permaculture helps us deepen our connection with the natural world while creating a more sustainable and vibrant future.
In nature we never see anything isolated, but everything in connection with something else which is before it, beside it, under it and over it.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I live at Terra Alta?
As we are not a residential community but an education centre, we do not have the capacity to host anyone living at Terra Alta aside from our temporary course crew and permanent residents (hosts and their family).
For the same reason, we do not welcome drop-in visits. If you would like to collaborate with us in some way, check our Get Involved page.
What focus does Terra Alta's Permaculture Design course have?
We run a PDC based on the international curriculum created by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren, two permaculture pioneers.
Our course centres around small intensive systems and bio intensive farming, as well as social permaculture. It is a highly interactive programme with a lot of activities and embodied learning methods.
