Neil Willmann, PDC Teacher

Less than one month to go until the February Permaculture Through the Heart Design Course begins! Here, at Jiwa Damai we are getting very excited. Our international team of specialists is waiting for you!

Although we are very eager to know you, let’s first introduce our facilitators: Neil Willmann, Daruma ecofarm founder in Thailand; Margret Rueffler, founder of Jiwa Damai permaculture center Bali and Lagu Damai foundation and Johanes Wibowo, head of Green School Bali gardens. Find more about the structure of the course here.

In this blog post we will talk about Neil Willmann but follow us. Soon we will come back with information about our other facilitators.

Permaculture Design Course

Neil Willmann is originally from Chicago. Neil’s academic studies include a degree in oceanography from the university of Hawaii where he worked on recirculating, marine aquaculture systems.  Later, he returned to his hometown to complete another degree in physics.  Physics, particularly thermodynamics, serves as much of the foundation for ecology in general and even specifically the origins of much of permaculture design theory.

Neil has traveled, lived and worked in many parts of the world and recently (2007) settled down in Thailand, about an hour outside of Bangkok. He currently teaches physics, energy studies, and engineering design methodology at Asian University of Science and Technology where he also conducts research in ecological system engineering using engineering mathematics to validate eco-agrology methods (such as organic farming).

Additionally, Neil is the executive manager of Daruma Eco-Farm and co-founder of the Mosaic School, the first full-time primary school based on permaculture principles offering an alternative, holistic ecological conscious education. Daruma, under Neil’s direction, has hosted numerous permaculture courses, natural and earth building courses, Thai massage courses, and more.  Neil has led and instructed many students in permaculture including many credited undergraduate and graduate study programs with universities in the USA, Canada, France, Netherlands, Denmark and Germany.

Neil is passionate about life-long learning.  “The only true ‘expert' in ecological engineering design is Nature.  Because of this, permaculture design promises a creative, lifelong learning capacity that will always be rewarding.”  As for teaching permaculture, Neil says, “When it comes to teaching subjects like permaculture, ‘rewarding’ doesn’t even begin to describe the feeling of giving the gift of a more complete understanding of a complex subject such as ecology, and a foundation of design methodology that allows others to confidently go forward and effect meaningful change in the world.”

Cleansing of the lotus pond

pond

Recently we had to clean the lotus pond at Jiwa Damai, since it was overgrowing with weeds.

Aitor and Justin, our two volunteers, as well as Wira, Jiwa Damai's coordinator, were getting ready to get into the mud of the lotus pond. To avoid possible skin irritations they covered their legs with large plastic bags, which are held at the top of the legs with tapes.

Preparation to work in the mud

However once they were in the pond, they found the mud quite agreeable and liked to walk and work in it, more like a mud bath.

Lotus pond

The growing weeds were pulled out and then the roots separated from the leaves which are used as mulch for our garden. In the ponds also grow large amounts of cancun, Balinese spinach which we use in our kitchen. Most probably we will eat Balinese spinach for the next three days. ;-)

Organic cooking at Jiwa Damai

One of the activities we offer to our guests is taking part in a cooking class with our Balinese cook. From our Balinese cook you will learn about local dishes and ingredients, pick vegetables in our garden and learn how to prepare the dish. We mostly use fresh organic veggies from our permaculture garden.

This is the recipe for our chicken dish. You'll need the following ingredients: Chicken, onion, garlic, ginger, chilli, lemon grass, salt, pepper and oil.

These ingredients are all mixed together and ground. The chicken is plugged into very small pieces, only the white meat is used. The tiny chicken pieces are  tossed into the uncooked herbal mixture and well mixed. Its taste  is utterly delicious. The chicken is served with rice and veggies.

Cooking

cooking_2

Organic food

PDC Course with Rico Zook and Jeremiah Kidd

Next year Jiwa Damai will be hosting a Permaculture Certification Seminar with two internationally renowned permaculture designers: Rico Zook and Jeremiah Kidd.This is an intensive 17-days seminar , including hands-on experience in the gardens at Jiwa Damai.

The seminar takes place from Febuary 24 - March 12, 2013.

Using a variety of learning techniques and strategies this workshop will present Permaculture with various applications in mind. Class time will consist of traditional lectures, group discussions, game, exercise photoshows and movies. Teaching focuses on land systems with hands on work in the gardens at Jiwa Damai. Furthermore this course teaches how to integrate and use Permaculture in ‘Invisible structures’ those social, cultural, political and economic structures that shape much of our world today.

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For more information regarding the Permaculture Certification Seminar, please visit our website: www.jiwadamai.net.