April Kidwell's Permaculture Education

Hi, my name is April Kidwell.

I am fundraising to help finance a hands-on educational experience where I will learn how to practically apply and implement all the skills and systems I have learned in my online Permaculture Design Certification course.  An in-person Regenerative Retreat hosted by my accredited permaculture school, Ecoversity, and my teachers, Penny Livingston and Stephen Brooks.

 

 

EXPERIENCE:

I have been training, volunteering and working in the field of eco studies since 2016 when I attended the Earthship Academy, where I learned how to build autonomous houses made from recycled and natural materials. In 2017 I volunteered with Foxhole Homes - helping to create an off-the-grid Earthship tiny house community for homeless veterans. The following year I volunteered on a disaster relief project in Puerto Rico - constructing an Earthship for a nonprofit bee farm (and family) devastated by Hurricane Maria. In 2019 I worked as a Zero Waste Facilitator providing education and implementing Zero Waste Management for large-scale events. I also managed a prominent recycling company in San Francisco. In the summer of 2020, I worked as a landscaper and fell in love with working directly with nature.

 

 

PERMACULTURE EDUCATION:

I had all of this experience and education working in environmental "actionism"; however, I still didn't know what I wanted to pursue in a career path. However, I did know that the word "Permaculture" kept popping up in my awareness and curiosity.

 

In December, I listened to that small voice echoing "Permaculture." So I enrolled in a six-month online course for a Permaculture Design Certification with Ecoversity - an accredited permaculture program in Costa Rica.

 

What is Permaculture?

 

Permaculture is a design science rooted in observing nature and thus creating human settlements that have the stability and resiliency of natural ecosystems.

 

It is COMPOSING with Nature rather than IMPOSING on nature.

 

My experience taking the online Permaculture Design Certification Course from Ecoversity has been unbelievably stimulating, fulfilling and transformative. I've been able to learn about everything from Agroforestry and Plant Guilds to Climate Systems, Mapping, Rainwater Harvesting, Soil Regeneration, Intensive Grazing, Aquaponics, Grey Water and Black Water Management, Composting Systems, Herbalism, Mycology, Beekeeping, Eco-Village Design, Economic Systems, Urban and Suburban Permaculture.... and that is just a fraction of the wealth of knowledge I've been exposed to in taking this course.

 

 

THE PROBLEM:

Although I UNDERSTAND these skills, systems, subjects, etc... Because I am a "hands-on learner," I do not yet know how to apply these skills.

 

 

THE SOLUTION:

The Ecoversity school has invited my class to participate in a 1 - 3 week Regenerative Retreat. We will learn how to implement and practically apply all the systems and skills we learned in our online class - IN-PERSON! Working with our classmates! Learning in person from our teachers, Penny Livingston and Stephen Brooks!

 

 

GOFUNDME:

I am asking for your help in financing this invaluable educational experience that will give me the exposure, confidence and knowledge to help solve environmental problems (like soil desertification, erosion, and drought) at the personal, community and global levels.  In addition, participation in this retreat will help me forge a career path in the field I love and am curious about.

 

 

TUITION:

It’s a 1-3 week program (June 13th - July 4th) that is located in Costa Rica.

The cost of tuition (for me at the scholarship rate) is $3,795. That is for the entire three weeks. That's roughly $175 per day and also covers food and lodging.

 

Whatever I can fundraise will inform me of the length of time I can participate in this program and what courses I can take.

 

 

THANK YOU:

Thank you so much for your attention and support. I have learned from all the previous opportunities that have led me to this point that I feel called to do the hands-on work. Thank you for supporting and sponsoring my education.