Permaculture and Ecovillage Immersion

June 10-August 11, 2017

Registration Closed

at Earthaven Ecovillage | near Asheville, North Carolina

Includes Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) and Ecovillage Design Education (EDE) Certificate

Acquire skills. Enhance awareness. Empower the self. Awaken connection.

Expand your experience and unlock your gifts in this life-changing, community-based learning journey at Earthaven Ecovillage. Learn how to make informed and responsible choices for your basic needs through applied permaculture design and ecological living; forge deep, authentic relationships with yourself, others, and Earth; and contribute to a more sustainable and just world for all.

Education with Purpose

The Permaculture and Ecovillage Immersion is a two-month residency grounded in the integrated life of Earthaven Ecovillage—an ideal experimental classroom in the mountains of Western North Carolina.



Through experiential and traditional techniques, you'll undertake a transformative, eco-cultural learning experience. You’ll gain practical, real-life skills while fostering personal connection and growth in a supportive environment. The immersion lays the foundation for you to experience more happiness, vitality, deep listening, empathy, zeal for life, inner healing, and leadership on a daily basis.

SOIL attracts people from many walks of life who share a vision for a world that is ecologically harmonious, socially just, spiritually connected, personally empowering, and provides true wealth for all. The Permaculture and Ecovillage Immersion's engaging curriculum offers opportunities to expand your awareness, further develop essential life skills, and cultivate your unique gifts and passions. The Permaculture and Ecovillage Immersion team is ready to help you know those passions more intimately, step into your fullest expression, and play your role in the courageous co-creation of a new culture and world.

Ecovillage Design Education

SOIL, in partnership with Gaia Education, present the Ecovillage Design Education (EDE) certification upon completion of the program. The Permaculture and Ecovillage Immersion is one of only two programs in the United States to offer this internationally recognized credential, part of the UNESCO Global Action Programme on Education for Sustainable Development. The EDE curriculum prepares students to address the social, economic, ecological, and worldview dimensions of sustainability. This broadly integrated approach gives EDE graduates the perspective to lead change in communities from the local to the global.

Important Details

WHEN: June 10–August 11, 2017 (9 weeks). See Schedule and Calendar for details.

WHERE: Earthaven Ecovillage near Asheville, North Carolina. See Location for details.

CURRICULUM: Our dynamic curriculum combines ancient social and ecological wisdom with modern techniques, empowering people of all ages to become stewards, mentors, and leaders. See Curriculum for details.

FOOD & LODGING: Your tuition covers all food. We offer catered meals during tightly scheduled learning times and food for self-prepared meals during all other times. Camping is included in your tuition, and indoor lodging is also available. See Food and Lodging for more details.

PROGRAM COST: $6,800 ($6,400 until March 31, 2017). This cost includes food for the full two months, camping, field trips, instruction, PDC and EDE certifications, and all materials. See Application and Tuition for more details.



The breakdown of the program cost is as follows:

Tuition, certification, and materials: $4,725 ($5,125 after March 31)

Food and Lodging: $1,675

APPLICATION: A limited number of spaces are available for the 2017 Immersion. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage interested participants to apply as early as possible. See Application and Tuition for more details.

FAQs: For more information, take a look at our FAQ page.