To grow the application of permaculture design thinking to all areas of human culture, The Peoples Diploma participants can choose to focus their work in any of the below fields. Those who practice in many fields develop a breadth of applying ecological design thinking across society.

For food production using regenerative agriculture methods and practices that increase biodiversity, reduce runoff and erosion, increase soil fertility, and sequester more carbon than they produce.

For work involving planning land uses with the community. This may include development of neighborhood organization efforts, place-making, Community Benefit Agreements, community building in general, and place/people sensitive developments.

For work with ecological restoration and regenerative land management techniques, as well as land, species, and resource preservation.

For work with populations concerning poverty relief, emergency response during catastrophes, restorative justice, and community peace-making. Also includes work with non-profits, public land, public institutions or other groups that tend common resources.

For work with the built environment, from design to construction, using natural and renewable materials, innovative heating/cooling/lighting techniques, and repurposing and rehabilitation of existing materials and structures.

For work involving the family unit that leads to whole homes, alternative parenting strategies, home self-reliance, alternative childbirth and rearing, and rituals that strengthen family ties.

For developing and/or putting into practice technical systems or inventions that improve efficiency, increase sustainability, provide better transport, generate energy, repurpose/recycle materials, conserve resources, and improve the lives of users while protecting or regenerating the environment.

For work involving scientific methods to study and document the success, or lack thereof, of techniques and practices to improve landscapes and communities.

For the development of art and information systems such as placemaking installations or art that highlights cultural/ecological significance. Also includes film, photo, and authorship related to permaculture.

For work that involves shifting legal policy, exploring alternative forms of governance, securing human rights and equal access to resources, as well as advocating for social and environmental justice via non-violent means.

For work within health care systems using herbal medicine, alternative non-invasive therapies, and mental health care modalities, as well as increasing access to health care for those populations who are underserved by mainstream health care.

For developing and promoting local employment, non-monetary exchange, cash recycling in community, cooperative formation, facilitation of new business models, and those financial and business systems that contribute to the regeneration of community wealth.

For work that advocates for, designs and/or builds alternative forms of transportation. Also includes work that increases access to public transportation, the design of walkable/bikeable communities, and transportation reduction via localization.

For work that involves the generation of clean and renewable energy sources on an individual or community scale.

For work that greatly reduces waste generation in any area of life or repurposes waste materials and resources for new uses.

For educational work using permaculture ethics and principles in any setting, formal or informal.

For inner work that expands the sense of connectedness in individuals and society. Also, for community development around spiritual practices that alleviate stress, increase community cohesion, and promote human development.

Ready to apply?  Submit your application to start the conversation!