Learn off-grid design principles and gain practical skills to build future systems.

• All materials provided, including charging components
• Bring a friend and get 20% off
• 95% of public workshop attendees rated our course as 'excellent' or 'very good'

You will:

• Learn what energy is - how it works today, and what’s in store for the future
• Understand the electrical basics: current, voltage, resistance, power, series and parallel circuits.
• Learn to test and use 12V batteries.
• Know how to choose the right components to build working solar PV systems.
• Receive advice for designing larger off grid projects.
• Dig deeper into the energy dilemma - and possible solutions

No prior knowledge required!

For more information on course content go here.

To book a place go here.

To combine with a Build Your Own Solar Charger workshop and save £15 go here.

All profits reinvested into our social objectives.
Demand Energy Equality is a not-for-profit dedicated to increasing energy literacy, reducing energy demand and working with others to ensure equality of energy access.

Create your own portable solar charger from re-used materials able to power phones and USB devices

• Take your charger home at the end of the day
• All materials provided, including charging components
• Bring a friend and get 20% off
• 95% of public workshop attendees rated our course as 'excellent' or 'very good'

You will:

• Learn what energy is - how it works today, and what’s in store for the future
• Understand the electrical basics: current, voltage, resistance, power, series and parallel circuits
• Build your own fully functional solar PV panels
• Understand how to test your panel and connect charging components to use your power on the spot
• Dig deeper into the energy dilemma - and possible solutions

No prior knowledge required!
Watch our video preview here

For more information on course content go here.

To book a place go here.

To book with Introduction to Off-grid Systems and save £15 go here.

All profits reinvested into our social objectives.
Demand Energy Equality is a not-for-profit dedicated to increasing energy literacy, reducing energy demand and working with others to ensure equality of energy access.

This is a special opportunity to gain hands on experience implementing Permaculture systems under the guidance of experienced and internationally active Permaculture Designer Rico Zook. For one month we will live as a community designing, implementing and learning about the many different regenerative systems that are part of a functioning and productive holistic farm ecosystem. This is an in depth experience of living and working on a developing permaculture farm in the beautiful Pyrenees north of Barcelona Spain.
The Can Lliure Project is shifting from the pioneering stage to a secondary successional development phase that gives you the incredible opportunity of real life hands-on practical Permaculture applications in the field, in real life, while being mentored and guided by professionals.
This internship is strongly focused on practical hands-on learning from tools, their care, safe use, and maintenance, to providing, scheduling, guiding and encouraging their use in as many different and useful projects as possible.
www.i-permaculture.org
www.soilsunsoul.net

This is a special opportunity to gain hands on experience implementing Permaculture systems under the guidance of experienced and internationally active Permaculture Designer Rico Zook. For one month we will live as a community designing, implementing and learning about the many different regenerative systems that are part of a functioning and productive holistic farm ecosystem. This is an in depth experience of living and working on a developing permaculture farm in the beautiful Pyrenees north of Barcelona Spain.
The Can Lliure Project is shifting from the pioneering stage to a secondary successional development phase that gives you the incredible opportunity of real life hands-on practical Permaculture applications in the field, in real life, while being mentored and guided by professionals.
This internship is strongly focused on practical hands-on learning from tools, their care, safe use, and maintenance, to providing, scheduling, guiding and encouraging their use in as many different and useful projects as possible.
www.i-permaculture.org
www.soilsunsoul.net

Last years successful course in memory of Martin Wolfe, will be happening again this year and although sadly he is no longer with us, we hope that our course will continue his wonderful work of sharing of knowledge and skills, we know this was so important to him.

We have created a course that combines his lectures as well as Marina's experience of working along side Martin and setting up her own farms with Agroforestry methodologies.

“Agroforestry is both a traditional practice, and a modern practice. It has undergone a renewal and uptake for modern sustainable farming methods over the last 30-40 years The name of "agroforestry" was created in the 1977 to describe the deliberate use of incorporating trees into farming practice”

The course will be run by Marina O'Connell - Marina O’Connell is a horticulturist, permaculture designer, tutor and a biodynamic farmer. She has over 30 years of experience of training and growing in sustainable food systems including designing and implementing agroforestry systems on three farms. This two day course will equip you with an overview in how to design, implement and manage an agroforestry system. Starting with an introduction to Agroforestry and it benefits the course will lead you through designing and planning your own agroforestry system

We will visit four agroforestry systems on the Dartington Hall Estate, incorporating Alley Cropping, the Forest Garden at Martin Crawford’s Agroforestry Research Centre, and the new Agroforestry plots at the Schumacher College and at Huxhams Cross Farm.

Saturday, 13th March, 2021  - Sunday 14th March 2021 and Saturday 10th April - Sunday, 11th April, 2021 , £250 inc VAT including refreshments

Biodynamic Farming was the first form of ecological farming system, arising in 1924. It has also proven to be one of the most sustainable forms of farming with the highest levels of soil biodiversity found on farms.

This course is designed for the gardener, grower or farmer who wants to find out more about the principles and practices of biodynamic systems in a simple and practical way. You will cover the context of biodynamic systems and the Demeter regulations; how to carry out the practices of biodynamic systems, the use of the preparations and the calendar on both a practical and theoretical way. You will look in-depth at how preparations are made by working with local biodynamic practitioners who will give an insight in to the preparations and their uses. The course will be held on a registered biodynamic farm and will enable you to carry out some basic biodynamic systems on your own land.

Please note that this course takes place over two weekends

Saturday 26th September - Sunday 27th September £120.00 Inc VAT including refreshments

Last years successful course in memory of Martin Wolfe, will be happening again this year and although sadly he is no longer with us, we hope that our course will continue his wonderful work of sharing of knowledge and skills, we know this was so important to him. We have created a course that combines his lectures as well as Marina's experience of working along side Martin and setting up her own farms with Agroforestry methodologies.

“Agroforestry is both a traditional practice, and a modern practice. It has undergone a renewal and uptake for modern sustainable farming methods over the last 30-40 years The name of "agroforestry" was created in the 1977 to describe the deliberate use of incorporating trees into farming practice”

The course will be run by Marina O'Connell - Marina O’Connell is a horticulturist, permaculture designer, tutor and a biodynamic farmer. She has over 30 years of experience of training and growing in sustainable food systems including designing and implementing agroforestry systems on three farms. This two day course will equip you with an overview in how to design, implement and manage an agroforestry system. Starting with an introduction to Agroforestry and it benefits the course will lead you through designing and planning your own agroforestry system

We will visit four agroforestry systems on the Dartington Hall Estate, incorporating Alley Cropping, the Forest Garden at Martin Crawford’s Agroforestry Research Centre, and the new Agroforestry plots at the Schumacher College and at Huxhams Cross Farm.

This two-day Phase 1 Habitat Survey course is a must for professional ecologists, students interested in ecology, land managers, landowners and anyone interested in habitat survey.

Phase 1 Habitat Survey is the industry standard used by ecologists across the UK to classify and map habitats; many employers regard it as an essential skill for employment. Yet it is rarely taught on undergraduate degrees, and most available Phase 1 courses are only run for one day.

It produces a baseline for further survey work as well as a foundation for developing management plans and monitoring schemes. Ecological consultancies use Phase 1 to identify habitats threatened by development and guide mitigation proposals.

By spending two days on Denmark Farm’s range of habitats, we will be able to combine theory with practical field experience in both indoor and outdoor sessions. We will learn key indicator species for a number of habitats and create our own maps. We will cover practical aspects of survey, such as planning, equipment, best practice and, crucially, how to write up reports. There will be plenty of time to discuss how the technique can be applied to your specific needs and interests. Along with traditional methods, we will explore the digital Phase 1 Habitat Survey toolkit (free version: see http://www.brookes.ac.uk/bms/specialist-services/ceec/phase-one-habitat-...) and QGIS mapping.

A basic botanical knowledge will help you to get the most out of the course, but not essential.

It is essential to bring a copy of the Handbook for Phase 1 habitat survey – it is available as a free download at:

http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/PDF/pub10_handbookforphase1habitatsurvey.pdf
or to purchase from:
https://www.nhbs.com/handbook-for-phase-1-habitat-survey-handbook-and-fi...

Come and weave your own beautiful sun hat out of rush, a soft and aromatic material.
We will start by weaving a small mat to get into the feel of working with rush and then progress to making the hat for which we will use check weave, pairing, waling and rod bordering. Previous experience of basketry is definitely recommended.

Those that book will need to let us know at least one week prior to the course whether they’d like to make a flat topped or round topped hat and provide a head measurement, so that the tutor can prepare the blocks.

Rush is a wonderful material to weave with as it is softer and much gentler on the hands than willow. Ideal for anyone suffering with Arthritis or other hand issues.

All tools and materials provided. Please wear warm old clothing. Places are limited to eight participants per event and must be booked in advance.

A one day course on which you can either make a simple round fruit basket or, for those that have been on the previous two day Linen / Laundry Basket course, make a lid for your alibaba basket.

For both baskets we will start with a portcullis centre, use the pairing weave and finish with a rod border. Suitable for beginners if making a simple round bread basket.

All tools and materials provided. If you have your own sharp secateurs and a knife, please bring them along. Please wear warm old clothing. Places are limited to eight participants per event and must be booked in advance.