Permaculture | USU Extension

USU Extension
Permaculture

What is Permaculture?

Permaculture is a way of caring for both the Earth and humanity. In Utah's dry climate, wise water use, soil care, reversing the effects of deforestation, increasing food security, and adapting to and mitigating projected impacts of climate change are emphasized.

But permaculture is more than a list of techniques. A permaculture mindset approaches the world with a holistic point of view, realizing that a single garden interconnects with both man-made systems and the environment as a whole, and strives for renewability, sustainability, and self-sufficiency.

Permaculture at Utah State University

Since 2013, the USU Permaculture Initiative has provided research, teaching, and outreach on permaculture design through USU Extension Sustainability. This includes permaculture as a community resiliency design framework in light of projected climate change impacts for the Southwest. This year, with partners like the Logan Library, the Bridgerland Audubon Society, and Moab Bee Inspired Gardens, we’re providing several workshops and presentations.

Professional Development

Permaculture Design Fundamentals

Our Permaculture Design Fundamentals online course culminates in a USU Extension certificate and was created through a partnership between professors and practitioners from Utah State University’s Departments of Environment and Society and Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning, and the Permaculture Institute, Inc.

The course involves four levels, introducing you to the foundational framework that guides the philosophy and methodology of permaculture as a design strategy, and overviews ideas that you will be able to apply in your personal life, home, and community.

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Intermountain West Permaculture Design Certificate

Offered next in Spring 2027.

people landscaping with rocks and shovels

Visit the USU Permaculture Gardens

Logan Garden

Moab Garden

Permaculture Impacts

Moab Bee Inspired Gardens

Mission: To inspire efforts toward pollinator health, water conservation, and food and forage systems using gardens, workshops and resources in a way that benefits our community and ecosystems.

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Permaculture Blog

The USU Permaculture Blog features permaculture sites around the United States. Read and learn about the different cultures and organizations Dr. Roslynn McCann meets during her permaculture journey.

Visit the Permaculture Blog

USU Extension Permaculture Publications

Events People

Videos Resources