THK Field Academy, Ubud, Bali (May 31, 2011) – The Field Trainer Internship is a 10-week course designed to prepare students to be permaculture trainers for sustainability and work in impoverished communities and disaster zones. The trainers, Steve Cran and Chakra Widia, aim to help students develop the skills to train people of different cultures and backgrounds to rebuild their communities, achieve food security all year round, and use proven strategies and techniques to restore the local economy.
A transition to a sustainable agricultural system is required for social and economic equity, food security, conservation of biodiversity, and provision of ecosystem services. Permaculture is an approach that could contribute to the sustainability of social and ecological systems, potentially improving livelihoods. In a semi-structured interview used to collect data in rural Zimbabwe and South Africa, it was found that permaculture, though not the dominant source of income, contributed to over 40% of total income for participants in both countries.
For AUD 3,500, students will learn all aspects of project design and implementation in difficult situations. By conducting the course in real communities and solving real problems, the students are allowed an opportunity to gain the field experience needed to bring self-reliance to people in difficult circumstances — using whatever resources are available locally to provide sustainable development assistance in the field. During the course, students will complete many small-scale projects needed in a poor community or disaster area. Some of these activities include:
- Building community infrastructure.
- Building nurseries and community forestry
- Converting farms to organic production.
- Constructing safe wells.
- Waste management.
For more information on the field courses, costs, and other relevant information, contact the Green Warriors at https://greenwarriorpermaculture.wordpress.com or greenwarriorsteve@gmail.com.
Summary: The Field Trainer Internship is a form of permaculture aid that helps students develop techniques to train people of different cultures to rebuild their communities, achieve food security all year round, and use proven strategies and techniques to restore the local economy.