Menu
June 14 – 21, 2025
Our Dancing Rabbit PDC, in partnership with Midwest Permaculture, features:
• a focus on climate change solutions—what we can actually do as permaculture practitioners and global citizens;
• learning from community members experienced in gardening, farming, natural building, alternative energy, self-governance, communication skills, cooperation, and conflict resolution;
• exploration of social and financial permaculture, as well as personal “inner sustainability,” so that we can continue taking care of ourselves while we care for the planet.
All with the world-renowned Bill Wilson himself covering:
• Water and Earth Works
• Building Soil Fertility and Growing Food
• Creating Alternative Energy Systems
• Building Sustainable Shelter
• Social and Economic Applications of Permaculture
• The Design Process and Practice Opportunities
• Designing for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Settings
Note that our format is intentionally “intensive”—our time together will be packed full from morning to evening. Bill Wilson will be hosting a couple Zoom sessions in advance of your arrival at Dancing Rabbit to cover introductory basics and ensure you’ll be ready to hit the ground running!
Sharon Bagatell has been studying and practicing permaculture for the past twenty years in both temperate and tropical climates. Building on her extensive background as an environmental educator, she received a design certificate while living at Earthaven Ecovillage, a teaching certificate through Midwest Permaculture in Illinois, an advanced design certificate in Designing for Climate Resilience through Oregon State University, and a Home Horticulture Certification also through Oregon State.
Sharon lived at Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage for 10 years where she and her partner built a timberframe straw-bale home with a gardenable roof. Natural building is in her bones and was one of the teachers of their Natural Building Workshops.
Sharon is presently living in Durham, North Carolina, and is passionately involved in citizen advocacy on climate change. She is the author of a permaculture curriculum for children and a step-by-step permaculture manual for low-literacy Malawian farmers.
When Bill discovered the word and body of work called ‘permaculture’ he was delighted to find that there was a word for all of the things he had been interested in and pursuing from the beginning.
The PDC course was a watershed moment for Bill as it provided the understanding and answers to so many of the questions he held as well as a path or way to deal with so many of our cultural dilemmas. It was clear that he had found his life’s work — bringing this amazing and inspiring body of work closer to home so others could learn about permaculture as well. Midwest Permaculture was birthed shortly thereafter.
Erik Peterson first encountered Permaculture in 2012 while working at Community Food Initiatives, a 501 (c)3 non-profit focusing on regional food security through community and school gardens, and farmers’ market programs. Erik received his PDC at Solid Ground Farm in Athens, Ohio in Spring of 2014, where he also met Olivia, then went on to earn his Permaculture Teachers Training through Midwest Permaculture (MWP) in the summer of 2015.
After further training in natural building at Cal-Earth, Master Gardener certification, and Pattern Literacy (with Toby Hemenway), Erik accepted an offer to become a Teaching Apprentice with Bill and Becky Wilson of MWP.
Erik has co-taught 15 Permaculture Design Courses with MWP across the US and Canada over the last 3 years, and has facilitated and taught in 3 PDC courses independently. Erik also teaches the Permaculture curriculum locally at Hocking College. Erik splits his time between the educational and social Permaculture centered farm he and his partner Olivia Miller Peterson co-founded in 2015, Fern Hollow Farm, LLC, and Erik’s business by the same name, which focuses on Permaculture and native plant design and installations, rainwater systems, earthworks, masonry, building and more.
Cost: $1,795
Early-Bird Cost (until 4/22): $1,595
Indoor accommodations are available for an extra fee.
We have special rates for groups, seniors, students, and low income individuals. Please fill out the registration form and we’ll send you more information. Partial scholarships are available. Please inquire for more details.
The course will be based in our beautiful Casa de la Cultura. The village, gardens, and agricultural lands of Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage will be our laboratory. You’ll have abundant opportunities for hands-on learning!
Although course days are packed full, there will be opportunities to learn about Dancing Rabbit, connect with villagers, and participate in village activities. Please check out the rest of our website to learn more about our ecovillage.
The course fee includes camping accommodations in Dancing Rabbit’s wooded campground. Platforms for tents are provided, along with a composting toilet and access to showers in the Dancing Rabbit Community Building.
Limited indoor accommodations are available to rent during the course for an additional fee. There are several options from small cabin rooms, private homes, and the Milkweed Mercantile. Registrants will receive a link to our accommodation reservations page.
Dancing Rabbit’s eco-B&B, the Milkweed Mercantile, will be preparing all of the course meals – and really good food is their specialty!
We can work with a range of dietary needs – let us know your particulars when you fill out the registration form. Please note that we do our best to accommodate different dietary needs but cannot guarantee that we will be able to.
The all-inclusive fee covers: instruction, materials, meals, camping platform (bring your own gear), showers, bathrooms, WiFi, and community building access.
Cost: $1,795
Early-Bird Cost (until 4/22): $1,595
Indoor accommodations are available at an extra cost.
We have special rates for groups, seniors, students, and low income individuals. Please fill out the registration form and we’ll send you more information. Partial scholarships are available. Please inquire for more details.
Are you tired of feeling powerless about the world’s problems?
Are you looking for real solutions to address the issues we face today?
Are you ready for an inspiring, life-changing experience?
Using our nearly thirty-year-old ecovillage as a living laboratory, our Permaculture Design Course interweaves the wisdom and knowledge of the permaculture movement with the firsthand learning experiences of an intentional community. Central to this course are interactive learning experiences around the ecovillage, project-based learning, and opportunities for creative expression, human connection, and celebration. Prepare to be surprised and inspired!
Average Course Rating from Past Participants
• Knowledge and hands-on experience in permaculture design and application
• Access to a worldwide movement
• A Permaculture Design Certificate
• Deep connections with classmates and teachers
• Hope, inspiration, and empowerment!
© 2024 Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage. 1 Dancing Rabbit Ln, Rutledge, Missouri, USA 63563. All rights reserved. For more information check out our Annual Report and Privacy Policy.