The Climate Change Permaculture Project (CCPP) is accepting applications for the inaugural 2024-25 season of the Permaculture Incubator Program.
The Problem
Climate change is becoming an increasingly urgent problem that can have impacts on human health and safety, the economy, natural resources, and ecosystems in the US and throughout the world.
Research shows that 10 per cent of the greenhouse gases, driving climate change, come from agriculture.
The Approach
To help reverse climate change, CCPP has launched a full-time, residential training program named the Permaculture Incubator Program (PIP).
For a detailed description of the program please click on the following link:
https://www.climatechangepermacultureproject.org/pip/
Below is a table that shows how the program addresses the most pressing needs that were identified in the National Young Farmers Coalition survey that was conducted in 2022.
| Barrier | Activity |
| Access to land | Use of a half-acre plot on which to implement training |
| Startup capital | Shared equipment, seeds/seedlings and amendments |
| Labor | CCPP Farm Manager and other beginning farmers |
| Training | https://pina.in/programs/diplomas/regenerative-land-management/ |
| Access to markets | Common retail outlet; strategic partnership with Mt Pleasant Farmers Market; CSAs |
| Affordable housing | https://www.climatechangepermacultureproject.org/2022/12/18/replacement-for-the-barndominium/ |
Trainee Costs and Benefits
Residential housing that will be available to trainees is currently on offer through Airbnb (see link below). Trainees are not obliged to live in the residential housing provided by the program. Those who do will pay $500/month rent. CCPP will help trainees to look for sponsors. In addition, trainees will pay 10% of their gross sales to CCPP to help to cover administrative costs.
In return, trainees will receive a diploma in regenerative land management with a specialization in climate change from PINA. After two years in the program, trainees should have saved enough money to lease farmland, make a down payment on property, or to purchase farming equipment. Finally, trainees can eat all the food that they can grow.
It’s Not About the Money
Eligibility
There are three criteria that applicants must meet to be considered for participation in the incubator program. Successful applicants must:
- demonstrate that they meet the conditions for being considered to be historically underserved, namely: beginning farmers, limited resource farmers, and socially disadvantaged farmers (i.e., women and people of color);
- hold a Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC). This requirement will ensure that applicants understand permaculture ethics, principles, design processes, and implementation techniques;
- and agree to follow program rules, including participation in research and evaluation protocols.
Application Process
In order to apply to the program, potential applicants must submit the following material:
- Letter of motivation (1 pg)
- Resume
- Permaculture design for one of the plots shown in the satellite image
- A short business plan
Application materials should be submitted to info@climatechangepermacultureproject.org by COB on 15 December 2023.
- Note the submission deadline has been extended. Apply today!
Selection Process
Application materials will be reviewed by a selection committee comprised of CCPP administrators and PINA field supervisors. Notifications will be sent by 31 December.
Success applicants will be invited to a week-long staging event during March in which collective decisions will be made and individual permaculture designs will be reconciled.
Contact
Please send inquiries to Karen Russon (Karen@climatechangepermacultureproject.org).