Introduction to Permaculture
Permaculture offers a framework for designing regenerative systems that work with nature. Kenton Zerbin introduces the principles, ethics, and practical applications that make permaculture a tool for creating resilient landscapes.
Introduction to Permaculture
Permaculture is more than techniques. It’s a way of seeing relationships.
When you understand how natural systems work, design becomes simpler. Instead of fighting against nature, you work with it. Instead of asking how to control a problem, you ask what conditions created it and what might shift those conditions gently.
Kenton Zerbin has been teaching this approach for over a decade. His sessions don’t just inform. They shift perspective and leave people energized to act.
What Permaculture Addresses
Permaculture is a strategic approach to designing properties and systems based on clear principles. It mirrors natural, self-sustaining ecosystems to rebuild soil ecology and grow abundant food.
The framework applies to gardens, farms, and broader land use, scaling to fit backyards or several acres. Whether you manage a small urban lot or rural acreage, the principles adapt to your situation and goals.
Design decisions consider water flow, sun exposure, wind patterns, existing vegetation, and how elements interact. A chicken coop placed near a garden provides fertilizer and pest control. A pond stores water, moderates temperature, and supports wildlife. Each element serves multiple functions.
What You’ll Learn
This evening covers core permaculture principles and how they apply in practice.
Kenton walks through how natural systems inform design decisions. He shares strategies for building resilient food-producing landscapes and offers practical next steps for applying permaculture on your property.
Examples are rooted in Alberta conditions. Cold climate considerations shape what works here. You’ll see how permaculture adapts to short growing seasons, winter temperatures, and prairie wind.
The session balances theory with application. You’ll understand the why behind permaculture principles and see how they translate to real properties.
You’ll leave with a clear picture of what permaculture offers and how it might fit your land.
About Kenton Zerbin
Kenton brings enthusiasm that plants seeds and sparks action. His teaching style makes complex systems accessible and leaves audiences ready to experiment. He’ll be leading the Edmonton Permaculture Guild’s first Permaculture Design Certification program this summer, July 19-31, 2026, at the Change Center.
Why This Matters Now
More people want to grow food, build soil health, and create resilient systems on their properties. Permaculture provides a tested framework for doing that work effectively.
This introduction offers a foundation. From there, you decide how deep you want to go.