Q: Does EAT give a permaculture certificate? What does certification mean? How could I use it?

A: Yes, regular EAT courses issue a valid permaculture design certificate on completion. It's proof that you've taken a standard 72-hour permaculture course from recognized teachers. This doesn't mean you're now an expert. It does means that you have the foundation to begin a lifetime of study and work. Like any other certificate, it can be used in resume building, job and school applications, nonprofit grantwriting, and so on. If you're requesting college credit, your school registrar may want to see it. Permaculture certification is de rigueur in some fields, and can be one of your credentials if you run a green business. The majority of our students aren't that concerned about certification, but for a few it's quite important. We are offering new courses now that do not have certification such as the Advanced EAT course, or the modular weekend Urban EAT course. THe Urban EAT course has the option of taking all the modules and receiving a certificate or just taking whichever modules you feel drawn to an d not receiving a certificate.

Q: Why does EAT costs so much? Shouldn't it be free, so we can all help save the planet?

A: This is where idealism meets reality. There's no getting around the fact that producing something of this size and scope takes money. But true to our idealism, EAT offers more scholarships and work-trades than any other pc program we know of.

The actual average cost per student for a two-week residential training is about $1300 (and going up as we write this). The low end of EAT's sliding-scale tuition, $1100, is less than our cost—an automatic scholarship. We make up the difference in fundraising and from those lovely people who pay a bit more than the minimum. If you are interested in donating, please see our EAT Mycelium Fund donation info by clicking on the "donation" button. Our costs include facility and accommodations rental; quality food; class materials; teachers', organizer's, and cooks' fees; equipment rental; transportation; insurance; advertising; administrative costs, and so on. We decline to "strip-mine" our teachers and staff by asking them to work free or next-to. Nor is this "Permaculture of the Rich and Famous." Any income over expenses goes back into the scholarship fund.

EAT gives numerous work-trades and occasional scholarships, for full and partial tuition. Currently between 40-50% of our students receive financial assistance. This is real money that EAT teachers and staff go out and raise. No foundation or government program supports us. We would love to find more scholarship funds—and funders—and thus offer more assistance to potential students. Meanwhile, if you're interested in EAT but can't afford it, we invite you to apply for work-trade, and invest your own time and effort to "Create Your Own Scholarship."

Finally, compare other tuitions for permaculture courses: $1200 is the average bottom of the scale. Bargain hunters might look at Penny Livingston's annually offered PINC weekend permaculture series (a mere $600 since it doesn't include any meals or lodging).

Q: I missed the deadline to apply for work-trade. Please, please, PLEASE can I get a work-trade or scholarship late?

A: We're truly sorry, but no. Our work-trade and scholarship deadlines are tight for a reason, not because we're mean. All applications received by deadline are processed immediately after the deadline, then a digest sent to EAT teachers. Applications are discussed, funds located, tough decisions weighed and made. Sadly, we have to turn down some fine people (who applied on time) simply because we don't yet have enough money to aid everyone. We let applicants know their status quickly, so they can arrange their own schedules and transportation, and those given partial aid can fundraise the remainder themselves. It's difficult to insert someone new into the middle of that process, and not fair to those who applied by deadline. Instead, plan ahead for the next EAT session, and don't dawdle on the dates.

Q: Are there age limits? Teenagers, elders?

A: The regular EAT courses are a program designed for adults. The youngest EAT students were 16 and 17, both motivated and focused young people. Such older teens are welcome. This is not the place for troubled, aimless kids, though. If under 21, a parent/guardian must give written permission and sign our liability waiver. Most EAT participants are in their 20's to 40's, and usually there's a wonderful small group of 50- to 60-year-olds. (We're waiting for our first 80-year-old to sign up!) You need to be reasonably healthy, but many elders have some physical limitations; remember you can always opt out of activities like digging swales. (Let the youngsters show off with the shovels.) We are beginning to offer other courses for families and youth, please check the home page for more info on what courses are offered.

Q: You're doing classes in January??! What about the weather?

A: We've found that our January classes in northern California are surprisingly popular. Those who work in gardening, farming, and building trades are "off" in the winter, and college students and teachers can often fit EAT into winter break. The weather here in Northern California is milder than most of the country, but it can be cold. It is rainy season, and a big storm is possible, but so far we've had good luck. January here usually gets stretches of sunny days, with crystalline air, daytime temperatures around 40-50F, possibly frosty at night. It's the beginning of our green time of year. Outdoor and hands-on sections may be shifted in response to rain. If you bring sufficient warm clothing and rain gear, you should be quite comfortable.

Q: When will future EATs be scheduled? Are there regular, annual dates?

A: We schedule EAT sessions around the needs and calendars of our teachers. This means that we don't have recurring, regular dates. In the past, we have held EAT sessions in US in winter, spring, and fall; and England every other summer. Get on our e-list to find out for sure.

Q: I'd like transportation info, please.

A: Details and directions are in our confirmation packet, sent to enrolled students. It will vary for each location, of course. Some general guidelines:

Don't book a flight without considering the lag time to travel from airport to the class site—and back again, plus check-in! Some students coming from far away have arranged an extra travel day on either end, stayed overnight in city, and next day caught a carpool or bus to the EAT site. People considering a train or bus have similar time lags.

Driving: If you have a car, we appreciate your offering a ride to others. If you don't have a car, we will help coordinate carpools. Please understand that we can't guarantee you a ride; you may need to hop a bus and travel on a bit to meet someone who can bring you to the site, and same going home. People who request carpool rides should not bring a lot of luggage and gear unless they know for sure there's room.

All students, please note: EAT starts with 6:00 dinner and introductory session on first night, and ends with lunch and clean-up on last day. Please plan ahead so you can be there for the whole thing. Carpools and shuttles do not run at odd times. If you must come late or leave early, be prepared to drive yourself.

Q: Can I arrive at the EAT site a day early? Stay a day late?

A: It depends on the location, some might be possible, some not. Usually we rent the accommodations for just those two weeks of our training, and not more. Unless you're a work-trader on assignment, you'll usually need to make other arrangements if you are in the area early or late. Consider nearby friends, hostels, campgrounds, B&Bs, motels, etc. You'll need your own transportation in most cases.

Q: Can I just come for some days and leave for others?

A: Preferably not. Of course no one must stay if they don't want to be there. But we encourage everyone who signs up to make the space in their life and attend from start to finish. Some of the class lectures will be confusing if you didn't hear the earlier material, and the teachers will not be able to take class time to update you on what you missed. It's also difficult to hold the integrity of the circle if people drop in and out. We'll all get much more out of it if you're there consistently; and your affinity and design groups will be better able to do their work. EAT is a priceless experience, take advantage of it!

If you feel that you can't spend two weeks away from your life, we suggest you investigate the Urban EAT Course that has weekend modules in San Francisco California, USA or look into Penny Livingston's PINC weekend permaculture courses, in the Bay Area of California, USA.

Q: How about communications? Can I call home, friends, and clients? Is there a place to check email? Get regular mail?

A: Yes. Most of our EAT course sites have a phone available for outgoing calls, but you must bring your own phone card. Computer access is also available. At some sites, you can plug in your own computer with Ethernet. You can always bring your own mobile phone, although it may not work from remote locales. Of course you can receive emergency calls and messages through the facility or EAT office. There's always a message board to leave messages for fellow EAT students. You can receive snail mail, also, and we'll have someone taking outgoing mail to post office.

Q: May I tape record the lectures?
A: For personal, private use, yes.

Q: Can I bring my cat? my dog? my kids? my partner? my friends?

A: Here's our guidelines on guests, whether of four- or two-footed variety.

Pets: Please leave all beasties at home or with a good friend. Do not bring your dog, cat, or python.

Kids: All EAT courses except for the "Family-friendly" or EAT with Childcare courses are courses for adults. There is no childcare at EAT courses other than ones we speficially tell you about. For the adult courses, children demand a lot of attention, which is distracting in a class situation and not fair to other students. Toddlers and older kids are best left home with a partner or parked at the grandparents'. Consider this as rare time for yourself. When we do a "family EAT" session, with childcare, naturally, it costs more, as we'd need to hire childcare providers, pay additional lodging and meals, and so on.

Adults: We don't allow drop-ins or visitors into regular class time. We ask all students to be respectful of these boundaries. At some of our courses we have a few "open evenings" for our immediate neighbors; your friends could come to those. On those evenings, with advance notice, your guests may join in the EAT evening meal beforehand; they will need to pay extra for food.

Q: Can I camp outside? Is it cheaper?

A: You may camp out at courses that we offer camping options at.

Q: Can I bring my own trailer/camper and park it there?

A: Not typically allowed unless we specifically state that it is, sorry.

Q: I can't make this session, but would like to be informed of future EAT sessions.

A: Send us an email to EarthActivistTraining(at)gmail.com and ask to be put on the e-list to be notified. (This list is never used for any other purpose, and your e-address is kept private.)