A Spring Immersion in Practical Permaculture
with Kyle Smith
A hands-on, five-day immersion in regenerative land design, focusing on soil health and plant propagation.
A Quinta and Surplus Permaculture Design invite you to join us for a five-day Permaculture in Practice (PIP) workshop on our 130-hectare regenerative farm in South West Portugal.
This course is rooted in soil, seeds, and early-season growth, working closely with the rhythms of spring on a regenerative farm in southern Portugal. Participants spend the week exploring soil as a living system while developing practical skills in composting, soil care, seed sowing, cuttings, and small-scale plant propagation. Learning happens through hands-on work, shared observation, and guided reflection, helping participants build a deeper understanding of why these practices matter and how they support healthy, resilient growing systems over time.
Why This Course? (Beyond the Theory)
The Permaculture in Practice (PIP) workshop is different from a Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC). While a PDC focuses primarily on theory and design principles, this course is hands-on, seasonally informed, and rooted in observation-led decision-making. A Quinta is a living classroom. You won’t just talk about systems; you’ll participate in them. You will gain the practical confidence to:
Manage soil as a living system (the basis of all healthy growth).
Master propagation as a tool for local resilience.
Read early plant growth as a feedback loop for design.
What You’ll Learn & Do
Learning is grounded in real conditions on the farm and shaped by the rhythms of spring.
Soil Health: Observe soil structure, moisture, and biology to inform management decisions.
Composting: Work with organic matter and soil-building practices.
Propagation: Practice seed sowing, cuttings, and divisions.
Nursery Management: Explore how small-scale nurseries support locally adapted systems.
Ecological Literacy: Develop confidence in connecting practical techniques to wider systems.
Is This For You?
No prior permaculture experience is required. This course is ideal for:
Beginners curious about permaculture who want to start with their hands.
PDC Graduates who have the theory but want more practical confidence.
Gardeners & Homesteaders looking to build soil and plant-based systems.
Doers who learn best through observation, action, and reflection.
What is Permaculture?
Permaculture is a design approach for creating regenerative agricultural and social systems. It draws on natural patterns and relationships to build systems that are productive, resilient, and ethical.
In permaculture, we work with nature rather than against it, using careful observation, practical techniques, and ethical decision-making. It applies at all scales from home gardens and small farms to communities and landscapes. Permaculture empowers people of all backgrounds and ages to connect with themselves, work towards their dreams, grow healthy food at home, utilise waste streams, reduce energy consumption, and live a holistic, rewarding life.
Meet the Facilitator Kyle Smith
After practicing horticulture and community living on a kibbutz in Israel when Kyle was 20, he was inspired to pursue a career in horticulture. During his studies, he completed an internship at Soil for Life, a Cape Town-based non-profit organisation empowering people to grow food and create healthy soil. Kyle went on to work at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens in Cape Town, South Africa, where his primary focus was conserving indigenous plant species, rehabilitating degraded ecosystems, and designing and establishing education gardens on the botanic garden's grounds. Kyle later became the perennial plant and nursery manager at Panya Project, Thailand, where he spent three years facilitating numerous permaculture and organic gardening courses, and designing and co-coordinating the volunteer and internship program.
He is currently living in southern Portugal, consulting and teaching for Surplus Permaculture Design. Kyle is passionate about conserving soil ecosystems, plant propagation, reforestation and small-scale ecological agriculture. He hopes to empower people to grow their own food, become more self-reliant, and regenerate a degraded ecosystem through his unique teaching style and depth of knowledge.
Location & Logistics
Experience life as part of the A Quinta community on our 130-hectare regenerative farm. Beyond the nursery, you’ll gain insight into intentional, regenerative living and cooperative land stewardship.
Included in the fee:
● 3 wholesome vegetarian (vegan options available) meals/day
We can accommodate for gluten free or other requirements with prior notice.
● All tools, materials & tuition
● Stays in Campervan/Tent:
Private rooms/cottages available on request (extra fee).
Prices
420€ with your own caravan or tent
480€ with accommodation in dormitory
We have private cottages, rooms and bell tents available, if you prefer this option please contact us to inquire about availability and pricing.
Your course fee supports both our facilitators and the ongoing regenerative projects at A Quinta.
How to Book:
Click "Book Now" to fill out our registration form.
After submitting, you will be redirected to Eventbrite to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your spot.
The remaining balance is due upon arrival (Cash or Bank Transfer).
Note: If we cancel the course, your deposit is refunded in full. If you cancel less than 7 days before the start, we ask for 75% of the total fee to cover our costs.