This YouTube testimonial video (Ridgedale Permaculture Internship Review) compiles short interviews from several interns praising Ridgedale's intensive permaculture internship. Core claims: strong integration of theory and practice (classroom directly tied to on-farm application); program teaches multiple design approaches (permaculture, keyline, holistic management) used together to structure the farm; the course is an intensive/fast-track format (~seven-week season referenced) combining hands-on farm operation, design training, and accommodation/food; participants say it prepares people to start their own regenerative farms or design projects and recommend it for those serious about getting on land.
Chapters
I wanted to learn how to establish a farm. It's rare that this happens now. It's hard to find a place where the teacher has so much experience at a young age and is giving an opportunity to come and establish the farm as a whole.
I really wanted to get an experience of hands on work in a theoretical context of regenerative farming. And this was the only place I could find where I could get all of that in one package.
There's a really good connection between the theory and the practice. You go straight from the classroom and see exactly what you were talking about being put into place.
That was one of the main reasons actually why I decided to come to Ridgedale is their focus not just on permaculture or keyline or holistic management, but using all three of those as a way to structure their farm.
The found of design that we've been given here, I can see how it can be of benefit in so many different situations.
You get the experience of running a farm and of all the practical aspects about it, together with some more theoretical knowledge about holistic management, keyline design, about designing a place like this. And you also get amazing food and accommodation.
This is a sort of fast track intensive course, which is what I was looking for to walk away here being confident to start something.
Back in Australia we're getting directed education in specific aspects of farm design and maintenance. We're getting lots of one on one and small group time working with the staff.
I haven't seen or been anywhere where there's so much energy and thought put into every action.
I feel like I have a much more practically embodied sense of design now because of seeing it applied on this farm.
If you're going to set up systems yourself, you need to learn the early step. There's not many places around you can learn things like this with a good example of it happening around you. That is of course super helpful and very, very nice to see. You see things develop, things being prioritized, you see the step truly and yeah, authentic.
I think it's a very powerful place. There's so much going on here every day.
It's been great. It's been amazing. The balance of classroom and practical activity here is fantastic.
It's only been here for one season and to see everything that's happened is amazing. Just to look back over seven weeks and what we've done is amazing.
I would recommend it for people who are really serious about getting onto land and starting up a regenerative enterprise. Then I think this is one of the best stepping stones towards that, and.
Especially at this time, to get insight into what it takes to start a project like this, the quality, the teaching and the experience is very well worth it.
I think if you want to start up your own farm, or if you do want to get further into design, which is something I've possibly gotten out of this, this is the perfect place to come for that.
I think if people are serious about practical regenerative agriculture, whether it's a project of your own or you're thinking of design in the future or anything like that, then yeah, absolutely, I think it's a great investment, for sure.
