Permaculture Curriculum Design and Training in Jamaica

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Jeremiah Kidd, the founder of San Isidro Permaculture, a design and installation company based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, volunteered to assist the staff of the Jamaican Sustainable Farm Enterprise Program (JSFEP) to design a curriculum and conduct a permaculture training for emerging farmers in St. Thomas, Jamaica. Jeremiah has been working in the permaculture and sustainability field for over 20 years and often volunteers or consults overseas as part of his work. 

When approached for the assignment, Jeremiah states that he “was impressed by the scope of the project and JSFEP's forward-looking vision of helping Jamaica become more self-reliant and increasing food security. I was happy to help in this capacity.” Permaculture, as taught by Jeremiah, “is a design strategy that emphasizes maximizing the mutually beneficial relationships between different elements on the farm to increase yields, while reducing labor and material inputs. Designing the most efficient layout of the farm will help set the foundation for a successful endeavor.” 

The focus of his training was to give a general background of farm site design and layout with specifics on everything from soil science to intercropping strategies and an emphasis on how it relates specifically to organic small-scale farmers. He also focused on how to ecologically farm on slopes while minimizing erosion and increasing soil fertility and beneficial microbes. 


The Permaculture section of the training was delivered through different modalities like classroom lectures, presentations, and discussions. The group also had time each day for hands-on practicum projects. The practical exercises ranged from soil building and finding contour using simple tools, to constructing farming beds while maintaining soil conservation. Jeremiah also taught them about erosion control measures and passive rainwater harvesting techniques, as well as making compost and proper pruning. 

The participants studied the aspects of different sites, assessing wind, sun and soil conditions, slope, and other climatic factors and how they relate to the farm layout and food production. To apply what was taught, the students had small design projects and homework assignments in which they gave presentations. Each of the students gave a final presentation to the group explaining their personal farm design and how it will move them toward economic and ecological self-sufficiency. Throughout the training they discussed different economic opportunities and value-added products that they could produce. 

Jeremiah and the students also went on two field trips to existing farms to see examples of sustainable agriculture, in St. Thomas and St. Ann. They saw examples of crop rotation, the application of organic fertilizers, integrated pest management techniques and post-harvesting procedures. Jeremiah believes that JSFEP is offering relevant programs to achieve their goals and that the training he conducted was a success in facilitating the group’s learning process towards regenerative land management.

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