Biodynamic Retreat at Ubud Permaculture
We Grow Amazing Things Everyday

Welcome to Ubud Permaculture!

Welcome to our little secret retreat hideaway hidden in the jungle just 5km north of Ubud Bali.

By the end of the retreat, you will have made valuable contacts with like-minded people from around the world, and have learnt the basics of Permaculture Design that you can take away to start your own journey as a Permaculture Ambassador !

Educate yourself in regenerative land management, efficient market garden practises, agroforestry, pastured animal systems, forest farming, rainwater harvesting and much, much more …

Tuition Fee
Our 3 day retreat fee will be offered at 5.800.000 IDR
The fee includes:
– 3 full days of tuition (classroom and practical sessions)
– 3 meals and drinks for lunch (vegetarian / vegan meal).
– Certification
– Printed Permaculture Course Handbook
– Online Dropbox including 20 of the best permaculture books and useful documentation.
An “early bird” discount (5 000 000 IDR) will be offered to those who book before the 1st of November.

*The fee does not include breakfast and dinner, accommodation, travel to and from the location

Complete the Registration Form then claim your Early Bird Discount by booking before Nov 1st and entering Coupon Code “BIOEARLY” below.

To help you choose your preferred accomodation, there is a full description of the Villas and Amenities here https://sudamala.com/

Permaculture Principles

Permaculture offers clues and guidance on how to make your life fit to the place where you live. It isn´t a new idea. Indigenous cultures have been living sustainably in their ancestral territories for thousands of years. Permaculture then, is a way of offering to those of us not fortunate enough to have been born into a sustainable civilization a model for how to live sustainably in one place.
After witnessing too many permaculture course s with too little meaningful hands – on experience,
we a re offering this re treat as a deep dive in to practical application of Balinese traditions, Biodynamic techniques and Permaculture principles.
You will be guide d by expert instruction from regenerative farmers , sharing what they’ve learned over decades in the field.
The curriculum is organized around 6 modules (20 hours) combining lectures, videos, hands-on and practical demonstrations, giving each participant an opportunity to learn at their own pace.
This 3 days retreat offer you the opportunity to :
– Observe and learn from numerous well-established permaculture systems in action
– Discover and understand our farm, rainforest and rice paddies with a new vision
– Connect with a network of local and international gardeners, builders and designers
– Participate in installations, hands-on activities and collaborative workshops
– Acquire a certificate and a toolbox of permaculture techniques, strategies, solutions, resources, and skills.
The skills you will learn are valued all over the world , and will be needed to re-design and improve many aspects of your life, from your home to your livelihood, relationships, and community.

”"Ubud was the perfect place to put the theory learned into practice every day in the afternoon hands-on lessons.Highly Recommended! Jo is a wholeheartedly wonderful teacher and thus an environmental activist in its purest form, sharing his knowledge and love for mother earth "
Judith, Switzerland

“We had such a fantastic time helping Nyoman at the farm. It felt like Nyoman had been a friend for years ! It was a learning experience as Nyoman always explained about different permaculture methods, the plants and their uses as well as sharing Balinese culture with us.”
Florence & Andy, UK, Nov 2024UK, Nov 2024

”“During these 10 days an incredible amount of knowledge is imparted, combined with Jo’s years of practical experience. His passion is contagious and inspiring
At the same time, we received a whole lot of documentation and further information for our self-study. The course was absolutely enriching and I was able to apply what I had learned immediately.
This course is the optimal start for a life with permaculture, on a small scale or for the professional future.”
Dominika, Germany

“I arrived at Ubud permaculture knowing nothing about Permaculture, but after a few hours with Nyoman I am inspired to start my own Permaculture garden when I get home.”
Phillippe, France, Dec 2024Dec 2024

“My time at Ubud Permaculture was absolutely fantastic—I cannot recommend it enough! Learning about the different elements of permaculture and agriculture with Nyoman was incredibly educational. Being surrounded by the secluded jungle, away from the rest of the world, felt like stepping into a sanctuary—an experience I am eternally grateful for.
I felt so welcomed and cared for by everyone, truly part of the community. Thank you so much for having me—I will definitely return!”
Izzi, UK, Feb 2025Feb 2025

“Ubud Permaculture was a wonderful experience for me. Nyoman, Wayan and their family welcomed us with open hearts. Nyoman, who is in charge of the volunteers, loves farming and that is why the farm is beautiful and full of various plants. Nyoman's family prepared traditional Balinese food for us and I must say that I have never tasted better in Bali.
I recommend checking out their Instagram page to learn more about permaculture. from preparing compost to gardening to planting rice.
Nyoman and Wayan are amazing people with their hearts in the right place. I will definitely be back to the farm soon.
Thank you for everything!”
Stela & Micha, Czech Republic, Mar 2025Mar 2025

“Nyoman explained a lot to me about plants and permaculture. I got an insight into different jobs and appreciated the variety: growing seedlings, creating new garden beds, producing compost, weeding, cementing Susu's stable, preparing duck food, collecting and processing bamboo poles, etc. I also learned a lot about Balinese culture and was able to get to know various local dishes. Thank you very much for this unique experience!”
Sarah, Switzerland, Jan 2025Jan 2025

Biodynamic Retreat – Curriculum Outline
The curriculum is divided into 6 modules over 20 hours. Each module reinforces the knowledge gained in earlier sessions – as spiral learning: each subject is related to the others. By the end of the course, this whole-systems approach will give you regenerative tools to improve your life.

Module 1: Biodynamic and Permaculture – History, Ethics, and principles – Pattern understanding

Module 2: The Permaculture Design – Elements and functions – Zone planning – Use of Natural resources

Module 3: Soil (where it all begins!) – pH – soil problems – regenerating and mineralizing soil

Module 4: Water management – Calculating catchment – Ponds and dams – slopes, terraces and swales

Module 5: What to plant where? – Cool to hot climates – Climatic factors – Altitude – Prevalent winds – Maximising sunshine

Module 6: Animals as a fundamental part of the system – recycling manure for compost – helping control pests

CONCEPTS
Rudolf Steiner’s Biodynamic Permaculture:

History, Philosophy & Principles – Patterns in Nature – Regenerative design – Energy Storage and Resources

ECOLOGICAL THEMES IN DESIGN
Soil, where it all begins – Trees and Forests – Water – Climate

CULTIVATED ECOLOGY
Soil building techniques – Forest gardens – vegetable gardens – Nursery care – raised beds – renewable energy systems – waste recycling – water management – Integrated Pest Management – climate-appropriate strategies – Natural Buildings – Urban Permaculture

DESIGN
Intro to Design – Process and Methodologies of design – Techniques and tools for Design Strategies

SOCIAL PERMACULTURE
Integrating with your Community – Education in the wider Community – Embracing the Arts, Music & Dance

HANDS-ON LEARNING
This course relies heavily on regular Hands on sessions introducing you to the the basic tools & techniques of applying Permaculture to food cultivation.

Soil testing – Seed Planting – Composting strategies – Organic Pesticides and Fertilizer – Farm Animals

These sessions will allow attendees to see a working farm in action and get their hands dirty !

The Facilitators

Jonathan Semo
Permaculture ambassador, Organix Asia
After completing my first Permaculture Design Course in Argentina in 2001, my life shifted and I started to apply permaculture principles in my work, bringing holistic management to my musical events and festivals. During the year 2013, I graduated in the field of Education, Design, Site Development, and Community Service at the Permaculture Institute in St Louis. Being trained to be a Permaculture designer and a consultant by Scott Pittman and Larry Santoyo. “It has been an amazing learning experience to complete this training among the most experienced Permaculture designers and educators in the world”.
For more than a decade now, I have been consulting, designing, regenerating and facilitating workshops
around the world (South America, North Africa, Europe and South East Asia).

Nyoman Gunawan

Permaculture Designer, Ubud Permaculture

I am Nyoman and I will be your local guide to understand how here at Ubud Permaculture, we have integrated Permaculture principles with traditional Balinese life. You will be meeting “Susu & Taksu” our cows, our farm cats, our crazy chickens and “Adam & Eve” with their extended duckling family.

Our farm is totally based on Permaculture Organic principles, and we usually have over 70 varieties of fruit and vegetables to tend daily.
A typical day starts as the sun rises by feeding the animals and watering the gardens, before collecting the manure from Susu’s house to make compost.
We will share with you all of the permaculture knowledge that we have picked up in the last few years.

Schedule

(This might be subject to change to adjust to the audience. A detailed schedule will be given to the participants at the venue)

Food
The meals are fresh and locally prepared with as many homegrown ingredients as possible.
It is low on chilli and of course made with love.
If you have any specific supplements or health products that you like to use please carry your own (eg: Spirulina, Ayurvedic medicine, multi vitamins, etc).
We are not far from Ubud so you can order food easily using Grab or Gojek.
All the food served is strictly vegetarian with some dairy based food options for those who consume dairy. Vegan and gluten free items are also available. For those with other intolerances and allergies, please do specify clearly in the registration form and we will try our best to accommodate.
Weather in Bali in November
November is generally a good month to visit Bali as the wet season normally does not start until December. You can expect some rain, but it usually comes in short bursts and is often followed by sunshine. Temperatures remain warm (between 24 and 30). It is good to be prepared with a light rain jacket a summer hat, and some sensible shoes/boots for the garden !
Registration Form Link
On completion of the Registration form participants will receive the payment details in their email. You can also book through this site and we just take a small deposit on your credit card to reserve. Limited spots are available, so book your spot now to get the early bird special discount (until 01/11/25).
We look forward to an educational and inspiring retreat at Ubud Permaculture.
Hope to see you here !

Jonathan Semo – Organix Asia – jonsemo@gmail.com – +66 80 9988 292 Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/organasia
and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/organix.asia

ACCOMODATION OPTIONS

Just 5km north of Ubud, our farm resort consists of 2 adjacent villas each with their own private infinity pool, and 4 comfortable Glamping Tents hidden away in the Jungle for the more adventurous (and those on a budget!)

As a family run Luxury Farm Retreat our mission is to provide a unique Balinese experience for each of our guests, embracing the tranquility of the rainforest and our traditional lifestyle.

Surrounded by our extensive Permaculture Garden, backing on to a luscious tropical food forest, the whole Farm overlooks the beautiful Petanu River Valley and, to the rear of the Farm, extensive unspoilt rice paddies.

It is the ideal spot for groups, families, yoga retreats and permaculture courses.

Nestled in a rainforest with spectacular views of Bali’s only active volcano Mt. Agung, our Villas are built in a fusion Balinese/Queenslander style using only sustainably sourced Ironwood (Ulin) and Bengkarai timber from Kalimantan, each corner of the Villa is aligned with the natural environment that surrounds it.

A soak in our Copper bathtub watching the sunset, followed by a gentle yoga session on an open-air deck, an herbal-infused massage to melt the day’s thoughts away, or simply sitting with a cup of lemongrass tea as the sky turns shades of fire and gold—whatever you choose, the experience is one of deep relaxation.

You will learn the value of Slow Living amongst the peace and calm of raw nature, in the company of our little family of ducks, cows and cats.

Surrounding the Villas are our beautifully laid out Permaculture Gardens, designed around the ancient rice terraces and making extensive use of the traditional Subak water system

Our Villas back on to an unspoilt fruit forest packed with mango, coconut, cacao, coffee, rambutan and durian trees

With a spacious Yoga Shala/Dance Studio and strong connections in the local community, we specialise in creating unique experiences for our valued guests. Why not try one of our unique Tours and Cooking Classes ?

We also have 4 Glamping Tents hidden in the Jungle so can accommodate comfortably until 24 persons.

There is a full description of the Villas and Amenities on our website https://sudamala.com/

Can I attend the PDC and stay in my own accommodation ?

Answer – Yes! Participants are free to choose their own accommodation, on or off site. There are many accommodation options in the area, just search for Ubud Permaculture, Gentong on Google Maps to find our location.

FAQs

Can I attend the PDC and stay in my own accommodation ?

Answer – Yes! Participants are free to choose their own accommodation, on or off site. However, the course begins right after breakfast at 9am.

Do I need any prerequisites or a particular background, in order to participate in the PDC ?

Answer – There are no prerequisites except for a basic knowledge of the English language as this course will be taught in English. This Permaculture retreat is tailored for people of all ages and educational backgrounds.

When exactly is it ?

Answer – This retreat starts on Sunday morning the 9th (9am) until Tuesday the 11th (3pm) of November. Classes start at 9am until 1pm; lunch (free buffet) is served until 2pm;

Classes start again at 2pm until 5:30pm (3 pm on the last day) Weather-wise, outdoor activities take place after 2pm.

Will I be certified at the end of the course ?

Answer – Every participant is eligible for certification provided the minimum percentage of modules are attended (80%).

Is there any age criteria for the course ?

Answer – The minimum age set for this course in particular is 15 years so as to ascertain that the participant is mature enough for understanding and applying this knowledge. Shorter courses are available for younger permaculture enthusiasts.

Is this a theoretical or practical course ?

Answer – A Permaculture Design Certificate course is rather theory-heavy (72 hours)

This retreat therefore is practice oriented through workshops, hands-on and demonstrations.

Are there internships and/or volunteer opportunities to build on practical knowledge after the course ?

Answer – Yes, there are many volunteer opportunities and internships in organisations, farms and communities across Bali. Facilitators will be sharing contacts by the end of the course so interested participants can deepen their practice.

If you would like to volunteer at Ubud Permaculture please talk to Nyoman or check out the WWOOFers site !

Why do the course ?

Answer – After this 3 days biodynamic retreat, you will see the world around you with different eyes. Thousands of change-makers, educators, consultants and activists around the world are actively practising Biodynamic techniques and influencing the decisions of major corporations, small businesses and people to change the way we live. With Permaculture, we can now grow the revolution that our planet needs.

There is a full description of the Villas and Amenities on our website https://sudamala.com/

ACCOMMODATION	PRICE PER ROOM PER NIGHT	Description
Garden Villa : Bedroom 1	Rp1,500,000	Queen size bed, ensuite bathroom and toilet. Optional single bed. Max 3 pax
Garden Villa : Bedroom 2	Rp1,500,000	Queen size bed, ensuite bathroom and toilet. Optional single bed. Max 3 pax
Garden Villa : Bedroom 3	Rp1,500,000	Queen size bed, ensuite bathroom and toilet. Optional single bed. Max 3 pax
Yoga Villa : Bedroom 1	Rp750,000	Queen size bed, ensuite bathroom and toilet. Max 2 pax
Yoga Villa : Bedroom 2	Rp750,000	2 single beds with mosquito nets, 1 sofa bed, ensuite bathroom and toilet. Optional 2 * single bed. Max 5 pax
Glamping tent 1	Rp200,000	4m * 3m tent, Queen size 15cm mattress, table, chairs, shared shower & toilet facilities. Max 2 pax
Glamping tent 2	Rp200,000	4m * 3m tent, Queen size 15cm mattress, table, chairs, shared shower & toilet facilities. Max 2 pax
Glamping tent 3	Rp200,000	4m * 3m tent, Queen size 15cm mattress, table, chairs, shared shower & toilet facilities. Max 2 pax
Glamping tent 4	Rp200,000	4m * 3m tent, Queen size 15cm mattress, table, chairs, shared shower & toilet facilities. Max 2 pax
MAXIMUM CAPACITY		24 pax