Most of the courses I run at the moment are based on the Cultural Emergence toolkit, although I do still sometimes teach a yearly Permaculture Design courses and Training of Teachers.

I have been developing the Cultural Emergence project, toolkit and pathways over the last 3 years. And am currently writing my forthcoming book on Cultural Emergence. You can read more about Cultural Emergence below.

I run courses online, at our place Applewood Permaculture Centre in Herefordshire, UK and internationally. More details of each of the courses below and all the courses at Applewood Permaculture Centre can be found here. We currently have no plans for face to face courses at Applewood until we know what is possible with COVID restrictions. Do sign up to our newsletter to stay informed.

Online courses

Online CEED – Cultural Emergence Effective Design course with Jon Young – Jan 2022 (with a reflective phase as soon as you enrol)

In person ACE – Activating Cultural Emergence course at Applewood Permaculture Centre, Herefordshire, UK 10th -12th June or 9th -11th Sept

CEED – Cultural Emergence Effective Design course at Applewood 4th -10th July

PEACE retreat – Peace, Empowerment And Cultural Emergence at Applewood 8-14th August with Regina Paul and Leona Johnson

Cultural Emergence Facilitator Training a year long programme will be open for applications from people who have completed the 3 modules. This will begin in the latter half of 2022, dates tbc.

To find out more about Cultural Emergence and the Cultural Emergence Learning Pathways see here

And at Applewood there will be more Forest Gardening, Observation and Mapping, Grafting courses. See our facebook page or website to stay up to date with events, stories and photos.

If you would like to know more about  any of the above then, please click on the links for more details and contact Emma for enquiries     Applewoodcourses(at)yahoo(dot)com

About Looby as a facilitator

I am a resourceful facilitator who awakens each person’s talents and curiousity through play. I create deep transformative experiences through building community, creating a safe container and stretching edges. I facilitate with creativity and fun, creating a magical field of possibilities for the group within which each person can shine and connect with their deepest, authentic self and a wider vision for humanity.

I have been teaching permaculture since 2002, and is partner of a leading teaching and consultancy partnership, Designed Visions. I run teacher training, advanced and people care courses as well as full permaculture design courses. I also run shorter workshops on creating productive, synergetic groups; designing for ourselves; and The Work That Reconnects. Since 2016 I have been collaborating with Jon Young on the Cultural Emergence project. Our vision is to stimulate global cultural transformation towards a culture of connection, care and possibility.

The vision for each course is to inspire transformation using the creativity of permaculture and Cultural Emergence principles and design in all aspects of our lives to build a life sustaining culture.

Each course will vary as to which aspects of life we focus on, for example the people and permaculture courses focus on our own health and well-being, right livelihoods and our communities. A full design course will give us tools to use in our gardens and small holdings as well as how we can use them in changing our thinking. And in our teacher training courses we explore the use of them in designing courses and empowering learners. Cultural Emergence Design courses take our thinking into how we can emerge cultures of care and connection. Cultural Emergence has become my main focus for the forthcoming years.

“Looby Macnamara is blazing a trail across the new edge of permaculture design. Combining teaching methods from many traditions, Looby is building a bridge to guide people into the next level of their lives and livelihoods. Her books have uplifted thousands and her in person classes take these teachings to a whole new level of understanding and application” Delvin – Faciltitator Training

The Cultural Emergence Project

Since 2016 I have been collaborating with Jon Young (founder of 8 Shields) with the Cultural Emergence Project. The project started with asking the question – How do we make the cultural shifts necessary to bring us into a more caring, connected society?

This has led us to our vision for global cultural transformation towards a peaceful, connective society and a positive regenerative future.

Our mission is to develop a profoundly effective toolkit that can challenge and awaken, move and invigorate, nourish and empower.

We are collaborating with other visionaries and leaders including Starhawk, Maddy Harland and Delvin Solkinson to create the most effective toolkit. I am currently researching and developing for my forthcoming book Cultural Emergence.

Cultural Emergence Pathways

There are many ways in which to become familiar with the toolkit. The modules can be taken in any order, and reinforce each other and deepen understanding of different aspects of the toolkit.

The ACE – Activating Cultural Emergence courses provide a solid foundation in Cultural Emergence and engage us with the process. (they are usually over a weekend or equivalent). In particular it engages us with the practices for the Challenge and awaken phase.

The CEED – Cultural Emergence Design courses are longer courses where we use the Design Web (that I created in People and Permaculture) to create a personal design for ourselves as well as looking at the bigger picture of shifting cultures. (these are over 6 days or equivalent). These courses pay most attention to the move and invigorate phase and give us forward momentum towards our goals and visions.

The PEACE – Peace, Empowerment and Cultural Emergence courses focus on the Nourish and Empower stage where we deepen our connections to ourselves, each other and the world around us.

When people have completed all 3 modules they are invited to join our advanced programmes. Our advanced programmes offer the opportunity to become part of a network of facilitators sharing the Cultural Emergence toolkit with others. The advanced programmes begin in 2020.

Permaculture Empowerment Education from Gaiacraft on Vimeo.

“Looby is a cutting edge author and facilitator who can catalyze growth and transformation in people with masterful course design and interaction. Her creativity and experience make for inspiring event” Ruth – People Permaculture Facilitator’s Training

“Four months later, I am still amazed by how all that I learned at the course, the tools and the inspirations, are still permeating into my life, drop by drop, helping me create the ‘ideal me’, my ‘ideal’ relationship and strengthening my trust that, if we use the tools we have at hand, we can create a better, sustainable and loving life on Earth. I keep applying Looby´s design web to so many facets of my life, personal and professionally and I am still fascinated by the effects it has” Marta – People and permaculture design course participant

I am available for

• Permaculture courses
• Cultural Emergence courses
• Bespoke workshops
• Talks
• Consultancy
• Design
• Diploma tutoring
• Articles
• Coaching

Applewood Permaculture Pioneers from Gaiacraft on Vimeo.

We use permaculture design to design our courses to get the most of them. They are fun, creative, transformative and empowering experiences. I have a passion for creative teaching methods and like inventing participatory activities and games to enhance learning. My degree in Human Sciences provides a wealth of perspectives to bring into my teaching and writing.
Each of the courses looks to fulfill these needs –

• Connecting with nature
• Learning
• Design practice and skills
• Self care skills and tools
• Social and group skills and tools
• Observation, reflection and appreciation methods
• Creativity and fun
• Community building
• Group care and kindness
• Connecting with people’s lives
• Building confidence