THE TREE OF LIFE CENTER US IS EXCITED TO OFFER
THE FIRST MASTERS CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IN SUSTAINABLE VEGANIC GARDENING
IN THE WORLD!
Update: Due to visa restrictions we can only accept applications from US citizens for this year.
Our year-long, on-site immersion program combines workshops from leading international instructors with self-study and practical application to provide an in-depth and well-rounded education in sustainable veganic agricultural production. Students will finish the program with a Masters Degree in Sustainable Veganic Gardening, (optional), a Permaculture Design Certificate, and a year of complete immersion exerpience at a world renowned eco-spiritual community. Program begins March 28th, 2013 and total tuition cost is $10,000. A limited number of partial scholarships are available for qualifying students. Housing is provided in our dormitory, adjacent to the garden.
Students will learn the following all while living and studying in a community setting, immersed in the spiritual lifestyle promoted by the Tree of Life.
- High desert veganic farming
- Drylands vegetable production
- The greenhouse production of sprouts and micro-greens
- Permaculture design
- Theories and practices of the sustainability movement
- And more!
Our intimate learning environment, along with the balance of work, educational courses, field trips and week long learning intensives combined with the aspects of a spiritual community setting creates a powerful life-enhancing experience for the right candidate.
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
*US applicants only. Rolling Application deadline until the fo spaces are filled.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Tree of Life Center US is excited to offer the first Masters Program in Sustainable Veganic Gardening in the world! With the balance of an intimate learning environment, coupled with instructors from around the globe, the Tree of Life is quickly becoming a world center for Veganic Education. This year-long garden Masters program will be a life-changing and challenging experience for committed, flexible, spiritually-focused, and hard working individuals.
Students will learn high desert veganic farming, including drylands vegetable production, and the greenhouse production of sprouts and micro-greens.
Students will have the opportunity to live and study in a community setting, immersed in the spiritual lifestyle promoted by the Tree of Life. This includes incredible quality of vegan live food, an unmatched opportunity for spiritual growth, the deep sense of peace that comes from working closely with the land in a breathtaking landscape, a positive work environment, and a like-minded community of people who are working towards healing themselves and the planet.
The Tree of Life Sustainable Veganic Gardening Masters Program gives participants the opportunity to gain practical hands-on farming experience while having the option to explore or deepen one’s spiritual practice. The balance of work, educational courses, field trips and week long learning intensives along with the aspects of a spiritual community setting creates a powerful life-enhancing experience for the right candidate.
LEAD INSTRUCTOR - JOHN PHILLIPS M.S.
www.gardeningforpeace.org
The program will be led by one of the leading instructors in the veganic agriculture movement, John Phillips. John’s 40 years of professional experience reflect his lifelong goals of helping to create world peace by helping to end world hunger; and his interest in fostering human evolution through the link between scientific and spiritual development. He teaches "Gardening for Peace” - aimed at changing human consciousness to make us aware of our connections with spirit and each other. This teaching has both practical applications to increase the world food supply, and the consciousness-raising potential to help lead us to a state of "Awakened Being".
John is CEO of the Living Earth Training Center, Inc, where he develops training programs and internships in sustainable organic agriculture. He has served as CEO of EM Nature Farming Methods and helped foster the expansion of em technologies in the United States and other countries in the Americas. His contributions to the Tree of Life include conducting training programs and seminars, developing intern training programs in gardening and landscaping, and land management planning and design of the 160 acre campus and a supporting 10-acre satelitte facility.
What is Veganic Gardening?
Veganic gardening is the organic cultivation and production of food crops utilizing methods that are sourced only from plants, and using no herbicides, pesticides, inorganic fertilizers, animal by-products, or genetically modified seeds. Many “vegan” foods that you buy do in fact use animal-sourced inputs at the farm, even if the end product is comprised only of plants. Veganic farming uses no animal products or by-products such as bloodmeal, fish products, bone meal, feces, or other animal-origin matter, making the end product truly plant-sourced only.
Sustainable veganic gardening at the Tree of Life
At the Tree of Life, our veganic gardening methods employ specific techniques which focus on the fertility of the soil and the optimum nutrient density of the crops. Our agricultural approach supports our higher intention for spiritual and sustainable growth. Therefore we grow food to meet the dietary recommendations of Dr. Cousens - a vegan, organic, live-food, high mineralized, low-sugar, and high hydration diet. As such, the focus of our production is on sprouts, greens, and vegetables, though we do have a few fruit and nut trees on the property. We utilize a variety of methods that promote soil vitality, including EM-probiotic soil conditioning, sheet composting, vegan fertilization alternatives, composite mineral supplementation through seaweed extracts and low-water use irrigation.
Why is veganic farming so important now?
As Dr. Gabriel Cousens has written about extensively, animal agriculture (factory farming in particular) is an ever-increasing disaster for the land, air, water, and local ecosystems, as well as typically using 10-20 times more energy than the veganic farming methods as employed at the Tree of Life.
Current wide-scale animal agricultural practices are a major cause of resource depletion, more so than all other energy uses combined, due mostly to the resources required to grow the the excess grain needed to feed the animals we eat. Veganic farming, particularly if practiced by a significant percentage of humanity, moves us strongly toward a viable alternative solution to our current environmental crises.
From a spiritual perspective, the karma associated with plant-source only agriculture supports the awakening of the higher expressions of human consciousness on the planet. The way we eat determines the way we live, and the way we eat is determined by the way we farm; food production represents our relationship with the earth. If this relationship is free from exploitation and cruelty to animals and the earth, it positively affects the content of our minds and our lives.
The popularization of vegetarianism and veganism roughly correlates with the civil rights movements and cultural revolutions that have illuminated the need for equality amongst all peoples in our societies. Now is the time to further this journey into light and life through a revolution in our farming practices. Now is the time for veganic agriculture.
PROGRAM DETAILS
The Masters program is a full time, year-long commitment that offers an in-depth study of veganism, ecological agriculture and sustainable practices. The students will learn primarily by working side-by-side with our garden and sprout house staff, as well as by participating in weekly courses. In addition to experiential educational, The Masters Program will also offer week-long learning intensives with experts in their particular field of study.
These instructors include Dr. Gabriel Cousens, M.D., founder of Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center and celebrated author; Master Gardener John Phillips, who has over 40 years agricultural experience; and others TBA. Students will also receive a Permaculture Design Certificate upon the completion of our 9-day Permaculture Design Course. Additional expert guest speakers will hosts talks, lectures, conference calls and classes throughout the year.
A typical week in the Master’s program will include work experience in the garden, greenhouses, and food-related business as well as the equivalent of one day of education. There will be (on average) four and a half full days per week of experiential learning, along with one day per week of academic theory and reflection. Field trips to local farms and communities that exemplify the practices in alignment with the course curriculum will occur several times throughout the year.
Students can expect to learn the following and more through both education and work experience:
Veganic Gardening:
Elements of veganic farming including:
- Effective Micro-organism probiotic soil conditioning
- Sheet composting
- Vegan fertilizing alternatives
- Potting mixes
Essentials of farm management, including:
- Crop planning in the context of seasonal considerations
- Crop rotation for maximum efficiency and soil health
- Ordering seeds and equipment
- Basic farm financials
Greenhouse Operation and Sprout Production:
Practical elements of greenhouse operation:
- Jar sprouting (grains, legumes, and clover)
- Microgreen production (radish, buckwheat, sunflowers)
- Wheatgrass production
- Sprout harvesting for market
- Organic seed sterilization
Essentials of sprout house management:
- Seed procurement
- Sprouting supplies
- Sprout house financials
- Daily operation procedures
Sustainability Practices:
- Alternative ecological farming methods
- Water conservation, catchment and low water irrigation systems
- Permaculture principles
Click here to view the course outline and curriculum
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
Week-long learning intensives
These are week-long intensive educational workshops given by leading international instructors including Dr. Gabriel Cousens, Master Gardener John Phillips, and Permaculturist Kate Tirion
Field trips
We will take several full-day field trips to local veganic gardening, permaculture, and green building exemplars.
Guest Speakers
Our course features a number of guest lecturers who will present (either on-campus or via teleconference) on topics ranging from earth elements and energetics to green business design.
Classroom study
Students will have an average of 9 hours of classroom time a week including lectures, research, self-study, and group reflection time. This is in addition to the 5 learning intensives and 6 field trips throughout the year which will provide further learning and course material.
Work experience
Participants are given the opportunity to put theory into practice with an average of 29 hours of practical application a week. This excludes the 5 learning intensive courses and field trips as students will not work during these times. Students will start seeds, weed, and harvest in the veganic garden, grow sprouts, microgreens, and clean the juicer in the sprout house, and may participate in other activities such as putting up greenhouses or helping in the creation of a value-added food business.
Final Project
Students will be given two weeks to showcase all that they have learned throughout the year in the creation of a final project.
Thesis
If a Master’s Degree is desired by qualifying students, a master’s level thesis must be completed on a topic of the student’s choosing (pending instructor approval) related to veganic or sustainable agriculture. This is an original work which demonstrates the student's knowledge and contributes to the world's understanding of sustainable or veganic agriculture.
LEARNING INTENSIVES INCLUDE:
Permaculture Design Course
The course will be an 72-hour Permaculture Design Certificate Course spread out over nine days lead by International Permaculture Instructor Doug Crouch. Doug has been the lead facilitator of TreeYo Permaculture courses spanning numerous years now. His formal background is in ecology and he has been practicing and teaching Permaculture for over seven years in different parts of the world. After years of diligent documentation, he has his Diploma in Permaculture Education. The course will be a certified through TreeYo Permaculture as we guide you through Bill Mollison’s curriculum that comprises the 14 chapters of his book "Permaculture: A Designer’s Manual".
The course will end with the required student design projects that will utilize the landscape at Tree of Life Center US. By using an actual physical site for the design projects, students will gain the experience of completing a full design from walking the land during the initial assessment to mapping and measuring to client interviews and final presentations. The design project process increases learner retention by allowing for immediate application and direct practice of learned skills while offering a means to evaluates students’ comprehension of the theory and lecture sections of the course. All of which are necessary to become successful, effective, and certified Permaculture designers.
The final design project is also considered to be a direct hands-on project because students will be engaged in a process that will yield a viable design proposal. Our commitment to practicing the design principles throughout the course process itself reinforces the theory and lecture sessions. To bring the material alive we engage in facilitating the course so that numerous learning styles are supported. One of our teaching techniques is through design exercises that compliment the lecture material and add an element of fun to the atmosphere.
We will cover the following topics throughout the course:
- Ethics, Principles, and Methods of Permaculture Design
- Pattern Understanding: Interpretation and Application
- Climatic Factors: Broad Climatic Zones and Microclimate – Effects on Landscape and Design
- Water: Harvesting, Conservation, Purification, and Revitalization
- Trees and their Energy Transactions: SoilWaterTrees
- Soils: Classification, Food Web, and Restoration
- Aquaculture: Food Web, Aquatic Plants, Chinampas, Tyre Ponds, Water Quality Parameters
- Animal Systems: Integrate worms, chickens, goats, and many other animals in your design
- Strategies for Tropical, Dry-land, and Temperate Climates: Influences on Vegetation, Housing, and Earthworks
- Introduction to Natural Building: Earth as a Building Material
- Fermentation and Nutrition: Sauerkraut, Kimchi, Sourdough Bread and Pickles
- Local Food Systems: CSA-Community Supported Agriculture, Cooperatives, Food-Coops
- Social and Economic Permaculture: Bio-Regional Organisation, Living in Communities, Transition Towns and Local Resiliency
Conscious Eating
Internationally acclaimed as one of the most holistic, comprehensive live food training programs available, the 5-day Conscious Eating course offers an amazingly thorough exploration of the intricacies of a plant-based lifestyle. It illuminates the powerful role that live food has in the enhancement of all levels of being. Physically, a diet comprised of plant-based, live foods is associated with the amelioration of many diseases, including diabetes, depression, cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, arthritis, and more. Emotionally, making compassionate food choices is profoundly powerful in promoting peace with the self and with the ecology of the planet. Spiritually, a diet of live plant foods supports our bodies and energies as superconductors for the Divine. Optimal health, longevity, vitality, spiritual upliftment, and attunement are hallmarks of a live food lifestyle.
In this eye-opening journey, your relationship with food will be fundamentally altered. The aim of the program is not only to educate about the benefits of a live, plant-based lifestyle, but also to train participants in all elements of meal preparation. This includes lectures from Dr. Cousens on how to individualize the diet, why live-food, spiritual nutrition, diabetes, and Q&A with Dr. Cousens (acknowledged live-food expert and spiritual master), and food prep demonstration from Tree of Life Cafe Chefs. Another unique feature of the Conscious Eating Intensive is that it is one of the the only low-glycemic live food preparation courses in the world, making the recipes accessible to those with diabetes, hypoglycemia, insulin resistance, candida and other blood-sugar related health challenges. Preparing a live-food cuisine becomes an act of love and a potent portal to the divine. You will quickly see why Dr. Gabriel Cousens, MD MD (H), DD has become one of the world’s leading experts in holistic healing, live food, and spirituality.
INSTRUCTORS
Dr. Gabriel Cousens, M.D., M.D.(H), D.D.
www.drcousens.com
Gabriel Cousens M.D., M.D.(H), D.D. (Doctor of Divinity), Diplomate of American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine, Diplomate Ayurveda is considered the leading live-food medical doctors and spiritual nutrition experts in the world, and, is recognized as "the fasting guru and detoxification expert" by the New York Times. He is also a psychiatrist, family therapist, Ayurvedic practitioner, homeopath, acupuncturist, medical researcher, ecological leader, and bestselling author of books such as Spiritual Nutrition, Conscious Eating, Rainbow Green Live Food Cuisine, and There Is a Cure for Diabetes.
He received his M.D. degree from Columbia Medical School in 1969 and completed his psychiatry residency in 1973. Dr. Cousens was the Chief Mental Health Consultant for the Sonoma County Operation Head Start and a consultant for the California State Department of Mental Health. He is listed in the Who’s Who in California, Who’s Who among Top Executives, Strathmore’s Who’s Who, and National Register’s Who’s Who and is a former member of the Board of Trustees of the American Holistic Medical Association (AHMA).
Gabriel Cousens, MD has developed the first live-food, vegan Masters program in the world in conjunction with University of Integrated Science California. He is the director and founder of the Tree of Life Foundation and the Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center, called by Harper’s Magazine, “One of the world’s best 10 yoga and detoxification retreats”. Dr. Cousens has taught about live-foods, spirituality, and diabetes prevention throughout countries all over the world.
Gabriel Cousens is married to Shanti Golds Cousens and has two children and three grandchildren.
John Phillips M.S.
www.gardeningforpeace.org
John’s professional experiences reflect his lifelong goals of helping to create world peace by helping to end world hunger; and his interest in fostering human evolution through the link between scientific and spiritual development. He teaches "Gardening for Peace” - aimed at changing human consciousness to make us aware of our connections with spirit and each other. This teaching has both practical applications to increase the world food supply, and the consciousness-raising potential to help lead us to a state of "Awakened Being".
John is CEO of the Living Earth Training Center, Inc, where he develops training programs and internships in sustainable organic agriculture. He has served as CEO of EM Nature Farming Methods and helped foster the expansion of em technologies in the United States and other countries in the Americas. His contributions to the Tree of Life include conducting training programs and seminars, developing intern training programs in gardening and landscaping, and land management planning and design of the 160 acre campus and a supporting 10-acre satelitte facility.
Kate Tirion
www.katetirion.com
Kate background and experience are unique in the field of sustainability. She brings extensive training and real-world experience to conceptual development, consulting, coaching, and direct design as well as team design and design charettes. From her roots on a Welsh Amish-style farm to the present, she has practiced as a permaculture designer and teacher (and continuing student) since 1990. Additionally, she has consulted, designed, and implemented small and large-scale projects nationally, and internationally for individuals, schools, communities, corporations, and developers. We are beyond thrilled to have Kate instructing the permaculture design certificate course for this program.
Matt Jager
Matt's expertise lies at the intersection of agriculture, business, and technology. He has given workshops at the national agriculture conference EcoFarm and consulted with organic ag professionals, extension agents, and directly with famers on how to use technology and business to further their impact. Matt co-founded and continues to advise a successful direct-marketing operation and has worked with the national organic agriculture information network eOrganic which provides a national database of organic farming materials. He holds a permaculture design certificate from Oregon State University and serves as sprout house manager at the Tree of Life.
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS
The participant must be physically capable and hardworking as they will be expected to be a productive and contributing member of our team. A regular course and work schedule will be followed throughout the year and is expected to be maintained. Please understand that we experience a wide variety of climatic conditions (more details found below) so please come prepared for the full range of weather conditions.
Students will be expected to live in harmony with the Tree of Life Dharma, which includes adhering to a 100% vegan, 80% live food diet, and no drug or alcohol use. While we do not require attendance to any of our spiritual programs, some attendance helps one feel more connected to our spiritual community.
SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY LIFE
The Tree of Life is first and foremost a spiritual community with a focus on enlightenment. We practice the Six Foundations and Sevenfold Peace as taught by Rabbi Gabriel Cousens, M.D. You may introduce yourself to these teachings by reading Spiritual Nutrition and Creating Peace by Being Peace. Tree of Life community members are asked to continually embody the Culture of Life and to share it with the world by being a living example of what it means to live as a full human being on the planet. You will be gently introduced into healing of self and world. In Hebrew this is called tikkun ha’nefesh and tikkun ha’olam respectively. Our service in the world is a crucial part of our spiritual path.
Group meditations, satsangs, and spiritual ceremonies at sunset form the central hub of our community life here. Although not required, staff, Masters students, sevas, and apprentices are encouraged to attend evening spiritual programs throughout the week.
Food is secondary to the spiritual emphasis here at the Tree of Life. We emphasize this only to make the point that if your interest in the Tree of Life is limited only to "raw food", you will be unfulfilled here. If you are interested in a total lifestyle that supports your spiritual growth, then you will find all the support tools that provide a foundation for a spiritually fulfilled life on all levels. These include live-food nutrition, classes in Tri-Yoga and qigong, endless opportunities for selfless service, a spiritual community of like-minded people, holy silence, monthly authentic Native American inipi (sweat lodge), beautiful nature surroundings, clean air, and the teachings and grace of a liberated being.
That said, we do expect all community members to adhere to a 100% vegan diet consisting of at least 80% live food during their time with us, as well as a drug free policy except for ceremonial wine. Adhering to such a diet contributes positively to the energetic resonance of the community. It ensures that we are collectively walking our talk and living in integrity. Failure to uphold these dharmic conditions will result in possible dismissal from the community.
Community life offers many benefits. Masters students receive all meals at the Tree of Life Cafe free of charge. This is, quite frankly, some of the healthiest, most delicious food on the planet. Every meal is guaranteed 100% organic, vegan, live, and prepared with love in accordance with the principles outlined in Spiritual Nutrition, Conscious Eating, Rainbow Green Live Food Cuisine, and There Is a Cure for Diabetes. You also have access to unlimited wheatgrass juice from our sprout-house (aside from our Spiritual Fasting Programs each year where wheatgrass is reserved for our fasting guests), as well as free access to our chlorine-free hot tubs, chlorine-free swimming pool, far-infrared sauna, sun decks, labyrinth, and spacious grounds. All apprentices have free access to Tri-yoga, qigong, and ecstatic dance classes, as well as the evening spiritual programs and monthly inipis (space allowing).
Additionally, masters students receive a 10% discount in the Culture of Life Shop and Dr. Cousens' Natural Pharmacy, where you may purchase a variety of superfoods, natural supplements, and healing and tonic herbs to support well-being and Peace with the Body.
Housing is provided in our dormitory, adjacent to our sustainable, veganic production garden and the Unity Room. You'll need to bring your own bedding and toiletries. The dorms feature shared rooms with bunk-style bedding. Three bathrooms and showers are available for 24-hour use. A washer and dryer are provided for your convenience. The communal area has a refrigerator, sinks and counter space.
All students are expected to contribute to the cleaning and upkeep of the dormitories. Weekly chores are designated to each apprentice on a rotating basis. Chores are expected to be completed regularly and thoroughly.
WHERE DOES THE LEARNING HAPPEN?
Tree of Life Center US is located in Patagonia, Arizona, a small town with a population of about 900 people in Santa Cruz County, United States. Currently, Patagonia is a tourist destination, retirement community and arts & crafts mecca. The Nature Conservancy's Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve is adjacent to the town. Native Seeds/SEARCH also maintains an active farm for growing out and preserving seed of endangered crops within walking distance of The Tree of Life. There is an active community in the area that provide excellent examples of alternative farming methods and sustainable communities.
Patagonia is situated at 31°32′30″N 110°45′12″W. The Monthly temperature ranges are displayed in the chart below. Our 4,000-ft (1,200m) elevation makes for a unique ecosystem replete with fascinating microclimates and a range of fluctuations reminiscent of arid Mediterranean regions. The heat is dry and often accompanied by gentle breezes. Average precipitation throughout the year is a little under 1.5 inches (4 cm) monthly, but it dips down to 0.3 inches (1 cm) in May/June, and during monsoon season in July and August, we receive 4-5 (10-12 cm) inches per month; our yearly precipitation average is 16 inches (40 cm). These totals and variations make for some interesting challenges in ensuring adequate hydration for our crops.
YOUR INVESTMENT
The program cost is $10,000 due upon acceptance to the program. The fee includes all program materials, workshops, learning intensives, field trips, and room and board for the 45-week course including our delicious, nutritious live-food cuisine, access to facilities (hot tubs, saunas, labyrinth, and hiking trails), and access to evening spiritual programs.
There is an additional cost of $1,000 for thesis support and administration fees for qualifying students who wish to complete a thesis and receive a Masters Degree*.
A limited number of partial scholarships are available for qualifying students. Award amounts will be given up to $6,000 for the program. To apply for a scholarship, please make sure to fill out the scholarship questions in the application.
*Credits are honored by the University of Integrated Science California (UISCA - www.UISCA.org) for a Master of Arts Degree in Sustainable Veganic Gardening. Students with a Bachelors degree may apply for their Master's degree upon graduation. Those with two years of college experience may apply for a Life Experience Bachelors degree through UISCA (not administrated by the Tree of Life, additional fees may apply) Those without any college level education will receive a Sustainable and Veganic Gardening certification through the Tree of Life Center US.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications are rolling until all spaces are filled. It is best to submit your application as soon as possible.
Click here for detailed instructions on how to apply and the application schedule.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information please contact Cha’vah La Reau at info@cultureoflifeinstitute.org or call (520)-604-1153
YOU WILL NEED
- Flashlight
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Backpack
- Sport shoes or hiking shoes (for your days off)
- Sandals (nice, but not required)
- White clothing for shabbat
- Dress clothes for evening program (khakis and a white collared shirt)
- Yoga/exercise clothes
- Tupperware to get meals to go
- Mason jar to get juice and other liquids to go
- Sleeping bag
- Pillow
- Extra cash for supplements, treats and food products from our store, little trips, and other extra-curricular activities
Warm weather work clothing: (expect to get dirty!)
- Sun hat
- Sunglasses
- Work shirt and pants (both jeans and shorts)
- Work gloves
- Work shoes or boots (can be muddy)
- Face cover (a bandana works well)
- Light clothing to cover your skin (linen shirt or pants)
Cold weather work clothing: (regularly drops below freezing in winter!)
- Winter coat (water proof is best)
- Long Johns
- Winter hat
- Warm work gloves for working outside in cold tempatures
- Thermal socks
- Winter work boots
- Sweatshirt (water proof is best)