Student experiences

"My ability to read the landscape and think systematically about solutions has expanded drastically…I feel comfortable making stewardship decisions in regenerative work in ways that I have never felt empowered to do so before. I also have gained practical skills, like how to use a chainsaw, how to select for tree removal, how to coppice, how to prune, how to graft, how to plant trees, how to care for a garden through the seasons, plant identification, ecological relationships, movement of water across a landscape, and much more…the despair that has gripped me for most of my life has loosened its grip. I have a belief that everyone has a place in the work that needs to be done, and that the work is worth doing because it is actually possible, in a way that I have literally never felt.”

- Aspen C, 2025 Summer Intern & PDC Student

"This experience deepened my understanding of what community resilience and ecological health truly mean in practice not just as concepts, but as living systems that require relationship building. I now see how sustainability can't be separate from culture and community, and how addressing climate change and food access involves both ecological land tending practices and social/governance systems that support collaboration and care. I'm coming to really understand that humans are meant to be an integral part of the land, and we can benefit the land!"

Dani F, Spring 2025 Permaculture Internship

“I learned how to organize events, bring people from different backgrounds and life experiences together in co-creative and collaborative containers, along with the logistical and administration skills that make all of these opportunities possible. Within the container of intentional community living, I learned about many of the structures, processes, and personal dispositions that allow for deeper co-creation among diverse individuals and interests. It felt fulfilling and balanced in the ways that I was able to pursue my passions, creativity, and purpose in collaboration and reciprocity with the greater vision of the community and education center.”

- Vanessa M, 2025 Education and Outreach Intern

"I definitely feel better equipped to address the challenges of climate adaptation and food access. One of my favorite sections of the course had to do with specific techniques for emotional processing of the anxiety we all feel when it comes to processing and dealing with the daily assault of ecological crisis on our psyches."

- Mary, 2025 Permaculture Design Course Student

"I believe the most valuable skill I have developed in this community-based permaculture internship involves growing my sense of self-awareness and self-agency within the context of navigating adversity in relationships. Lost Valley's focus on open and compassionate communication and consensus decision-making, coupled with the internship's structures for social-emotional processing (e.g. regular intern meetings for check-in and feedback), supported the development of these fundamental social resiliency skills."

- Amali, Summer 2025 Permaculture Internship

“My experience with Lost Valley Education Center was amazing. The quality of instructors and course content of their educational offering is a 10 out of 10!
I loved the discussion-based lessons and consistent invitation for deep conversation into each topic presented. The playful observation and interactive lessons inspired a sense of wonder that I hope to share with my own children.
The different pace and style that each Teacher brought to the course was refreshing and engaging.
The local and seasonal meals provided were always wonderful! Each meal was a genuine model of real world and practical application of Permaculture.“

- Andrea, 2021

“I took the Permaculture Design Course at Lost Valley Education Center in fall 2021. The courses that LV puts together are intentionally curated with mindfulness to immerse the students with a Permaculture Education and hold space for those transitioning away from colonization. I especially enjoyed that Lost Valley Education Center puts a great emphasis on TEK (Traditional Ecological Knowledge), indigenous peoples education, colonization and having First Nation elders teach in class. We were blessed with opening and closing ceremonies performed by a First Nation elder in the LV community, experiences that will be forever etched in my soul with gratitude.
The teachers at Lost Valley are highly knowledgeable, mindful and passionate when presenting, giving the time and attention to answering questions and productive group discussions. Each guest teacher shared invaluable information and were thoughtfully paired with a topic. Each session we spent time on the land applying what we learned or seeing first hand examples of different permaculture applications. Sundays, we had the opportunity to participate in a special recognition badge of land/garden work parties on the land at LV, where we applied the land-care skills we learned in class. Each week we shared a thoughtfully crafted lunch of organic food grown on the land at LV/ local farms, while we shared laughs and conversed about the teachings of the day.
Lost Valley Community culture gives students a feel of what everyday life is like living in an intentional living community. Residents are welcoming and kind at LV, I made many new friends and gained a sense of community during my time in the Permaculture Design Course.
The Permaculture Course at LV changed my life for the better, gave me a sense of direction in my Permaculture career, invaluable sustainable life skills to care for land+people. I can't wait to attend more classes! Love and blessings LV Community!”

-Kelly, 2021

Consistently life-changing

“My time at Lost Valley completely changed my life for the better. I learned how to live in harmony with the land, flora, fauna, and people. I am so in love with all the beautiful folks who live at Lost Valley. They were all so supportive and treated me like family. I was excited to integrate all I learned at LV when I returned to my city home in CA. Now I am living more in alignment with my truth. Thank you Lost Valley for one of the best experiences of my life. I love you!”

-Nico R, 2018

“I came to Lost Valley with the intention of learning permaculture design for 3 months and running home. Within 2 weeks I realized it was to be one of the most powerful experiences in my life. The warmth and acceptance within the community allowed me to learn my own way, heal deep wounds I carried, and express myself more freely than I ever could before. I've found more than lifelong friendships and lessons there, I've found family and faith that we can do something better with the world. I would say if you are truly ready to let go of your fear, heal yourself, and grow into a more complete you, then Lost Valley is right for you.”

-Dan W 2017

“I was a student at Lost Valley for the Holistic Sustainability Semester in Summer 2020 and had an awesome experience. Since then I’ve visited several communities and I would say Lost Valley has figured out a lot of things (and of course still has many things to work on, as do all communities). That said, it’s a place where you can fully explore yourself and feel held by the beautiful land and the open and transparent people. I reccomend it to anyone trying to explore and understand ways of living that are more in harmony”

-Bryan 2020

“I received my Permaculture Design Certificate at Lost Valley. Aside from top-quality instruction with some superstar guest instructors, I learned more from having an in-person course where they live by permaculture ethics than I have from all my reading and YouTube. Easy 5/5 stars.”

-Glenn 2021

”I was a student at Lost Valley for the fall 2017 Holistic Sustainability Semester, and have nothing but positive things to say about the place! The program was incredibly organized, bringing in amazing teachers that led discussions and practice on so many engaging and important topics. The residents at Lost Valley were extremely warm and welcoming to all of the students, and truly enriched my experience there. The home cooked meals were nourishing and delicious, and it was a joy to see how much of the garden produce was incorporated into everyday eating. The property is so beautiful, encapsulating the Oregon landscape perfectly- oak savanna, evergreen forests, rainforest-esque stream valleys- offering a majestic place to wander and explore. I appreciate and respect the community's honesty about where they are on the path to sustainability, calling themselves an aspiring eco-village. For anyone curious about community living, or looking for a unique educational opportunity, this is the place for you!”

-Bethany, 2017

“The course was educational, inspiring, and relevant to our current climates of all sorts. It was so magical to connect with so many different people locally who all see a different facet of the same truth. The teachers were all super loving and very helpful, and I am deeply inspired.” 

- Matt, 2020

“Lost Valley Educational Center was a life-changing experience for me! I participated in the Holistic Sustainability Semester (3 months) and continued my stay after the program (3 months). If you have never lived in community, it can be hard - especially if you're the type of person who likes to "hold onto the TV remote." But I highly recommend visiting and seeing for yourself!”

- Taylor 2018

“I have recently completed the Permaculture Design Course at Lost Valley. High-quality and engaging teachers enthusiastically and compassionately shared their wisdom about important life skills that will serve me for the rest of my life. In addition to learning theoretical information, we got to experience the practical application of it on the property which helped me gain a deeper understanding of the teachings. Discussions during the course were rich and invited expression of different perspectives. Playful and contemplative exercises facilitated deeper connection within the group, which I very much appreciated.
Each week I looked forward to the creative meals on course days which were prepared with fresh ingredients mostly from the property and tasted absolutely delightful. I met wonderful like-minded people in the course and left it feeling empowered to take action and supported by a beautiful network of new friends.
During the duration of the course, I also lived on campus and filled a work trade position. I’ve enjoyed my experience so much that I transitioned into an internship for another 3 months. I felt welcome and safe from day one and continue to learn a lot about community living by being here. One of my favorite things to do is walk the trails and connect with nature on this gorgeous property.”

-Tanja 2021

“Lost Valley’s Educational courses are phenomenal! I took home useful information and practical life skills! I found designing and implementing what I learned throughout the pdc course to be an incredibly joyful experience!
The Teachers are clear and organized, yet flexible, in their presentations. They demonstrate a zealous love of teaching Permaculture with kindness, compassion for everyone, providing great examples of both rural and urban Permaculture, an amazing fountain of plant knowledge and a deep repository of local history.
If you want to gain knowledge and put it into action, this is the PDC to take. Lost Valley has history and actual Permaculture on site in a variety of applications.”

- Mary 2021