Welcome! I’m Erik Ohlsen.

Permaculture Designer. Author. Teacher. Father. Friend. Activist. Regenerative Thought Leader.

I am an internationally renowned certified permaculture designer, practitioner, and teacher. I have written several books and am a seasoned activist organizer, working within social and environmental movements since 1998.

Having worked around the world with a focus on Mediterranean climates, my extensive experience encompasses projects that range from small urban lots to large broadacre-scale design and implementation. My decades in the field have led to a deep knowledge of all aspects of ecological design and land development. I am a specialist in water-harvesting systems, regenerating land, food forest design, community organizing, vocational education, and more.

I live in Northern California, where I enjoy writing, managing my homestead, and raising my family.

Featured Books

I write books and guides to educate and inspire you to live a life that you love.

SEE ALL TITLES

Dedicated Permaculture Leader

My business ventures are grounded in permaculture ethics: care of Earth, care of people, and return the surplus.

Permaculture Artisans

Founded in 2005, we are proud to be pioneers among purpose-driven businesses and to have have consistently demonstrated how for-profit initiatives can blaze the trail for environmental restoration, ecological land management, local food production, and social equality. All our work—from design to installation and project management—serves the triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit. Based in Sonoma County, we create ecological landscapes and farms throughout Northern California.

GO TO PERMACULTURE ARTISANS ONLINE

TEAM
MEMBERS
20

ACRES
REGENERATED
2000

CLIENTS
SERVED
350

Permaculture Skills Center

As Permaculture Skill Center’s Executive Director, I serve as the main instructor for our flagship Eco-Landscape Mastery (ELM) School—an online program that offers advanced vocational training in ecological design and landscaping. We are honored to have permaculture teacher Penny Livingston as a core faculty member.

PSC’s 5-acre demonstration site is located in Southern Pomo and Coastal Miwok territory nestled in the Laguna de Santa Rosa watershed near the town of Sebastopol, in Sonoma County, California.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PSC LAND STORY

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ELM SCHOOL

LEARN MORE ABOUT REGENERATIVE AGROFORESTRY WITH PENNY LIVINGSTON

1:1 Virtual Coaching

Sometimes, you just need that sounding board or some hand-holding from someone who’s been there. Or maybe you’re stuck on a problem and could benefit from a new perspective from someone experienced—with an objective point of view?

I’m excited to offer private coaching sessions to proivide you with specialized support.

I find one-on-one sessions are the best format for working together on developing your landscape or farm project, getting started as a professional in the fields of landscape design and permaculture, or growing and maintaining your contractor or design business.

LEARN MORE ABOUT VIRTUAL COACHING WITH ERIK OHLSEN