Sometimes life presents challenges that push us to grow in unexpected ways.

Linda Nash found herself in such a moment.

She was ready to hire a permaculture consultant to help design her land, but instead, she decided to invest in herself—and the results have not only changed her life but are also inspiring others.

Meet Linda: A Nurse Practitioner with a Passion for Gardening

Linda was at a crossroads in her life, facing personal challenges and searching for something to ignite her passion.

Her love for gardening led her to permaculture, but she wasn’t sure how to apply its principles to her own land. “I was stuck,” she says. “I didn’t know how to move forward with my space.”

Initially, Linda planned to hire a permaculture consultant, but after a difficult year, she decided to take matters into her own hands.

“I thought, if I’m really passionate about this, why not learn it myself?” she recalls. “And with the OSU Permaculture Design program, I could learn on my own time and apply that knowledge forever.”

The Path to Empowerment: Enrolling in the OSU Permaculture Design Program

Linda had some initial concerns about how an online program would work, especially since permaculture is so site-specific.

“I wondered how they would really understand my land and help me make decisions,” she admits. But with the personalized guidance of her instructor, Javin, Linda quickly realized that her concerns were unfounded.

“I took pictures of my land and shared them with Javin. He even offered to do a live walk-through of my property via Zoom, but we ended up working through photos,” Linda explains. “Javin was incredibly knowledgeable and walked me through everything step by step.”

A New Vision for Her Land

One of Linda’s goals was to design her property with a sustainable approach that worked within her budget.

She had plans to create apple guilds and make her space more productive, but life had other plans. After a bad storm brought down a large pine tree, Linda had to rethink her priorities.

“Instead of just hauling the tree away, I learned to use it for mulch in areas that needed it,” she says. “The course taught me to work with the land and adapt when things change.”

Though some of her original plans were delayed, Linda made significant progress.

She worked on her front yard, transforming it with a rock wall, new flowers, and vegetables. “I love that it doesn’t have to be perfect,” she says. “It’s my place to experiment and learn.”

From Personal Growth to Inspiring Others

The OSU Permaculture Design program didn’t just help Linda with her own land—it ignited her passion to help others.

She started working with friends and family, applying what she learned to their gardens.

“I helped one of my best friends in New Jersey set up her garden, and I’m helping my sister get into growing real flowers instead of using fake ones,” Linda shares.

Now, Linda is combining her skills as a nurse practitioner with her new knowledge of permaculture by offering health coaching at WellNEST Coaching, with plans to expand into garden coaching.

“I want to help people grow their own food, and this course gave me the confidence and knowledge to do that,” she says.

The Power of Community and Continuous Learning

One of Linda’s favorite parts of the program was the sense of community.

“I loved the Zoom calls, where we could see other students' projects and learn from them,” she says. “There were people from all over the world, and it was fascinating to see how permaculture works in different climates.”

The flexibility of the program was another huge benefit for Linda.

“I work full-time, so being able to take the course at my own pace was a big factor for me,” she explains. “And even now, I can go back and watch the videos if I have questions.”

Ready to Transform Your Land and Inspire Others?

Linda’s story is a testament to how the OSU Permaculture Design program can empower individuals to take control of their own land while gaining the skills to inspire and assist others.

Whether you’re looking to make sustainable changes on your property or explore a new career path in permaculture, this program provides the tools, mentorship, and community to support your journey.

“The program really gave me peace,” Linda says. “Now, when I’m stressed, I can go into my garden, and it feels like a safe place where I can keep growing—both personally and in my skills.” You can follow Linda's journey on Instagram.

Are you ready to start your own permaculture journey?

Learn more about the OSU Permaculture Design program and take the first step towards transforming your land and community today!