laurence manchee

Laurence Manchee lives in central Portugal, where he runs Keela Permaculture Farm, an 18-hectare certified organic homestead. The farm produces vegetable boxes, compost worms and worm castings, food-forest trees, eggs, and a range of homemade products.

Keela is a working permaculture site designed for both production and education. It hosts Permaculture Design Courses, Natural Building courses, and other hands-on trainings, while demonstrating real, day-to-day off-grid homesteading systems in practice.

Laurence’s work includes:

• Certified Permaculture Design Course (PDC) educator with the Permaculture Association UK
• Farm manager at Keela Permaculture Farm, overseeing agroforestry systems, natural buildings, livestock, and integrated permaculture design
• Lead teacher for Permaculture, Food Forest, and Natural Building courses since 2017
• Private consultant in permaculture design, land management, and natural building
• Mentor and supervisor of staff, volunteers, and interns working with vegetable gardens, food forests, sheep, pigs, forest restoration, and regenerative land systems
• Contributing author to publications including Permaculture Magazine UK, featuring his on-the-ground systems and designs
• Speaker at agricultural and sustainability events across Portugal on organic farming, agroforestry, and resilient living

Who are Laurence’s courses for?

Laurence’s courses are well suited to people planning an off-grid lifestyle, homestead, agroforestry project, or permaculture farm. The focus is practical and grounded, helping participants build real skills and confidence for their own projects.

Courses take place at Keela Permaculture Farm, where students can explore a wide range of established, functioning permaculture systems and actively participate in daily farm life. All courses are open to beginners as well as those with prior experience.