Who Are We?

Verge Permaculture Inc is Rob and Michelle Avis, Alex Judd, and Luke Kimmel. 

Rob and Michelle demonstrate and teach that sustainable human habitat is possible.

Both graduates of engineering from the University of Alberta, Michelle began working in the oil & gas industry and Rob started a small renewable energy consulting business in 2003/04. Their interest in sustainability, desire to explore, uncover insights and practical solutions have since resulted in numerous extended trips to Europe, North America, Central America and Australia.

Now offering a wealth of knowledge and experience from around the world, their portfolio includes months visiting permaculture sites in Australia and volunteer work at the Permaculture Research Institute of Australia, a six month sabbatical learning about renewable energy systems at a Non-Profit in Denmark and off-the-beaten track travels throughout Mexico examining sustainable agriculture practices. They have hands-on experience with numerous concepts including: strawbale buildings, Earthships, passive solar design, wind turbines and solar power & heating but also understand and emphasize the importance of biological systems: soil, water-harvesting, landscape re-hydration, composting, growing food, grey water and biological waste-water treatment.

As a speaker for community events, non-profit groups and businesses, Rob is keen to share his passion and vision. He has been invited to guest lecture at the University of Calgary, taught workshops in partnership with the non-profit Green Calgary, and now teaches the full permaculture design certificate with courses planned cross Western Canada. 

Michelle combines her skills from the corporate world with a razor sharp attention to detail when taking care of clients and managing the overall business. Her job titles are numerous: assistant instructor, consultant, project manager, course coordinator, marketing director, editor, webmaster and accountant but most recently her focus has shifted to be the very proud mama of their son, Rowen!

When not teaching or consulting you'll find Rob in the basement experimenting with ferments (baking bread & brewing beer) or foraging in the garden. Michelle loves her road bike and is an aspiring yogini.

Alex joined Verge in April 2011 as official sidekick.  A graduate of the University of Calgary, Alex worked in the environmental sector before setting off to put her International Relations degree to it's intended use - traveling the world. After learning Spanish, scuba diving, studying yoga, and settling for a few months in permaculture-friendly Portland, Oregon, she ended up right back in Calgary where she started, and walking knee-deep into Verge's growing permaculture community.

Alex is currently away on an eight-month international internship in organic agriculture and regenerative forestry and we look forward to harvesting all her new knowledge when she returns. 

A young permaculture designer / educator in-the-making, Luke is thrilled to be enrolled in an eight month internship and employment with Verge.

His path as a young entrepreneur led him all over Western Canada, experiencing both success and failure, in a variety of industries ranging from music management to recycling, clothing design, landscaping, and more. During this last five years  Luke gained a wealth of life experience, though he did not feel he had found his true calling until a Permaculture Design Certificate course brochure mysteriously made its way onto his desk.

After chasing Rob around Western Canada attending various lectures and workshops in Calgary, Nelson, and Lethbridge, as well as taking his second Permaculture Design Certificate course with Verge, and providing many hours of work in exchange for teaching / coaching, it seemed only fitting to arrange some form of collaboration, and we are very excited to see where it goes!