Syntropic Farming Workshop
29 NOVEMBER - 3 DECEMBER 2023 with Felipe Amato and La Loma Viva team
About the course
Since 2016, La Loma Viva has been pioneering the research and adaptation of Syntropic Farming to a Mediterranean environment. We have collaborated with some of the most experienced practitioners in the field and we are committed to providing high quality education. Joining forces with Felipe Amato and the TERRA group, we are working on establishing a network of educators and practitioners throughout Europe, to share skills and opportunities.
We will be holding a 5-day course "Introduction to Syntropic Farming" that will cover the method's theoretical and practical foundations and give you some of the essential knowledge you will need to establish your own Syntropic system and to expand your understanding and practice.
The workshop will be held here at La Loma Viva, where you will have the chance to see an established system of 6 years and learn about our research, challenges and successes, and be able to apply that real world experience to your own project. The workshop will be taught in English.
29th November - One Day Introduction to Syntropic Farming class. If you aren’t able to attend the full workshop, there is the possibility to come on the first day, where we will cover the main principles, some essential theory and practical tools. (*Discounts for local residents)
Course Content:
Philosophy and Principles of Syntropic Farming
Syntropic Farming in a Mediterranean context - current challenges (desertification, drought etc.) and the potential of Syntropic Farming to regenerate these areas
Working with your environment (sun, wind, seasons) and local conditions (soils, water, topography, local plants, etc.)
Stratification: the sunlight requirements for different species and how to work that into your design
Natural succession: how to mimic nature's cycles by selecting groups of species for every stage of succession
Choosing appropriate plant groups and consortia for creating successful agro-ecosystems
Basic design tools - how to properly organise your planting according to stratification and succession (including a design exercise where you will work on a design plan)
Production: choosing the right species that need less inputs and can also add market value
Management strategies: Syntropic farming relies on managing your system correctly
Pruning: how to invigorate the system while harvesting biomass
Mulching: how to process biomass and use it to keep the soil constantly covered
Syntropic Farming in practice: learning and applying practical planting techniques in the field and doing a small implementation of a Syntropic agroforestry system
facilitators
Felipe Amato will be the lead facilitator of the course. Felipe is from Brazil and was an early student of Ernst Gotsch since 2010. He has an extensive knowledge and practical experience of Syntropic agroforestry. Felipe is a forest farmer with a productive project in Brazil. He has been teaching for more than 10 years and consulting on projects in Brazil and Europe. He is a sought after consultant, always in high demand. Felipe has been living in Portugal for the last 7 years, where he has worked on many projects and built up a good understanding of the local plant species. His work throughout Europe has provided him with a great repertoire of plant species for regenerating Mediterranean and other European climate zones. With a background in philosophy, Felipe is able to break down complex theory and make it really accessible for students to understand. He is an open and charismatic facilitator, with a practical and engaging teaching style.
The La Loma Viva team will be facilitating certain classes, assisting in the field practicals and adding their 6 years of experience with Syntropic Farming and developing a Mediterranean system to the workshop.
logistics
This is an early winter workshop (which is a good time to plant in our climate) and we like to keep the numbers small and personal, so we will have a maximum of 17 participants and can accommodate everyone in our retreat centre. Here you will enjoy a nice comfortable bed and the pleasure of 3 delicious organic meals, prepared by our talented chef. Growing and enjoying wonderful healthy food from the land is an important reason why we do this work and we love to share that with our guests and ensure that everyone is happily nourished and looked after. There will also be warm fires if needed and some evening activities to further enhance the learning and connecting. Workshops are about the full experience of being together in a mutually regenerative way - with the earth and like minded people. Increasing the quality of life is what Syntropy means to us!
Arrival: 28th November evening (dinner will be provided at 7pm)
Departure: Workshop will end at 5pm on 3rd Dec.
There is the option to stay an additional night and we usually have a small celebration at the end.
We can drop off and collect people at our closest town of Motril, there are easy buses from Malaga & Granada to there. Please check bus timetable to co-ordinate with you flights.
For travel info and other logistics click here for Visitors Page
* Unfortunately we cannot accommodate children, pets, camping, camper vans or work exchange at this time.
investment
5 Day Syntropic Farming Workshop - 475€
5 days of delicious meals fully catered by our chef - 35€ per day (plant based & ethical omnivore options, snacks, beverages and buffet breakfast)
Accommodation in our beautiful retreat centre (shared rooms 2-3 people) - 25€ per night
All Inclusive Workshop Total Price - 775€ (5 days Course, Food & Accommodation + includes 21% IVA) From evening of 28th Nov - 3rd Dec afternoon
*Optional extra last night can be booked
OR One Day Syntropic Farming class plus lunch (29th Nov) - 110€
La Loma Viva is a non-profit Foundation. All funds go towards continued research in regenerative farming.
Payment can be made via our secure online booking @ 10€ or via bank transfer at no extra cost.
Deposit to reserve your place 150€ (remainder must be paid by 10-11-23)
*Residents of Granada province and previous students of La Loma get a 10% discount on workshop price of 475€, email us for details and to book your place.
Contact us if you have any questions and we will be happy to assist. We look forward to seeing you here!
