Our Services
Our Services
What we LOVE to do!
Inspiring people into action
Education, Capacity Building and Farmer Empowerment utilizing Principles of Regenerative Agroforestry & Multi-functional Regenerative Land-Use Models as our main toolbox with focus on small-scale Farmers. Our passion is to Empower small-scale Farmers to become self-reliant.
Assisting & facilitating the transition
Integrating the Ecological , Economic & Social Dimensions of every specific nested context from Patterns to Detail through a Participatory Whole Systems Design Process. We offer trusted and professional technical assistance to enable the transition to Regenerative Land-management Practices.
Education
"Igniting the spark, Human to Human, Heart to Heart."
Why Study With Us?
Regenerative Agroforestry Courses
Course Overview
The basic introduction level course is usually 3 days experience minimum. We also offer longer term extended courses of 5-7 days, Advanced Courses and Internships in Spain and Asia.
For example the 7day long courses offer additional in depth understanding and training opportunities, including:
- Theoretical and Practical skills of how to Design and Implement Regenerative Agroecosystems and Agroforestry Systems
- Hands on planting and seeding of trees, bushes and vegetables
- Design and Implementation of Species Consortiums that work with succession, Stratification(space), Lifecycle (Time) and local climate conditions
- Preparation of microbiologically active Compost Tea and Compost
- Understand the Benefits of Application of large quantities of biomass ex. Jean Pain and Gilles Lemieux Ramial Chipped Wood
- Beyond Organic Market Gardening and Small Scale Low Fossil Fuel Input, High Yielding No Dig Gardening Systems, Techniques and Practices
- Soil Food Web Awareness, Aerated Compost Tea and Humus Building Composting
- Soil Microbiology and its importance in general soil building processes
- Holistic Management and Grazing Tools for Silvopastures and beyond
- Reforestation and Land Regeneration Techniques
Regenerative Agroforestry
Regenerative Agroforestry is one way forward into the future that can support both small and larger scale farmers on the path of regeneration of production landscapes and at the same time create socially flourishing and economically abundant bioregional communities. Already practiced in many countries worldwide by 1000s of small scale farmers in tropical climates and in recent years in Temperate Climates. Also some mechanized , larger scale farm trails have been implemented all around the world.(ex. Montpellier France Trails, Fazenda de Toca in Brazil , Freddys Plantation in Ivory Coast).
One of the many big inspirations for our Regenerative Agroforestry practices is the concept of Syntropic Agriculture which was devised by the Swiss/Brazilian researcher and botanist Ernst Gotsch from what is broadly known in Brazil as Successional Agroforestry (SAF) and from the observation and inspiration of indigenous farming practices. Ernst Goetsch ingeniously synthesized all this knowledge into a coherent farming system and researched,experimented and refined it over many years together with his collaborators. Syntropic Agroforestry aims to produce food, timber and fibre through a process based agriculture with minimal external inputs and without chemical fertilisers and pesticides through working with natural species succession.
The aim is to build resources such as water, topsoil and biodiversity as we produce our food. Syntropic Agriculture has been proving to be financially viable and effective in many climates and biomes. In the rural development sector and working with small scale farmers the word “Syntropy” was often confusing and a bit too abstract for farmers and therefore many organizations working in the field with small scale farmers in the less privileged areas of this planet use the term Dynamic Agroforestry (DAF) or Successional Agroforestry (SAF) or Regenerative Agroforestry.
Regenerative Agroforestry production systems still follow many of the principles of Syntropic Agriculture but often also integrates principles and practices from other fields of knowledge and practice like Analog Forestry,Rainforestation, Permaculture, Holistic Management, Natural Farming,Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration and Agro-ecology. In the end terminology doesn’t really matter what counts is the success and benefit of such systems on the ground out in the fields! We are not bound by any of these mental boxes or dogmas.
Entropy & Syntropy
Just to clarify what “Syntropy” means, it can be understood as the complimentary force of “Entropy” (the second law of thermodynamics, or the pervasive tendency for organized forms of matter to gradually disintegrate into lower and lower levels of organization) which many might be more familiar with. However in the life process we commonly find what seems to be a decrease of entropy occurring. Living organisms cause increased organization, both in their own world and sometimes even in the world around them, reducing diffusion and in essence working to oppose the universal tendency toward energy and matter equilibrium.
Syntropy is the further complexification of systems, the increase of quality and quantity of life via natural processes. A force which causes living things to reach “higher and higher levels of organization, order and dynamic harmony. The term was first coined by Italian mathematician Luigi Fantappiè (1901-1956), In the same year, Austrian physicist Erwin Schrödinger (1887- 1961) published also an essay, What is Life? The Physical Aspect of the Living Cell, Cambridge University Press (U.K.), in which he used the expression “negative entropy”, also giving its formal definition.
Origins and Initial Inspirations for Regenerative Agroforestry Systems
Most forest communities in the tropics practiced traditional agriculture utilizing agroforestry systems or forest gardens with the integration of non-timber forest products (ex. Sri Lanka Kandy Forest Gardens, Indonesia Java Forest Gardens, Amazon Rainforest Communities). These communities often combined the cultivation of agricultural crops and timber species. They also frequently use perennial tree crops such as palms, fruit trees, coffee, and cocoa, in combination with annual crops such as cassava, plantains, corn, and beans. Sun loving trees and food crops where usually cultivated early in the cycle, while shade crops such as coffee and cocoa are cultivated underneath a forest canopy.
These practices have been observed by Ernst Goetsch during his time in South and Central America and Ernst afterwards experimented for many years to evolve these traditional Agroforestry systems further and systematize them. We are in big admiration and incredibly grateful to Ernst for his lifelong dedication to the Agroforesty practice, evolution and research.
You can learn more about our inspirations on our Resources page.
The Process of Ecological Change In What Participants will learn
- The Philosophy of Regenerative Agroforestry (Categorical Imperative, Unconditional Love and Cooperation, All species have a role and function, We are just one part of an Intelligent system, etc.)
- The history and principles of Regenerative agroforestry
- Understanding some of nature’s principles to create more quality and quantity of life through the driving force of succession, unconditional love and cooperation
- How to implement and manage Regenerative Agroforestry systems
- How to choose where to implement these systems in our properties
- How to harmonise these systems with nature’s patterns (sun, winds, topography, local flora, etc.)
- How to choose appropriate plant consortiums to each stage of succession and soil conditions,
- How to choose and plan the production of main cash crops and start considering to do value added produce.
- Integration of sustainable Bee keeping Practices and Mushroom Production
Introduction to the Agroforestry Principles
Theoretical lectures of the essential concepts of implementation and management of a Regenerative Agroforestry production system. Exchange of knowledge in the field during practical experiences. The following Regenerative Agroforestry principles will be addressed during the classes:
- Stratification: How plants behave in their environment. Considering the quantity and quality of light that the plants need to be healthy.
- Natural succession: How plants behave across time. How long it takes them to reach their full life cycle or how long it takes until they reach maturity in their stratum.
- Mulching: The importance of keeping the soil covered with organic matter and how to plant a system whilst always keeping the soil covered.
- Species Consortiums: How to combine plants in an Regenerative Agroforestry System – explanation and exemplification on how to design and plant the species combinations. A Regenerative agroforestry system permits a high diversity and high density of crops with different life cycles and different light requirements to grow together without much competition but in mutual cooperation. All species have a role and a function.
- Management: pruning, stratification, selective weeding and synchronization.
“Knowledge seperated from emotional connection is prone to abuse.”
Horst Kornberger
What Will I Learn?
Regenerative Agroforestry Courses
Regenerative Agroforestry Courses
Our Regenerative Agroforestry courses aim to trigger behavioural changes in the way we practice food production and want to stimulate and facilitate a transformation of our degraded agriculture systems back onto a path of creating gardens of Eden and abundance for all. One of the fundamental educational principles of this transformational process is to apply regenerative agricultural practices developed from the understanding of the processes that govern nature!
We Humans are co-creators and our role as co-creators is no more important than that of all other co-creators of for example the animal, plant or mineral world. Humans have responsibilities to their co-creators, and vice versa. Unless one understands his/her place in the whole, there is always a tendency to move beyond, to glorify, to be driven by greed, exploitation and self-importance.
We will have to regain a sense of humility and realize that we are just one part of an intelligent system and are not the intelligent once! Through working and collaborating again with nature and her planetary principles we will be able to address deep root causes of the environmental crisis we find ourselves in and together will be able to find long term solutions instead of fighting symptoms. At the core is the awareness of interdependence and the respect for plants, animals, and the ecosystems we live in, and for those behaviors that have assisted long term human survival and evolution within the natural world.
Come and join us to support and be part of the Agroforestry (R)EVOLUTION !!!
Design and Planning of Regenerative Agroforestry Systems:
The students will get instructions on how to design and plan Regenerative Agroforestry Systems and species consortiums while applying Regenerative Agroforestry principles – stratification, succession and mulching. Together we will do some practical Regenerative Agroforesty System
planning exercise in groups. We will consider and discuss about different Maincrop/Cash crop options and their different design considerations. We will discuss different types of ecosystems and their differences considering all variables of different properties: climate, soil quality, slopes, altitude, aspect, access to water, etc.
Observation and Analysis of local Ecosystem
As we experience the world, so we are also experienced by the world. The starting point of the creation of successful Regenerative Agroforestry Systems is always the observation of the local ecosystem we are based in. Observation with all our senses, based on the perception gained from using the entire body of our senses in direct participation with the natural world! Intimate and co-creative participation heightens awareness of the subtle qualities of a place. A direct physical and perceptual experience of the earth, a sustained relationship with the natural world, as to know yourself you must first know the the earth.
Understanding the dynamics and species compositions found in nature is a crucial part along the path of creating sustainable and regenerative production systems. It is fundamental to understand the complex interrelationships and interactions of any given ecosystem we find ourselves in and that if everything is interrelated that all creation is related. Understanding, maintaining, and restoring harmonious relationships with the natural world is the main goal of our interventions in the living landscape we work and live in.
We aim that our Regenerative Agroforestry Systems work in harmony with the local ecosystem and natural principles instead of against them. The Regenerative Agroforestry Principles remain the same universally but the local conditions of specific situations we find might differ and therefore a certain skill of observation and analysis is necessary to find they way back to Paradise with the support of nature and the principles of life. We have to regain a certain type of humility and realize that we cant understand it all with our rationality and work on reconnecting ourselves with nature to find again the spirit of an agriculture that is the foundation of an healthy and thriving humanity and planet.
Paradigm Shift and Deep Behavioral Changes:
In recent years it has become clear that deep behavioral changes will be necessary to transform our wasteful and destructive monoculture production landscapes into Regenerative Agroforestry System. To develop and practice a holistic and systems thinking approach to work within and manage complex systems of high diversity and density is very much needed and necessary. This is one of the hardest parts to realize we have to first change ourselves to make a change in the world! An open Mind and Open Heart is required in this transformational process.
Soil
Understanding of the different types and characteristics of the soil where the Regenerative Agroforestry system can be implemented through simple soil tests and field observations.
How and when it is necessary to prepare the soil, and how to use the Regenerative Agroforestry system to regenerate and improve degraded soils over time.
Soil covering
We will understand what type of mulch is most suitable for specific situations and species (more or less crushed, higher or lower Nitrogen to Carbon ratios,etc.), how to plan for short term, medium term and long term sustainable Biomass Production and obtain the organic matter to cover the soil at the beginning stages of the Agroforestry system, how to cover the planting beds with mulch in an energy (water&nutrients) accumulating shape.
Mulching
We will learn about the benefits of mulching and the use of high amounts of biomass in our Agroforestry systems. We will explore how to prepare the soil for the species to be planted according to the soil conditions on site and how to cover the wound we have created through working the soil with living or dead mulches
Planting
Practical planting exercise of different annual and perennial species in the field.
Management
Theoretical explanation, demonstration and practical application of pruning and management techniques of Regenerative Agroforestry Systems in the different phases of succession. Also we will discuss tools like Biochar, Compost Teas, Indigenous Microorganisms, Earthworm Farms and Juices
Integration of Animals into Regenerative Agroforestry Systems
Introduction to Silvopasture Systems and Holistically Management High Density Rotational Grazing
Social Landscapes within Regenerative Agroforestry Systems
Exploring tools to manage our Regenerative Agroforestry Systems holistically and make the social landscape thrive through ethical behaviour, clear honest communication, transparency , inclusive decision making and fair share of income.
“Good farmers, who take seriously their duties as stewards of Creation and of their land’s inheritors, contribute to the welfare of society in more ways than society usually acknowledges, or even knows. These farmers produce valuable goods, of course; but they also conserve soil, they conserve water, they conserve wildlife, they conserve open space, they conserve scenery.”
Wendell Berry
What to Expect?
Check out these videos of our courses!
(on our partner site SoilSunSoul)
What to Expect?
Check out these videos of our courses!
2 Syntropic Agrofrorestry Workshops with Ernst Goetsch (2016)
Impressions from the Syntropic Agforestry Workshop with Gabriel Menezes (2019)
Permaculture Design Course with Soil Sun Soul (2018)
Check out some more of our videos here:
Design & Consultancy
We can help you design the optimum site
How can we help?
Design & Consultancy
Design & Consultancy
The Regenerative Agro-Ecosystem of your farm can be designed to harmonize with the patterns of your local ecosystem to increase ecosystem services, carbon sequestration, soil health, nutrient dense yields and diversified income.
Through our design process we can help to realize the maximum potential of your production landscape utilizing Regenerative Agroforestry as a tool. We focus mainly on small-scale farmers within tropical ,subtropical, dryland and warm temperate climate zone. 80% of Agriculture Producers are small holder farmers and 30 % of Global Population are small holder farmers.
Why do we need Regeneration?
Our current fundamental Food Production Paradigm: Bad Quality Food to most amount of people for cheapest price needs to be changed drastically.
Most of current challenges like climate change, water wars , social unrest, desertification, soil erosion, water and air pollution and biodiversity, forest loose, overall health of humans and their nutrient dense nourishment have their roots in the way we do Agriculture.
There is not one solution that fits all contexts but we believe we have a roadmap towards a regenerative agro-ecosystem transition.
We are convinced that diversified Small-scale regenerative Agroforestry Farms are the backbone and stepping stone towards an abundant future, thriving life and rural bio- regional re-vitalization, climate and nutritional resilience and biodiversity increase.
Plotinus
SYMBIOGENESIS
Symbiogenesis is a Regenerative Design Collective with years of experience in various countries and climates working with diversity of clients and projects.
Symbiogenesis stands for “becoming by living & co-creating together” for the benefit of all. Symbiogenesis utilizes various tools like Permaculture, Regenerative Agroforestry, Holistic Management, Agro-ecology,Natural Farming and more to create regenerative systems that are based on mutual flourishing. We aim to facilitate the process of agriculture systems expressing themselves at their fullest potential through combining a true heart connection to nature with valuing and respecting indeginous knowledge and life-ways and cutting edge technical knowledge of restoration practices.
We are guided by various principles that assist us in creating Regenerative systems that fit the diversity local contexts and clients needs. Our aim is to use wisely the intellectual potential,marvelous technologies and the resulting adjacent possibilities our Biosphere has provided us with.We strive towards placing human ingenuity in harmonic resonance with the natural world which enables unimaginable regenerative outcomes.
Our Participatory Process
Our Agroforestry Design Proposals are developed jointly “with” and “among” farmers, considering their desires, vocations, objectives, knowledge and skills. Together in collaboration with clients, farmers or shareholders we define the outcomes, vision and holistic goals of the site and its stewards. We understand the Farmers’ specific contexts and his/her specific circumstance, including the landscape’s limitations and opportunities.
Afterwards we analyze & asses the site and do an ecological evaluation to priorities leverage points where small changes will have a big transformational ripple effect on the whole production system. We look at existing maps of the farm and also go through an extended period of Observation, Interviews and Participatory Processes to find out about current agriculture use of the land, history and cultural context , Climate and Geology , existing Infrastructure and the Farms/Projects economic situation.
Designs might include Maps , Drawings , Pictures and Written Reports.
Integrating Local Knowledge
Six dimensions:
- Technical Knowledge (such as agroforestry systems)
- Social organizations (customary rules & institutions)
- Experimentation and innovations (such as applying a cover crop)
- Teaching and learning (traditional methods of instruction)
- Decision-making (mechanisms in decision-making)
- Cultural values and beliefs (local religion, cosmology, etc.)
Our Services
This Framework is based on learnings and insights gained from Darren Doherty & P.A. Yeomans.
SYMBIOGENESIS offers the following design services:
- Regenerative Agroforestry Planting Layout Pattern & details of multi- strata multi-lifecycle polyculture consortiums
- Biomass Production Plan
- Soil Fertility Management Plan
- Nutrient Cycling Management
- Holistic Management & Maintenance Plan
- Farmer, Client or Shareholder Education
On request we can also provide further details on:
- Water Management & Earth Works
- Infrastructure & Access
- Windbreaks & Shelterbelts
- Fencing
- Animal Integration & Silvopasture Systems
- Annual No-Dig Market gardens
- Implementation Sequence & Budgeting
- Holistic Management & Maintenance Plan
Introduction to the Agroforestry Principles
Theoretical lectures of the essential concepts of implementation and management of a Regenerative Agroforestry production system. Exchange of knowledge in the field during practical experiences. The following Regenerative Agroforestry principles will be addressed during the classes:
- Stratification: How plants behave in their environment. Considering the quantity and quality of light that the plants need to be healthy.
- Natural succession: How plants behave across time. How long it takes them to reach their full life cycle or how long it takes until they reach maturity in their stratum.
- Mulching: The importance of keeping the soil covered with organic matter and how to plant a system whilst always keeping the soil covered.
- Species Consortiums: How to combine plants in an Regenerative Agroforestry System – explanation and exemplification on how to design and plant the species combinations. A Regenerative agroforestry system permits a high diversity and high density of crops with different life cycles and different light requirements to grow together without much competition but in mutual cooperation. All species have a role and a function.
- Management: pruning, stratification, selective weeding and synchronization.
Benefits of Regenerative Agroforestry Systems
Regenerative Agroforestry Systems enable the production of:
- Food
- Commodities such as coffee, cocoa and latex
- Wood
- Raw material for shelter (straw and wood)
- Energy
- Medicinal plants
- Animal Integration
- Forage
- Mushrooms
- Honey (beekeeping flora)
- Raw material for handicrafts (seeds, fibers, etc.)
- Cultural and spiritual goods
Benefits from Regenerative Agroforestry Designs that most farmers experience after the initial transition period:
- Climate & Nutritional Resilience
- Increased Quality & Quantity of consolidated life on your land
- Greater efficiency in the use of production factors (water, light, nutrients)
- Nutrient dense beyond organic produce
- Soil Health and Soil Carbon Increase
- A permanent organic cover as mulch intensifies soil life and promotes nutrient cycling
- Agroforestry Systems covered by tree species, with 100% closed canopies, can intercept up to 70% of the rainfall in some regions and help reduce superficial runoff, avoiding both erosion and flash floods.
- Less pest and disease pressure (studies show -25%)
- Less to no input costs
- Less water usage
- Increased Water quality as no use of fertilizer or other chemicals
- Biodiversity & Wildlife increase
- Shade and creation of microclimates
- Greater animal productivity due to well-being (shade) and the nutritional quality of pastures
- Increased life quality & living conditions (work in the shade)
- Stronger social organizations and more unity, consolidating community ties
- Maintain agro-biodiversity and associated knowledge & cultural practices
- Recovery of traditional knowledge, solidarity and mutual-support activities, dignified remuneration
- Greater cash-flow stability throughout the year and over the years, during the system’s cycle
- Manual labor distributed better throughout the year
- Fewer economic risks, due to lower sensitivity to negative price and climate fluctuations
- Increased profit, resilience and independence
- Empowerment of women (when they have leading roles in agroforestry production) makes gender relations more equal
- Enhance scenic beauty, providing possibilities for leisure and improving human well-being
- Stewarding of a Regenerative Production System with Head, Heart & Hand,Farmers can increase their sense of belonging in a restored area , farmers tend to build relations with their areas, preventing events such as fires or the entry of animals that might seriously set back environmental recovery
- Becoming part of a Global Movement towards Planetary Regeneration
“Heaven is my father and earth is my mother, and I, a small child, find myself placed intimately between them.
What fills the universe I regard as my body, what directs the universe I regard as my nature.
All people are my brothers and sisters,all things are my companions.”
Zhang Zai