The Agroforestry System, also known as Syntropic Agroforestry, was developed by Ernst Götsch and it is today one of the most viable planting techniques regarding environmental, economic and social practices. The planting is done synchronously with agricultural (vegetables & fruit) and forest species. This planting system is inspired by the way forests develop.

High density and diversity plantations can only be possible though the use of short, medium and long life cycled species occupying all forest strata (low, medium, high and emergent). Increasingly productive agriculture plantations will be possible by following the stated principles, where sun light and hydric resources are optimised.

During the workshop in Spain you will get the chance to learn directly from one of Ernst Goetsch best student and collaborator in over 20 workshops.We will get theoretical and practical insights from Namaste Messerschmidts vast experience in Syntropic Agriculture.We also will work together during the course on a Syntropic Agroforestry System for the Temperate Climate context.

About the facilitator:
The Agroforestry consultant, Namastê Messerschmidt, has technical and practical experience in implementation and handling of Syntropic Agrofestry Systems. Namastê has been following Ernst Götsch’s steps for over 18 years and applies on a daily basis Ernst’s teachings as an introductory and advanced Syntropic Agriculture course instructor.He has taught over 20 course together with Ernst Goetsch.
Namastê has been supporting valuable projects in Brasil such as: 
- Cooperfloresta and Mário Lago’s settlement through content writing and consultancy work. 
- Author of Projecto Agroflorestar’s publications such as the book and several flyers. 
- Works as a consultant at OCA’s Institute and Fazenda da Toca.
- Teaching courses throughout Brazil and around the world, always through the Simbiose 
                                                             Agroflorestal.


WORKSHOP OUTLINE:

1st day- Introduction of the Agroforestry Principles:
Theoretical lecture of the essential concepts of implementation and management of an Syntropic Agroforestry production system. Exchange of knowledge through practical experience.

The following principles will be addressed during the 1st day of classes:

- Strata- 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.
- Consortia- How to combine plants in an Agroforest: explanation and exemplification on how to make the combination.

2nd day- Planting planning and practical lesson:
The students will get instructions on how to plan a species consortia in an Syntropic Agroforestry system while applying Syntropic Agroforestry principles - strata, succession and mulching - taught on the previous day. There will be a practical system planning exercise evaluating the producer’s goal regarding the quantity and type of products being produced and considering all variables of the property: climate, soil quality, ground levelling, positioning considering the sun, etc.

We will continue the implantation of the area (soil preparation, mulching and planting) after the plans are presented and talked over.

Mulching: We will explore how to prepare the ground for the species to be planted and the area to be located. Understanding of the characteristics of the soil where the Syntropic Agroforestry system will be implemented, how and when it is necessary to prepare, and how to use the Syntropic Agroforestry system to recover the soil over time.

Soils covering: We will understand what type of cover is most suitable for the species to be planted (more or less crushed), how to obtain the organic matter to cover the soil at the beginning of the system and how to cover the beds where Syntropic Agroforestry will be implemented.

Planting - practical implementation of planting planning on the field.

3rd day- Practical class, Systematisation and Closure:
Ongoing implantation of the area.
Management*: Theoretical explanation, demonstration and practical application of pruning and management techniques of the area in the different phases.
Systematisation of the practices - Review and reinforcement of what was practiced in the field: group dynamics.
Closing: Questions and evaluation.
*If there is time and area available.

Schedule:
22nd June,Friday:
8.00h- Arrival
9.00h- Beginning of the course
10.30 am- Break
13.00h- Lunch
14.15- Resume
16.30- Snack
17h- Resume
20h- Dinner

23th June, Saturday:
7.30h- Breakfast
8.30h- Activities
10.45h- Break
13.00h- Lunch
14.45h- Activities
17.00h- Snack
17.45h- Activities
20h - Dinner

24th June, Sunday:
7.30h- Breakfast
8.30h- Activities
10.45h- Break
13.00h- Lunch
14.45h - Activities
17.00h- Closing

Material for students to bring with them:
- Machete
- Pruning shears
- Lime
- Small saw
- If possible to bring hoe
- Gloves
- Field clothing
- Boots
- Rain boots
- Hat
- Raincoat
- Bottle of water
- Bath towel
- Bed bag
- Blanket
- Mat
- Tent
- Personal hygiene products biodegradable
- Seeds for exchange

Vegetarian food and Camping is included in the price.There is also a limited option to stay in a shared bell tent dormitory style Accomodation for a small extra cost of 15euro per day.

Investment:
350 € (includes: 3 days of training, meals and camping with own tent)
Early Bird until 22nd April - only € 300 Euros

The course will be translated into English and if there is interest also translation into Spanish could be organized!


ACCOMMODATION, FOOD, AND SITE

SLEEPING   

During the courses students get a chance to experience our land and permaculture site more intimately by camping on the land. In a semi-wild area, we have several level terraces among the trees and stones for people to pitch their tents in a beautiful natural setting surrounded by mountains and forest..
There is also the possibility for some students with their own bus/camper-van to stay on the land, although space is limited; so if you are interested in bringing a bus, please get in touch and we’ll do our best to accommodate everyone!

FOOD

From the semi- outdoor communal kitchen, we provide 3 meals per day, breakfast, lunch and dinner included in the cost of the course
Prepared with love, the food is always diverse, fresh, healthy, homemade and vegetarian. By that we also help to stimulate the local food economy by purchasing what ingredients are not grown at Can Lliure from the local organic “Cooperativa” and other local producers and processors

CAN LLIURE

Can Lliure as a place for mindful Human-Nature Relationships. With our aim of creating a Living, Learning & Research Centre to develop once capacities and to realize inherent potentialities with natures guidance and support.

We see Can Lliure as a important, vital place and seeding ground for ourselves and the wider global community to adapt to their surrounding environments once again and enjoy their bounties in a sustainable manner.

Can Lliure is based in the wonderful and magical Alta Garrotxa area close to the Spanish Pyrenees. The land we are in Stewardship of is 100ha and is mainly covered in wild Oak forest with lots of wild goats, wild boars and limestone cliffs. There are 3,5 ha of cleared terraces with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. We recently started to regenerate these terraces which in the future will become a diverse Agroforestry systems and organic vegetable gardens. We also started our first steps on Mushroom Production and we host a ecological Bee Sanctuary on site. We are very blessed and very grateful to have a clean, natural freshwater spring on our land from which we drink. We also have a few simple structures like outdoor showers, compost toilets, geodesic dome and bell tent to accommodate and host people to enjoy this wild and natural place. 

Pictures of the site can be found here
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B765VFv3Jln0SFpRRjA1cDBCRXM

The current initial evolving site design of Can Lliure can be found here
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B765VFv3Jln0R0hENUZJQ1RFM1k