SOUL TO SOIL, SOIL TO SEED

An introduction to agroforestry, food forests and embodied ecology, held within Golden Dawn Growing’s developing successional agroforestry system at Levenvale Farm.

This is an introduction not only to growing a food forest inspired by the methods of Syntropic agroforestry, but to developing a deeper relationship with the landscape we are working within.

We begin by arriving — in ourselves and in the landscape.

Through observation, ecological understanding and hands-on practice, we learn to read what is already happening around us: soil, water, sunlight, vegetation, disturbance, succession and the relationships between them.

From there, we explore how these patterns can inform the way we design and establish regenerative agroforestry systems.

We move from observation into understanding, understanding into design, and design into participation — culminating in the hands-on establishment of a young agroforestry system.

WHAT WE’LL EXPLORE

Successional Agroforestry & Food Forests

Core principles of regenerative agroforestry and food forest design
How forest systems function through succession, stratification and relationship
Understanding plant life cycles and the role of accumulation within a developing system
Exploring different approaches to establishing diverse, productive food forests

Biomimicry Through Observation

Developing observational awareness and learning to read the landscape
Understanding soil, water, sunlight, vegetation and disturbance as part of the design process
Exploring biomimicry as a foundation for ecological design
Learning to work with natural patterns and processes rather than against them

Living Soil & Regeneration

Understanding soil as a living ecosystem and the foundation of a resilient food forest
Exploring the relationships between plants, roots, microorganisms and organic matter
Building fertility through living roots, diversity, biomass and ecological succession
Preparing the soil to support the establishment of a young agroforestry system

Succession into Design

Reading succession to understand where a landscape is now — and where it is moving
Designing across space and time, from groundcover and short-lived crops to long-term canopy
Exploring density, diversity and plant relationships within a young food forest
Creating a simple agroforestry design based on the landscape observed during the day

Designing for the Future

Seeing land stewardship as an ongoing relationship rather than a finished design
Understanding how agroforestry can support biodiversity, soil, water cycles and climate resilience
Designing systems that evolve through disturbance, management and succession
Growing landscapes capable of producing increasing abundance while regenerating the ecology that supports them

Designing landscapes that become more abundant, resilient and alive through time.

Learning Through Practice

The day unfolds within our developing successional agroforestry system, a space created to educate as a living demonstration site at Levenvale Farm.

We begin with a simple somatic meditation to arrive in ourselves and in the landscape, before moving through observation, ecological learning, design and practical implementation.

Participants will walk through a less than 1 year old successional agroforestry system, learning to read the different stages of its development and the ecological relationships emerging within it.

Drawing on what we have observed and learned throughout the day, participants will develop a simple food forest design before coming together to establish a new agroforestry row using an all-at-once accumulation planting method.

The day is held alongside shared food, great conversation and a beautiful environment.

What You Leave With

A foundational understanding of how to begin a food forest — from reading the landscape and understanding ecological succession to designing and planting a diverse agroforestry system.

And perhaps more importantly, a different way of approaching the work:

A shifting of perspectives, from what we can grow on the land, to how we can participate in the potential of what is already becoming.

Observe
Connect
Understand
Design
Plant
Integrate

WHO IS THIS FOR?

This workshop is for anyone curious about food forests, successional agroforestry, syntropic farming, regenerative growing and developing a deeper relationship with the landscapes they tend.

You do not need previous experience in agroforestry or permaculture.

It is suited to home growers, gardeners, landholders, farmers, permaculture practitioners, educators and people simply wanting to understand how ecological principles can inform the way we grow food and care for land.

Soul to Soil, Soil to Seed is the introductory workshop in our agroforestry learning pathway and provides a foundation for the more in-depth Seed to Syntropy workshop and weekly hands on farm days.

WHAT TO BRING

Please come prepared for a day outdoors and some hands-on work.

Comfortable clothing suitable for working on the land
Enclosed shoes, work boots or ye weathered bare feet
Hat and sun protection
Water bottle
Notebook and pen
Gardening gloves if you like to use them
Wet-weather clothing if rain is forecast
Lunch / plate of food to share — depending on how you decide to cater the day.

Some tools required for the practical components will be provided but if you have hand tools please feel free to bring them along.

LOCATION & ACCESS

Levenvale Farm — Bellingen / Hydes Creek, NSW

The workshop takes place outdoors within a working and developing agroforestry system.

The day includes walking across uneven farm ground, standing for periods of time and optional participation in hands-on planting.

Our Living Classroom sits beneath two mature pecan trees, providing a semi-shaded place for teaching, conversation, food and rest throughout the day.

A map for parking and finding our exact location will be emailed upon booking.

If you have accessibility requirements or would like to discuss whether the site will work for you, please get in touch before the event.

Contact the host of Soul to Soil, Soil to Seed