Syntropic Agroforestry For Drought and Resilience in Semi-Arid Environments

Syntropy is both a philisophy and a set of scientific principles. It is based upon observations of nature and experience that guide the agroforester in regenerating and improving soils, while increasing flora and fauna to abundance. This process establishes food and environmental security by creating abundance in any location and in any conditions. This method when correctly implemented: increases top soil by up to one inch per year; increases carbon drawdown; provides a method by which the farmer can increase productivity, reduce outgoings, increases profits; requires no pesticides, fertilizers or insecticides to be used; and creates improved micro-climates.

Australia is the driest inhabited continent in the world; 70% of it is either arid or semi-arid land. The arid zone is defined as areas which receive an average rainfall of 250mm or less. The semi arid zone is defined as areas which receive an average rainfall between 250-350mm.

This course teaches the core fundamentals of syntropic agroforestry in the semi arid over the course of two days. In this course, the attendee will understand the principles of syntropy and understand how they apply to any situation. Through the principles of stratification and succession any land can be turned from drought affected to drought resilient to abundant in a fraction of the time that nature would regenerate to abundance naturally.

Sanctuary Syntropic Farm is a prime example of successful syntropic agroforestry on degraded and eroded soils having survived and thrived its initial placenta stage and moved into accumulation and abundance stages during a drought that has lasted well over a year. As a drought affected location, it is an ideal site to provide examples of how to regenerate soils and recreate life in a location where life has been affected by the anthropocene. Our site offers visual first hand examples of various agroforestry designs illustrating what has worked, as well as what does not work and why.

We offer on-site training in the principles and practice of syntropic agroforestry in both the theoretical and the 'hands-on'.

Your instructor for this event is David Hooker. David is a qualified researcher and professional practitioner focussed on semi-arid syntropic agroforestry. David and his partner Kylie have turned a completely eroded, compacted and degraded farm site (previously a cattle farm) into a significant drought resilient syntropic agroforestry regeneration and farm project in a very short time. This has been achieved by implementing numerous biomass and crop species in succession that will be harvested over decades, regardless of current or further foreseen climate impact. A vast improvement in the soils with enhanced growth can be seen first hand, and driving principles behind the various impacts on growth and sucession phenomena explained and examined. Within its pioneering 2 year placenta stage on the site we experienced an extended drought period for over a year, along with Covid-19 restrictions limiting plant availability or group gatherings to assist in planting. Immense barriers were overcome by persistence in syntropic principles, and utilising drought resilient crops that have potential to: improve soils; provide income; thrive resiliently against climate change; provide climate resilience to other plants. Our syntropic work seeks to regenerate sites all across Australia that would otherwise not produce abundance for many hundreds of years left to natural succession. Our goal is to assist in building dreams into reality and build syntropic community. We focus on co-operation - not competition. What we do is not about us, it is about removing the individual ego and focusing unity.

Please note:

This is a Covid-19 Safe event. Due to Covid-19, hands-on requires attendees to bring their own Food and PPE.