Regenerative Agriculture Course Playa Viva

Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico

AH
Amanda Harris
  • Email address verified
2 reviews
Jul 27 - 31, 2023
Group size: 15 - 40
Regenerative Agriculture Course Playa Viva
Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico

Amanda Harris
  • Email address verified
2 reviews

Jul 27 - 31, 2023
Group size: 15 - 40

About this trip

Want to dig up more knowledge alongside experts in the field…


Permaculture Designer Amanda Harris and renowned Syntropic Agriculture teacher, Namaste Messerschmidt, are hosting our inaugural four day Regenerative Agriculture course at Playa Viva on July 27-31, 2023.


Permaculture seeks to recognize and create overlap between human needs and ecological functions. It is a bridge between traditional, indigenous knowledge, modern science and innovative technologies, and regenerative social design.


We will blend permaculture principles and syntropic agriculture theory and techniques to discuss, understand and install dynamic agroforestry systems on a one-acre plot of degraded land. We will showcase techniques and practices for you to take home to any climate around the world, focusing on natural patterns and the regenerative management of food production at every strata layer. 


To rehabilitate land, we must first take care of ourselves; and a course at Playa Viva would not be complete without daily yoga practices on giant platforms with ocean views, and delicious homemade meals from organic, farm-fresh ingredients throughout the day.


You will get your hands dirty in the field designing from concept patterns to details, and have time to rinse off in the ocean as the sun sets each evening. 


We invite you to join us for this dynamic experience on July 27-31, 2023; which will be taught in both English and Spanish. Every spot reserved and purchased by our Playa Viva community will open a space for a local agriculturist to also participate.

Accommodations

Please be sure to select your accommodation preference when registering. 


We offer shared luxury suites for three to four people; private individual rooms if you prefer to sleep alone; and the option to find your own accommodations in Zihuatanejo or close by and paying a set price for the meals during the course. We will also offer limited camping options on the Permaculture Farm. 



What’s included

  • Yoga
    Guided yoga classes each day.
  • Meals
    Farm-fresh and locally focused meals provided as part of the course.
  • Sea Turtles
    If mother nature sees fit, there are baby sea turtle releases each morning.
  • Driver from airport
    We will send a trusted deriver to for transport directly to Playa Viva hotel with a minimum night stay of three nights.

What’s not included

  • Airfare
    You are responsible for arriving to Zihuatanejo.

Available Packages

Trip Price
$300
Deposit:$200

Available options

Accommodations - Shared King Suite
$650
7 left

King EcoCasitas can be comfortably shared between two to four individuals. Each has a private bathroom and full ocean views. 

Accommodations - Private Queen Casita
$950
Only 1 left

Our queen EcoCasitas offer pure luxury tucked between the ocean and the mountains. These suites are pure privacy - and limited! 

Accommodations - Camping on the Farm
$160
6 left

We have limited camping options and a composting toilet on the farm. We ask that you pay for your three meals for a total of $40/day. 

Accommodations - Find My Own
$160

You are welcome to find your own accommodations in Zihuatanejo or close by. We ask that you pay for your three meals at a total of $40/day. 

Itinerary

Day 1: Friday, July 28
Syntropic Agriculture Theory + Permaculture Tour and Principles

Yoga to start the day + a full breakfast at the Playa Viva hotel restaurant. 


Introduction to the Principles of Permaculture and Agroforestry

Jumping into the course, we will continue the morning session with successional agroforestry theory focused on the basic concepts of implementation and management of the syntroipic systems. These concepts are essential to planning, maintenance and the health of productive systems. We will blend theory with practical experiences at several points during the day. 


Dinner and cocktails at sunset by the beach. 



The following principles will be covered during the first day sessions:


● Strata: How plants behave in space, considering the quantity and quality of light that plants need to develop healthily.
● Natural Succession: How plants behave over time, how long do they it takes to reach its full life cycle or reach maturity in its stratum.
● Ground Cover: The importance of maintaining a ground always covered with  organic material and how to plan a system to keep it covered.
● Consortia: How to combine plants in a successional agroforestry, explanation and example how to make these combinations.




Your Organizer


AH
Amanda Harris
2 reviews
Amanda Harris is a permaculture designer and educator living in Guerrero, Mexico with more than a decade of experience working in rural agrarian communities. Her commitment to the land and the people who work it is rooted in the understanding that holistic design and edible landscapes adapted for specific and local conditions are key to feeding some of the world's most vulnerable communities. Today her focus is on researching, developing and promoting regenerative solutions that empower people to solve their own problems.

Reviews

Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in an agroforestry and permaculture course that was nothing short of transformative. The experience/course was hands-on from the start, involving us in the processes, from determining where to plant to understanding the reasons behind each choice. It wasn’t just about planting seeds; it was about planting intentions and nurturing a different kind of relationship with the earth. Staying at Playa Viva, a sustainable luxury hotel, added another layer to the experience. We enjoyed seasonal local food that was as nourishing as it was delicious. We ended our days with yoga and even had time to simply play in the waves—a reminder that joy and play are integral parts of a balanced life. Amanda, our host, was exceptional. She made everyone feel like a vital part of the whole experience, weaving together all the elements of the course seamlessly. Namaste, Maria and Elaine, our instructors, were knowledgeable, passionate, and brought a sense of fun to the learning process that made everything feel both light and profound. In sum, this course was more than just an educational experience—it was a deep dive into a way of life that honors the earth, the community, and our own well-being. I left feeling more connected, inspired, and with a renewed sense of purpose. Gracias 🙏🏼
By Lauren E for Sembrando Agua: An Agroforestry + Permaculture Design Course on Aug 13, 2024
AH
Out of this world impactful! It was so nice to meet people from around the world; to learn with Namaste and Amanda, and her team; and to apply the skills in a practical way after theoretical workshops. All around outstanding work by the whole team. Thank you to everyone who participated.
By Amanda H for Regenerative Agriculture Course Playa Viva on Aug 11, 2023