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.
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.
King EcoCasitas can be comfortably shared between two to four individuals. Each has a private bathroom and full ocean views.
Our queen EcoCasitas offer pure luxury tucked between the ocean and the mountains. These suites are pure privacy - and limited!
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.
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.
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.