Regenerative Agriculture and Chromatography

with Jairo Restrepo

A 6 day course 28th June - 3rd July 2018

Agriculture is changing. A new brand of modern agriculture using Agroecology as it's guiding principle is gaining traction both on the ground and in academic circles.

Linked to this is the recognition that small farmers across the world need to organise and stand together in order to stand up to industrial food production.

Jairo Restrepo has been a lead teacher in the field of biofertilisers, bokashi  micro organisms and chromatography for many years. He also has extensive experience of implementing these at different scales through his consultation work. We are very pleased to be able to offer his expert knowledge at Ragmans as these technologies are increasingly recognised.

As Darren Doherty says "this guy is a genius and a tour de force of the first order!"

(Please note the dates mentioned in the above video are from an earlier course - the 2018 course dates are 28th June - 3rd July)

Regenerative Agriculture led by Jairo Restrepo, will give farmers and growers the practical tools needed to analyse their soils and create fertile systems using home made biofertilisers and minimal-cost pest and disease control methods.

"motivating, inspirational, humble & wonderful" previous course student

Spanish is Jairo's first language so the course will be delivered through a translator who will be present for the whole course. Jairo has taught extensively in Europe and his teaching is relevant here as well as in South America. You can find a detailed biography on Jairo by clicking here

Synopsis:
This course combines the theoretical and practical basis for Jairo Restrepo’s Regenerative Agriculture. The main focus of Regenerative Agriculture is the health of the land and the quality of the food produced on the land. Jairo’s teaching style makes clear the how and why of regenerating biological fertility and mineral agricultural soils; and how this enables the viable production of healthy food that is affordable to consumers and profitable for farmers. His methods allow farmers to disengage from a dependence on external inputs.

The course has a very practical approach including practical work and encouraging sharing between participants whilst providing an opportunity to reflect on the principles, objectives and strategies of Regenerative Agriculture.

The practical work covers production and application of organic fertilizers, bio-fertilisers, minerals, and micro-organisms (the ‘wines’ and ‘flours’ of Regenerative Agriculture) with a focus on producing these from locally available resources.

This course includes 2 days teaching on Chromatography. A tool to diagnose soil health and the quality of the biological, physical and chemical relationships within the soil.

Examples from Jairo’s work provide the evidence base for successful transition from conventional approaches to a regenerative agriculture approach.

Who should attend:
Farmers and independent small-scale growers, food producers, food retailers, technicians, students. Anyone interested in sustainable rural development and environmental protection. Students, experienced growers and technicians looking to update and acquire ‘new’ knowledge and methodologies for promoting sustainable development in rural areas.

For a You Tube video on Regenerative Agriculture with English subtitles click here

To see Jairo's website click here

Course Objectives:
After the workshop, participants will be able to:

• Identify the principles, objectives and basic strategies of Regenerative Agriculture.
• Discuss the process of transition from a conventional approach to a Regenerative Agriculture approach, taking into consideration the conditions and the state of the resources, time and space available.
• Recognise the factors and resources available/needed for applying Regenerative Agriculture principles
• Encourage and support the sharing of such information with other farmers/growers, e.g. via campesina
• Share appropriate practical tools and methodologies for sharing knowledge about Regenerative Agriculture
• Provide examples of the successful application of Regenerative Agriculture.

Course Outline:
∗ Introduction: A vision to rescue agriculture. More than 30 years of the farmer’s movement in Latin America and the tools that have been used.
∗ Crop nutrition as a tool to prevent pests and diseases.
∗ Theory and practice of trophobiosis.
∗ Regeneration of our soils. The concept of the 3 M's
∗ Using rock dusk for re-mineralization
∗ How to make adapted bio-fertilizers
∗ Hot and cold mineral broths
∗ Plant protection and stimulating plant health
∗ Quick to build new floor (Bokashi) Composting
∗ Reducing the use of copper
∗ Seed protection
∗ The role of micro-organisms in soil and plants
∗ The use of micro-organisms for the regeneration of soil fertility
∗ The use of micro-organisms for combating pests and diseases
∗ How to identify which micro-organisms are essential for our crops
∗ How to produce native micro-organisms

Includes a two day Chromatography session, at the end of the course participants will:

∗ Understand the value of chromatographic analysis of the soil as a useful tool for assessing soil conditions and deterioration
∗ Have experience of analysing chromatographic results
∗ Know what equipment is required for chromatographic analysis

"A lot of variety - fantastic" previous course student

For an indepth breakdown of the course click here

For an interview with Jairo please click here

Please note: this course will be delivered in Spanish with a translator.

Cost £600

Bunkhouse or camping accomodation included, subject to availability.

All meals and refreshements included

"Simply stunning, inspirational, thought provoking and life changing in a positive way"  previous course student

For further information on making biofertilisers do have a read of our article "Make your own Biofertiliser" published in the Permaculture Magazine.