Regenerative Agriculture

with Jairo Restrepo

A 4 day course Thursday 30th June - Sunday 3rd July 2016 

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!"

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 bio fertilisers and minimal-cost pest and disease control methods.

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

To see Jairo's website click here

"Thank you for the enthisiasm in which you delivered your course" - 2015 course student

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 subsequent 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 fertilisers, bio-fertilisers, minerals, and micro-organisms (the ‘wines’ and ‘flours’ of Regenerative Agriculture) with a focus on producing these from locally available resources.

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

 "Pragmatic, indepth, inspirational" - 2015 course student

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

"I will use the information to further my knowledge and to pass it on to others" - 2015 course student

For a detailed breakdown of the course please click here

For an interview wih Jairo click here

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

Cost £400

Limited residential option avalable

Jairo will also be running a two day course on Chromatography click here for details. The courses stand alone but are best taken together as different brews and biofertiliser products will be discussed.

To book the two together click here