Current and Upcoming events



AgroEcological Food Production Systems course - 10 days - Markos Gamboa (June/July/August/September 2024)

Download course details (español)

About the course

In this very practical, Spanish spoken, 10 day course, Markos Gamboa demonstrates how to manage water, improve soil, read the land, irrigate correctly, raise livestock, manage grazing, manage forests and how to produce food in the face of climate change.

Using Permaculture as a design tool and AgroEcology as an implementation method, the course provides solutions to the present and the future of agricultural and livestock production, forestry/territory management and the optimisation of the use of water as an increasingly scarce fundamental resource.

Given the scenarios of energy decline and climate change that have already become present in our lives, we need changes in all sectors of society. Permaculture and AgroEcology are comprehensive disciplines that cover, among others, philosophies of our relationship with the planet, the theory of de-growth, promotion of new sustainable models, ecofeminism, politics, rural repopulation, health, nutrition, education and quality of life. Topics that appeal to society as a whole.

These are the reasons and foundations of our comprehensive training proposal, which aims to:

  • Raise awareness of the energy and climate problems we face, as well as their impact on the planet, our societies and food production

  • Train by showing tools and techniques that, from a holistic perspective, provide solutions for the conservation and regeneration of our ecosystems and food production

  • Expose the need for structural changes in broad sectors of society that allow moving towards sustainable ways of life in the broadest concept of the word


Training areas

Students will get training in:

  • Knowledge of the current situation of the global agri-food sector and the Spanish primary sector as well as the need to apply public policies in the short, medium and long term

  • Creation of new relationship frameworks with ecosystems and between society as a whole through collective and cooperative processes that seek the common good

  • Tools and techniques to improve and make our food system sustainable based on changes in personal, social and environmental awareness through the implementation of new models of food production, distribution and marketing

  • Knowledge of the water cycle, photosynthesis process, carbon-nitrogen-phosphorus cycles, soil types, water management, forest management, fertilization and nutrient recycling techniques, grazing/silvopasture management and soil management for horticultural crops and fruit

  • Methodologies to recover cultural knowledge and abandoned infrastructures of each territory, the integration/recovery of sustainable technologies and adequate management of natural resources

  • Application of the circular economy to the design, planning and economic viability of agroecological food production

  • The importance of scale in agroecological food production

  • Main technical variables to take into account for food and forestry production in the face of the new scenarios posed by climate change

  • Permaculture design focused on local agricultural, livestock and forestry food production

Practices

  • Comprehensive analysis of the entire surface, understanding of the various areas and implementation of appropriate/efficient techniques for each area (we have 6 different areas)

  • Recovery of water infrastructure in the area, measurement of contour lines and selection of areas for reservoirs (Key Line), construction/recovery of canals and reservoirs

  • Construction of horticultural terraces on 3 different surfaces: south facing slope without shadows, north facing slope and forest interior

  • Management of grazing in meadow and silvopasture in forest with sheep

  • Conservation and diverse uses of native plants

  • Integration of bush and tree fruit crops in native forest

  • Preparation of organic fertilizers (vegetable slurry, ashes, foliar fertilizers, use of chicken coops/stables ) for nutrient recycling

  • Data collection and efficient information search

  • Creating comprehensive, holistic and integrated designs

The full course contents are available as downloadable PDF here (subject to change)

About Mr Gamboa


Markos Gamboa is a leading expert in the field of Permaculture, Regenerative Agriculture and AgroEcology in Spain and offers practical solutions and a new way of thinking to the current day problems for the agricultural sector in Spain. During the last 15 years he has worked, researched and given training in diverse climatic environments in Mexico, Peru, France and in almost all Spanish autonomous communities.


Practicals & Logistics

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Dates:

This workshop will be delivered 4 times in 2024

Workshop 1:  3rd – 12th June, 2024
Workshop 2: 1st – 10th July, 2024
Workshop 3: 5th – 14th August 2024
Workshop 4: 2nd – 11th September 2024  

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Location:

Finca Orbán
Street: Lugar de Orbán 1
City: Cervantes
Province: Lugo
Postcode: 27661
Country: Spain

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Stay and Accommodation

Option 1: Sleep in your own tent in Orbán. access to shower and toilets. Included in course price/no extra charge. If you cannot sleep in a tent, please contact Finca Orbán to discuss alternatives.

Option 2: Stay in a hotel or hostel in the area (not included in course price!). Search for ‘Navia de Suarna’ which is about 20 minutes’ drive from Orbán. We cannot provide transport to and from your hotel/hostel.

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Food:

An omnivore dinner, lunch, and breakfast will be provided for and is included in the course price.
Students are asked to assist in the preparation of the food.
Unfortunately, we cannot cater for specific diets however, you could bring your own food if needed (no discounts).

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Investment:

EUR 1000, including IVA, food and your own tent accommodation

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How to enroll:

Please use the contact form on this website, requesting participation. An interview may follow to assess suitability.

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Cancellations and refunds:

If you need to cancel your participation of the course, please contact us immediately, using the contact form on this website.

Refunds:

-If you have cancelled your participation in the course 14 or more days before the start date of the course: 100% refund.

-If you have cancelled your participation in the course 7 or less days before the start date of the course: 50% refund.

-If you have cancelled your participation in the course 1 or less days before the start date of the course or end your participation during the course: 0% refund.