Become a confident syntropic farmer through a blend of theory, hands-on practice, expert guidance, and community support.
Join our intensive Annual Syntropic Farming Journey - a year-long hands-on program combining theoretical foundations with extensive field practice. This is your pathway to working with syntropic farming in the Netherlands or similar climates, following the full cycle of seasons and gaining real-world experience at your own pace.
WHAT YOU WILL ACHIEVE
Throughout the year, you'll gain hands-on experience across at least 3 different syntropic systems, thereby learning to adapt the principles to varied conditions and contexts.
By the end of this journey, you'll truly feel like a syntropic farmer, equipped with both the knowledge and the skills to work with thriving syntropic systems in the Dutch temperate climate.
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9 intensive training days + 80 hours of field-based work (scheduled at your own pace)
5 progressive modules following the natural seasons
Monthly online forum for ongoing support and community connection
Dual language: Sessions in English with Dutch translation available, guided field work in Dutch and English available
Maximum 14 participants for personalized attention
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WHY LEARNING SYNTROPIC FARMING FOR THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE?
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During the program we go through a full year of syntropic farming together, with each season involving a different set of activities and considerations. Understanding and working with these seasonal rhythms allows us to optimize plant growth, soil regeneration, and overall system development throughout the year.
The program includes an online kick-off and a closing session, and five content modules in between. Each content module kicks off with an in-person training, followed by guided field work throughout the season. Additionally, there is an online monthly community forum.
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IN-PERSON TRAINING
Each content module includes several days of intensive training combining:
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MONTHLY ONLINE FORUMS
Building a network to support each other's learning journey
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➡️ Overview of the online activities
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GUIDED FIELD WORK
To earn the full certificate of completion, participants must complete a minimum number of supervised field work hours throughout the program, gaining deep experience in:
An overview of the main activities can be found in the table below. A description of each of the activities and modules follows after. This table does not include the monthly online forum sessions or the guided field work.
| Activity | Online / in-person | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Program kick-off | Online | Tuesday February 17 |
| Module 1: Foundations & Winter Implementation | In-person | Friday - Sunday |
| Module 2: Spring Implementation | In-person | Friday, April 24 |
| Module 3: Summer Management | In-person | Friday, June 26 |
| Module 4: Harvesting & Processing | In-person | Friday, September 11 |
| Module 5: Design & Planning | In-person & online | Friday October 23 (online) |
| Closing session | Online | Tuesday December 1 |
The guided field work is planned per individual according to their and De Bosboerderij’s schedules. To stimulate learning from peers, we will aim to schedule fieldwork in groups as much as possible. Fieldwork will be conducted at our locations in Zuid-Holland (WIJdehorst in Wassenaar or Koperwiek in Hazerswoude-dorp) and / or Noord-Brabant (Goirle), depending on the module and our collective schedules.
TEACHING TEAM
You'll learn from experienced practitioners and leaders in syntropic agriculture. Our teaching team combines deep theoretical knowledge with extensive hands-on experience managing syntropic systems in the Dutch context.
Liselotte Hagedoorn brings a unique combination of scientific expertise and practical experience. With a background in ecosystem restoration and nature-based solutions to climate change, she transitioned in 2024 to hands-on regenerative agriculture, working on multiple projects across the Netherlands. She specialised in syntropic farming during her 3-month stay at Ernst Götsch's farm in Brazil.
De BosBoerderij Core Team
Bruna San Roman & Suzanne van der Velde - Co-founders of De BosBoerderij, bring their vision and practical experience in establishing and scaling syntropic agriculture in the Netherlands. Our experienced farming team provides day-to-day knowledge from managing syntropic systems in the Dutch context, guiding you through seasonal work and system development.
PROGRAM KICK-OFF
Tuesday, February 17 | 19:30-21:30 CET, UTC+1 hour