DESCRIPTION

Regenerative living and farming are relatively new concepts that involve creating positive impacts through individual and community efforts, many practices are rooted in indigenous knowledge and culture. As existing systems are harming the earth on a global scale, regeneration aims to remediate degraded landscapes, clean air and water, connect people, heal and create new habitats, revive the soil, produce nutritious food, and re-wild towns and cities.

Regenerative agroforestry is a system design approach to agricultural production and forest conservation, utilizing bio-mimicry to create productive habitats that allow us to cooperate with nature and enjoy bountiful yields.

This course will introduce many agroforestry techniques and innovative systems that increase yields on all fronts. From soil health, habitat restoration, orchard/agroforest design to project planning, implementation, management and community integration. High diversity systems that ensure food security and sovereignty are being designed on many scales to begin the regeneration we need.

Whether you are planting a small garden or a large commercial system, this course will teach you the basics to get started and begin your journey of regenerative agriculture!

At Rancho Mastatal you will experience farm to table, locally grown and food forest based meals. You will be able to immerse yourself in the Ranch’s beautiful facilities surrounded by protected nature, amazing waterfalls and rivers, agroforestry systems and unique natural buildings.

Day 1 Tour and theory 

• Session 1

Introductions and tour

• Session 2 

Tour continues 

• Session 3 

Theory in the classroom. Plant and agroforestry basics.

Day 2  

• Session 1

Plant propagation theory and practice (airlayers, root pups, cuttings, seeds, grafting)

• Session 2

Forest as our inspiration, walk to the waterfall 

• Session 3

Soil introduction and nutrition strategies (Compost and MM practical)

Day 3

• Session 1

Planting practical (food forest)

• Session 2

Design of agroforestry systems (food forests, alley cropping, syntropic farming, analogue forestry)

• Session 3

Management of agroforestry systems (pruning, management plan, harvests, ect)

instructors

Ambra Pirker
Ambra Pirker was born and raised on the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica, after her parents fell in love with this beautiful country. Since a very young age she had a passion for plants, animals, outdoors, cooking, and sustainable living. With the vision of creating self-sufficient living and sustainable agricultural systems, she studied Agricultural Engineering at EARTH University, a multicultural, sustainable hands-on Agronomy University on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. She has learned about hundreds of plants, worked on many diverse farms as well as alongside rural communities in Costa Rica and Mexico. 

After finishing school, she founded “Pacifica Kombucha”, a family-owned business focused on making the best fermented elixirs using agroecological-local ingredients, side by side with her better half Sam. Ambra is passionate for agroecological production, agroforestry, conservation, fermentation, farm-to-table, herbalism, permaculture, hiking and learning.  After assisting the natural construction course and PDC at Rancho Mastatal she fell in love with the project for many reasons; Mastatal’s beautiful approach to sustainability, healthy and happy community living, an amazing teaching/learning environment, incredible permaculture applications, gorgeous wilderness and wonderful energy.

She believes that all humans can have an immense connection with the planet, grow abundant food and live harmoniously in community; it’s all about unlocking the knowledge that’s inside all of us by relearning from fascinating projects like Rancho Mastatal. 

Sam Hansen
Sam Hansen was raised in Costa Rica alongside his 3 older siblings after his parents moved from the US in the early 90’s. Growing up surrounded by lush jungle and wild tropics instilled a love for nature and adventure from a young age. From eating dirt in the garden to collecting chicken eggs on a small farm plot, agriculture was almost an inevitable passion for Sam. He studied Agronomy at EARTH University where he deepened his knowledge of sustainable food models and met his partner and fellow dreamer Ambra.

Sam has found soil to be a never-ending rabbit hole of mystery and fascination, tending living systems through sustainable practices and applying agroforestry principles have shown him how to work with nature. Working hand in hand with these systems and allowing a living soil to provide abundant and nutritious food; he also loves transforming harvests and creating experiments with fermentation.

After five years running a fermented beverage company, Sam and Ambra heeded a calling back to nature to apply their knowledge as well as learn from Rancho Mastatal; a model to follow for anyone seeking a sustainable life style in the tropics.

course start and ARRIVAl dates

The class begins at 7.30 a.m. on June 27.  The night before the class begins, June 26, is included in the cost of the class.  You must arrive before 6.00 pm on the night of June 26 as it is too difficult to get guests accommodated after dark. If you cannot arrive before 6.00 pm on the night of June 26, please arrive early on the morning of June 27.

COURSE END AND DEPARTURE DATES

The last day of the class is June 29.  The night of June 29 is included in the cost of the class.  

COST

• $650 for non-Central American citizen

• $350 for Central American citizen

Includes all food, lodging in our bunkhouse and instruction.

If you are interested in an upgrade please select that option during checkout and we will be in touch. 

LANGUAGE

This class will be taught in English.  

ACCOMMODATIONS

All food and lodging is included in the cost of  the course.   Students will stay in the Ranch bunkhouse with options for upgrades.  We provide high quality mattresses, linens and blankets.  Please see our Accommodations page for more information.  

COURSE PAYMENT

Please see our  Payments page for more information about how to pay.  

CANCELLATION POLICY

Please see our cancellation policy here.

GETTING TO RANCHO MASTATAL

Please see our Directions page for detailed information on how to get to Rancho Mastatal.  

questions

For more information about this class and Rancho Mastatal please contact us at info@ranchomastatal.com , call us at +506 2200-0920 or text/WhatsApp us at +506 8539-1404.