Successful certification workshops in Senegal

A step towards regenerative agriculture

In February and March 2024, we, the Food Forest Network, held two inspiring certification workshops as part of our ‘Earth Activist Training’ in Senegal. The workshops took place in two of our pilot projects and provided an excellent opportunity to teach permaculture and agroforestry systems in theory and practice. Our vision: to empower people to create resilient and sustainable food ecosystems.


Workshop: Tropical climate in the Casamance – the PermaFoodForest

The first workshop took place in southern Senegal, in the tropical Casamance, in our partner project PermaFoodForest. The agroforestry farm has a variety of food forest systems, including banana, lemon and cocoa systems and a first syntropic agroforestry system, where the participants immersed themselves in the world of regenerative agriculture.

The multi-day event offered a balanced mix of theory and practice. Together we created raised beds and planted a syntropic agroforestry system. The basics of permaculture were covered, as well as understanding soil structure, the design and management of polycultures and even knowledge-intensive syntropic systems.

The participants were a lively, diverse group of African and European agroforestry enthusiasts, multipliers and experts. The workshop was particularly enriched by our tutors:

Frieda and Almamy, who manage the PermaFoodForest with their in-depth knowledge, Frieda is an expert in syntropic agroforestry and Jasper complements her with his knowledge of agroforestry,

Jens, Initiator and permaculture veteran with extensive knowledge of complex systems,

– and Emma, whose intercultural expertise and professional translations (French and Wolof) ensured smooth communication.

The participants, many of whom camped on the site, were delighted with the mixture of practical sessions, evening discussions around the campfire and the warm atmosphere – rounded off with delicious food, including the legendary bananas straight from the farm.

Workshop: Semi-arid climate in Toubab Dialao – sustainable approaches for arid regions

Our second workshop took place in Toubab Dialao, in the north of Senegal. This region, with its semi-arid climate and limited rainfall, presented different challenges – and opportunities – for regenerative agriculture. Here, in Claudia and Pape’s Ana Fonio pilot project, we worked on raised beds and a syntropic agroforestry system adapted to dryland conditions, and produced biochar in a pyrolysis oven.

This workshop was also a success. The participants were made up of a diverse group, including leaders of women’s groups, NGO workers, farmers and representatives of the World Food Programme. The event, which was held in German and French, once again benefited from Emma’s translations and the support of the Accordeos Foundation, which made the workshop and solidarity contributions possible for a number of participants.

A glance into the future

Following the consistently positive feedback and in-depth reflection, we have decided to expand the workshops in the coming years. Two workshops are planned for February 2025 in Ana Fonio:

1: basic workshop: Focus on permaculture, food forest design and soil understanding. with a view to drylands

2: basic workshop: Syntropic agroforestry systems.

Our goal is to empower even more people to actively shape regenerative change. Together, we are creating resilient ecosystems and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Participants Workshop in Senegal
Workshop Agroforestry in Senegal, March 2024

Would you like to be part of our movement? Get in touch with us and join us on this inspiring journey towards a regenerative future!

German & English: Jens@FoodForest.Network

French & Wolof: Claudia: Claudia@FoodForest.Network

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