Syntropic Farming Primer
Syntropic Farming is an innovative agroforestry practice originating with Ernst Gotsch's farm in Bahia, Brazil. This course introduces you to Syntropic Farming, focusing on growing food and reforesting landscapes from day 30 to year 30. Learn how to use forest succession to regenerate ecosystems and grow food, moving from theory to practical implementation.
Facilitated by Scott Gallant of Porvenir Design, this primer will primarily draw examples from Costa Rica, with additional insights from Brazil, Mexico, and the Mediterranean. Whether you're looking to transform your property or simply interested in sustainable farming, this primer will equip you with the knowledge to start your journey.
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Using Forest Succession Towards Transformation
In the field of regenerative agriculture, few practices have grown in popularity as quickly as Syntropic Farming has recently, spreading through the world from its origin point at Ernst Gotsch’s farm in Bahia, Brazil.
This course is designed to assist your journey into the practice, providing an understanding of how we can work from “clearing to clearing”, using forest succession as our model, in order to grow food and regenerate ecosystems.
The primer will provide an introduction to the concept of Syntropic Farming, while laying out a clear framework to follow for anyone who wants to begin implementing these systems on their own property, anywhere in the world.
We will move from theory to design to implementation, so that you can spend more time planting and managing your land, than having to second-guess your design. This course will give you the confidence to plant your first syntropic square meter!
This course is designed to assist your journey into the practice, providing an understanding of how we can work from “clearing to clearing”, using forest succession as our model, in order to grow food and regenerate ecosystems.
The primer will provide an introduction to the concept of Syntropic Farming, while laying out a clear framework to follow for anyone who wants to begin implementing these systems on their own property, anywhere in the world.
We will move from theory to design to implementation, so that you can spend more time planting and managing your land, than having to second-guess your design. This course will give you the confidence to plant your first syntropic square meter!
Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.
“The Syntropic Farming Primer Course absolutely delivered!
The course content, live Q&A sessions, and additional resources/homework assignments have provided me with the opportunity to learn the foundational theoretical knowledge of syntropic farming in a thorough manner.
Each component clearly explained the topics and provided concrete examples to see the theory applied in the real world.
Over the past year, the course has served me as a landing page that I can return to in order to continue building my understanding, capacity, and fluency in Syntropic Farming.
Scott's expertise combined with Javan's passion and organization create a fluid bridge for the distribution of knowledge.“
The course content, live Q&A sessions, and additional resources/homework assignments have provided me with the opportunity to learn the foundational theoretical knowledge of syntropic farming in a thorough manner.
Each component clearly explained the topics and provided concrete examples to see the theory applied in the real world.
Over the past year, the course has served me as a landing page that I can return to in order to continue building my understanding, capacity, and fluency in Syntropic Farming.
Scott's expertise combined with Javan's passion and organization create a fluid bridge for the distribution of knowledge.“
Noemi Bolanos - Costa Rica
Would You Like To...
Learn the Theory?
Gain a clear understanding of the theory behind Syntropic Farming.
Get Fresh Insight?
The course translates key content that is often only found in Portuguese.
Build Your Capacity?
Create your own consortium of plants and build out a species list for your climate.
Gain Practical Experience?
Practice designing field plots under different contexts, including your own.
Develop a Roadmap?
Be able to implement, from propagation to soil preparation to synchronized planting.
Learn From Successes?
See key management practices related to pruning, biomass management etc.
Find Out How You Can Get Planting
Gain a complete picture of the concepts of Syntropic Farming, and learn how you can begin your own project, however big or small.
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Eight Online Calls
Move from theory to design to installation and management.
Recordings
Can't make one of the sessions? Recordings will be made available.
Project Design
Create your own design in the course and receive feedback.
Community Learning
Learn from the examples brought by your peers.
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Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.
This course is a really good fit for:
Agricultural Professionals
Farmers, agronomists, and agricultural consultants seeking to enhance production through Syntropic methods.
Permaculture Designers
Individuals designing permaculture systems that emphasize sustainable and self-sufficient agricultural landscapes.
Environmentalists
Advocates and activists looking to deepen their understanding of systematic forestry processes that mimic native forests.
Gardeners/Homesteaders
Those interested in improving soil health, increasing biodiversity, and promoting regenerative forestry practices.
Policy Makers & Planners
Individuals who shape policies that affect land use, agricultural practices, and environmental conservation.
Teachers & Students
Those involved in environmental science, agriculture, horticulture, and related fields who are eager to expand their knowledge.
This course is not a good fit for:
People with limited time: you may not fully benefit from the course if you cannot commit to actively participating in exercises.
Those looking for a quick learning session: this is a structured learning experience spread over multiple sessions.
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This course takes you along a journey from high-level concepts down to the details of designing and maintaining a syntropic system.
The way it was done, through a wide range of examples and case studies, along with question period in every class, made it very approachable.
Completing the course, I feel invigorated and empowered to go get started designing and planting my own system!
The way it was done, through a wide range of examples and case studies, along with question period in every class, made it very approachable.
Completing the course, I feel invigorated and empowered to go get started designing and planting my own system!
Joshua Ford - Vancouver, British Columba, Canada
Course contents
Course Logistics
WHEN
Feb 11 2026 - Session 1 - Introduction to Syntropic Farming
Feb 18 2026 - Session 2 - Natural Succession & Life Cycle
Feb 25 2026 - Session 3 - Stratification and Light
Mar 4 2026 - Session 4 - Consortium and Planting Design 1
Mar 11 2026 - Session 5 - Consortium and Planting Design 2
Mar 18 2026 - Session 6 - Installation and Management
Two Week Reading/Study Break
Apr 8 2026 - Session 7 - Mediterranean & Temperate Climates
Apr 15 2026 - Session 8 - Final Project Presentation
WHAT
Eight live calls held on Zoom, each lasting 90 minutes.
TIME ZONE
Wednesdays 5pm PT, 6pm MT, 7pm CT, 8pm ET - 90 minutes per session
COST
Regular Price $549 USD
Prelaunch Price $399 USD
ACCESS
This course is designed to be accessed via computer.
Course materials will remain accessible for one year following the final class.
Course materials will remain accessible for one year following the final class.
I cannot recommend this course highly enough.
Scott is a brilliant teacher and Javan an excellent facilitator. The course is extremely well structured and designed. Complex concepts are presented in a clear and accessible way.
An abundance of supporting resources are provided from extensive species lists with detailed information to reading materials, existing projects around the world and much more.
The exercises and workbook were designed beautifully culminating in a design that’s ready to be implemented. Scott provided detailed feedback to further refine the design.
No question went unanswered and both Javan and Scott went the extra mile to draw on their networks to provide additional support specific to our projects.
This course has empowered me with a clear understanding of what syntropic farming is and the confidence to begin my syntropic journey.
Scott is a brilliant teacher and Javan an excellent facilitator. The course is extremely well structured and designed. Complex concepts are presented in a clear and accessible way.
An abundance of supporting resources are provided from extensive species lists with detailed information to reading materials, existing projects around the world and much more.
The exercises and workbook were designed beautifully culminating in a design that’s ready to be implemented. Scott provided detailed feedback to further refine the design.
No question went unanswered and both Javan and Scott went the extra mile to draw on their networks to provide additional support specific to our projects.
This course has empowered me with a clear understanding of what syntropic farming is and the confidence to begin my syntropic journey.
Priyanka Patel, Thally, Tamil Nadu, South India
Meet the instructor
Scott Gallant
Scott Gallant is a permaculture designer and educator with 15 years of experience working predominantly in Central America.
He is the co-founder of Porvenir Design, a landscape design firm specializing in productive landscapes, agroforestry, water systems, and design of large multi-stakeholder projects.
With his team he organized the first Syntropic Farming workshop in Central America, and since then he has studied with some of the foremost practitioners including Fernando Rebello, Thiago Barbosa, Henrique Sousa, Nat Muget, Jorge Espinosa, and Juã Pereira.
He is the co-founder of Porvenir Design, a landscape design firm specializing in productive landscapes, agroforestry, water systems, and design of large multi-stakeholder projects.
With his team he organized the first Syntropic Farming workshop in Central America, and since then he has studied with some of the foremost practitioners including Fernando Rebello, Thiago Barbosa, Henrique Sousa, Nat Muget, Jorge Espinosa, and Juã Pereira.
He is particularly interested in translating the unique practice of syntropic farming into English and contexts outside of Brazil.
He prides himself on the clear and concise teaching of complex ideas, and has created this course with a goal of bringing more coherence to a robust and powerful practice.
He prides himself on the clear and concise teaching of complex ideas, and has created this course with a goal of bringing more coherence to a robust and powerful practice.
Patrick Jones - Course author
Meet the host
Javan Bernakevitch
Javan Bernakevitch is a life and land designer who speaks, writes, teaches, and consults with clients, businesses, and farms worldwide through All Points Design and RegenerativeLiving.online, helping folks to have better lives and landscapes year after year.
He believes that if we don't design our lives, they'll be designed for us, not for our benefit. "If humans want to have a long life here on our planet, we best act like we are part of the ecology."
Patrick Jones - Course author
The course was fantastic!
It’s hard to put into words just how much value it delivered.
Javan’s passion for providing high quality content shines through, and his dedication to ensuring everything is well organized helps students get the absolute most out of the experience.
Scott is a natural, his enthusiasm is contagious, and he has a remarkable ability to make complex topics easy to grasp.
Together, they’re an incredible duo!
It’s hard to put into words just how much value it delivered.
Javan’s passion for providing high quality content shines through, and his dedication to ensuring everything is well organized helps students get the absolute most out of the experience.
Scott is a natural, his enthusiasm is contagious, and he has a remarkable ability to make complex topics easy to grasp.
Together, they’re an incredible duo!
Alex Chiodo, Italy
"Scott and I have been working together for just under three years, and during this time, I have been enriched by the extensive knowledge that Scott has accumulated during his career with agroforestry farms.
"He is always willing to share information without reservation and has vast knowledge of cultivated tropical species. In addition, he remains attentive to news and advances in regenerative agriculture thanks to the network of contacts that he has established."
"He is always willing to share information without reservation and has vast knowledge of cultivated tropical species. In addition, he remains attentive to news and advances in regenerative agriculture thanks to the network of contacts that he has established."
Gerardo Calderon, Farm Manager at Finca Luna Nueva, Costa Rica
"Under Scott's guidance, we've designed and installed 4 different agroforestry systems. I've learned more during this process than in 4 years of college, without a doubt.
"I admire Scott's incredible capacity to break down complex subjects into simple and digestible concepts that are easy to understand. His experience and passion make him an awesome teacher."
Javier Abdelnour, Farm Manager at Tierramor, Costa Rica
Frequently asked questions
How long will I have access to the course material?
You'll have access to the course material for one year from the start date of the course.
Is the course refundable?
The course is non-refundable.
Can my partner or friend look over my shoulder while I take the course?
Yes! Your registration allows for one "over the shoulder" viewing of the course. We ask you not to share your login information with anyone else.
Start Syntropic Farming today!
Practical skills to live on the planet as if we intend to stay.
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