Syntropic agroforestry is a system that uses the principles of stratification (layers of the forest) and succession (stages of forest growth), to create a low input, resilient perennial system. To find out more, download this manual written by Roger Gietzen…
…or come to our week long training with Roger this April!
I wanted to highlight the Syntropic Agroforestry maintenance that I do about 4-5 times a year- it is the primary form of labor and ‘input’ in the system. I want to thank Roger Gietzen for guidance in the installation and planning of our system. Our demonstration is a few years old (under 3), with various stages of growth represented.
Before: There is a lot of biomass from about 6-8 weeks of growth.
Maintenance: The side rows of biomass plants are chopped/dropped with a machete into the system to build the soil and feed the ‘target’ perennials that we want to grow for production. Our ‘biomass’ trees are also delimbed with a saw/pruners and the material is chopped and incorporated into the system.
After: Here is the final product! We will begin this process again during rainy season and continue about every 6-8 weeks, depending on growth. This pruning allows the system to have a pulse of energetic growth, speeding its maturity.
This is one of the few agroforestry systems that can feasibly be mechanized!
After: Another final view.
A photo of our native soil and our syntropic soil- after a few years of compost, degrading mulch material, and chopped vegetation on our system, the soil is very rich.
Feel free to share your stories and photos of your own syntropic systems!