Unfortunately, this course will not be held this spring.
We are exploring the possibility of organizing a new course this fall.

Food Forest Design Course at the Permaculture Project ⚷t Vliegherkeshof ~Aalter (O-vl) 6 consecutive Thursdays
24/4 ~1/5 ~ 8/5 ~15/5 ~ 22/5 ~ 29/5

Teacher: Josse Horsten
In this course, you will be provided with a proven and accessible design method to help you shape your future food forest.

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The course offers a dynamic alternation between practice and theory.

Each day begins with a robust theoretical framework explaining the various design steps for a food forest. We draw inspiration from permaculture, syntropic agriculture, and agroecology to create a broad and applicable framework for food forests.

You immediately put what you learn into practice.

During the course days, you will actively participate in the design of the food forest at our host location, so you can immediately put theory into practice.

Between classes, you’ll work on your own food forest design at home, armed with new knowledge, tools, and insights. By the end of the course, you’ll have a concrete plan for your future food forest.

And as a bonus! We’ll visit two inspiring food forests near the host location. This time, we’ll visit Eetbos Deinze and VLOET permafruit! Visiting an existing project broadens your perspective and provides inspiration!

Over six days, we’ll guide you step by step through the process, from initial observation to developing a planting plan. Josse will guide this process, while our hosts make their grounds available as a vibrant learning environment.

Your personal design is fully tailored to your specific context, wishes and needs.

Our method is simple and practical, making it accessible to anyone. We work with pen and paper and simple tools. No drawing skills are required, just a willingness to collaborate! This course is primarily designed for those with a basic understanding of one or more of the following areas: permaculture, organic farming, food forests, and/or ecological gardening. The focus is on the design process and methodology, and there’s room for feedback on your personal design journey.

If you don’t have any basic knowledge yet, but feel the calling, please contact us to discuss whether this course is right for you.

Food Forest Design Course Program

  • Day 1: Explanation of the design process, workflow, base map, terrain and soil observations.
  • Day 2: Location analysis and customer interview; Dream phase, clarification of the project idea, wishes, and desires.
  • Day 3: Drawing lessons, sketching, color scheme, working on the master plan. Visit Eetbos Deinze.
  • Day 4 : Composition. Planting plan with plant list. Visit VLOET Permafruit
  • Day 5: Project monitoring. Financial aspects of the food forest. Create a cost estimate.
  • Day 6: Phasing of the work, construction plan. Presentation of the designs. Celebrate!

About the location

The Vliegherkeshof, located in Aalter (between Ghent and Bruges), is a young permaculture project focused on restoring and increasing biodiversity. Using this sustainable and robust system, we aim to cultivate perennial plants with diverse functions and produce local food. We do this with respect for and in connection with nature. In this way, we aim to leave a positive legacy for the future and be a source of inspiration for others.

Would you like to think with us about how a former cornfield can be transformed into a sustainable place?

Investment in the course

We offer this course at two rates, depending on your situation:
Entrepreneurs:
€786.50 incl. VAT (€650 excl. VAT) – For professionals who use the course for business purposes and can deduct the VAT.
Private individuals:
€650 incl. VAT – For private individuals who cannot reclaim VAT.
This investment includes six full days of instruction, during which you’ll be guided step-by-step through the design of your own food forest. At the end of the course, you’ll have a concrete design based on all the inspiration, tips, and knowledge we share. This is only a fraction of the price of a professional design, but it does require your dedication to working on your plan between lessons.

The great thing is: you can already get started on your own property this fall and actually plant trees!

We believe it’s important to keep this course accessible, so we’re offering solidarity pricing. If you’re unable to pay the full amount, please contact us at [welkom[at]eetbaarlandschap.be] so we can work together to find a solution.

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