Syntropic Farming in Temperate Zones: Principles, Soil Biology & Practical Applications
This webinar was organized as part of the FiBL agroforestry learning project (with the support of the Leopold Bachmann Stiftung). The webinar explores Syntropic Farming (pioneered by Ernst Götsch in Brazil) and its adaptation to temperate European climates. It details how imitating natural forest dynamics creates resilient, input-free farming systems.
The webinar is presented by Ursula «Uzzy» Arztmann, an agroecology specialist from the University of Applied Sciences HAFL in Bern. Uzzy is a former researcher at Agenda Götsch and founder of Soulfood Forest Farms.
Core Concept & Philosophical Origins
- Definition & Etymology: Coined in 1944 by Italian mathematician Luigi Fantappiè, Syntropy is the thermodynamic counterpart to entropy. While entropy diffuses energy into simple structures, syntropy concentrates energy to form complex, self-organizing living systems.
- Systemic Goals: Syntropic farming designs agroecosystems that mirror local natural ecosystems, aiming for complete independence from external fertilizers and irrigation while increasing the quality and quantity of consolidated life.
- Humans as Stewards: Rather than controlling nature, farmers participate as stewards within natural ecological processes.
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Key Takeaways for Farmers
- Redefining Agriculture: Transforming food production into a joyful, restorative endeavour in service of complex living systems.
- Focus on processes over rigid rules: Work with natural succession, light stratification, and organic matter cycling.
- Design for local site & market: Species selection must reflect local climate, market demand, and management capacity.
