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I am currently
Travelling
My next destination:
Japan - from Oct 2023 until Oct 2024 View allDescription
Hello from Berlin,
I am interested in tree based polyculture concepts like Agroforestry as in Forest Gardens, Forest Landscape Restoration and principles of Nature Farming which values and fosters the soil microbiome. Robert Hart and Masanobu Fukuoka have been a great inspiration to me.
I like forests and trees, especially fruit bearing ones (lemon trees on top of this list!) and those with multi-purpose potential.
I studied again after 25 years of professional work in communication design. The slightly exotic name of my BSc. degree is »International Forest Ecosystem Management« which makes me neither a farmer nor a forester but something inbetween. My Thesis explored the possibilities of soil conservation with Agroforestry and Nature Farming methods. And although having gained some experience in the last years, I still have a lot - and would like - to learn.
That is why I would like to work with professionals or enthusiastic amateurs, with people who really know what they are doing, why they are doing it and doing it right. I am committed for a long term engagement not just a couple of weeks.
As part of my practical study term abroad I spend 6 months in Japan in 2019/20, and another 5 month until just now on a tiny island famous for a century of citrus farming. I had the honour to work with a small community of Nature Farmers here closely related to M. Fukuoka.
My project in Japan was to transform an abandoned, hilly and savaged citrus plantation of almost one ha into half a forest garden and half a more conventional agroforestry system and reclaim the surrounding forest. This involved a lot of plant research, experiments, water management and lots of weeding.
However, I was in Japan on a tourist visa since the first working visa application was rejected. Me and my potential employer, an NPO active in revitalising this overaged island with new concepts, tried again a few months ago but Japan immigration is not exactly permissive regarding jobs in environmental or ecoagricultural contexts - although Japan is in urgent need for that. Wether or not the visa will be granted is of yet unclear. Even if I will be allowed to return, I will have three months to reenter and would like to use the time inbetween for experiencing other (Forest-) farming environments.
This is why I am now focussing on European projects with similar approach, preferably on an island or in coastal areas of the south west like Portugal or Spain incl. Canary Islands (I like trees but I also like diving and a mediterranean climate…). I am available from July 2023.
I would like to work AND learn: anything with Food-Forests, Forest management, Olives, Permaculture, Lemons, Coffee, Reforestation, Winemaking, Fishery, Agroforestry systems .... would be excellent.
Would love to hear from you,
Best, MartinInterests
Politics / Social justiceDIY & craftsVegetarian or veganSailing / BoatingWater sportsNatureGardeningCarpentryCooking & foodArt & designSustainabilityFarmingBeachLanguages
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
Japanese: BeginnerMore details about my language interests
I would really like to become fluent in Spanish and have a proper conversation. So far its only bits and pieces and most of it is from Flamenco or Cumbia songs...Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
Some knowledge of:
DIY and building projectsGeneral MaintenanceCreating/ Cooking family mealsLife at a FarmstayEco ProjectsHelping around the houseAble to teach about:
GardeningAnimal CareMore details about your skills
Forestry (Planting, Thinning, Maintenance), Agroforestry/Food Forests (Planning, Plant communities, Soil conservation methods, Fruit tree maintenance...), Animal husbandry (Goats and Poultry), Mechanic tools (Chainsaw, Weeder, Tiller, Chipper...); Basic wildlife management (Hunting license); Biofertilizer, Biochar
Age
59
What else ...
I have a diving-, a boat- and a chainsaw-license - if thats of any help...
Some more information
Smoker
Driver's licence
Allergies
Special dietary requirements