Martin

Germany
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I am currently
Travelling
Description
I am fascinated by trees and after 25 years in Communication Design decided to study again for degree in Forest Ecology.
I spend my pracical term in Japan to work with Nature Farmers in citrus cultivation (over 20 species there, but I love lemon trees the most). My Thesis explored the possibilities of soil conservation with Agroforestry and Nature Farming methods.
After the pandemic and working for the German Forest Inventory I came back to Japan in March 2023.
My assignment for al local NPO was to transform one of the many abandoned citrus plantations into a model Agroforestry showcase and Polyculture orchard. I returned from Japan in September 2024 and jumped on a motorbike to find a similar project in the south of Europe.

I am not a horticulturalist, nor a forester nor a farmer - but a little bit of all. l like trees, soil and the magic, science and abundance of (most) forest ecosystems and multi species systems. No matter what you call the concept, to me the essentials of agro- or forest ecology are the same: systemic thinking (including the entire food system), soil health, high species- and structural diversity, permanent ground cover, internal ressource management and social impact. I like experimenting with patience, observation and a scientific but playful approach especially with an eye on the conditions trees (and us) will have to face in a couple of years.

I am looking for a new, ideally long term engagement with a professional team that is working for a high diversity, tree density and awareness for soil biodiversity.
I have and would like to learn from local knowledge and other professionals.

What I can offer:
Pruning and propagation basics, planning, planting, thinning, a well researched tree-, nurse- and companion plant database, natural fertilisation and feed methods, understanding of Syntropic Farming, Permaculture or Regenerative farming principles, cheese making, good music. I know how to fell a tree, handle a bushcutter, milking machine or a shovel and I am good with goats (in fact, I love them).

What else ... I like experimental cooking with good food and enjoy it with others, I enjoy a beautiful environment and do everything to keep it that way.
Two things that I am NOT doing anymore: sharing my bedroom and cleaning up other peoples mess.
Interests
Architecture
Music
Plant care
Politics / Social justice
DIY & crafts
Vegetarian or vegan
Sailing / Boating
Water sports
Nature
Gardening
Carpentry
Cooking & food
Art & design
Sustainability
Farming
Languages
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
Japanese: Beginner
More details about my language interests
I would really like to be able to have a proper conversation in Spanish and/or Portuguese. So far its only Flamenco and Fado bits and pieces...
Find a language buddy
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
Some knowledge of:
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Life at a Farmstay
Eco Projects
Helping around the house
Able to teach about:
Gardening
Animal Care
More details about your skills
Forestry (Ecology, Planting, Thinning, Maintenance); Agroforestry/Food Forests/Orchards (Planning, Plant communities, Soil conservation methods, Fruit tree maintenance...); Animal husbandry (completed a Goat husbandry course in Switzerland and worked with them and cows on mountain farms, including professional cheese making; natural poultry farming in Japan); Mechanic tools (Chainsaw/felling licence, Weeder, Tiller, Chipper...); Basic wildlife management; Biofertilizer, Biochar
Age
61
What else ...
Diving-, Hunting- and offshore boat licence if thats of any help...
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
- Special dietary requirements
  90% Vegetarian, no pork.

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10 Sep 2023

Left by Workawayer () for host (Help regenerate soil and ...)

Catharina and Carlos (and Phillip) are extremely lovely people with a deep devotion to soil health and organic/regenerative and truly sustainable farming. I spend 5 weeks with them to expand my (mostly theoretical) knowledge about agroforestry systems and soil biology and learn new things: how does the Keyline system work and how to set it up, how… read more do you manage irrigation in an summer-arid climate, how is a Montado-Ecosystem functioning and what are the fundamentals of horticulture.
As Carlos rightly said in our excellent prep communication: 1 month is minimum, three month is good, one year will be perfect to not just learn but understand the processes and systems they apply.

I worked with him in the nursery where they grow local and introduced tree species that can tolerate dry stress, hot climate and eventually frosty winters; in the orchard a mile up the hills we thinned and pruned plums, peaches, pears and citrus (and harvested what was ripe - all of it delicious) and he introduced me to different bio-fertilziser preparations which Catharina expertly engineered. Both of them love to explain and do so in depth, there were truly no questions unanswered and if I still wanted more info, I turned to the library.
We picked fantastic figs and strawberries for breakfast, carrots, onions, herbs and tons of various tomato varieties for lunch and dinner, laughed a lot and shared the same irritation about the craziness of the global food system and what magic biochemistry happens in plants above and below. On the weekend, at least in summer, you can go for an one hours bus ride to the most fantastic and largest beach I have seen in a while and cool down in turqois atlantic waves. On top of it all, Freixo do Meio, the main estate features similar interesting projects on its ground, from Syntropic farming to Solar engineering and the people are happy to share.

Now that the seeding/planting season starts I had to leave to continue my project in Japan. Its a shame because not only is the place in the middle of a huge Montado estate a calming, quiet and somehow magic spot, now the oak pastures will turn green, the Pomegranates are soon ready to enjoy and planting new Agroforestry patches with the seedlings from the nursery would be an excellent practical and informative excercise.

A word of warning though to the laid back traveller: This is a place with lots of work already put into it but with much more potential. Carlos and Catharina know that it needs workforce and some investment to develop it to all its glory. Until then it is a place to work and its no work you do in trainers (or barefoot…), bring proper boots, gloves and enthusiasm. And prepare for simple but charming accomodation that partially serves as a storage, no running hot water, the occasional mouse in your kitchen, and because the whole house is running on solar panels, a fridge a mile away (it works fine with a camper cooler), and one sleeping room for three with a sleeping couch in the living room/library for the 4th (also works fine if you are in a hostel type of mood or a couple, neither of which I am).

I would like to return there and help them with the plenty of rewarding (besides the fantastic fruits and vegetables) work there is to do - and if I get the Europe-Blues in Japan, I certainly will.

(Excellent)

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