Martin

Información de viaje

Ahora estoy

Descripción

After 25 years of professional work in communication design I decided that I do not want to spend the rest of my life in front of a screen or in meetings, producing yet another branding concept to fire up the GDP and climate.
I am fascinated by trees and studied again for degree in Forest Ecology. During Uni, I spend 6 months in Japan to work with Nature Farmers in citrus cultivation (over 20 species here, 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 to transform one of the many abandoned citrus plantations into an Agroforest. I wrote a concept for a local NPO to develop this almost 1 ha terraced, eroded, steep and overgrown field into a model case. We wanted to show an alternative to the intensive citrus monocultures and tackle the erosion problems here and we got some governmental funding to get started.
The last 10 month I tried to revert this neglected site from a weed djungle and wild boar paradise into a workable field while utilizing as much of the natural succession as possible. This involved a lot of shoveling, fencing, thinning and endless weeding on the practical side. Researching plants and propagation methods, fertilisation or water management options, organising volunteers, equipment or seedlings were the evening and rainy day tasks.

Unfortunately however, despite the funding, it became a weary enterprise to develop the project any further. For several other reasons related to the environmental conditions and mindset in Japan, I decided, after a lot of thinking and talking, not to extend my visa. I am happy to explain the background in detail if you are interested.

With 59 I am probably not the usual Workawayer, but after several years of farming and forestry experience in different agricultural environments and countries, I know the drill, what it physically takes and what mindset it needs to engage in agroecology - and make a living from it. Still, I have and would like to learn a lot from local knowledge and other professionals.

I am not a horticulturalist, nor a forester nor a farmer - but a little bit of all. l like trees and the magic, science and abundance of (most) forest ecosystems and multi species systems. To me, the essentials of truly sustainable farming, no matter what you call the concept, 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.

What I can offer:
Pruning and propagation knowledge, 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, food processing, good music. I know how to handle a chainsaw, weedcutter, milking machine or a shovel and I am good with goats (in fact, I love them), sheep and chicken.

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 with a systemic approach. Reforestation projects, polyculture orchard management, montado rehabilitation, but also olive grove maintenance or viticulture with planned diversity … lovely! I like experimenting but with a scientific approach.

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.
The only thing I clearly dislike is sharing my bedroom. I had enough flatshares and hostel stays in my life and need a bit of personal space. I´d rather stay in a tent or stable in winter.

Happy to hear from you,
Martin

Intereses

Arquitectura

Música

Cuidado de plantas

Política / justicia social

Bricolaje y manualidades

Vegetariano o vegano

Navegar / barcos

Deportes acuáticos

Naturaleza

Jardinería

Carpintería

Cocina y alimentación

Arte y diseño

Sostenibilidad

Agricultura

Idiomas

Idiomas hablados
Alemán: Fluido
Inglés: Fluido
Español: Principiante
Japonés: Principiante

Más información sobre tus intereses idiomáticos
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...

Buscar un colega de idioma

Habilidades y conocimientos que quiero compartir o aprender

Ciertos conocimientos de:  

Proyectos de construcción y bricolaje

Mantenimiento general

Cocinar para toda la familia

Vida en una granja

Proyectos ecológicos

Ayuda doméstica

---

Puedo enseñar:  

Jardinería

Cuidado de animales

Que habilidades tienes?

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

Edad

60

Algo más...

Diving-, Hunting- and offshore boat licence if thats of any help...

Más información

• 

  Fumador

• 

  Permiso de conducir

• 

  Alergia

• 

  Dieta especial
  90% Vegetarian, no pork.