Holistic Management
Animals in the Orchard
Chris Kerston will be leading the Saturday evening session describing the farming operations at Chaffin Family Orchards, a 3,000 acre organic olive, stone fruit, beef, egg, and broiler operation that is one of the top examples of animal integrated management in the US.
Here Chris gives a tour of the farm:
How Livestock Can Save the Planet
For millenia every grassland on the planet co-evolved with grazing mammals that travelled in large tightly packed herds and moved often (due to preditors). It turns out that when you mimic these patterns with managing animals the effect is soil building, increased biodiversity, longer water cycles, and healthier ecosystems. This is an important key to combat climate change AND have economically and ecologically abundant farms and ranches in the process.
Mob Grazing
in Small Spaces
Here, Kirk shows off how he uses animals to maintain grass and build soil even in his garden!
Next Step for Permaculturists
"What is the best thing you can do to further your effectiveness as a a permaculture designer? Take a Holistic Management course."
- Darren Doherty
Holistic Management in Africa
Course Overview
Holistic Management is a goal driven framework for making better decisions to manage all aspects of our lives. With a process to assess and optimize short and long term strategies, this systems-thinking approach to managing land resources can improve production, generate financial strength, regenerate ecosystems, and improve the quality of life for those who use it.
Here Kirk Gadzia gives a brief look at what he will be sharing:
Day 1: Holistic Decision Making
Learn this goal driven framework to manage land, organizations, and homesteads of all scales.
• Make sustainability a profitable practice
• Bigger profits & better quality of life
"What permaculture lacks is a decision-making framework. What holistic management lacks is a design framework. Let's put together a dowry." ~ Darren Doherty
Day 2: Holistic Land Management
We will apply the decision making framework to the design and management of land. Using the 380 acres at the MA Center,
• Evaluate land health through observation of ecosystem processes
• Develop systems of monitering so feedback will guide future decisions
• Understand the "tools" of land management.
• Understand priciples of restoring fecundity and biodiversity to grasslands
• Prioritize projects to assure short and long term financial, social, and ecosystem goals are met.
Day 3: Holistic Management of Animals
In drylands and Mediteraininan climates herding grass eating animals can either degrade landscapes or act as the single most effective soil building force available. Here we will learn the principals of managing animals on grasslands, orchards, and brush-scapes. Particpants will learn how to develop grazing plans that will:
• Transition dry hillsides to green perennial grasslands, fertile orchards, perennial, or biodiverse forests.
• Bring water sources back to life
• Sequester carbon in deeper and healthier soils
• Improve soil health and biodiversity of rangelands and pastures.
• Increase grazing and wildlife capacity.
• Boost orchard health and fertility
• Grow healthier crops and achieve higher yields.
• Reverse desertification in brittle environments.
Course Logistics
Start time: 9am- 6pm each day. Saturday has a bonus 7-pm session.
Accomodations: M.A. Center has on-site accomodation options. There are several local hotel options. There is no organized group camping.
Meals: Organic vegetarian lunch and snacks are served daily. Saturday includes dinner.
Kirk Gadzia
Kirk Gadzia is a certified instructor with the Holistic Management International Center and founder of Resource Management Services, with over 20 years experience teaching the concepts of Holistic Management® worldwide combined with extensive international consulting work on many agricultural operations.
Savory Institute trains people in holistic management and decision-making. People who use these methods can increase prosperity while restoring biodiversity, returning deserts to grasslands, and reviving watersheds.
Who will benefit most from this course ?
This workshop is ideal those who want to improve their ability to take in the big picture, respond to change, and become sustainable. People who benefit from implementing Holistic Management include:
- Experienced and beginning farmers and ranchers who want to improve manageability, explore new possibilities, restore health and productivity to the land, create viable operations for the next generation, develop new markets, achieve a triple bottom line, decrease inputs, shift to grass based production, diversify, participate in a local food system and adopt sustainable practices.
- Families and people from all walks for life who seek to improve their quality of life, reduce their carbon footprint, live a lifestyle of health and sustainability.
- Entrepreneurs who desire to manage for a triple bottom line: becoming sustainable us of resources while also being financially sound and socially conscious.
- New and experienced landowners and land managers.
- Non-profit organizations who wish to get everyone on the same page, improve ownership in their purpose, and seek solutions that are socially, economically and environmentally sound.
- Community leaders who would like to improve decision making skills in relation to sustainable community development, land use planning, agriculture, problem solving and policy making
Registration
Sponsoring Organizations
GreenFriends Farm is a sustainable agriculture education center located in the east SF Bay Area at M.A. Center.
Savory Institute trains people in holistic management and decision-making. People who use these methods can increase prosperity while restoring biodiversity, returning deserts to grasslands, and reviving watersheds.
Common Vision implements innovative strategies in sustainability with diverse communities and schools throughout California. Focusing on fruit trees, local agriculture, renewable energy, and community engagement Common Vision uses inspirational education to create a healthier and more just society.
Living Mandala increase awareness, to create educational opportunities, and to catalyze project activities that implement ecologically and socially regenerative practices of human beings living in harmony with each other and their environment. Living Mandala has been supporting the permaculture design and education programs at GreenFriends Farm. > LivingMandala.com
