Location: Angimbè Forest, Calatafimi Segesta, Sicily

Dates: 22-24 November 2024

Participants: 22

Impacts: Participants were introduced to the world and practices of permaculture and its design as well as the possibilities of regenerative finance to help reforest Sicily. The resulting food forest will serve as an important teaching tool and source of food for the community.

Summary:

Participants came together for a 3-day introduction to permaculture course in which we covered the theory of permaculture, the principles of permaculture design, and the planting of a food forest utilizing dryland farming practices. During the course, we formed a beautiful community through shared meals, storytelling, singing, working, and just generally spending time together. 

On the final day of the course, in which we planted the food forest, participants learned to use the Silvi App to register the trees planted. Silvi allows users to receive funding for every tree planted through registration and monitoring. 

Because desertification in Sicily is an ever-increasing reality, we employed crucial dryland farming practices to ensure the survival of our food forest. The methods we employed were low-cost and practical, allowing participants to easily employ them on their own land. First, we placed chopped up cactus leaves at the bottom of the hole created for each tree. Cactus leaves are abundant and easily obtained in Sicily, and they provide moisture, nutrients, and protection for young trees. The cactus was covered with soil to create a barrier between the roots of the trees. Then, before placing the tree in the hole, we soaked its root ball in a bucket of water to ensure that it was fully saturated. We employed this method instead of traditional irrigation due to a lack of water or irrigation resources. When we use the appropriate species of trees for the area, we can avoid expensive irrigation. Finally, after placing the trees and filling in their holes, we covered the roots with a thick layer of mulch to help keep moisture in the ground and fertilize the growing trees. 

The participants of this course are now equipped with the knowledge to help our community to continue to grow and change.