The Syntropic Agroforest Apprentice Online Course

Gain practical and theoretical skills
Agroforestry Design - Implementation - Management - Decision Making
 Turn your Food-Forest ideas into reality!

Learn how life organises itself and become a Nature's apprentice.
The best entry door to the Agroforestry world.

Take your first steps into syntropic agroforestry

The essence of this course

All humans I know love the idea of having an agroforest - it's a no brainer!
But few know where to start, let alone how to create and manage one.

The Syntropic Agroforest Apprentice brings 20+ years of my research and practice to give you a clear, grounded, starting point, where you will understand what an agroforest is, how it works, and how you can successfully manage it.

Here, you learn the essential concepts, the practical steps, and the mindset behind creating a healthy, functional syntropic system — without overwhelm or confusion.

You will start thinking in terms of life, relationships and natural processes.
You will learn to read the land, make simple decisions with confidence, and take meaningful actions, even if you are just getting started.

By the end, you will be ready to turn your food-forest ideas into reality - an exciting reality!!!
Write your awesome label here.
Take your first steps into syntropic agroforestry

The essence of this course

Write your awesome label here.
All humans I know love the idea of having an agroforest - it's a no brainer!
But few know where to start, let alone how to create and manage one.

The Syntropic Agroforest Apprentice brings 20+ years of my research and practice to give you a clear, grounded, starting point, where you will understand what an agroforest is, how it works, and how you can successfully manage it.

Here, you learn the essential concepts, the practical steps, and the mindset behind creating a healthy, functional syntropic system — without overwhelm or confusion.

You will start thinking in terms of life, relationships and natural processes.
You will learn to read the land, make simple decisions with confidence, and take meaningful actions, even if you are just getting started.

By the end, you will be ready to turn your food-forest ideas into reality - an exciting reality!!!

Made for people who want to:

Create a Syntropic agroforest

Embark in a clear path to start your agroforest practice with confidence — You will learn the fundamental principles and their application across climates.. 

understand how nature works

Nature follows laws, patterns and rhythms, once understood it becomes pliable. Learn to see/feel how nature is moving and how to enliven it.

grow nutrient-dense food

The food we grow is priceless!!  Learn to regenerate and create living systems that perpetually produces human-grade vegetables, fruits, nuts, flowers...

Made for people
who want to:

Create a Syntropic agroforest

Embark in a clear path to start your agroforest practice with confidence — You will learn the fundamental principles and their application across climates.. 

understand how nature works

Nature follows laws, patterns and rhythms, once understood it becomes pliable. Learn to see/feel how nature is moving and how to enliven it.

grow nutrient-dense food

The food we grow is priceless!!  Learn to regenerate and create living systems that perpetually produces human-grade vegetables, fruits, nuts, flowers...

For anyone who wants to understand nature’s rhythms
and grow food in a way that nourishes life.

Build the foundations of your system

What you’ll be able to create and do

In syntropic agroforestry, clarity comes from small, consistent actions:
Designing the system - Preparing the soil - Planting - Mulching
Pruning - Harvesting - Observing - Composting - Adapting
By starting small and paying attention to details, slowly we learn to recognise how plants communicate (through colours, patterns, diseases, etc), which allow us to intervene with precision.
I’ll guide you through the essential theories and practices that form the foundations of a healthy agroforest system. You’ll learn step by step, in a safe, conscious, practical and cost-effective way.
You will create your own food-forest, regardless of your climate!!
Build the foundations of your system

What you’ll be able to create and do - Syntropically

In syntropic agroforestry, clarity comes from small, consistent actions:
Designing the system - Preparing the soil - Planting - Mulching - Pruning - Harvesting - Observing - Composting - Adapting
By starting small and paying attention to details, slowly we learn to recognise how plants communicate (through colours, patterns, diseases, etc), which allow us to intervene with precision.
I’ll guide you through the essential theories and practices that form the foundations of a healthy agroforest system. You’ll learn step by step, in a safe, conscious, practical and cost-effective way.
You will create your own food-forest, regardless of your climate!!

Soon, you will be able to:

  • Read your climate and landscape with accuracy
  • Select the right mulch to protect and nourish your soil
  • Choose appropriate plant species and communities
  • Enliven your soil so your plants can thrive 
  • Develop ecological thinking
  • Recognise how plants are developing and how to help them
  • Design a food forest that suits your life
  • Understand natural succession and how to speed it up
  • Use agroforestry tools safely and efficiently
  • Use simple pruning techniques to stimulate and direct growth
  • Turn your food-forest idea into reality
  • Manage plants in both time and space
  • Enjoy the fruits of your labour - the best food you can have!!

Soon, you will be able to:

  • Read your climate and landscape with accuracy
  • Recognise how plants are developing and how to help them
  • Understand natural succession and how to speed it up
  • Use agroforestry tools safely and efficiently
  • Use simple pruning techniques to stimulate and direct growth
  • Select the right mulch to protect and nourish your soil
  • Design a food forest that suits your life
  • Enliven your soil so your plants can thrive 
  • Choose appropriate plant species and communities
  • Turn your food-forest idea into reality
  • Manage plants in both time and space
  • Enjoy the fruits of your labour - the best food you can have!!

The Agroforest Apprentice course is your first step into syntropy, learning to grow food and work with nature from day one

HERE IS WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

The best entry door to the Agroforestry world

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MODULE 1

Agroforest Overview

  • Intro. to Syntropic Agroforestry
  • Syntropic Terms & Definitions
  • Syntropic Worldview
  • Workbook Module 1
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MODULE 2

Site Analysis & Set Up

  • Site Selection
  • Site Preparation
  • Bed Preparation Theory
  • Bed Preparation Practice 
  • Workbook Module 2
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MODULE 3

Syntropic Principles

  • Density, Succession and Stratification
  • Covered Soil, Energy Accumulation and Plant Ecophysiology
  • Organic Matter Production, Synchronicity and Pruning
  • Selective Weeding, Empathy, Decomposition and Humus Formation
  • Workbook Module 3
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MODULE 4

Forest Dynamics

  • Natural Succession - Macro Cycles
  • Natural Succession - Micro Cycles
  • Plant Life-Cycle & Senescence 
  • Stratification: Layering Plants
  • Workbook Module 4
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MODULE 5

Agroforest Design

  • Syntropic Design Theory
  • Syntropic Design Practice
  • Workbook Module 5
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MODULE 6

Agroforest Management

  • Agroforestry Management Theory
  • Agroforestry Management Tools
  • Agroforestry Management Practices
  • Workbook Module 6
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MODULE 7

Management Strategies

  • Exploring Management Styles and Strategies
  • Managing Service Plants - Rest and Recovery
  • Syntropic SWOT Analysis
  • Workbook Module 7
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Certificate of Completion

Show you can do it

  • Conduct all activities in the workbook
  • Record your activities and results
  • Submit your completed workbook
  • Get your license to grow!!
HERE IS WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

The best entry door to the Agroforestry world

Write your awesome label here.
MODULE 1

Agroforest Overview

  • Intro. to Syntropic Agroforestry
  • Syntropic Terms & Definitions
  • Syntropic Worldview
  • Workbook Module 1
Write your awesome label here.
MODULE 2

Site Analysis & Set Up

  • Site Selection
  • Site Preparation
  • Bed Preparation Theory
  • Bed Preparation Practice 
  • Workbook Module 2
Write your awesome label here.
MODULE 3

Syntropic Principles

  • Density, Succession and Stratification
  • Covered Soil, Energy Accumulation and Plant Ecophysiology
  • Organic Matter Production, Synchronicity and Pruning
  • Selective Weeding, Empathy, Decomposition and Humus Formation
  • Workbook Module 3
Write your awesome label here.
MODULE 4

Forest Dynamics

  • Natural Succession - Macro Cycles
  • Natural Succession - Micro Cycles
  • Plant Life-Cycle & Senescence 
  • Stratification: Layering Plants
  • Workbook Module 4
Write your awesome label here.
MODULE 5

Agroforest Design

  • Syntropic Design Theory
  • Syntropic Design Practice
  • Workbook Module 5
Write your awesome label here.
MODULE 6

Agroforest Management

  • Agroforestry Management Theory
  • Agroforestry Management Tools
  • Agroforestry Management Practices
  • Workbook Module 6
Write your awesome label here.
MODULE 7

Management Strategies

  • Exploring Management Styles and Strategies
  • Managing Service Plants - Rest and Recovery
  • Syntropic SWOT Analysis
  • Workbook Module 7
Write your awesome label here.
Certificate of Completion

Show you can do it

  • Conduct all activities in the workbook
  • Record your activities and results
  • Submit your completed workbook
  • Get your license to grow!!

Join the Agroforest Apprentice course and start growing food the way nature intended — simply, wholesomely, and regeneratively

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Learn syntropy from the ground up

What you will get

This course gives you the structure and support you need to begin your syntropic journey with confidence. You’ll learn step by step, with clear explanations, practical demonstrations, and guidance you can apply right away — in any climate, on any scale!
These are the resources that will support your learning and help you grow real skills from day one:
  • 20+ hours of in-depth lessons
  • 2-year access to all course material
  • Step-by-step field demonstrations
  • Complete guidance for your first syntropic design
  • Hands on management tips and practices
  • Community Telegram group - Got a question? Need support?
  • Audio versions of the lessons - listen on the go
  • Simple workbook to guide and deepen your practice
  • Certificate of completion (upon submission of workbook)
Meet your instructor

Hello, I am Victor Pires

I’ve spent the last 20+ years designing and managing syntropic systems across different climates. My work is rooted in real practice, clear teaching, and a grounded understanding of how living systems evolved.
My goal is simple: to help you grow food, develop skills, and regenerate your soil, in a way that suits your life, land and climate.
Write your awesome label here.
Meet your instructor

Hello, I am Victor Pires

Write your awesome label here.
I’ve spent the last 20+ years designing and managing syntropic systems across different climates. My work is rooted in real practice, clear teaching, and a grounded understanding of how living systems evolved.
My goal is simple: to help you grow food, develop skills, and regenerate your soil, in a way that suits your life, land and climate.

Through clear presentations, practical demonstrations, and ongoing support, my goal is to empower people everywhere to grow food regeneratively and with minimal external inputs.

Real experiences from real practitioners

What do you say?

This is what past students have said

Real experiences from real practitioners

What do you say?

This is what past students have said:

Huge text.

Ready to start your syntropic Journey?
Join me and transform the way you live and grow.

I am here for you

Still unsure which Course or Program is right for you?
let's have a chat and explore what suits you best!

I am here for you

Still unsure which Course or Program is right for you?
let's have a chat and explore what suits you best!

Frequently asked questions

Who is the Syntropic Agroforestry Apprentice for?

The Syntropic Agroforestry Apprentice Course is for anyone that wants to take food growing to the next level - for humans that are interested in producing the healthiest food they can have - from a veggie garden to a food forest.
There is no need for previous syntropic experience or to own a large piece of land - a small community garden plot, backyard or even some large pots in the balcony, will allow you to do all of the proposed exercises.
Beyond food growing, those that are interested in understanding how nature works will also find this course engaging and thought provoking.
Finally, to be an apprentice and to become proficient requires time, both in terms of practice as well as yearly cycles.
Small and often is my suggestion, if you can dedicate an hour or two per week to learn and (more importantly) practice, you will have your efforts rewarded with harvests and inner growth.

What is the difference between the Syntropic Apprentice and Advanced Practitioner courses?

The advanced practitioner, as the name suggests, builds on the contents of the syntropic apprentice, and takes it deeper, wider and higher, so graduates are able to manage complex agroforestry systems.

Other benefits of the advanced practitioner are:
  • 5 years content access rather than 2
  • 12 modules (50+ hours) compared to 7 Modules (16 hours)
  • Worldwide case studies 
  • 1:1 call whenever its needed
  • Comprehensive skills building workbook
  • Individualised workbook feedback
  • Certificate of completion upon submission of workbook

What is the expected workload for the Course?

That is a difficult question to answer as the natural world is infinite, and we never stop learning - every day is a new day in our food-forests!.

Although every human is different, it is suggested that each module will require approximately 5 hours to be completed, devoted into both theory (course content) and practice (workbook).

It is suggested that students do not rush through the course and find a rhythm in their lives that can accomodate it. The "ideal pace" (if there is such a thing) would be 5 hours per week, being 1 hour per day for 5 days. In such a way participants have enough time to digest the content while doing all of the proposed activities consciously.

Obviously a faster or slower pace is also possible, what is important is that the course fits your life - you are the most important variable.

Do I need to own or have access to land to get the most out of the course?

No, participants are not required to own or have access to land to get the most out of the course!

All of the practical exercises proposed can be done on any piece of land, being it the local park, the road verge or in a planter box.

It would be great if participants had a access to "wild/abandoned/neglected" areas to practice observational exercises and collect seeds or propagation material.

What is Syntropy?

There are many explanations of what syntropy means, and originally it is related to the thermodynamic principle of entropy. Being the opposite of entropy (which dissipates energy becoming thus simpler), syntropy is a process that increases complexity and accumulates energy. For me, syntropy is a continuous process that increases both the quantity and quality of life, and in doing so, allow for higher life forms to exist and evolve - its the perpetual motion of Gaia.

What is Syntropic Agroforestry?

Syntropic Agroforestry is a method within the bigger umbrella of regenerative farming. It aims to produce high quality food, while regenerating the land. It applies our understanding of forest dynamics to create productive systems that increase both the quantity and quality of life, and in doing so it is able to produce with minimal external inputs (fertiliser, irrigation, etc.).

For a beautiful journey into Syntropic Agroforestry have a look at the "life in Syntropy" short documentary. 

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