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Practical Workshop: Food Forests, Self-Sufficiency, Foraging, Fermentation, and Preserving

During this active and practical workshop holiday, you'll be surrounded by a team of experts to learn hands-on skills and take steps toward a more self-sufficient life, focusing on food forests, foraging and food preserving. You can join for the full week from May 31 - June 7, 2025, or choose one of the two modules.

Do you dream of creating a healthy, abundant food forest, want to learn practically what to do with the harvest, aim to live more self-sufficiently, or start a small business? Then join this active workshop holiday in the French countryside and take part in the Practical Food Forest Workshop with food forest specialist Martijn Aalbrecht and food forest manager Marente Lokin. Learn about foraging, preserving, drying, and fermenting with expert Olga Kroeze. Enjoy an inspiring farm visit and tour with Frederique, who lives more than 90% in self sufficience, and savor her culinary skills. The course takes place at Simply Canvas Farm, a permaculture farm where Sandra and Santi have lived for 17 years.

This course is organized into two modules, which you can take separately or as a complete experience. Taking both modules offers a significant advantage.

Module 1: May 31 – June 5, 2025 - Practical Food Forest Course and Self-Sufficiency from €750

Module 2: June 3 – 7, 2025 - Foraging, Preserving, and Self-Sufficiency from €695

Modules 1 & 2 Combined: May 31 – June 7 from €995

This workshop is also an opportunity to relax and recharge in a unique natural setting at a permaculture farm in France. Listen to nature, connect with like-minded people, and be inspired, as all participants and guides share a deep love for nature.

The teachers are Dutch but all fluent in English, some classes will be translated from Dutch to English, others will be offered in English.

Module 1: May 31 – June 5, 2025: Practical Food Forest Course and Self-Sufficient Living

You want to live more self-sufficiently and contribute to nature. That's why you dream of starting your own food forest. Designing, establishing, and managing a food forest requires quite a bit of knowledge. But what is knowledge without hands-on experience? That’s why we developed a practical food forest workshop, where we’ll collaboratively design a food forest for a plot of land on Sandra and Santi's permaculture farm in France, offering you an active holiday experience. Food forest theory is directly linked to outdoor assignments, such as designing swales, planting trees, layering plants, soil analysis, grafting, and water management. After all, don’t we all learn best by doing?

The knowledge you gain in this practical food forest workshop can be applied directly to your own projects at home. Additionally, you’ll be inspired by a special visit to Frederique’s self-sufficient farm, where you’ll enjoy a wonderful meal made entirely from homegrown ingredients. You will have the time to start designing your own plot of land, should you have land already and there will be time for personal advice for your design.

Module 2: June 3 – 7, 2025: Foraging, Preserving, and Self-Sufficient Living

When we want to live more self-sufficiently, it means we will be responsible for our own food throughout the year. This can be achieved through foraging and strategically planting so that there’s almost always something to harvest from your land, as well as by preserving our harvest. During the Foraging, Preserving, and Self-Sufficient Living module, we will visit the beautiful home of Frederique, who lives self-sufficiently, and enjoy her culinary creations made from her land.

With Olga, we will forage for wild plants, learn about different herbs, and gain plenty of inspiration on what to do with your harvest. You will learn about preserving, fermenting, drying, making fruit leather, sterilizing, and canning. The learning is hands-on, and you'll get to taste a variety of preserves. Of course, you’ll also be inspired by the culinary skills of Sandra and Santi, who will cook with many of these ingredients throughout the course.

Reviews


Olga

Taking a food forest course with Martijn and Marente is already a delight. But when it happens in the magical place of Sandra and Santi, it’s absolutely perfect. I gained a lot of insights and have since created a food forest edge in my own space in the Netherlands. I couldn't have done it without the expert guidance and information from Martijn and Marente. Sharing delicious meals and discussing the questions of life around the campfire with others while enjoying a nice glass of wine—now that’s what makes it complete!

Matthja

It was a very comprehensive course with super interesting topics that taught me a lot about the soil, the vegetable garden, and food forests. The group dynamics were also very nice, with wonderful exchanges. I learned a lot about processing the harvest and how to better care for the existing plants. The hospitality and guidance from Sandra and Santi were truly perfect, and the visit to Frederique’s dream place was very inspiring! In short... I highly recommend this for anyone who wants to further their knowledge in vegetable gardening and food forests. A huge thank you for the incredibly educational and inspiring week!!!!

Arina

The food forest course was extensive, inspiring, and diverse. There was room for personal attention to projects, delicious meals were prepared, and there was a lot of enthusiasm all around! I left feeling energized and full of knowledge.

Peter

Very strong training, providing concrete tools to design, develop, and manage a food forest.

Anke

I thoroughly enjoyed the entire program, from morning meditation to campfires and everything in between. I have great appreciation for the expertise of all the instructors and the warm hospitality of Sandra and Santi (including their helpers!). 

The vast amount of practical information has helped me immensely, as well as the brainstorming sessions. 


Katinka

Fantastic course, I learned a lot, and the ambiance was wonderful thanks to the environment, the owners of the place, the instructors, and not to mention the delicious meals.

The Guides

You will learn about grafting, pruning, mulching, planting trees, soil, and designing your food forest with Martijn Aalbrecht. He is a pioneer in the field of food forests and has one of the oldest food forests in the Netherlands (established in 2011). In recent years, Martijn, known as "De Voedselboss," has helped many people realize their own food forests through courses, design consultations, and personal guidance. He possesses encyclopedic knowledge about food forests and plant species, providing theory that is primarily focused on fieldwork. He also takes you into the field to see many food forest and permaculture projects in person. Plus, he helps you with the next steps for your food forest.

Foraging, preserving, drying, fermenting, and canning with Olga Kroes during the practical food forest course in France.

Harvest all over the land with Olga and learn to can, dry, ferment, and preserve. Make pestos with herbs and nuts from your own garden, dry your own herbal tea, or learn how to make fruit leather. Olga engages you in foraging, tasting, and hands-on activities in an infectious way.

I would like to introduce Olga as a wise garden woman with a wealth of years of experience in (organic) horticulture; she knows a great deal about almost everything. She manages the estate garden De Warmoezerij and provides guidance to 20 volunteers.

Marente Lokin; sustainable Christmas trees and lecturer-researcher at the HAS University of Applied Sciences

Learn about management, design, and soil insights with Marente Lokin during the practical food forest course.

Marente has a background in plant sciences (WUR) and works in green education. She prefers to walk outside in her boots across the land. As a lecturer-researcher at HAS University, she conducts practice-oriented research on regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, and food forests. She examines the role of food forests in agricultural transition with a broad perspective. In addition to her own business in sustainable Christmas trees, she manages the food forests Loonse Bos in Helvoirt and Den Food Bosch in Sint-Michielsgestel, thus bridging theory and practice. With her fresh perspective and diverse experience, Marente is an excellent sparring partner for your food forest plans!

The Permaculture Farm of Sandra and Santi

Join host Santi for a walk around the 5 hectares of Simply Canvas Farm and see firsthand which projects have been a resounding success and which have not, and why.

Start your day peacefully in the tranquility of nature with your fellow participants alongside host Sandra from Simply Canvas Farm. Listen in meditative silence to the voice of nature and visualize your garden or land over the years.

Sandra and Santi treat you to amazing meals made with as many delicious ingredients from their garden as possible.

Since 2008, Sandra and Santi have lived on their permaculture farm, Simply Canvas Farm, in France. Their 5 hectares of land are designed according to permaculture principles, featuring a wide variety of demonstration projects in water management, food forests, and permaculture techniques.

Read more about the program and pricing below.

Programm

What to Expect During the Practical Food Forest Workshop in France

Gentle Start to the Day

We begin the mornings quietly, listening to nature. When creating a food forest, collaborating with nature is essential, and listening is a key part of gardening.

Food Forest Design (Module 1)

On a piece of land at Simply Canvas Farm, we will collectively design and partially plant a food forest. This hands-on experience allows you to learn about various topics, including food forest design (sun, wind, location, types of plants, etc.), soil (what's in it and what to do), planting techniques, grafting, types of plants, and mulching.

Personal Consultations to Focus on Your Food Forest Project (Module 1, also available in Module 2)

There will be opportunities for personal discussions with the various instructors. This way, you can take a detailed look at your food forest project or design and identify areas for improvement, or you’ll receive guidance in creating an initial food forest design for your piece of land.

Tours of Existing Food Forest Projects (Module 1)

We will extensively walk around Simply Canvas Farm, where food forests have been planted in rows since 2006, and the land is set up according to permaculture principles. We’ll explore different plant species, learn about pruning, examine successful projects, and discuss food forest projects that have been less successful and the reasons why. We will learn about water management and look at various types of food forest plots, as well as plants in different soil types.

Connection and Camaraderie

You will completely immerse yourself in the food forest course and spend five days at the table with like-minded individuals. This leads to delightful campfire evenings filled with inspiring conversations about food forest plans, ongoing projects in the Netherlands and France, global concerns, and what we can contribute. You’ll spend five days with participants and instructors who have a deep love for our planet.

Delicious Food Including Food Forest Dishes

Hosts Sandra and Santi are known for their delicious meals (flexitarian) made with as many ingredients from their own garden as possible. Of course, we will enjoy our meals together at the table and be inspired by locally sourced flexitarian dishes and some delightful food forest recipes.

Foraging, Preserving, and Fermenting (only in Module 2)

In May, France is beautifully green, and many edible plants are just starting to grow again. While it’s exciting to plant a food forest, you’ll also need new inspiration for dishes, as cooking with food forest products requires a different approach. Therefore, we’ll explore what’s growing and blooming on the land and what we can do with it. You’ll learn the secrets of a good pesto, how to preserve vegetables and fruits for years with the right canning methods, and we’ll taste and learn about the subtle acidity of fermentation.

A Glimpse into Self-Sufficient Living (in Modules 1 and 2)

In the middle of the week, we will visit Frederique's inspiring farm with a watermill. This visit is scheduled for the middle of the week and is open to participants from both Module 1 and Module 2.

By the end of Module 1, the food forest course, you will have gained practical knowledge about design, planting, and grafting. You will have made a start on a design for your land, or if you already have a design or have begun one, you’ll have a better idea of how to further develop your land.

By the end of Module 2, you will have acquired more knowledge about which wild plants are edible and be filled with inspiration and practical knowledge about canning, drying, and fermenting.

With both modules, you will gain better insight into how to live more self-sufficiently and even get ideas if you are considering starting your own business in this area.

The course is accessible to all levels of food forest enthusiasts, and lessons will take place outdoors as much as possible. You do not need to own a piece of land to participate, but you are welcome to!


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Book your spot

Prices, dates and practical information

Prices 2025 Module Practical Food Forest and Example Self-Sufficient Living

Arrival: Saturday, Departure: Thursday, May 31 - June 5

  • €750: Bring your own tent
  • €895: Shared safari tent with 2 people (additional €175 for a single-person tent)
  • €995: Single room (share the house with 1 other person)

Prices 2025 Module Foraging, Preserving, and Example Self-Sufficient Living

Arrival: Tuesday, Departure: Saturday, June 3 - 7

  • €695: Bring your own tent
  • €850: Shared safari tent with 2 people (additional €175 for a single-person tent)
  • €950: Single room (share the house with 1 other person)

Prices 2025 Both Modules

Arrival: Saturday, Departure: Saturday, May 31 - June 7

  • €995: Bring your own tent
  • €1150: Shared safari tent with 2 people (additional €175 for a single-person tent)
  • €1295: Single room (share the house with 1 other person)

Discount:

If you come with a friend, partner, or family member, you will receive a €50 discount per person when booking accommodation (not applicable for your own tent).

Extra Nights:

  • €70 per person
  • €30 in your own tent (includes breakfast)

If cost is a barrier to participation, please contact us.

Includes:

  • Course, accommodation at Simply Canvas Farm, and 3 meals per day.

Excludes:

  • Travel to Simply Canvas Farm, which can be reached via Flixbus, train, car, or flights with Transavia from Rotterdam to Bergerac, where we can pick you up.

For more information:

Reserve your spot here or email:

  • Martijn: martijn@devoedselboss.nl
  • Sandra & Santi: hello@simplycanvasfarm.com


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