Cormac Chats with Filippo Ceschi
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Introduction to Filippo Ceschi
In a world grappling with climate crises and industrial farming, voices like Filippo Ceschi’s remind us that regenerative solutions are within reach. On The Permaculture Podcast, Cormac Harkin sat down with Filippo, an Italian permaculture designer and farmer, to explore his journey from political science to pioneering syntropic agroforestry in Europe. Now part of the Radic Farm collective near Lake Garda, Filippo blends ecological wisdom with community-driven action. This blog unpacks his insights, challenges, and innovative approaches to permaculture.
Filippo’s Journey: From Political Science to Permaculture
Filippo’s path began far from the fields. Studying political science, he stumbled upon permaculture through a book about food as medicine. “Food is the starting point for societal change,” he realized, linking agriculture to environmental health, social justice, and politics.
Ditching conventional career tracks, he immersed himself in hands-on learning: WOOFing on Alpine farms, managing migrant-integration projects, and studying agroecology. A pivotal moment came during a 10-month permaculture training in central Italy, where he managed olive groves and vegetable gardens while mastering water management on steep terrains. “Observing traditional farming practices—like terracing—taught me how industrial agriculture eroded centuries of wisdom,” he reflects.
Challenges of Community Projects & Sociocracy
Community projects, Filippo admits, are as thorny as they are rewarding. Early efforts to integrate migrants into farming collapsed due to interpersonal conflicts—a common pitfall in eco-projects.
He advocates for sociocracy, a decentralized decision-making model. “External facilitators are crucial,” he says. “Without structure, circles dissolve into chaos.” Yet, flexibility matters. At Radic Farm, roles are divided by expertise: “Those doing the work decide,” whether composting or crop rotations.
Radic Farm: Regenerative Agriculture & Retreat Center Vision
Nestled on Lake Garda, Radic Farm embodies holistic regeneration. The project merges organic farming with a retreat center for yoga, workshops, and cultural exchanges.
Balancing priorities is tricky. Should land host syntropic agroforestry rows or wilder food forests? “Water management, biodiversity, and human needs must align,” Filippo explains. Their integrated design approach invites experts—farmers, cooks, designers—to co-create a resilient vision.
Follow their journey: Radic Farm | Instagram.
Syntropic Agroforestry: Principles & European Experiments
Syntropic agroforestry, inspired by Brazilian pioneer Ernst Götsch, accelerates ecological succession through strategic plant layering. Unlike food forests, it prioritizes biomass production and rapid soil regeneration.
In Europe, pioneers like Jairo Cordon (Portugal) and a German project near Berlin showcase its potential. “In dry climates, syntropic systems doubled soil fertility in two years,” Filippo notes. By mimicking natural succession—using pioneer species like nitrogen-fixing shrubs—farmers build fertile ground for fruit trees and crops.
Farmers’ Protests, Greenwashing, & Solar Panel Dilemmas
Europe’s farmer protests reveal systemic tensions. Bans on glyphosate and rising costs strain conventional farmers, while greenwashing muddies progress. Filippo recounts a Italian NGO’s battle with a corporation plagiarizing their regenerative agriculture content.
Solar farms add complexity. Offers of €3,000/hectare for panels tempt farmers away from agroforestry (yielding €1,500/hectare). “Decentralized rooftop solar is better,” Filippo argues, “but policies favor corporations over communities.”
Filippo’s Permaculture Training & Mentors
Filippo’s education spans continents: a PDC in Greece, syntropic courses in Spain, and mentors like Ernst Götsch. A 10-month residency at Italy’s Community Living Ethics deepened his grasp of water management and olive cultivation.
“Courses are vital, but observation is key,” he stresses. “See what grows naturally—that’s your guide.”
Syntropic vs. Food Forests: Designing for Succession
While food forests emphasize low maintenance, syntropic systems demand active pruning to spur growth. “Syntropic design asks why a problem exists,” says Filippo. Slugs devouring crops? Over-fertilization might be the culprit.
At Radic Farm, rows of pioneer species stabilize slopes, while pruned biomass nourishes soil. “It’s input-free farming—nature does the work.”
Applying Syntropic Principles in Small Spaces
Even urban gardeners can adopt syntropic principles. Filippo suggests starting with guilds (plant clusters) and succession planning. Observe weeds—they’re nature’s pioneers. In dry yards, drought-resistant shrubs prep soil for fruit trees.
“Density and diversity matter. Mimic forests, even in pots.”
Design Tools: QGIS, Affinity, and the Scale of Permanence
Filippo’s toolkit includes:
- QGIS: Open-source mapping for contour lines, water flow, and slope analysis.
- Affinity Designer: For detailed design visuals.
- Scale of Permanence: Prioritize climate, geography, water, and soil before planting.
“Design starts with the land’s story,” he says. “Listen to it.”
Closing Thoughts & Future Collaborations
For Filippo, permaculture is political: a reclaiming of autonomy through soil and community. “Freedom grows from how we farm, collaborate, and resist exploitative systems.”
He urges budding permaculturists to join networks, share failures, and embrace experimentation. “The answer is always in the land—look closely.”
Engage & Explore
Inspired? Dive into syntropic agriculture with Ernst Götsch’s book or join a local permaculture guild. Share your journey in the comments—what’s your soil story?
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