Live, Fair & Transparent: Highlights from Our Brazil Planting Session
Our latest livestream took viewers straight into a ten-year agro-permaculture project in Brazil, where every step of the process was, as always, live, fair, and transparent. Below are the key take-aways captured during the live planting.
10 Years of Agro-Permaculture in Brazil
A decade of hands-on experimentation has turned this hillside farm into a model for regenerative food production. The team relies on time-tested permaculture principles to restore soil, boost biodiversity, and feed the surrounding community.
Eucalyptus Nurse Trees Provide Fast Biomass
Rows of fast-growing eucalyptus are strategically pruned for leaves and branches. This biomass is spread as mulch, feeding the soil and shielding young fruit trees from harsh sun and wind. Once the eucalyptus fulfills its temporary role in the agroforestry system, it is removed, allowing native trees to take over its function.
A Mycelium Network at Work
Beneath the mulch, fungal threads form a mycelium network. This underground web helps plants exchange water and nutrients, turning individual trees into an interconnected forest system.
Dense Planting & Heavy Pruning Accelerates Forest Growth
Seedlings are placed close together, then pruned hard and often. The dense spacing jump-starts canopy formation, while regular pruning directs energy into strong root systems and rich organic matter on the ground.
Featured Fruit Trees: Khaki & Mandarin
Among the species highlighted during the planting were khaki (persimmon) and mandarin. Both provide nutrient-rich fruit, market income for farmers, and long-term ecological value to the site.
Permaculture Design Turns the Farm into a Living Soil Factory
Every element, from compost piles to contour beds, is arranged so waste from one part of the system feeds another. The result is a “living soil factory” that grows healthier each season without synthetic inputs.
Another key takeaway is the incredible diversity at play in these agroforestry systems. Around 260 species, including fruit trees, contribute to the system’s resilience, demonstrating that the strength of an ecosystem lies in its diversity. This diversity was evident during the live planting session, not only in the variety of trees and plants but also in the people involved: local staff, youth apprentices (many from challenging backgrounds), international volunteers, and students. Just like every species has a role, so does every person contributing to the system’s growth and vitality.
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