Wanakaset Workshop – Self-Reliance through Biodiversity and Knowledge Management

20-26 November 2011

Wanakaset is a Thai word that translates as “forest agriculture”. It is both the name of a farm and a network of farms and farmers in Thailand. It also refers to a farming concept, which goes beyond agricultural production to look at self-reliance and the relationship between man and his natural environmental resources.

This one-week course is being offered by MESA’s international partners, the Earth Net Foundation, and is focused on the Wanakaset Agroforestry system. Participants will observe natural forest eco-systems, identify native plants, learn natural production systems (coconut oil, charcoal, wood vinegar, shampoo from kaffir limes, toothpowder, soap, herb balms, essential oils), and sustainable living.

Course includes: instruction, materials and handbook, local transport, food and lodging (Thai style shared lodging), meals: home grown or wild harvested organic food from the Wanakaset farm. There will be vegetarian (vegan) food available as well as some non-vegetarian choices.

It also includes walks at the Wanakaset Learning Center, a fieldtrip to Pawa, Chantaburi village (a natural reserve with wanakaset practitioners) and a stop in the waterfalls.

The Wanakaset Learning Center resembles a natural forest with paths, ponds and a creek running through it. We will learn more about the value of natural resources in a wild forest and consider the implications of community forest management.

Course Dates: from 20- 26 November 2011.  Participants can arrive on the evening of the 19th and will depart the morning of the 27th of November.

Course Cost:  $800 US (24,000 Baht) per person

For Registration and QuestionsContact:  [email protected]

For more on Wanakaset please see this article titled “A long-term perspective: The Wanakaset concept” published in the recent edition of Farming Matters. Online at:http://www.agriculturesnetwork.org/magazines/global/trees-and-farming/wanakaset