17.10.24, 09:30, Masterclass Mark Shepard, Designing with water in (agricultural) landscape

Designing with water to guide every raindrop that falls down in the agricultural landscape to where it is needed. Not an easy task. That is why in this master class we will join Mark Shepard (Restoration Agriculture Development) and his years of practical experience in optimising a water system at the mesoscale. His approach to water management within an agricultural landscape, as described in his book ‘Water for any Farm: Applying Restoration Agriculture Water Management Methods on Your Farm’ is the central starting point. Going beyond just agricultural application, his principles and (technical) insights can inspire giving water its proper place elsewhere in our landscape too, for a resilient and regenerative landscape in the face of both shortage and excess water.

Mark Shepard is known worldwide as an agroecological pioneer, as described in his book ‘Restoration Agriculture. Real-World Permaculture for Farmers'. He puts regenerative agriculture into practice worldwide with Restoration Agriculture Development.

In this master class, we research and design a sloping agroecological agriculture project of about 8 hectares in Waarloos (Kontich, province of Antwerp). ‘Hands on’ and ‘in the field’ (literally!), with principles such as slowing down, redistributing, settling and storing water. With Mark Shepard and together with experts from Province of Antwerp, Vegetable Experimentation Station and Futures through Design (HOGENT). For landscape architects, spatial planners, researchers and other professional outdoor designers who want to work with water in an (agricultural) landscape context.

This session is part of a multi-day week on water + agro-ecology. To what extent does agro-ecology offer an answer to climate records that are falling? And what role does water play in the agricultural system of the future? During a multi-day event from 14 October to 19 October 2024, we will engage in a dialogue with everyone who wants to delve into these topics. From conscious gardener to concerned policymaker to proactive farmer. Discover the full programme.

For registrations: stefanie.delarue@hogent.be
Cost: €100 (excluding VAT - for full programme)