Learn, Design, and Grow a Regenerative Future
The Biggest Mini Forest Training is a hands-on learning experience based on our 3m x 3m Mini Food Forest model, which combines Agroforestry, Syntropic Agriculture and Miyawaki Method.
This model creates a high-density, fast-growing, and regenerative system that:
Restores biodiversity
Improves soil health
Creates resilience against extreme weather events
Produces food
Before and After of 7 Mini Food Forests blocks in a semi-arid context
Why Join This Training?
The challenges of climate change, degraded soils, and food security require us to rethink how we design and manage landscapes. Mini Food Forests offer a practical, easy-to-manage solution, integrating biodiversity, water management, and food production into a self-sustaining system.
This training will teach you how to design and implement thriving Mini Food Forests, while you can:
Tackle real-world challenges: Climate change, degraded soils, and food security demand new approaches.
Learn a practical, easy-to-manage solution: Mini Food Forests integrate biodiversity, water management, and food production into a self-sustaining system.
Apply your knowledge anywhere: Use these techniques for personal food forest project, community projects, or ecosystem restoration.
Join us and gain the skills to design and implement thriving Food Forests!
Nature works faster than you think!
Watch this transformation:
What Will You Learn?
This training is divided into theoretical sessions (online) and practical, hands-on experience (onsite at Quinta da Fornalha, Portugal).
Learn about Agroforestry and Syntropic Agriculture
Learn about the Miyawaki Method
Understanding the BMF 3m x 3m Model – a structured approach to creating Mini Food Forests
How to observe and analyze landscapes through a regenerative lens
Essential design principles for planning resilient Mini Food Forests
Selecting and layering diverse plant species to maximize biodiversity
Implementing effective water management techniques for long-term sustainability
Practical soil preparation techniques to enhance fertility and resilience
How to create, multiply and apply beneficial microosganisms
The step-by-step process of planting, maintaining, and expanding a Mini Food Forest
How to integrate edible plants for a productive, food-generating system
Who is This Training For?
This program is ideal for:
Individuals looking to design and implement Food Forests in a wide range of conditions—from urban gardens to rural landscapes
Gardeners, farmers, landscapers and anyone interested in regenerative practices
People who want to grow their own food using an easy-to-manage biodiverse system
Anyone eager to experience hands-on training in ecosystem regeneration and sustainable land management
Get ready to grow!
Training starts on May 19, 2025.
Online Explorer
4 sessions
19 - 22 May 2025
Understand the Basics
&
Build Confidence
This online module gives you the key concepts and tools you need to start creating your own Mini Food Forests!
6 hours of Theoretical Lessons with practical examples
Presentation Slides
Introduction to Agroforestry, Syntropic Agriculture and the Miyawaki Method
List of Mini Food Forest Designs
Get more comfortable for the onsite training
Plants Selection & Combinations
Soil Preparation Method
20 hours of Hands-on Experience with Mini Food Forests
Printed Manual
Plant Propagation
Soil Preparation Practice
Irrigation System
Beneficial Microorganisms Application
Mini Food Forests Implementation
Tent accommodation included
Breakfast & Lunch included
This is where theory meets action! You'll practice everything you've learned and gain the confidence to create your own Mini Food Forest.
Complete Experience
+
Online
4 sessions
19 - 22 May
2025
Onsite
3 days
30 May - 01 Jun 2025
Understand the Basics
&
Put Theory in Practice
6 hours of Theoretical Lessons with practical examples
Presentation Slides
Introduction to Agroforestry, Syntropic Agriculture and the Miyawaki Method
List of Mini Food Forest Designs
Get more comfortable for the onsite training
Plants Selection & Combinations Soil Preparation Method
20 hours of Hands-on Experience with Mini Food Forests
Printed Manual
Plants Propagation
Soil Preparation Practice
Irrigation System
Beneficial Microorganisms Application
Mini Food Forests Implementation
Tent accommodation included
Breakfast & Lunch included
Meet the Biggest Mini Forest Trainers
We are Luís Afonso and Ana Laura Cruz, co-founders of Biggest Mini Forest, a movement dedicated to making regenerative Food Forests accessible to all.
In 2015, we started our journey with hands-on experience in Permaculture, Agroforestry, Syntropic Agriculture, and the Miyawaki Method, through which we've been learning, designing, implementing, and teaching regenerative systems across diverse climates and landscapes. Our approach is rooted in practicality, simplicity, and empowerment—helping people create thriving ecosystems, whether in their backyards or on a larger scale.
We have collaborated and worked with projects such as Reflorestar Portugal, Aldeia Gandum, Terra Sintrópica, CARES (Center for Agroecology and Regeneration for the Semi-Arid), Orchard of Flavours - Botanical Garden, CCDesert (Competence Center in the Fight Against Desertification), Agroforest - Bela Flor Respira, Regen Waves, Quinta da Fornalha and others.
Through this training, we'll guide you step by step, sharing our knowledge, insights, and passion for building resilient, abundant food forests. Start small, dream big—let’s grow together!
Training Outline
🌍Tranining Language: English, with clarifications in Portuguese, Spanish, and French if needed.
🖥️ 4 Online Sessions
Dive into the Theory & Fundamentals of Mini Food Forests creation
Complete Journey
Online Sessions
+
📅 Monday, May 19, 2025
🕕 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM (Lisbon time)
Food Forests - basic principals & Overview of Miyawaki forests, Agroforestry & Syntropic Agriculture
📅 Tuesday, May 20, 2025
🕕 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM (Lisbon time)
The Biggest Mini Forest Model – Structure & Design
📅 Wednesday, May 21, 2025
🕕 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM (Lisbon time)
Plant Selection & Combinations + Soil Preparation
📅 Thursday, May 22, 2025
🕕 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM (Lisbon time)
Care & Expansion - Maintenance for long-term success
Onsite Practice
📅 Thursday, May 29, 2025
🕕 6:00 PM onwards (for those staying at Quinta da Fornalha)
Arrival & Check-in – Settle in & meet the group!
📅 Friday, May 30, 2025
🕘 9:30 - 17:30
Plant Selection & Propagation – Be Resourceful - Find & Grow the Right Plants in Your Area
📅 Saturday, May 31, 2025
🕘 9:30 - 17:30
Soil Preparation, Beneficial Microorganisms & Irrigation System – Build a Foundation for Success
🌱 3 Days Onsite
📍 Quinta da Fornalha, Algarve, Portugal
🍽️ Breakfast & Lunch Included (vegetarian) + coffee, tea & snacks
🏡 Accommodation options:
-
Free camping with kitchen & shower
-
Guesthouses available for booking here
📅 Sunday, June 01, 2025
🕘 9:30 - 17:30
Mini Food Forest Implementation & Maintenance – Design & Plant Your First Mini Food Forest
Videos
All Videos
All Videos
Small Plot, Big Impact: How the 4m² Mini Forest Thrives after 18 months
What is the Biggest Mini Forest?
Biggest Mini Forest - Square Module Explained
Fees & Discounts
Online
Explorer
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
(Lisbon time)
4 Online sessions
19 - 22 May
50€
79€
Complete Experience
+
297€*
Quinta da Fornalha
Castro Marim, Portugal
Free camping + Breakfast
& Lunch included
3 Days practice
30 May - 01 Jun
+
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
(Lisbon time)
4 Online sessions
19 - 22 May
479€
Complete Journey Discounts
Groups get a 10% discount (267€/person)*
A 20% discount is offered for those who have previously completed a Mini Food Forest Workshop (237€/person)*
* Please email us at hello@biggestminiforest.com if you would like to claim the discounts! They cannot be combined!
Onsite Training Location
For over 20 years, Quinta da Fornalha has been a hub for regenerative agriculture in the town of Castro Marim, Algarve, Portugal. With six Mini Food Forests and experimental plots for other food forests, agroforestry, and organic orchards (oranges, olives, and carob trees), it offers a unique setting to observe biodiversity in action.
At Quinta da Fornalha, you’ll learn by doing, surrounded by a landscape designed for regeneration, experimentation, and sustainable food production.
Apart from free camping area with an outdoor kitchen and showers, they have a wide variety of accommodation (learn more).
300+ Participants in previous events
Testimonials
Sérgio Henriques
"Highly recommended for anyone interested in regenerative agriculture. Luís and Laura brought together and simplified the two methods of syntropic agroforestry and Miyawaki. They simplify and facilitate implementation, making it modular and accessible to everyone. Well done! "
