The solutions are in the soil

In-depth course on soil & living Water

Do you want to clearly understand what is happening in the soil under your feet and learn how to help gardens, food forests, and other landscapes grow well? In this practical, week-long course, you will learn about soil life, water cycles, and how to support healthy, living systems.

This course is taught in English.

You will learn to observe, understand, and use simple, practical methods to turn poor or tired soil into a strong, living ecosystem.

Instead of focusing on gardening tips alone, we look at the full system so you know how to keep it healthy and productive.

A dream team of instructors

During this week you will be guided by three experienced teachers whose skills fit together very well:

Nikki Daniëls – De Compostkeuken
Certified Soil Food Web lab technician and soil-life specialist. Nikki is very good at explaining complex topics in a clear and simple way. She will show you how to make high-quality compost and compost extracts, and how to work with soil organisms with confidence.

Marc Siepman
Marc helps people reconnect with themselves, with others, and with nature. His message is that real connection is needed if we want to face the challenges of our time. He will explain how water moves through the atmosphere and the landscape, why soil and water are always linked, and how to restore healthy natural cycles.

Martijn Ballemans – Puur Permacultuur
Your host at his developing permaculture education farm in France. Martijn’s energetic style, strong focus on group connection, and hands-on teaching methods help you apply what you learn and turn it into a design that works for your landscape.

What you will learn

In this week you will learn, among other things:

The basics of soil ecology and how to support it.
Practical soil analysis methods you can use yourself.
How to make compost, compost extracts, and other natural soil boosters.
How to prevent drought, flooding, and problems with soil structure.
How water cycles work and how to restore them.
How to design landscapes where soil, water, and plants support each other.

Theory grounded in practice

The program mixes theory with hands-on work and plenty of interaction. We will be:

Digging and examining soil.
Analyzing soil profiles.
Observing soil life under the microscope.
Making compost, extracts, and other natural inputs.
Creating water solutions on the land.
Doing field assignments and practical exercises.

You will gain knowledge that engages your mind, heart, and hands.

A beautiful french setting

The course takes place at the foot of the Vosges Mountains—a beautiful area full of forests, hills, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and clear night skies. Enjoy tasty meals, evenings around the fire, and sleeping in your own tent or camper, surrounded by nature.

Centre TerraViva is a developing permaculture education farm, built with care and enthusiasm. It’s a place where we’re creating something beautiful step by step. During this course, you get to witness that growth from the very beginning.

Practical details

The language in in the training is English.
Location: Centre TerraViva, 24 Les Guidons, Mélisey, France
Dates: 3 (from 6 PM) – 9 May (til noon) 2026
Price: see below for explanation
Accommodation: Your own tent or camper (or one on the many B&B’s in the area)
Carpooling: Encouraged and co-organized

Who Is This Course For?

Anyone with basic knowledge who wants to learn more.
People who want to understand how living systems really work.
Anyone who wants to make their soil fertile, strong, and alive.
Practical learners who like to learn by doing.

On-site price determination

You pay a registration fee of €250, but this is not the full course price. During the week we will have a group conversation—guided by Marc, who has lived with his family on donations (“in the gift”) for 13 years—to agree on a fair amount that feels right for everyone.