The first session of a Holistic Management Practitioner course was held at Estancia San Guillermo, close to Puerto Madryn from 9 to 12 of December 2014. The course was oriented to land managers and grassland professionals from Península de Valdes, a MAB Biosphere Reserve, with the sponsorship of fashion brand Stella McCartney and the support of Fundación Patagonia Natural, an NGO based at Puerto Madryn.
Stella McCartney has been sourcing Ovis 21 certified Sustainable Merino Wool since the 2013-14 season. Going beyond that, increases its support and commitment by sponsoring this educational project, which will allow regenerating grasslands using the Holistic Management Framework. Holistic Management has shown unprecedented results in terms of land restoration and increasing economic and social sustainability of sheep farming.
15 people attended, with 11 farmers and 4 grassland professionals. The session was an introduction to the Holistic Management Framework, and had a training on Holistic Planned Grazing. A hands-on methodology created an environment of enthusiasm and participation. The project will continue with Module 2 in February, focused on rangeland health evaluation and long term biological monitoring.
The training course is conducted by Ovis 21, as the Argentine Hub of the Savory Institute global network for large-scale regeneration of grasslands. The team included Pablo Borrelli and Rolando Heinken (SI Accredited Field Professionals) and Gabriela Degorgue, HM Educator Trainee, from Fundación Patagonia Natural.
