For this episode of Agroecology Bites, we explore Syntropic Agriculture, an approach to farming inspired by natural ecosystems. 

Instead of growing a single crop, farmers design systems where different plants grow together, supporting each other and improving the soil over time.

Lilly Smidtlein is one of the co-founders of Hof vErde, a regenerative farm project in southern Germany and she joins us to unpack what this looks like in practice, how it’s being adapted in Europe, and why it might change the way we think about farming and food.

After studying social economics, Lilly decided to return to her grandparents’ farm to follow her passion for working with nature and sustainable food systems.

In 2018, she co-founded Hof vErde, where she focuses on agroforestry and creating a space for people to learn about farming in a more ecological way. Lilly has a strong interest in sharing knowledge and brings experience from education, music, and community work into the project.

In addition to her work on the farm, she is an active advocate for agricultural feminism and plays a key role in organising and developing the project. Her work reflects a strong commitment to sustainable food systems, education, and community-driven change..

For more, go to:

https://hofverde.de/en/portfolio-english/

https://verde-regenerativ.de/en/portfolio-english/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWycTfXOKo8

The AGROECOLOGY Partnership, funded by Horizon Europe, unites the European Commission and 111 partners across 31 Member States, Associated Countries, and Third Countries. The Partnership will support an agriculture sector that is fit to meet the targets and challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, food security and sovereignty, and the environment, while ensuring a profitable and attractive activity for farmers.
 
To find out more:
https://www.agroecologypartnership.eu/

Agroecology Bites is a co-production with LastCastMedia.com

In this first episode of Agroecology Bites, Evelyn Zuniga is joined by Johanna Jacobi, Assistant Professor of Agroecological Transitions at the Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zürich, Switzerland, and Naimid Esnarriaga, Senior Agricultural Scientist, Terra Madre, Basel, Switzerland to take a closer look at the ideas behind the word. Is it just another term for organic farming? Is it a science, a movement, a way of life?

From myths and misconceptions to real-world practices, they explain the basics in a way that’s clear, conversational, and relevant to everyday life. If you’ve ever wondered how farming can be more sustainable — or what role you play in that story — this episode is for you.

Further reading:
- The Agroecology Partnership SRIA (https://www.agroecologypartnership.eu/en/resources).

- Uncovering decolonial pedagogies for learning agroecological transitions: comparative analysis of South America cases (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2025.103042).

- Syntropic farming systems for reconciling productivity, ecosystem functions, and restoration (https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(25)00047-6).

- Policy principles for sustainable and just land systems (https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.250810).

 
The AGROECOLOGY Partnership, funded by Horizon Europe, unites the European Commission and 111 partners across 31 Member States, Associated Countries, and Third Countries. The Partnership will support an agriculture sector that is fit to meet the targets and challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, food security and sovereignty, and the environment, while ensuring a profitable and attractive activity for farmers.

To find out more:
https://www.agroecologypartnership.eu/

Agroecology Bites is a co-production with LastCastMedia.com