Húmus Vivo

Húmus Vivo takes its name from the idea that everything living can become húmus, the fertile, organic-rich layer of soil, if people work with natural processes rather than against them. Founded by Maria Inês Catana, the project teaches regenerative soil practices to farmers and anyone curious about working the land differently. The approach is practical. Húmus Vivo runs polyconic vase pruning workshops for olive trees, a technique that respects the tree's shape and aims to maximise production over time. A typical format splits theory (7 March, in one recent edition) from practice a week later (14 March), priced at €30 for theory alone or €50 for both, plant-based lunch included. Sessions run in English with direct translation to Portuguese. The project has moved bases more than once. It started in Portalegre, where it still tends an olive grove through a slow regeneration process. It later relocated to Pereiro, a village further north, where it now works closely with Espaço Educampo, combining soil regeneration, natural building and community life in one space. Activities there have included seed-sowing, vegetable garden days and communal cooking. Agroforestry line management has taken place at Monte Maria, near Reguengo. Húmus Vivo operates as a small, community-driven initiative rather than a large organisation, with 34 LinkedIn followers and a team of two to ten people according to LinkedIn's company data. Its longer-term ambition is to help build a national support programme for regenerative farming, in partnership with other associations, resting on the belief that healthy soil life underpins a balanced ecosystem above ground.