Keela Permaculture Farm

Founded in 2016 by Laurence and Kimberly Manchee, Keela Permaculture Farm is an off-grid, certified organic homestead spanning 18 hectares in Mata da Rainha, Fundão, central Portugal. What began as an abandoned agricultural property has been progressively transformed into a thriving permaculture landscape featuring food forests, agroforestry systems, vegetable gardens, sheep, chickens, and natural buildings constructed using strawbale, cordwood, and cob techniques. The farm operates as both a working homestead and an education centre, welcoming visitors for immersive, hands-on courses year-round. Courses on offer include Permaculture Design (leading to a certified PDC certificate from the Permaculture Association UK), Permaculture in Practice, Food Forest Design, and Natural Building. Monthly Open Days provide the public with accessible introductions to sustainable living and permaculture practice. Guests and students experience true off-grid living: water sourced from a spring, organic farm-to-table meals, and optional daily yoga or calisthenics sessions. Kimberly Manchee — co-founder, farm and kitchen manager, and resident yoga teacher — leads workshops on Reiki, food fermentation, cheese-making, and animal husbandry. Thomas Henfrey, the only certified Permaculture Diploma tutor in Portugal with over 20 years of experience, co-teaches the Permaculture Design Courses. The farm also supports the wider community through volunteer programmes, permaculture apprenticeships, and Permaculture Diploma design work experience. In 2025, five apprenticeship places are available for those wishing to become homesteaders, farm managers, or permaculture teachers. Keela Permaculture Farm is a living demonstration that regenerative, sustainable land management is not only possible but deeply rewarding.