Monte do Aniche Eco Farm

Monte do Aniche Eco Farm is an off-grid, community-driven project located near Odemira, in Portugal's rural Alentejo region. Founded by Rona and July, who live on the neighbouring land with their children, dogs, horses, chickens and ducks, the farm was established in 2017 when the founders first arrived and began developing water and photovoltaic systems, planting fruit trees and clearing eucalyptus. Since then, the project has grown to include a private house, four newly built apartments, and several pitches for trailers and caravans. The vision behind Monte do Aniche is to practise a sustainable way of life in tune with nature, building a holistic permaculture farm alongside a space for eco-workshops, eco-tourism and potentially a forest school. The land features rain-collection ponds, a lake and a natural creek, supporting water regeneration in an area with low groundwater levels. Vegetables are grown seasonally, and the farm hosts a yoga and meditation temple used for classes, acro balance and community gatherings, alongside a shared kitchen and vegan cooking facilities. The project welcomes short-term volunteers who help care for the animals, maintain the land and support ongoing construction, offering caravan accommodation, shared showers and compost toilets in return. Monte do Aniche is also open to renting the farm as a whole set-up to groups of families interested in exploring communal rural living together, with the founders encouraging renting before buying as a way to test compatibility with the project's lifestyle. Events such as family constellation workshops, cacao ceremonies and clothes swaps regularly take place on or near the land, reflecting its role as a hub for conscious community life in Alentejo.