Quinta da Caria

Quinta da Caria, also known as Quinta Pedagógica da Caria, is a family-run organic farm located in Maceira, Torres Vedras, Portugal. The farm produces certified organic aromatic, medicinal, and condiment herbs, along with a wide diversity of fruits and vegetables, using agroforestry and syntropic farming techniques designed to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem health. With over 100 different plant species and 30 wild bird species recorded on the property, the farm positions itself as a biodiversity oasis, integrating forestry, fruit production, and medicinal plants in an interconnected system. The project offers CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture) basket subscriptions delivering fresh, seasonal, and mostly Portuguese-grown produce directly to customers, harvested within 24 hours in most cases. Deliveries and pickups are organized on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with sustainable packaging practices encouraged. Beyond food production, Quinta da Caria runs educational activities including guided visits for families, school visits where children experience being an organic farmer for an hour, and workshops on topics like beneficial insects, agroforestry, and syntropic agriculture. The farm is managed by the Garcia family through their company Sobe ao Palco, Lda., and positions itself as a partner institution of the Aspiring West Geopark. It also proposes solutions for food sovereignty in the West region of Portugal. The project sells produce both directly from the farm and at the Santa Cruz municipal market, combining commercial farming with community education around healthy eating, traditional and biological agriculture, and environmental stewardship.