Quinta Vale da Lama

Quinta Vale da Lama grows certified organic fruit and vegetables on 43 hectares near Lagos, and sells them at several points around the town. The farm looks out over the Atlantic and the mountains of the western Algarve. It describes itself as a mosaic of landscapes, people and organisations, working with others to connect everyone with what nature provides and to improve the local ecosystem ecologically, economically and socially. The work on the land follows regenerative agriculture and ecosystem restoration methods, to improve soil quality, water availability, biodiversity and local livelihoods. Casa Vale da Lama, on site, is an ecoresort. Two nonprofits belong to the project. Novas Descobertas works in education, running nature-connected experiences, and the Mud Valley Foundation focuses on regenerative action and is working to reduce desertification in the local ecosystem. The farm is also a member of ERC.earth (Ecosystem Restoration Communities), a global network of 60 regeneration hubs working to rehabilitate degraded land. “Tuesdays of Regen” is a weekly volunteer programme, with hands-on work in regenerative agriculture and ecosystem restoration every Tuesday morning. A six-month internship lets participants live and learn on the farm. Educational events include pollinator field research, where participants observe pollinators, learn scientific methods and look at biodiversity outdoors. The farm shares its regeneration work and what it knows freely, with people locally and further afield.