Vale do Rodrigo

Vale do Rodrigo is a permaculture farm nestled in a quiet village at the foot of a mountain range in Ferreira do Zêzere, Portugal, surrounded by pure water and lush vegetation. The project honors the name of this peaceful village where it was founded. Following permaculture principles and no-dig, pesticide-free cultivation methods, the farm produces vegetables distributed through weekly baskets, as well as living medicinal plants sold on-site and at weekly markets. Everything grown on the farm is transformed with care into condiments, infusions, tinctures, and macerated oils, delivered with the highest possible quality. Beyond food production, Vale do Rodrigo offers guided seasonal walks through the surrounding forest, where participants learn to identify edible and medicinal plants and fungi, understand their role in nature's ongoing succession, and discover traditional herbal preparation methods and respectful foraging practices. The farm can be found at local markets in Penela, Coimbra, Tomar, and Espinhal on a rotating monthly schedule. The project positions itself as a form of resistance against mass consumption and production, embracing instead a rhythm attuned to the seasons and reciprocal relationships with plants and nature. It is run by a small team including a farmer and herbalist who transmits ancestral ecological knowledge, a hands-on builder and helper who maintains the farm's infrastructure, and an operations coordinator who helps share the project with a wider audience. Vale do Rodrigo has been featured in national media, including a segment on Portuguese television news, highlighting its work in permaculture, agroforestry, and herbalism as models for a more resilient and sustainable agricultural future.