As part of the SOS Prodehesa Montado project, the 4th Conference on the Transfer of Best Practices was held, focusing on the evolution of the montado system and the latest innovations in the diversification of agricultural activity.
The event began at the visitor centre on the Freixo do Meio estate, where participants were welcomed and given an interesting introduction to the origins and evolution of the montado system, an agroforestry model unique in Europe.
This was followed by a tour of the farm’s facilities, including the communal area and food processing spaces: the meat processing room, industrial kitchen, abattoir, acorn drying room, mill for producing acorn flour, and an oil mill, considered the smallest in the world.
After a coffee break, the visit continued with an exploration of the main innovations implemented on the farm, such as its protected area—which includes a biological reserve home to over 1,000 species— management systems such as the keyline, syntropic agriculture zones and the extensive pastureland, where wildlife coexists with the conservation of native breeds such as the Barrosã cow, the Mirandese donkey, the Sorraia horse, the Lusitanian black hen and the Merino sheep, all under a holistic management approach.
The event also included a meal prepared using agroecological produce, highlights of which included organic lamb chops from Merineando Cáceres and cheeses from Quesería La Patilla, alongside salads, acorn-fed bread and other locally sourced products, many of which came from the estate itself.
In addition, attendees were able to enjoy the “Domingueiro” market, a space dedicated to the sale of agroecological products, local crafts, gastronomy and awareness-raising activities.
This event was a particularly enriching gathering, which highlighted the importance of the dehesa-montado as a key system for biodiversity and sustainable rural development. The Freixo do Meio estate has thus established itself as a benchmark that combines organic production, innovation, research, training and environmental outreach.
The organisers, ACTYVA Sociedad Cooperativa, would like to thank the hosts for their excellent hospitality and all attendees for their active participation; their commitment is essential to continuing our progress towards more sustainable models.
