Functions applied to Vinagra Village within Life Desert Adapt

This picture is Vinagra Village, the agricultural farm with 25ha aiming to adjust to Climate Change Adaptation with innovative adaptation technologies with regard to land use and soil conservation and plant support.

Vinagra Village is one of the replicators of the EU program Life Desert Adapt, promoted in Portugal by ADPM (Associação de Defesa do Património de Mértola). The goal is the dissemination of good practices for the fight against land degradation and climate change.

First phase of this Life Desert Adapt project was the water network with ponds and swales to allow the rainwater to infiltrate the landscape. The second phase currently ongoing is the productive zones and the food forest.

Harvesting water

There was basic Functions applied to the land like; regenerate soil and erosion control, in order to improve pasture, and there was an Economic Rational, with the goal to generate enough cashflow while growing incredible produce. A lot of idealism goes into farming, but this is the business case in 13 points for the economic function.

1-           Aromatic Garden

Planting aromatics with minimum soil alteration (e.g. oregano, lavender, Rosemary... ) to increase food for pollinators, and extraction of essential oils production.

2-           Annuals and seeds

Production of seeds of selected species (e.g. Tagasaste) that are then used for naturalistic purposes, such as support to fruit trees organic matter and food for sheep

3-           Bee keeping

The hives have been installed. Honey production will not be significant but will be important under the brand Vinagra Village.

4-           Plant Nursery

A small nursery will start for own production of plants.

5-           Nuts

Almond, Macadamia, Walnut and Pistachio. Specifically, Macadamia will be used in triple lines because they are more resistant to drought.

6-           Compost production

Compost produced mainly using pruning and garden food wastes for own use.

7-           Fruits and Orange Orchard

Most fruit trees are already planted. Existing orange production will be used for transformation

8-           Vegetables

Various vegetable species as much variety as possible to supply  a future restaurant based on farm to table. Until then the idea is the creation of a network of families that will order their required basket in monthly plans.

9-           Chicken area

Chicken tractor

Mobile hen houses for the production of eggs and chickens in free range

10-         Study & Research facilities

The farm will be an experimental and test area for regenerative techniques with new hydrologic processes for research execution to universities

11-         Sheep grazing pasture improvement

Sheep graze in over 120 electric paddocks of around 2000 sqm with the goal to improve them through manure and provide the foundation for the creation of a new ‘’Montado’’ pasture, that will restore tree cover. Oak trees are pruned in the basal parts to accelerate growth. This procedure increases grass cover in the soil and plant diversity as well as pasture availability for animals. Holistic planned grazing is set to optimize the use of grass for the sheep.

12-         Eco Farm Resort

The Restoration of a traditional house is being transformed in a Bed and Breakfast  

13-         Photo Hunting

Creation of 2 high observation points

Herb garden

What Measures were taken and applied to the land?

1-           Seed Collecting & native plants

Seedlings whenever possible have been produced with seeds collected locally

2-           Existing vegetation

Natural regeneration is the focus so all oaks naturally born have been preserved and kept

3-           Planting in mixes

Everywhere where we have intervened planting was done in mixes

4-           Plant support water aids study and weed control

Cardboard has been used to cover soil with shard on top. No chemicals just mulching and cutting

5-           Watering drip irrigation

Drip irrigation has been installed where needed

6-           Prunings

Pruning will be used as mulching, compost or chipped

7-           Ponds

Ponds have been planted with riparian trees and water plants for filtration

The last measure taken into consideration was Social.

1-           Create employment

A very important part of the project Vinagra Village  is to create employment, for local people or people willing to establish at Vinagra Village in cofinancing work