A Day of Hands-On Learning and Experiences
This customized educational program has been developed by two local nonprofit organizations, Mud Valley Institute and Novas Descobertas Association, to expose BGA learners to an example of the real-world application of some of the themes and topics they are studying, while also getting them out of the hub and into nature.
World Soil Day is a United Nations-designated International Day held annually on 5 December as a means to focus attention on the importance of healthy soil and to advocate for the sustainable management of soil resources. 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of World Soil Day.
World Soil Day is a United Nations-designated International Day held annually on 5 December as a means to focus attention on the importance of healthy soil and to advocate for the sustainable management of soil resources. 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of World Soil Day.
Day at a Glance
BGA Soil Day will:
Give an overview of what ecosystem regeneration is and why it is important, and show regeneration in action.
Educate about the importance of healthy soils and their role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, how we can create them, and offer practical experiences working with soils.
Show a real-world application of some of the concepts learners are studying in biology, chemistry, maths, and ecological management, and how all these areas tie together holistically.
Highlight the career path of the soil scientist who will be facilitating the program, so learners can get an understanding of how one can pursue similar roles as they consider university and careers.
This full day experience will feature:
A guided tour of Quinta Vale da Lama, highlighting the different areas of the farm and the regeneration work being done there.
Interactive workshops in the morning to educate on soil science, water biology and the water cycle, and biodiversity.
Additional programs in the afternoon focused on practical application of soil science work, including one program about data collection, monitoring, and analysis of soil health, and one about soil creation and planting of vegetation in healthy soils. These programs will let learners “get their hands dirty” out in the field.
Schedule for the Day
Here’s what is happening and when:
9:30am – Meet and get started
Meet up at Novas Descobertas Association. Introductions and icebreakers to get started. Establish the context of what ecosystem restoration and regenerative agriculture are, why they are important, and how Quinta Vale da Lama fits in.
How to get to Novas Descobertas Association: Google Maps link.
10:00am – 11:00am – Guided farm tour
Learners will visit different areas of the farm and the work being done there, learning about the various soil improvement and ecosystem regeneration techniques in each area and why and how we are doing them. Areas we will visit include: the fig orchard, syntropic forest garden, composting and soil improvement area, plant nursery, fruit orchard, market garden, the new West Garden that we are starting to regenerate, our onsite Soil Lab, and a few other areas.
11:00am – 11:30am – Break and chill time
11:30am – 1:00pm – Interactive workshops
We will have three workshops of 30 minutes each. Learners are split into groups and will rotate through each workshop. The three areas are: soil science, water biology/the water cycle, and biodiversity.
1:00pm – 2:00pm – Lunch and chill time
Learners bring their own lunch.
Note: please do not bring any nuts or products with nuts in them.
2:00pm – 3:45pm – Additional soil programs
We will have three workshops of about an hour and a half each. These programs will also help learners “get their hands dirty” doing things in the soil. Learners can choose which they want to go to, and they are free to visit the others as they wish.
- Soil health monitoring and evaluation: The data collection and analytics aspect of regeneration and soil science.
- Practical application of compost and planting: Learn about composting and how to create healthy soil with our regenerative farmer Ricardo. Then, go plant things in different areas around the farm.
- Craft and creativity session: Get creative with soil and clay. Use the natural elements to find inspiration and express yourself.
3:45pm – 4pm – Closing and next actions. Return to Lagos.
What to bring:
- Lunch, snacks and water,
- Sturdy shoes or boots,
- Clothes that can get dirty (you’ll be at a farm),
- Maybe rain gear (we suggest checking the weather forecast a day or two beforehand).
43 hectares – Connecting people of all ages to nature
Thousands of trees have been carefully planted, complemented by the installation of water collection systems to reinforce their growth.
Soil fertility receives special attention and is continually enriched through the incorporation of indigenous microorganisms, compost, bokashi, earthworms, mulch and other natural soil improvers.
An on-site soil laboratory helps monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions. In addition, a small group of sheep, two donkeys and a handful of chickens are strategically rotated on various plots, adhering to a holistic grazing plan designed to optimize the health of the land. In addition, the creation of five temporary Mediterranean ponds serves to promote biodiversity.
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