A Day of Hands-On Learning and Experiences
BGA Soil Day will take place on 4 December 2025, at Quinta Vale da Lama, a regenerative, organic farm near Lagos. Brave Generation Academy learners from the Lagos and Lagoa hubs will be in attendance.
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. 2025 marks the 11th 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. 2025 marks the 11th 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.
This full day experience will feature:
A guided tour of Quinta Vale da Lama in the morning, highlighting the different areas of the farm and the regeneration work being done there.
Afternoon sessions focused on soils and soil health. One session will focus on practical application of soil science work in a laboratory and field setting, and the other will engage learners through a soil-focused scavenger hunt around the farm. Both will let learners “get their hands dirty” out in the field.
Schedule for the Day
Here’s what is happening and when:
10:15am – Meet and get started
Meet up at Novas Descobertas Association at 10:15am for a 10:30am start. 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.
10:45am – 12:00pm – 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 West Market Garden, our onsite Soil Lab, and a few other areas.
The tour will be led by Hugo Oliveira, Mud Valley Institute’s landscape ecologist.
12:00pm – 1:15pm – Lunch and chill time
Learners bring their own lunch.
1:30pm – 3:45pm – Soil programs
Learners will attend two sessions of an hour each. These programs will allow learners “get their hands dirty” doing things in the soil. We will split into two groups. Learners attend one topic, then rotate to the other topic after a brief break.
- Topic 1: Dr. Elodie da Silva, chief scientist at Mud Valley Institute, will share knowledge on soils and soil health, highlight the tools and work of the Soil Lab at Mud Valley Institute, and engage learners in soil health monitoring and evaluation techniques. Learners will be active participants in using the lab tools and conducting testing in the field.
- Topic 2: Learners will engage in experiential learning around Quinta Vale da Lama farm, as they undertake a soils-focused scavenger hunt. This session gives them the opportunity to apply problem-solving, critical thinking, and observation skills through solving clues and finding items, all with an emphasis on our soil-themed day.
- Session 1 is from 1:30pm – 2:30pm, and session 2 is from 2:45pm – 3:45pm. Each learner will attend both topics.
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),
- Note-taking materials
- 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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