Discover and learn about ecosystem regeneration
Join us on select Saturdays at a local organic farm to learn about regenerative agriculture and land use, as well as our local ecosystem. You will meet and engage with experts in a variety of fields while spending time outdoors.
Each event starts with a guided farm tour, highlighting a variety of zones and the regenerative activities taking place in each. This is followed by a themed workshop or interactive lecture, with topics varying each time. These sessions offer you the opportunity to gain deeper insights into different concepts and challenges impacting our local area and ecosystem.
Saturdays at the Farm takes place monthly at Quinta Vale da Lama, near Lagos, Portugal.
👉 Participation is free, but pre-registration is required, as we limit capacity at these events.
🌐 This program is presented in both English and Portuguese.
📅 Upcoming dates and topics can be found below.
Why attend?
Spend time in connection with nature
Discover our local ecosystem
Learn about regenerative agriculture
Meet others interested in regeneration
Program Schedule
All activities at Saturdays at the Farm are free of charge. Start and finish times may vary by session. Please arrive a little before the activity start time. Pre-registration is required.
Regenerative Agriculture
Guided Farm Tour
🕑 2:00 – 3:30pm
🗣️ Facilitator: Hugo Oliveira, Landscape Ecologist and Regenerative Systems Designer
🌱 Learn how regenerative practices are applied at the farm. You’ll visit a variety of areas, such as the fig orchard, syntropic garden, composting facility, fruit orchard, and market garden, to see our work in action!
🌐 Language: English and Portuguese
Workshop or
Interactive Lecture
🕑 4:00 – 5:30pm
💡 Gain knowledge of specific areas of regeneration, issues affecting our ecosystem, or other topics related to our local area and culture. Topics vary by session, so be sure to check the schedule often!
🌐 Language: Portuguese and English
Upcoming Dates and Workshop Topics
Please note that dates and topics are subject to change. Check this page regularly for updates.
6 December 2025
Soil Health and World Soil Day
World Soil Day is 5 December each year, and so this session will be dedicated to several topics related to soil and soil health.
After the guided farm tour, the workshop will feature two sessions. First, Dr. Cristina Cruz, an agroecologist from the University of Lisboa, will give an overview of what soil is and its importance to our ecosystem and planet and how to establish healthy soils. Then we will move to the composting area of Quinta Vale da Lama. There, Ricardo Gomes, a regenerative farmer, will give an overview of the composting operation at the farm. You will learn the different composting methods in use and how the whole system works together to create healthy soil at a large scale.
Quinta Vale da Lama
Living and Learning Closer to Nature
Quinta Vale da Lama is a 43-hectare farm, featuring an organic market garden, applying regenerative agriculture and ecosystem restoration methodologies to improve soil quality, water availability, biodiversity, and local livelihoods.
It is also an active member of Ecosystem Restoration Communities, a group of 60 global hubs pursuing diverse restoration initiatives rehabilitating degraded lands to create flourishing ecosystems.
Quinta Vale da Lama is located in southwestern Portugal, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the mountains of the western Algarve.
How to Get Here
Click for Google Maps directions
Click for Google Maps directions
Questions? Email us: programs@mudvalleyinstitute.org
Join us!
Register for Saturdays at the Farm
A few details to keep in mind:
- Who: All ages are welcome and you can bring others with you. We limit attendance to 30 people.
- When: The farm tour starts promptly at 2:00pm, so please arrive a little earlier. The workshop will last until 5:30pm. You can join either or both sessions.
- Where: We’ll meet at Novas Descobertas Association. Parking is just down the street.
- What to bring: Water, a hat, sturdy shoes, sunscreen, and snacks are always a good idea.
Register using the form below.
A regeneration initiative in partnership with Quinta Vale da Lama
Learn about Quinta Vale da Lama here.
Month of Regeneration
Looking for another way to get involved?
The Ecosystem Restoration Community of the Southwestern Algarve will present a variety of volunteering actions and events throughout November and early December to support the regeneration of our local ecosystem.
Volunteers will help with ecosystem maintenance, reforestation, and waterworks building. Tours, trainings, and workshops will also be offered.
English 
Portuguese