What happens when a tobacco empire transforms into a thriving regenerative farm? In this episode of the Deep Seed Podcast, we visit Monte Silveira, a 1,000-hectare farm in central Portugal, where João Valente has revived one of Europe’s oldest agro-silvopastoral systems.

From 0.7% soil organic matter to over 5%, and from monocultures to thriving biodiversity, João shares how nature became his most profitable business partner. You’ll learn how rotational grazing, intercropping, and keyline design are helping regenerate both land and livelihoods in one of Europe’s driest regions.

This conversation is full of timeless lessons for farmers, scientists, and land stewards alike.

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🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

🌳 Montado magic: Discover how a 10,000-year-old oak-based system balances trees, animals, and humans

🐄 Rotational grazing reimagined: How goats, sheep, pigs, and cows move through the land to regenerate perennial grasslands

🌾 No-till + intercropping = soil magic: Why millet, sunflower, and legumes are João’s powerhouse combo

💧 Keyline design in action: How 8,000 new cork oaks were planted to harvest water and revive degraded slopes

💰 Regeneration is profitable: From increasing biodiversity to lowering input costs, João proves that better farming = better business

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This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health.

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Useful links:

• Monte SIlveira - https://www.montesilveira.com/

Follow Us: Stay connected with us on social media for the latest updates and behind-the-scenes content.

• Instagram: @deep_seed_podcast

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/deep-seed

• Email - raphael@deepseed.eu

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Two fine-dining chefs moved to rural Portugal to build a regenerative agriculture project focused on market gardening, nutrient-dense food, and soil health. Meet The Farming Chefs! 👨‍🍳

Philippe and Sophie are blending regenerative farming, no-dig gardening, rotational grazing, and nutrient-dense cooking on their five-hectare farm in central Portugal. Using mobile chicken tractors, compost teas, and a thriving herb garden, they’re regenerating the land... and teaching the world how to grow tasty nutrient-dense food at home!

🍅 In this episode, we cover:

• How a no-dig market garden can out-yield bigger farms (with less work)

• Why nutrient-dense food tastes better (and how it can restore your health)

• How to integrate chickens and sheep to regenerate degraded grasslands

• How to build a thriving herb garden from local cuttings… for free!

• Why edutainment is a powerful tool to scale the regenerative movement

📌 LISTEN FOR:

🟢 15:32 – The aquatic plant that’s feeding chickens free protein

🌿 26:10 – Sophie’s 150+ plant herb garden

🍳 41:00 – Why chefs are the secret weapon of the regenerative movement

📣 47:45 – “Farmers deserve rockstar status. They’re regenerating our future.”

USEFUL LINKS:

The Farming Chefs also run a fast-growing YouTube channel where they teach regenerative practices through fun, practical, visually rich tutorials. Their blend of storytelling, flavor, and ecological wisdom is one of the most inspiring in the movement today.

❤️ This episode was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health & biodiversity.

Thank you for listening, all the best,

Raphaël

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This week, we visit Culy Creek Ranch in northern Spain and meet the unstoppable Meghan Sapp, a holistic grazing expert and co-founder of the Savory Institute’s hub for Spain.

Learn how holistic grazing, soil biodiversity, and smart ecosystem design created a farm so resilient it feeds itself — and the local economy.

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In this episode, we dive into:

🌱 How to turn compacted, degraded land into a regenerative agriculture success story using horses, chickens, and goats

🐎 The role of holistic grazing in boosting pasture productivity — while reducing hay costs

🌾 Partnering with a top local restaurant to bring farm-to-table sourcing and regenerative practices together

🥚 The relationship between holistic management, soil health and nutrient density

🌻 How regenerative farming principles contribute to climate resilience, food quality, and economic viability

🧪 Insights from the Savory Institute’s ecological outcome verification for tracking regeneration and carbon sequestration

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Whether you’re a regenerative farmer, chef, soil scientist, or simply curious about sustainable food systems — this episode is packed with actionable insights, inspiring stories, and serious soil wisdom.

❤️ This episode was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health & biodiversity.

🎯 Don’t forget to follow the show, rate the episode, and share it with a friend who loves dirt. It helps Deep Seed grow and reach more change-makers like you!

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🔗 Useful Links:

Soil Capital (Website)

Curly Creek Ranch (Instagram)

Meghan Sapp (Linkedin)

Deep Seed podcast (Website)

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