Why I farm with 4 species

Francisco Alves in Herdade de São Luís, Portugal

In the first of a series of blogs I'd like to introduce Francisco whom we visited late last year and provided truly inspiring story in a brittle environment.

We visited Francisco in Portugal at the very end of summer, just a day before the rains arrived, and were immediately struck by the vibrant resilience of his farm despite five months without rainfall.

Francisco shared how he uses animals as tools to regenerate his land, focusing not on maximising animal yield but on building healthy, living soil. His farm produces pork, lamb, goat, and beef alongside cork oaks and acorns, all integrated within a thoughtfully designed silvopasture system.

This approach exemplifies his commitment to working with nature rather than against it, embracing a philosophy of regeneration that supports both ecological and economic resilience.

In this short film, Francisco explains the profound, synergistic relationship between animals and the land, a concept rooted in his training in Holistic Management. By viewing animals as tools for regeneration rather than merely as units of production, he has transformed his farm’s profitability and ensured its long-term sustainability. His approach has allowed him to thrive in a brittle environment where conventional methods might fail.

Sheila Cooke and I were fortunate to spend the day with Francisco, experiencing firsthand the results of his work. There was a palpable sense of pride in his achievements, yet his demeanour was calm and unhurried—a reflection of the balance he has created in his life and his farm.

As we walked through the land, he reiterated how his understanding of holism, developed through the study of Holistic Management, has been pivotal. By embracing a holistic perspective, he has reduced input costs, grown more abundant and diverse produce, improved soil health, and managed scarce water resources more effectively. His products are now sought after by local butchers and restaurateurs, but perhaps most importantly, his approach has freed up more of his time. By rethinking the relationships between animals, plants, and the land, Francisco has created a system that works in harmony with itself.

The evidence of his success was quite literally underfoot. As we explored the farm, we rarely encountered bare soil—a remarkable achievement for a region that had seen no rain for five months. Francisco’s story is truly inspiring, demonstrating how regenerative practices can rebuild ecosystems, improve livelihoods, and cultivate a deeper connection between people and the land.