Nature Fields, a company based in the heart of Beira Baixa and whose location is integrated into the Naturtejo Geopark, focuses on crossing breeds “to obtain meat that no one else has” in a deep commitment to nature and that, in the short term, it can be tasted in the context of the gastronomic aspect to be implemented, in the sense of “bringing chefs closer to the rural world”.
Quinta da Várzea, Srª da Graça
6060-191 Idanha-a-Nova
How to get there
Main Office: Edifício Incubadora de Empresas, Sala 8
Zona Industrial
6060-182 Idanha-a-Nova
+351 924 234 213
info@naturefields.pt
www.naturefields.pt
Introduced by
João Rodrigues, Feitoria
Texto de Patrícia Serrado
Fotografias de Pedro Sadio
Training in Animal Production Engineering is a decisive argument for Arlindo Cardosa, a farmer and businessman, to proceed with the purchase of Quinta da Várzea, in Idanha-a-Nova, in the district of Castelo Branco, and to create the epicentre of Nature Fields there. Founded on April 8, 2013, this business “is the support for crossbreeding of cattle breeds”, an action that has undergone several phases based on a close commitment to nature or we were not in one of the municipalities that are part of the Naturtejo Geopark.
The debut of this business was made with the Brava cow, a Portuguese native, an option motivated by the rusticity that characterizes it. Later, Arlindo Cardosa opted for Montbéliards, a French breed chosen to mate with the former. The first offspring of both were crossed with the Limousine breed from the Limousin region, in France. The last offspring were generated from the cross between this breed and the Japanese Akaushi (Red Wagyu). All animals are raised in organic production and leased plots. The objective of Nature Fields is, according to Arlindo Cardosa, “to obtain meat that no one else has”.
Parallel to these steps, the mentor at Nature Fields created and executed strategies and brands based on sustainability from an early age. The first registration dates back to 2013 and is linked to traditional beef. This is the Geo do Prado brand associated with the fact that the production of Nature Fields takes place in the territory of the Naturtejo Geopark. A year later, Arlindo Cardosa developed matured beef following an experiment started in the late 1990s in northern Portugal. "It is a segment aimed at chefs".
The year 2016 is marked by the achievement of biological certification, by SATIVA, under which “I went to find my partners to work with me. They are people with know-how and who guarantee trust”. Besides, the GeoProduct seal achieved thanks to the fact that “produce on land protected by UNESCO, to promote local consumption and the circular economy”. In 2017, Arlindo Cardosa put into practice the BIO segment in partnership with five local producers, which allowed the appearance of a lamb, and 2018 brings to Nature Fields the link with bio grocery stores in the country, where part of its products are available.
Back to Quinta da Várzea, the next step is nature tourism scheduled to open in 2022. The purpose is to boost routes and pedestrian walks, nature photography - Arlindo Cardosa's hobby - in addition to the news. Gastronomy is another aspect related to this activity. “The idea is to have intimate dinners, to make the countryside people known to chefs, as well as Nature Fields partners, and to give them the chance to taste what chefs do in their kitchens. To bring chefs closer to the rural world”.
