Quinta d'Arminho

Oporto did not match the measures of Raquel Silva and João Rodrigues, designers by training and profession, and founders of Atelier Arminho. “We wanted to be closer to nature.” The decision determined the search and consequent finding, in 2016, of the right place – a ten-hectare farm, located in Canedo do Mato, in the municipality of Mangualde in the district of Viseu, in Beira Alta.

“The change, made in a very natural way, ended up corresponding to our needs”, continues our hostess and the adaptation process was easy – Raquel Silva is from Viseu and João Rodrigues was already familiar with the region. And Atelier Arminho went with them.

Quinta d’Arminho was partially abandoned and the two had to start from scratch, “which has been a very intense work, to create the indispensable conditions”, reinforces. Raquel Silva gives as an example the fact that they have chosen 100% solar energy. “We live in a caravan, which has been transformed”, while the stone house, formerly inhabited by the caretakers who took care of the property – according to the local population –, serves as a support structure for Quinta d'Arminho and for storing the products that the couple collects throughout the year.

“It's just the two of us doing all the farm chores”, hence the name family farming. To this, both added the designations of regenerative and educative. “When we started producing, we realized that we didn't want to do conventional agriculture, we didn’t want to take more from the land than we can cultivate”, explains Raquel Silva. “Regenerative agriculture is based on improving the conditions of the farm’s ecosystem, that is, regenerating the ecosystem.”

The work is carried out on a small scale and later shared with other farmers, who want to replicate what the couple is doing, through social networks. “These are people who want, feel the need to have a different approach to their own lives, to well-being.”

In the alignment of this action, Raquel Silva emphasizes the success that they have been having with the Kune Kune pigs, a breed originally from New Zealand, but which they took to France. According to our hostess, these are pigs with the right profile to implement a more holistic treatment of the soil, in the area occupied by oaks and wild chestnuts.

“The pigs roam free to fertilize this area”, in addition to that, in the pastures, “they don’t do much soil mobilization, which favours the maintenance of the landscape, without having to resort to fossil energies”, emphasizes Raquel Silva. “Right now, we have five adults, plus two sows.” Piglets are sold. “There are people who have also kept these pigs”, says Raquel Silva, in the context of the networking she carried out with other farmers. “We also have three dwarf sows. Two of them are part of the first group, which we integrated into the farm” and all walk freely in the space assigned to them.

They are all integrated into a mobile grazing system. Just like the chickens, which have a mobile chicken coop at their disposal. It serves as a night shelter and nest for laying eggs. “This year, I worked in the horticultural sector and here we extended our stay”, exemplifies Raquel Silva.

In addition to the two swine breeds and chickens, the young couple produces olive oil. This one is made from the juice of olives harvested from the old olive grove, at Quinta d’Arminho, because the new one was planted in 2020. “We are in a familiar olive oil production area, where all people from the rural universe have their olive oil. We use the mill of the Cooperativa de Olivicultores de Nelas, where they cold press, a process that maintains the characteristics of the oil and because it is possible to make small quantities of this product.” 

The vineyard was the only part of the property that was treated. Blueberries have been planted there since 2019. “It's our big crop. It occupies a hectare and a half.” This year, 2022, “we are going into production in earnest. If all goes well, we will harvest in the order of tons.”

The production of fruit and vegetables is, in turn, considerable. “There is a very large variety. This winter, we have Romanesco cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, Asian vegetables” and all are part of the baskets managed by the couple, within the scope of the CSA Program – Community that Supports Agriculture. “It works as a weekly subscription method, has eight members and is made up of what is available on the same day”, she explains. This list includes eggs, vegetables, herbs, and complements. “There are olives, nuts, jams, marmalades, infusions, to make the baskets more attractive.” The nuts come from the hazel, walnut, and chestnut trees of Quinta d’Arminho, but the oranges come from the neighbour. “We want to build a community, integrating local producers” and even “we have already divulged a natural soap project here”.

Regarding the visits, Raquel Silva announces that the first meeting, held in the context of the “Open Day at the farm”, took place in November 2021 and “was only for the members of the baskets”. The next one will be soon. “It will be implemented once a month or per season. We wanted people to know exactly where those products come from.”

As for the sale of raw material produced at Quinta d’Arminho, this is “100% focused on our members, who are families from Viseu and Penalva do Castelo”. The baskets are delivered to your home and already have a waiting list. “This year's objective is to reach 20 members”, concludes Raquel Silva.