The Montado we benefit from is certainly the most expressive and significant agroforestry system we have today. It is our current sustenance as well as our inspiration.

Driven by the evident disconnect between this system and key factors of the natural system, such as tree stratification and natural succession, in 2017, we organized an international and collective reflection at Freixo do Meio under the theme “New Montado.” This reflection resulted in a clear strategy regarding the future path to build a more dignified relationship with the natural system for all involved.

We named this path Novo Montado XXI. It is fundamentally about structuring our relationship with the space based on a primary axis — the stratified forest of dynamic succession. This concept was introduced to Montado do Freixo do Meio by Ernst Götsch in 2018. This vision represents a significant milestone in the “agricultural” approach, bringing humans closer to the natural reality of ecosystem succession and other fundamental principles.

Dynamic succession agroforestry systems are dynamic ecosystems with the permanent inclusion of humans, trees, primary plants, animals, and all other beings from different kingdoms, playing roles required by the system to ensure its evolution. At its final climax stage (abundance), these systems allow the use of surpluses by the entire community without compromising the natural dynamics.

Today, succession agroforests occupy 5 hectares near Monte do Freixo do Meio. Surpluses such as vegetables, strawberries, lemons, wild plants, and mushrooms already contribute significantly to our food offerings.