The Montado as a Common Good

The Sociedade do Freixo do Meio, which structures the social economy work developed for several generations at Herdade do Freixo do Meio, aims essentially to integrate and regulate the different uses of this Common Good

The main goal is to collectively manage the Montado do Freixo do Meio, in a way that permanently improves our relation with the available resources and the obtaining of an abundance of goods and services.

To this end, SAdFM, Lda, owned by the family of farmer Alfredo Cunhal Sendim, has adopted a formula based on shared management of the space with other family projects. The Mother institution is responsible for overall harmony as well as for the Montado (Protected Landscape) and Monte do Freixo do Meio.

The Autonomous Projects established since 2009, now include the Mel da Família Abel (Honey from Family Abel), Carlos and Catarina’s Orchard, Maria, Afonso, and João’s vegetables and meat processing, Mark’s agroforestry, Afonso’s agroforestry, Raquel’s Healing Forest nursery, and Ella Bocara’s technology innovation project.

Agostinho da Silva

Portuguese philosopher, poet, essayist, teacher, philologist, educator and translator

1906 — 1994

In spite of all difficulties, in spite of all obstacles that an economic system, which anyway could not have been another, raised, men always showed their desire for cooperation, the joy of a life together where we can help each other, always had as an ideal a state of society, an organization, where they wouldn’t have to separate their individual interest from the interest of the community, in which the two aspects of their life formed a whole that gave them the harmony, the peace, the inner tranquility men seek above all else.

«As Cooperativas, Iniciação», 1942

OUR MISSION

What moves us today and tomorrow

Inspired by the nature of the Montado, the Sociedade Agricola do Freixo do Meio is a place of cooperation, inclusion, personal development, work, and community building. Our aim is to give form to a community that harmoniously integrates the ecosystem it belongs to and that is autonomous, resilient, peaceful, and ecumenical, in a proud alignment with the vision of the «Fifth Empire» as referred by Agostinho da Silva.

Our mission is based on demanding standards, transparency, social participation, knowledge, and innovation, made richer by the science, agroecology, permaculture, and food sovereignty.

The Principles of the Cooperative

The fundamentals we aim to fulfil every day at the Herdade do Freixo do Meio.

To perform as a social enterprise, aiming above all to improve the community we live in.
To promote and dignify the people that work at and with the Cooperative.
To promote stable jobs for locals.
To treat profit as a factor not as a goal that should be maximized.
To build a healthy, living soil through practices like yearly rotations, use of compost, soil cover cultures, green fertilization and minimal mobilization.
To practice Organic Agriculture according to EU norms (Reg. (CE) 834.2007).
To defend the health of the soils, the people and the ecosystems by rejecting the use of agro-toxics of chemical synthesis like pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and fertilizers.
To reject the use of GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms), of synthetical, toxic and radioactive resources, in all stages of production and post-crop operations.
To manage animals and all living beings in the property, as elements of the ecosystem, respecting their features and functions.

To feed ruminant animals (Cows, sheep, goats, horses and donkeys) exclusively with natural fibres, like natural pasture, sprouted grains, hay and straw.
To feed omnivores (pigs) and granivores (turkey, chicken and geese) with adequate diets, essentially with cereals, natural pastures, sprouted grains, fruits and vegetables.
Not to use food containing GMO, antibiotics, ivermectin or synthesised hormones as well as all forbidden substances.
Preserve and promote natural resources like biodiversity, climate and the atmosphere, reducing erosion and the pollution of air, soil and water through the use of the right techniques.
Raise and preserve national autochthon breeds and use local seeds and plant varieties, whenever possible.
Maximize the nutritional value of foods, through harvesting and slaughter at the most adequate time.
To practice minimum processing of food, only enough to preserve its nutritional value in full. To not use radiation, ultra-pasteurization, excessive heating, synthetic additives or GMO derivates.

To include all ingredients on the label.
To manage and use water in a responsible way.
To minimize the ecological impact of the Herdade, using renewable sources of energy as much as possible.
To promote and manage spaces that allow for wild life to exist in at least ten per cent of the property.
To reduce the number of kilometers travelled by selling locally.
To ensure the hygiene and safety of the food we produce.
To ensure safety in the workplace.
To help promote the rural world.
To develop and share knowledge in all areas.
To act on the market in an ethical manner.
To not practice commercial speculation.
To determine the value of the products as a function of the cost of obtaining them.
To promote and cooperate with scientific investigation.