The science behind Regenerative agriculture at Monte Silvera farm

What if your olive oil could fight disease, your soil could store water like a sponge, and your sheep could restore biodiversity?

This episode takes you to the heart of Portugal’s Monte Silveira farm, where cutting-edge science meets ancient ecosystems...and the results are mind-blowing! Join us as we sit down with Diogo Pinho, the farm’s Research Manager, to uncover the data-driven secrets behind one of Europe’s most innovative regenerative farms.

From boosting soil organic matter by astonishing numbers, to producing high-polyphenol olive oil that’s great for your heart, to showing that regenerative grazing can actually outperform conventional almond plantations - this conversation is packed with insight, hope, and practical inspiration for anyone interested in the future of farming.

Whether you’re a researcher, policymaker, farmer, or foodie, this is one episode you do not want to miss.

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What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why soil organic matter is the cornerstone of regenerative systems -> and how Monte Silveira doubled it.
• How rotational sheep grazing helps restore plant diversity and build microbial life underground.
• The surprising science behind polyphenols in olive oil and how farming methods influence their levels.
• How regenerative practices can reduce costs and outperform conventional models (with real data).
• What it means to design climate-resilient farms in Mediterranean ecosystems under pressure.

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About the guest:

Diogo Pinho is the Research Manager at Monte Silveira Farm in southern Portugal, where he leads 16 research projects focused on linking profitability with ecosystem regeneration. With a background in microbiology, he’s bridging the gap between scientific research and real-world farming, and proving that regeneration can work at scale!

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This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports regenerative agriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health.