Looking to start a farm in southern spain

Hi everyone, first post here but I've been "stalking" the forum for a long time.

I and my family live in Fuengirola, Costa del Sol, moved down here from Sweden almost 2 years ago and we're looking to start a permaculture farm in the area.
We were wondering if there are more people interested in joining our venture.

We don't have enough funds to actually buy a large property at the moment. So we are looking into some other alternatives.
For example to find some large abandoned farm where the owner is nearing retirement and try to strike a deal where we rent to own. There are a lot of farms here that are going through a generation shift but no-one to take over.
There's an farm north of Almeria in the Tabernas desert, called the Perma Puebla Initiative, that has done something similar. They got a 200ha farm with a rent to own deal. They've chosen to grow CBD hemp as a cash crop on parts of the land to finance the restoration and purchase which is something we also could look into. I've been in contact with one of them and he mentioned that if we also grow CBD as a cash crop they could help us with some legalities and we could sell together in a coop to get better deals.

There are endless of possibilities but I think a project like this would benefit from several people going in as a group, working together from the start.

Let me know if you are interested in joining us, have any other ideas on how to startup a permaculture farm without funds or have any other comments.

Thanks,
Albert

Hi Albert. Is this still something you are looking into? My partner and I are looking to do roughly the same.
Thanks
Helen

Hi Helen!
Yes, this is something that we're still looking into. Do you live in the area? It would be nice to meet up and talk about it.
I've actually lately seen more and more "affordable" properties, for example around Cártama that could be interesting.

Hi Albert and all!!
We are still in the uk raising funds to start our new adventure. I am planning on a visit this year as I know the prices online can be much higher, plus I really want to speak to people face to face.
I think for us we are more looking at owning our own land, and then working with others to grow cbd hemp, and also a few thc ones for our own personal use😉

I know people are looking for others to join their communities, which is great, and we'd be very keen as long as there is some seclusion, as I don't want to be in each others pockets..

If this is something you're interested in let me know!
Thanks
Helen

We're very open to suggestions on the type of collaboration/cooperation/etc we could take part of. We would also want to have our own living space, so that we can choose when to be alone and when not to.

Let us know when you're coming down and we can meet up and talk about potential collaboration or at least get to know a future neighbor.

There is a community of, mainly Spanish speaking, permies down here on the south coast. I'm in one facebook group for permies in Granada and one whatsapp group for Málaga. There are also a lot of cooperatives that you can be part of and sell your produce through. Let me know if you want to be added to any of those or have any other questions about the area. I don't know much but more than nothing 😅

Like others, I to am a long time lurker first time contributor.
The vision/dream I see you talking of is one my partner and I share.
For the last few years, we have been looking at ways of getting land in Southern Spain for projects similar to those mentioned and had hoped, along the way, to be part of a community of like minded folk.
Seems those folk may be here.
The shame is, we are just back from Spain and it will be a shile before we can get back, unless of course, some wonderful opportunity presented itself.

Good luck and I hope everything works out for you all.
k

Glad to hear that more people share our dream! Let us know when you're coming back and we'll be happy to meet up and talk about it!

Hi

My partner and I may interest.
Before meeting her,,
I researched CR in some depth
and befriended some beautiful folks
who are already living there
and folks who have in the past.
Receiving a more on hands review of the country and community from long times,
though mostly within the Diametre Valley general area.

CR is one country I/we are seriously considering, besides, Denmark and Portugal and...presently, Argentina.

A brief bio about myself...
so you have a foundation of who I am.
I always like laying things in clarity out on the table
and having others doing the same with me...
Then we also have a sense of the person and if we feel we would get on well or not.

MUTUAL RESPECT, constructive, open, direct and honest communication skills is absolutely essential
in any relationship I welcome into my life!

I grew up immersed in...
numerous aspects of
permaculture...
different types of eco housing, food forests, appropriate technology, etc

organics...
both working in retail produce and herbal department management for years,
and in being an organic grower of a huge diversity of edible and medicinal ethnobotanical plants for my own use,
for sale of the plants and seeds
and for harvesting and sales of the fruits, vegetables, etc.

natural health and healing,
meditation n chi gong - since I was 8 years old,
medicinal herbalist / ethnobotany (initially, I also included some intoxicant plants,
but left them all behind some years ago, very happily so)
/ wild crafting wherever I have traveled and lived,
massage therapist (12 types)
nlp / hypnotherapy, gestalt, nutrition, movement. etc...
and teach many of these too!

As do I teach aspects of permaculture,
indigenous living skills (survival skills), organics, etc

I also grew up with the respectful education system of Montessori, in its original form.

Always living as nature is my equal, guide, best friend and true home,
and happily re/learning the silent and sounded languages of nature,
etc

Active in my daily life caring for wild life and domesticated animals rescue and rehabilitation.
35 years + as a direct action Vegan / Animal and Nature Liberationist,
and other qualities which are intimately interwoven within my  (and our lives)
and have ever since worked within these fields or interests.

I will not limit myself and have no interests in doing so unto others
by societal stereotypes of what is masculine, feminine,
and this applies to what is...being white, black asian, african..
etc etc etc
I love knowing an individual for who they are for themselves!

I absolutely love being playful and multi creative,
multi instrumentalist, writing, movement, creating my own clothing, my own home, etc.
I would prefer to live in a world where everything is hand made.

I am seriously looking at a trip to CR finally.
as I cancelled two others when the CR person(s) renigged on their agreements
aka house/farm sitting.
I amy however head home to Europe to explore Denmark, Portugal and...

It all depends on what realities
actually manifest.

I am not into waisting money, time and energy
on traveling to some where
before really knowing the honest truth of what is happening now in some depth,
what is possible
and what is a pipe dream.

Ive grown successfully and sizeably, herb in the distant past,
and left it behind me years ago.
I do not smoke herb for many years.
It would cause hypoglycemic reactions and there is no reason to harm myself for it.
There are so many other absolutely wonderful natural highs for me in life
like being in love,
hiking. cycling, dancing, creating music, and meditation.
So, I would not participate in that project with you.

I need to go get supplies now before the stores close here in this northern Patagonian wee town
Originally started by 2 hippie communities in the earliest 70ties, as the story goes.

Hi Sheika Libre!
Thank you for taking an interest but I'm unsure if we're talking about the same country since you call it CR. We live in Spain.

Regards,
Albert

Alberto,

My apologies.

I had been writing to two different posts over a time
and a few things I cut and pasted,
so I did not have to write some of the same things twice,
whilst multi tasking as well.

I see I made the reverse error on the other post.
I place Spain on the other post
and CR for Costa Rica on my post to you.
Laughing lovingly at myself.

So, my letter to you was correct except for the CR rather then Spain.

I happily welcome hearing back from you.

Have a beautiful evening,

Jann

Hi there, I am in the Seville area of Spain, I am also intrested in doing such a project but like wise do not have the funds to get land. I have worked on several farms and permaculture projects as a volenteer in the last 4 years, including a couple of months at PermaPuebla. Depending on the land and the ground conditions there are many options for cash crops. The rent to buy idea is something I have been intrested in, but due to my poor Spanish finding recorces here is difficult for me intill my spanish improves.

For now I just have a small 10x10m allotment here in the city so at least I can continue growing some veg for myself and learn better the growing contitions here which are very different to growing in the UK. It´s giving me good experence in market garden style growing which is something that maybe linked with community supported agriculture (CSA) combined with rent to buy could help with funding the rest of the project. Even setting up some allotments to rent out could be another idea depending on the location. Around Seville there are several privete allotments that rent a 10x10 plot for 30 euros a month and a simular rent a chicken egg box scheme.

Well just a few idea that I have had, and a bit about me, have you had anymore luck yet finding anything?

Regards Njal

Hello Albert,

I have been quite busy in the beautiful development of my love relationship
with a woman who we are extra ordinarily in sync with what is most important to us within our lives,
including this way of living our lives,
and preparing to relocate and he research of where, thus, my postponement of my response.

I meant Spain when I wrote to you. I am seriously investigating 3 different countries of where I may move to, CR or costa rica is another.

I am interested in corresponding with you to learn specifics of what you wish to and are creating.

I also am interested i speaking with you Nial y Helen.


Have a positive and life affirming day,

Jann

I can be contacted directly via Wire or Telegram at +56 9 9297  8038
I am presently down in Argentina and leaving shortly

Nial Ragnarson wrote:Hi there, I am in the Seville area of Spain, I am also intrested in doing such a project but like wise do not have the funds to get land. I have worked on several farms and permaculture projects as a volenteer in the last 4 years, including a couple of months at PermaPuebla. Depending on the land and the ground conditions there are many options for cash crops. The rent to buy idea is something I have been intrested in, but due to my poor Spanish finding recorces here is difficult for me intill my spanish improves.

For now I just have a small 10x10m allotment here in the city so at least I can continue growing some veg for myself and learn better the growing contitions here which are very different to growing in the UK. It´s giving me good experence in market garden style growing which is something that maybe linked with community supported agriculture (CSA) combined with rent to buy could help with funding the rest of the project. Even setting up some allotments to rent out could be another idea depending on the location. Around Seville there are several privete allotments that rent a 10x10 plot for 30 euros a month and a simular rent a chicken egg box scheme.

Well just a few idea that I have had, and a bit about me, have you had anymore luck yet finding anything?

Regards Njal

Hi Nial! Thanks for taking an interest.
I've also seen a couple of those around here, and one really small one for senior citizens inside fuengirola. I've also thought about hosting a community garden like that, just need to find an affordable property near the city.

Here's a minor update of the project: We have started renting some land outside of Cartama. It is 7700 m² for 175€/month with around 100-150 orange trees, ~10 pomegranate bushes, a couple of mandarin trees and some grape vines. It hasn't been cared for in 10 years and all of the land needs some tough love. We're still discovering a lot about the land and experimenting some. It's fun and a great learning experience.

Albert Schapiro wrote:
Hi Nial! Thanks for taking an interest.
I've also seen a couple of those around here, and one really small one for senior citizens inside fuengirola. I've also thought about hosting a community garden like that, just need to find an affordable property near the city.

Here's a minor update of the project: We have started renting some land outside of Cartama. It is 7700 m² for 175€/month with around 100-150 orange trees, ~10 pomegranate bushes, a couple of mandarin trees and some grape vines. It hasn't been cared for in 10 years and all of the land needs some tough love. We're still discovering a lot about the land and experimenting some. It's fun and a great learning experience.

Thats great news, yes always a fun learning experence, is the whole area covered with trees or is there some open space for planting and growing some veg as well, or are you looking at growing between the trees. Did you find the land via an agent or where you able to find the land owner and directly contact them. Your a little far out for regular visits from here, on my budget at least, but would be nice to come and visit sometime and see what you have going on there. All the best with it in the mean time.

Nial Ragnarson wrote:
Thats great news, yes always a fun learning experence, is the whole area covered with trees or is there some open space for planting and growing some veg as well, or are you looking at growing between the trees. Did you find the land via an agent or where you able to find the land owner and directly contact them. Your a little far out for regular visits from here, on my budget at least, but would be nice to come and visit sometime and see what you have going on there. All the best with it in the mean time.

There is an area of perhaps 750 m² that we're going to grow veggies and other on.
We have started on one papaya circle, that we're going to grow papaya, sweet potatoes, water melon, cucumber and more on/in. We're also looking into growing between the trees to use the shade.

I found the land on idealista or milanuncios can't remember which. It's quite easy even though my Spanish still is quite terrible since most Spanish people use whatsapp, so there's a lot of google translate going on haha.

It would be great to have some visitors, just let me know when you want to come by!

Do you have connection to water? Is it agricultural or potable water? How much per cubic metre? Any restrictions on how much you can use?

Regards - Steve

Steve Farmer wrote:Do you have connection to water? Is it agricultural or potable water? How much per cubic metre? Any restrictions on how much you can use?

Regards - Steve

Hi Steve.
Yes we have 14h of water every other week during the summer, only during the winter if there’s a drought. It’s not potable and we still haven’t managed to connect it, it’s buried somewhere and we’ve tried to dig it up but still haven’t found the tube.

Hi Albert,

Hope all is well for you. I see your in the South of Spain, have you been affected by the fires? It looks terrible over in Tarragona, I pray all is well for the people there.

helen x

Albert Schapiro wrote:Hi everyone, first post here but I've been "stalking" the forum for a long time.

I and my family live in Fuengirola, Costa del Sol, moved down here from Sweden almost 2 years ago and we're looking to start a permaculture farm in the area.
We were wondering if there are more people interested in joining our venture.

We don't have enough funds to actually buy a large property at the moment. So we are looking into some other alternatives.
For example to find some large abandoned farm where the owner is nearing retirement and try to strike a deal where we rent to own. There are a lot of farms here that are going through a generation shift but no-one to take over.
There's an farm north of Almeria in the Tabernas desert, called the Perma Puebla Initiative, that has done something similar. They got a 200ha farm with a rent to own deal. They've chosen to grow CBD hemp as a cash crop on parts of the land to finance the restoration and purchase which is something we also could look into. I've been in contact with one of them and he mentioned that if we also grow CBD as a cash crop they could help us with some legalities and we could sell together in a coop to get better deals.

There are endless of possibilities but I think a project like this would benefit from several people going in as a group, working together from the start.

Let me know if you are interested in joining us, have any other ideas on how to startup a permaculture farm without funds or have any other comments.

Thanks,
Albert

Hi I am living in Torremolinos I am looking to start a farm myself also for little money I was looking into The Young Farmers Grant from the EU have you looked into this? My country is leaving the EU soon I hope being a Spanish resident will still make me entitled but we will see.

Anyway I would love to see if you have made any progress I know there are many rural repopulation schemes out there but I seem to get lost in a loop and not learn much at all.

Please let me know I would like to be a part of a community of like minded people.

Regards from Kai.

Hello
I am interested. Looking to join a community or help start a project in Europe. Here's a little bit about me: https://permies.com/t/97756/Single-woman-partner-group-start
I'd love to hear more about your plans. It looks like it's been a while since you originally posted.
Best
Emma

Hello fellow farmers!

I am a newbie to the culture, who is also starting a farm in Pizarra southern Spain.  I have 35000 metered squared (9 acres or 3 hectares) which is on a rent to buy for €500 per month with a nice little farmhouse and a goat paddock.  My interest is in growing CBD / hemp for medicinal purposes, as well as fruit, veg, spices, and produce.  I would love to talk to likeminded folk on this matter if the feed is alive a year later lol

Virtual hugs

Mz.

Hello,

My husband and i we are interested to start working on project to buy or loan a farm in Spain; we live in Canada (Montréal) we both working for the moment, we work in IT field; we are planning to retire from professional work and start something we like : Go back to land and live free, eating natural organic food and fruits.... we are still young (55 years & 46 years).
Please provide more details on your project.
Best Regards
Aziza Bouchara
azizabouchara@yahoo.ca

Hello to everybody who might read this!

By what I read in this thread, lots of people are interested in a homesteading and community project in Spain or the surrounding areas, and that's exactly what we're looking to start in the northern regions of Spain (Asturias and Cantabria)

The community would be structured in such a way that each "unit" or "family" would purchase and own their own plot of land (however big or small they want) in a rural area that has "spread out" properties and land, together forming an aggregate of like-minded people living together creating a community (but not in the sense of communal sharing)

Here below is the website, if this sounds interesting at all to any of you, please get in touch with us!

https://www.homestead.community/

If you use telegram and want to chat with us, here's a link: https://t.me/homesteadcommunity