Spain

The Living Lab

The Living Lab (LL) of Spain will focus on innovative agri-food initiatives led by women in uninhabited rural territories in the north of the country. The main reason why this topic has been chosen is related to the wide-ranging opportunities offered by the agricultural and livestock sectors as key elements in territorial development, food production, and economic and social revitalisation.

From this point of view, women play a crucial role in rural areas, from economic, social and environmental perspectives, contributing to settling population in the countryside. Their ability to lead innovative initiatives has an impact on wealth and job creation, and contributes to the production of sustainable food in line with the European Farm to Fork Strategy and the Green Deal. This reflects the strength that collaborative work and the interrelationships between university/business/organisations represent.

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Meet our women innovators

Lucía Velasco

Cattle farmer

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Lucía Velasco
Cattle farmer

The meat produced is of high quality because my animals graze on the lush mountain pastures, and at the same time we contribute to preventing depopulation and take care of creating and preserving landscapes. I am a livestock farmer driven by passion, and my activity revolves around keeping an ancient tradition alive, that of the transhumant Vaqueira culture, adapting it to the times we live in.
 
Furthermore, I pursue other social objectives such as cooperativism, association, education, and promoting leadership among women in the agricultural sector. I raise awareness of the traditional Vaqueira culture and rural women through my participation in social networks, media, and other events.



Marta Llorente

Pig farmer

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Marta Llorente
Pig Farmer

I manage a family-owned intensive white coat pig fattening farm for 2,000 head, in an integrated system located in Zazuar (Burgos). We follow the One Health strategy, where we use antibiotics rationally, using as much as necessary, but as little as possible. I believe that training is essential for innovation and continuous improvement on my farm.
 
Additionally, we have an extensive dryland farming operation with 60 hectares of crops, mainly cereals in rotation with oilseeds or legumes, and alfalfa under irrigation. Finally, we cultivate 20 hectares of vineyards for wine production under the Ribera del Duero Designation of Origin, with century-old vineyards, young vines, and newly planted vineyards. We practise traditional agronomic management, but we are transitioning to not using herbicides.

Laura Polo

Chicken farmer

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Laura Polo
Chicken farmer

I manage Granja Pepin, a family-owned and artisanal free-range chicken farm located in Alba de Cerrato (Palencia). There is a total of 1800 chickens on 12,200 square meters of pasture and trees, allowing them to live comfortably.

Their diet is based on high-quality grains and supplemented with vegetables from our garden and local producers in the area. The distribution of eggs is based on a circular, local, and km0 economy, helping to reduce intermediaries and, in turn, the carbon footprint.
 
Furthermore, we contribute to social values by attracting tourism to our area, allowing visitors to experience first-hand how our chickens live. We give talks at schools and assist other new entrepreneurs, serving as an inspiration to newcomers.

María José Velilla

Sheep farmer

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María José Velilla
Sheep farmer

Our family sheep farm is located in Alfamen (Zaragoza). It’s an extensive livestock operation, which means that the sheep graze outdoors every day, utilising the natural resources of the land, cleaning the forests, and helping to prevent wildfires. The animals belong to the Rasa Aragonesa meat sheep breed, from which we produce Ternasco de Aragón, a sustainable, tasty and pink-coloured meat.
 
I belong to a cooperative and I´m a member of the executive board. I believe in the cooperative system as a fundamental way to manage my farm, introduce innovations, and receive support.

Amada Salas

Food farmer

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Amada Salas
Food Farmer

I am the owner of a dryland cereal farming operation and a vineyard located in Dueñas (Palencia). Additionally, I manage the family winery where we transform our grapes and sell wine directly. My main responsibilities include task planning, personnel coordination, and winery management. Within the winery, I handle tasks related to oenological decision-making and wine tastings, as well as providing personalised attention to wine tourism visitors.
 
With our wines, we have achieved national and international awards that have recognised the high quality of our wines with the Cigales Designation of Origin. These accolades acknowledge our five-generation legacy of preserving old vineyards and crafting wines in a traditional family underground cellar.

Ana María Olmo

Food farmer

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Ana María Olmo
Food Farmer

I am a farmer in Collazos de Boedo (Palencia), a small village in depopulated Spain. I manage a dryland cereal farm and a small irrigated plot where I mainly grow potatoes, legumes, and onions. I strive to work sustainably, practising no-till farming and investing in digitalisation to optimise time and resources.
 
In addition to being a farmer, I am also a beekeeper. Year by year, I increase the number of beehives and am on the path to professionalisation. I primarily produce honey and propolis, sell bee colonies, and collaborate with an association of beekeepers, where I provide training courses for those starting in the field.
 
I was raised in a rural environment, and after several years of university education, I have decided that my place is in the countryside, where I want to work for what truly fulfils me.

Pilar Monferrer

Food farmer

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Pilar Monferrer
Food Farmer

I am the owner of the family farm located in Jorcas (Teruel), a small municipality in one of the most depopulated areas of Spain, with the challenges that this entails. Our primary activity revolves around dryland cereal farming, supplemented by the cultivation of oilseeds. For the past few years, a small part of our farm has been dedicated to organic farming, including cereal cultivation.
 
I am a member of a provincial cooperative, which streamlines our administrative work, helps manage crop sales, and provides us with input supplies.

Silvia González

Food farmer

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Silvia González
Food Farmer

I am a farmer by vocation, and I undertake all the tasks involved in dryland farming of wheat, barley, peas, and sunflowers in the small village of Villaconancio (Palencia). My university education has been my greatest ally in being able to carry out my work and manage this small agricultural operation.
 
I embrace technological innovations applied to machinery for various agricultural tasks. Furthermore, I consider it vital to have knowledge of the life cycles of different plant varieties that best adapt to my plots, as well as the application of the most appropriate treatments for their development in the most favourable manner, always while respecting the environment.