The Atelier do Vale Agroforestry, coordinated by Ary Lopes (Associação de Defesa do Património de Mértola - ADPM) and Ederley Rodrigues (Associação Agropecuária do Calhau e Madeiral - AAPCM), involved the Mulheres do Vale (Women of the Valley) group, who met regularly over one year at the Madeiral Agroecological Centre. Growing cotton was the common thread for learning and exchanging knowledge about agroforestry practices, soil regeneration and the relationships between different species. The work began with building compost piles to enrich the soil of the cotton plants and other crops, as well as the soil mixes used in the nursery. Throughout the sessions, the group also tried out pruning, grafting, irrigation, and the preparation and application of natural biopesticides.
The small greenhouse became a space for experimentation: it housed seedlings in trays, later transplanted into the ground, hosted trials of watering, mulching and natural plant protection, and inspired the group to start a seed bank.
Gradually, new species were reintroduced alongside the cotton plants, strengthening crop diversity and an agricultural practice adapted to the conditions of the territory.