Stories from the field – Teresa Fernández Teruel

She was also a founding member of the Association of Organic Producers and Consumers “Segura Ecológica” and the Organic Oil Group “Oleaí,” although she is no longer part of this association. In recent years, she milled her olives at the Oleofer oil mill where the olive oil produced is bottled under the brand “Tierra de Tavara.” By using this brand, she sells her olive oil to a trusted community made up of family, friends, and consumer groups. She markets her organic olive oil according to her own cost analysis, ensuring that all expenses, including her own work, are covered. Throughout her career as a farmer, in addition to managing her own farm, she has helped and advised other professionals in the sector, promoting sustainable practices and recognizing the importance of soil health.

• What are the main threats that you as a farmer identify in the soil of your olive grove?

The main threats I perceive in my olive grove are erosion, due to the steep slope of my mountainous terrain; drought, as rainfall is scarce and aquifers are drying up because more and more water is being extracted from lower levels; and the high costs of organic soil management.

• How do these threats/issues affect the management of the farm and the production of your olive grove?

Erosion forces us to maintain the plant cover, which entails high costs in high-mountain olive groves, as it can only be managed with manual brush cutters rather than machinery, making it both physically and economically demanding. Drought reduces production and significantly increases fertilization costs. Finally, high costs pose a clear and direct threat to the profitability of the farm.

• What measures/practices have you carried out so far to solve the mentioned issues? Were they successful?

Since 2008, we have practiced organic farming, and more recently, we have incorporated regenerative practices, adding biodynamic and microorganism-rich preparations to the soil to enhance its ability to provide nutrients to the olive trees. We are satisfied with these measures, as specialists in the field have confirmed that our soil contains the highest possible amount of organic matter given the terrain’s slope and our climate conditions.

There is little we can do about drought since our olive grove is rain-fed. Regarding high costs, we market our oil based on our own cost analysis to ensure at least that all expenses and work are covered.

• What are your main needs to better understand the health of your farm’s soil in order to improve it?

My situation differs from that of other farmers because I have extensive knowledge of soil health, so I am aware of its threats and how to address them. In my case, I might need to invest more in soil analysis to monitor its evolution. However, since this is an organic farm, I do not always prioritize such monitoring tasks. Instead, I observe the increasing diversity of plant cover and the overall health of the olive trees. It would be beneficial if the authorities showed greater concern for soil health and monitored its quality in the same way they do for water.

In general, I believe that extensive literacy on soil health is essential for farmers and society.