About us
Mission
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The Regeneration Academy is dedicated to using education as a catalyst for land regeneration in the semi-arid landscapes of southern Spain. By offering courses, consultations, and opportunities for hands-on learning, we empower youth, entrepreneurs, farmers, and students to become leaders in regenerative agriculture and ecosystem restoration. Rooted within the regenerative farm of La Junquera, our academy serves as a hub for innovation and collaboration.
Here, we connect aspiring changemakers and researchers to develop solutions that breathe new life into the Spanish countryside. Through our collective efforts, we accelerate the transition towards a socially, ecologically, and economically vibrant future, where regenerative practices thrive and rural landscapes flourish for generations to come.
Vision
To become the hub in the Spanish countryside for individuals and organizations where they can learn to become innovators in the fields of regenerative agriculture and ecosystem restoration
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The Regeneration Academy envisions a future where the semi-arid landscapes of southern Spain thrive with biodiversity and vitality, setting an example for sustainable farming worldwide. Situated at the regenerative farm La Junquera, our academy serves as a hub of creativity and collaboration, bringing together young entrepreneurs, farmers, students, and academics to improve rural Spain.
By focusing on practical methods like cover cropping and keyline design, La Junquera has become a local leader in regenerative agriculture. Our goal is to share this knowledge globally, partnering with networks like the Lighthouse Farm Network to exchange ideas and establish academies worldwide.
Through our dedication to restoring nature and landscapes, we empower the next generation of agricultural leaders to tackle pressing challenges such as land degradation and water scarcity. Our mission is to build a sustainable future by educating, inspiring, and connecting individuals, fostering a network of knowledge and opportunity, and revitalizing rural communities through sustainable farming practices.
Together, we’re paving the way for a resilient, thriving future where regenerative agriculture flourishes, ensuring a brighter tomorrow for all.”
The Regeneration Academy envisions a future where the semi-arid landscapes of southern Spain thrive with biodiversity and vitality, setting an example for sustainable farming worldwide. Situated at the regenerative farm La Junquera, our academy serves as a hub of creativity and collaboration, bringing together young entrepreneurs, farmers, students, and academics to improve rural Spain.
By focusing on practical methods like cover cropping and keyline design, La Junquera has become a local leader in regenerative agriculture. Our goal is to share this knowledge globally, partnering with networks like the Lighthouse Farm Network to exchange ideas and establish academies worldwide.
Through our dedication to restoring nature and landscapes, we empower the next generation of agricultural leaders to tackle pressing challenges such as land degradation and water scarcity. Our mission is to build a sustainable future by educating, inspiring, and connecting individuals, fostering a network of knowledge and opportunity, and revitalizing rural communities through sustainable farming practices.
Together, we’re paving the way for a resilient, thriving future where regenerative agriculture flourishes, ensuring a brighter tomorrow for all.”
Our goals
Restore degraded farmland and natural areas while educating the generation of tomorrow
Reconnect young entrepreneurs and academics to the Spanish countryside where they can learn the tools to become innovators in the fields of regenerative agriculture and ecosystem restoration
Create a network of knowledge and human capital via our growing international and national network of knowledge institutes
Bringing back life to the countryside by inspiring future generations to develop sustainable agro-food businesses in rural areas
Support and guide young entrepreneurs as they are trained to begin their own startups in sustainable agri-food
What is regenerative agriculture
Regenerative agriculture is a holistic approach to farming and food systems that works with nature to enhance the health and vitality of the soil.
Unlike conventional agriculture, which often depletes soil nutrients and biodiversity through overuse and chemical inputs, regenerative agriculture seeks to strengthen the earth’s natural processes, resulting in more resilient ecosystems.

Key principles of regenerative agriculture
Soil health enhancement
Biodiversity
Water management
Integration of livestock
Farmer well being
Regenerative agriculture offers profound benefits for our planet and its people:
Combating climate change
Enhancing food security
Promoting biodiversity
Sustainable farmer livelihoods
Regenerative agriculture is not just farming
it’s a commitment to future generations and the health of our planet. By adopting these practices, we are taking steps towards a more sustainable and resilient agricultural system.

Team
Yanniek Schoonhoven
Director
Yanniek holds a master degree in Environmental Sciences and has worked with farmers throughout Southern Spain for over 2 years as part of Commonland and AlVelAl.
She also worked for AIESEC, an international youth leadership program that creates opportunities for
cross-cultural exchanges around the world. At the Regeneration Academy Yanniek is one of our experienced trainers and manages the international projects.
Jacobo Monereo Bernabéu de Yeste
Co-Director
Jacobo has an MBA in agribusiness and has more than 7 years of experience in the development of businesses in diverse companies like Microsoft, Cawley Farms, Biostevera and Aldi, offering a global and interdisciplinary business vision. Jacobo works with our rural entrepreneurs to help them develop their businesses, as well as with the Education Alliance.
Jerónimo Romero
Head of Business Development
+10 of experience in startup building, and business development. From a fourth-generation farmer’s family. He has developed and later sold Güeya, an outdoor brand. His professional journey includes roles in venture capital, where he served as an associate at Smart Agro Fund (Tel Aviv), focusing on agricultural technology investments, and beeing “Entrepreneur-in-residence” in Fresh Ventures (Rotterdam) for creating Manto Foods.
Clara Bosch
Research and Knowledge coordinator
With a background in Ecology and a master’s in Organic Agriculture, Clara currently coordinates EU-level research programs on our farms, such as BENCHMARKS and Climate Farm Demo. And she mentors student research and co-organizes the Research Program, focuses on soil health and knowledge dissemination.
Through her work, Clara hopes to contribute to the development of a more sustainable and resilient agricultural system.
Janneke Enzerink
Research Program Lead
With a background in Land- and Water Management, Janneke is currently pursueing her master’s in Resilient Farming and Food Systems at Wageningen University. She mentors student research and co-organizes the Research Program. Additionaly she focuses on knowledge dissemination. Her passion lies in education and communication, prerequisites for cultivating a more resilient future for agriculture.