About us

Mission

The Regeneration Academy is a foundation committed to educating, promoting, and researching about regenerative agriculture and land restoration in the south of Spain.

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.

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 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

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

ico-about--02

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

ico-about--04

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

ico-about--01

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
At the core of regenerative agriculture is the improvement of soil health. Practices such as cover cropping, no-till farming, and diverse crop rotations are employed to increase soil organic matter. This not only captures more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere but also improves the water retention capacity of the soil, reducing the need for artificial irrigation and fertilizers.
Regenerative agriculture encourages the diversity of plant and animal species on farms. This biodiversity fosters a balanced ecosystem, which can naturally control pest populations and improve crop yields.
Efficient water use is a hallmark of regenerative farming. By improving the organic matter in the soil, water infiltration and retention are enhanced, making farms more drought-resistant and less dependent on external water sources.
Livestock are integrated into the regenerative agriculture system in a way that mimics natural grazing patterns. This practice helps in nutrient recycling through animal wastes, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and enhancing soil fertility.
Regenerative agriculture also focuses on the economic stability and well-being of farmers. By reducing input costs and increasing crop resilience, it aims to provide more economic independence and sustainability for farmers.

Regenerative agriculture offers profound benefits for our planet and its people:

Combating climate change
By capturing carbon in the soil, regenerative practices can play a crucial role in mitigating global warming.
Healthier soils produce higher yields and more nutritious crops, contributing to better food security.
Diverse ecosystems are more robust and less susceptible to pests and diseases.
Lower input costs and enhanced farm productivity support more sustainable livelihoods for farmers.

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.

Team

Yanniek Schoonhoven

Director

Ten years of experience in startup building, and business development, and originally from a fourth-generation farmer’s family. He has developed and later sold Güeya, an outdoor brand, leveraging his expertise in storytelling and brand building. His professional journey includes significant roles in venture capital, where he served as an associate at Smart Agro Fund, focusing on agricultural technology investments.

Jacobo Monereo Bernabéu de Yeste

Co-Director

Ten years of experience in startup building, and business development, and originally from a fourth-generation farmer’s family. He has developed and later sold Güeya, an outdoor brand, leveraging his expertise in storytelling and brand building. His professional journey includes significant roles in venture capital, where he served as an associate at Smart Agro Fund, focusing on agricultural technology investments.

Jerónimo Romero

Head of Business Development

Ten years of experience in startup building, and business development, and originally from a fourth-generation farmer’s family. He has developed and later sold Güeya, an outdoor brand, leveraging his expertise in storytelling and brand building. His professional journey includes significant roles in venture capital, where he served as an associate at Smart Agro Fund, focusing on agricultural technology investments.

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. Additionally, she mentors student research and co-organizes the Research Program. She focuses on soil health and knowledge dissemination, cultivating a more resilient future for agriculture.

Janneke Enzerink

Research Program Lead

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. Additionally, she mentors student research and co-organizes the Research Program. She focuses on soil health and knowledge dissemination, cultivating a more resilient future for agriculture.
Scroll to Top