Cañada de la Virgen: Regenerative Ranching Practices

Published January 9, 2025

By Meagan Burns.

Regenerative agriculture is a global movement, but at Cañada de la Virgen, it’s been a way of life for over 25 years. This 17th-century ranch, set in Central Mexico’s arid terrain, is a model of sustainability, blending tradition and innovation to restore the health of its land, livestock, and community.

Restoring the Land with Agave

One of the ranch’s most transformative efforts is its agave reforestation program. Over 60,000 native agave plants have been cultivated, a key step in reversing desertification and addressing water scarcity. Using a system called Agavesse, agaves are planted along keyline berms that harvest rainwater and enrich the soil. This symbiotic relationship between agave, water, and soil microorganisms has revitalized degraded land with minimal water use, creating healthier soil and natural reforestation.

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