EP10 - Soil, memory and future

Episode 10 is live! The first episode recorded on video and in Spanish (With English subtitles)

We speak with David López—researcher, educator, local guide, and someone deeply connected to the landscapes of northwestern Murcia, Spain.

David joins us to reflect on his work in the soil sampling campaign of the European project GOV4ALL, which promotes sustainable land use through Living Labs in Spain, France, and Greece. But this episode goes far beyond data. We dive into the emotional and cultural depth of a region where traditional dryland farming still holds on, despite growing economic, social, and environmental pressures.

"These aren't just data points. They're places. And many of them are tied to personal memories and shared community histories."

We talk about what it means to reconnect with a land that has always been home—but now is seen as a system in crisis.

"Many farmers are simply trying to survive in a system that rewards yield, not care. The pressure to keep producing—at any cost—prevents them from thinking long term."

Still, there's a spark. David shares stories of traditional knowledge that live on among older generations:

"A farmer told me how they used wild plants to irrigate melons. It was a technique, yes—but also a cultural code. An ecological memory."

We also reflect on emotional attachment to land, and how farmers' perceptions shift when they realise their traditional practices help conserve rare endemic species:

"They feel proud. That pride can be a powerful force—it turns restrictions into care."

When asked whether regenerative agriculture can take root in these territories, David is clear:

"It won't happen unless its value is recognised—economic, social, and cultural. If we don't connect regeneration with local autonomy and dignity, it'll remain a theory."

This episode is a conversation about soil—but also about erosion: of land, of knowledge, of community ties. And about what it takes to rebuild from the ground up.

"We're trying to revive a model of agriculture that nourishes not only the land, but also the people who live on it."

📺 Watch the episode on Spotify or YouTube.