Context and purpose
Horta del Rajolar is a community space of reference in agroecological production in the province of Castellón that has been operating since 2018 and that integrates environmental education, social development and cultivation of local vegetables on farms in custody.
Since January 2025, with the support of the Daniel and Nina Carasso Foundation, this space incorporates a program of Test Space Designed for to facilitate real experimentation in agricultural activity for people without a family history in the sector. This approach responds to structural challenges in the Spanish countryside, such as the ageing of the agricultural population and barriers to access to land and professional activity.
Methodology and activities
The project offers a legal, logistical and training support structure that combines several elements: legal coverage to define labor and tax responsibilities; access to land and facilities; specialized training and personalized technical support; and governance spaces with the people involved in the project. This structure allows agricultural activities to be tested in real conditions before a possible definitive incorporation into the sector.
The initiative is also articulated with events, practical workshops and recognition processes that make emerging experiences and practices in the field of agroecology visible. Related activities include workshops on bioengineering techniques and training meetings that connect participants with professionals and agents in the territory.
Partnerships and governance
The execution of the project is carried out in collaboration with the Novessendes Civic Foundation, promoter of the physical space and local accompaniment, and with the Network of Agricultural Test Spaces (RETA), at the state level, which supports the creation and consolidation of similar initiatives in other regions of Spain. RETA provides support and resources to facilitate the progressive incorporation of new agents into the agricultural sector and promote the diversification of professional profiles in the field.
Contributing to sustainable food systems
The Horta del Rajolar Agricultural Test Space is aligned with sustainable food principles, combining local food production with practices that respect biodiversity and the territory. The initiative favours professional diversification in rural areas, supports agroecological entrepreneurship models and strengthens mechanisms that contribute to local development, the improvement of consumption habits and the revitalization of the rural environment.