Lars Wild - From acting in Berlin to regenerative farming
In the region of south-west Alentejo, there are a few names which circulate frequently when it comes to the topic of regenerative agriculture. One of those names is Lars Wild. He is a character that in the first time of meeting, it will become apparent where his passion and purpose is directed — in the trees, soil and biodiversity that he is cultivating with his syntropic agroforestry projects. Expressing a combination of eco-philosophy and a pragmatic approach towards land regeneration, Lars has created a unique approach which manages to deliver measurable results — not just from a depth of research, knowledge and experience, but also coming from a place of genuine love and pleasure for the work that he does.
“We didn’t learn in school how to trust the language of Nature.”
The philosophy that Lars embodies is that of fully trusting in the intelligence nature to offer the correct path forward. It is a philosophy of humility, a refreshing contrast to the anthropocentric worldview that is predominant in our world today — insisting that technology, industry and regulations will save us from the damage that we have collectively inflicted upon ourselves and the planet. It is an echo of the attitudes that are reflected in the culture of rural and alternative living that exists in Portugal — that self sufficiency and personal responsibility are essential qualities in order to create a regenerative future.
“When we have emotions of joy, emotions of pleasure, then we are acting from the right place.”
Perhaps one of the more surprising qualities of Lars is his emphasis on beauty and pleasure as a means of inspiring motivation to take action. It is a combination of both masculine and feminine qualities that can create outcomes which are truly balanced and holistic. It is an emphasis on the importance of being process-oriented as well as outcome-oriented. In our modern world, the presiding attitude is largely swung into masculinity to such extremes that it can often be harmful — examples shown through our extractive economical models, corporate structures and political ideologies. On a microcosmic level, this approach towards agriculture could be seen as a potential blueprint for the future — one that amplifies the importance of humility, beauty and most importantly, following the guidance and wisdom of nature.
