ABOUT US
La Loma Viva (The Living Hill) is a non-profit Foundation and 15 hectare farm on the coast of Granada, southern Spain. It lies on the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, overlooking the Mediterranean sea.
Since 2009 we have been researching and implementing various agro-ecological strategies, to find solutions for degraded Mediterranean landscapes. Permaculture Design was applied to the planning and layout of the farm - including renewable energy, water harvesting systems and energy efficient buildings.
La Loma Viva has been running educational programmes since 2012 and has hosted many leading practitioners and international teachers in the field of permaculture and regenerative agriculture.
Our current focus is researching and developing Syntropic Farming in a Mediterranean context - with the aim of facilitating ecosystem regeneration through agroforestry.
We hold workshops in permaculture, syntropic farming and related topics.
We offer private consultations (both online and on site), syntropic and permaculture design, landscaping and other services.
La Loma Viva is also a Retreat Centre, which is available to hire for workshops, classes and fully catered residential retreats. Now also opening for holiday rentals.
The Team
The La Loma Viva project was started by Karen and Ryan (originally from South Africa), when they relocated to rural Spain in 2009. It has since evolved into the La Loma Viva Foundation, where they serve as trustees. During that time the project has called on them to fulfil many functions and occupy various niches in the ecosystem. They have personally designed and implemented all of the systems and infrastructure on the farm, along with the day to day management and activities of fully off-grid living. Additionally, Ryan and Karen oversee all administrative tasks and organise the workshops and retreats. They love to share their experience with others through their teaching and consulting, promoting ways to be resilient and engage in positive actions in a challenging and changing climate.
