Fazenda Três Meninas: Coffee, regeneration and purpose

Managed by Marcelo and Paula, Fazenda Três Meninas is a Brazilian coffee farm that embodies the importance of gender equity in rural leadership.  

“We chose to adopt a process-based agriculture, guided by a systemic and holistic vision to ensure the long-term viability of our business. Our goal is to build a more balanced and resilient farm, deeply connected to its surrounding ecosystem. Regenerative agriculture is the cornerstone of this transformation.  

Fazenda Três Meninas is driven by two core purposes: 

  1. To produce high-quality specialty coffees that generate positive environmental and social impact. 
  1. To apply, generate and share knowledge to inspire and support other producers. 

Regenagri has played a vital role in this journey. Its certification process brings credibility and transparency to the entire coffee value chain; from the farm to the final cup. We chose Regenagri because of its integrity, technical expertise and alignment with our values. 

Transitioning to regenerative agriculture in a tropical climate came with major challenges — especially the lack of integrated research. We invested significant efforts into studying cover crops, pest and disease control, soil fertility, biodiversity, soil conservation and tree planting, and integrating these practices into our production system. Every step brought new learning and reinforced our commitment to continuous improvement. 

If we had to highlight one key outcome, it would be the increased availability of water on the farm. Over the years, through regenerative practices — particularly effective soil protection — we began to retain more water, even during severe droughts. Water availability directly strengthens the environmental, economic, and social pillars of our farm. 

One of the most important lessons learned is that integrating farm management with the broader landscape makes a significant difference in the success of the transition. 

Today’s consumers demand more than just quality; they want to know who produced their coffee, how it was grown, and what impact it had. Regenagri’s certification helps us tell this story with confidence. A great example is illycaffè’s launch of the world’s first regeneratively certified coffee — produced in the Cerrado Mineiro region. 

To fellow producers who haven’t yet begun their regenerative journey, our advice is this: start by learning. Apply one technique in a small area, monitor the results, and scale gradually. Take it step by step; this way, you minimise risks and ensure a balanced, profitable transition. 

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