In 1988, Renato dos Santos Moreira and his family joined a rural encampment, determined to pursue their dream of securing a piece of land. With six children and a seventh on the way, they refused to move to the city and instead embraced a life rooted in the countryside. Coming from a background of traditional agriculture, the family had never used pesticides, relying instead on natural methods. When they finally secured their land, they organized their production to sustain themselves, cultivating fruit trees, vegetables, grains, and cereals, which provided abundant food for the family. Their monthly income comes from pasture-raised dairy production, while the once-degraded soil—damaged by years of extensive grazing—has gradually recovered through careful management.

Today, the property includes 7 hectares of preserved native forest and 2 hectares of thriving agroforestry systems, reflecting their dedication to ecological restoration. The land now supports three families, yet the healthy food they produce is directly shared with eight families. Education has always been a priority for Renato, who proudly witnessed his children’s academic achievements: a daughter graduating as an agronomist in 1997, another as a social worker in 1999, a son becoming a cooperative management technician in 1999, another becoming a workplace safety technician in 2005, and a geographer in 2008. One of his sons chose to stay on the farm, dedicating himself to rural life, while the youngest daughter is currently studying physical education at university. Through their journey, the family demonstrates how a connection to the land, sustainable practices, and access to education can create a life of dignity, abundance, and community.