Francisco Telles Varela

Francisco grew up in close connection with nature and animals during his childhood spent on his family farms in Alentejo (Portugal). This passion for nature, animals and global environmental fragility led him to study forest engineering and later to pursue a career in the field of biofuels, both on the research and business sides. Only a few years ago, after an aha moment about soil and regenerative agriculture, he decided to dedicate his life to regenerating agro-ecosystems.

Francisco works as a researcher and innovation manager in the regenerative agriculture on-farm research project KUHproKLIMA (Cow for the Climate) in Germany. His main research work aims to bridge the gap between science and practice. He works directly with farmers to create cost-effective solutions for practical farming challenges with a special focus on soil and plant health monitoring, microbiology analysis, composts/ferments and liquid extracts applications.

In Portugal, he is now also co-managing the conversion to regenerative organic of his family’s olive tree groves in the Avis region.

Francisco holds a BSc. Forest and Natural Resources Engineering (ISA-UL) and a MSc. Energy and Bioenergy (FCT-UNL). He is a Certified Lab Technician by Dr. Elaine Ingham’s Soil Food Web. His professional and personal interests led him to work with international and diverse teams in several countries like Malaysia, Australia, Netherlands, Germany and Portugal.

Speaks: Portuguese, English, Spanish and basic German.