History
Family portrait of previous inhabitants found at Can Barras.
1871-1960
According to the inscription above the entrance door, Can Barras, also known as Casa Nova, was built in 1871. The farm was on land called Sota la Quinta de mas Carrera. The owners farmed the fields and terraces on the slope behind the house. When tractors came to Spain, working small fields on slopes became unviable. The fields and terraces behind Can Barras slowly turned into forest.
The wedding of previous inhabitants in 1981.
1960-2014
Can Barras continued existing as a small, simple farm. The owners grew alfalfa on the two fields leading to the house as animal feed for cattle farmers in the area. A small bathroom was added to the back of the house. Cows and calfs had their quarters on the ground floor.
Can Barras in 2015.
2015
We bought Can Barras and slowly renovated it and planted the first trees for the forest garden just in front of the house.
Volunteers planting olive trees.
2019/20
We turned one of the fields leading up to the house into an olive grove with sea-buckthorn and autumn olives interplanted for nitrogen fixation.
The agroforestry system during planting.
2022/23
With the support of many generous donors, we converted the second field to an agroforestry system with olives and vines as the main crop species. The tree rows are planted along contour lines to retain water. We also adapted the first olive grove to follow contour lines, added a swale to catch water and mulched heavily to prevent evaporation. All this has been done with a coming hotter and drier climate in mind.