Arnaldo Llerena
Founder
Retired doctor and a pioneer of organic farming in Spain since the 1990s. He organises courses with Spanish and international experts in sustainable and regenerative agriculture.
How a family farm became three brands
It started with two doctors who wanted to grow food the organic way.
How it started
Arnaldo Llerena, a doctor specialising in rehabilitation, discovered sustainable agriculture through permaculture and soon began organising courses to share it.
With his wife Beatriz Cárdenas, a paediatrician, he bought a finca in Bétera and has farmed it organically ever since.
The farming side became EkkoFood. Their children Beatriz and José joined, the finca began hosting retreats as EkkoRelax, and it now welcomes day visitors through EkkoFarm.
“Transform agriculture towards a more ecological, regenerative and accessible model.”
Timeline
1990s
Permaculture
Arnaldo starts learning about sustainable agriculture through permaculture.
1996
First course
He organises the first intensive permaculture course in Firgas, Gran Canaria, with Richard Wade and Inés Sánchez.
1999
The finca
Arnaldo and Beatriz buy 30,000 m² of land in Bétera, near Valencia.
2000
Organic certification
The farm receives official organic agriculture certification.
2025
Slow Farm
EkkoFood joins the international Slow Food movement.
Today
Three brands
EkkoFood, EkkoFarm and EkkoRelax all operate from the finca.
What guides our work
- Farm regeneratively
- We aim to leave the soil in better condition each year and to depend less on external inputs.
- Cook what we grow
- Produce from our fields goes to the EkkoFarm kitchen and onto every retreat table.
- Share what we learn
- Courses and workshops pass on what we have learned on this land to other farmers and visitors.
- Follow the seasons
- What we grow, cook and offer changes with the harvest.
The family
The people behind all three brands.
Beatriz Cárdenas
Co-founder, nutrition and kitchen
Former paediatrician and a very good cook. She now works on nutrition and organic agriculture applied to healthy eating, and plans the farm's menus.
Beatriz Llerena
Co-founder, strategy and guests
Coordinates operations across Ekko Group and welcomes guests at the finca. She has a background in project management and speaks English, Spanish and German.
José Llerena
Co-founder, production and maintenance
Runs production and maintenance from the fields to delivery, including the 500 organic pomegranate trees.
Our three brands
Visit each brand to see what is on.
Plan a visit
Book a day at EkkoFarm, a course with EkkoFood or a retreat with EkkoRelax.