By Meagan Burns
Farming has always been a foundation of human survival, but recently, the agricultural landscape has shifted dramatically. Rising costs, climate challenges, and evolving consumer expectations mean that farms must adapt or risk disappearing. At Cañada de la Virgen, we’ve embraced this challenge by creating more opportunities to experience the ranch. Our mission is not only to sustain the land but also to create experiences that bring people closer to nature.
One of the more entertaining ways we achieve this is through our farm-to-table Asado Sessions at our outdoor dining space. These gatherings are more than just a meal; they create streams of sustainability—financially, socially, and ecologically. By opening our gates to the public, we offer opportunities to experience the magic of the ranch: to breathe in the sweeping landscape and enjoy the food created right here.
Financial Sustainability Through Community Support
Farming in Central Mexico is no small feat, especially when you’re committed to regenerative practices. Unlike industrial farms, which rely on synthetic inputs and monoculture crops, we invest in methods that prioritize the health of our soil, water, and livestock. This includes planting over 60,000 native agave plants to combat desertification, producing agave silage to feed our cattle sustainably, and crafting artisanal products like Mata de Monte, our regenerative agave destilado.
While these practices are beneficial, they’re also slow-moving and costly. Community events provide a vital revenue stream that helps bridge the gap. Our quarterly Asado Sessions, hosted in partnership with a rotation of guest chefs and local businesses, brings guests to our nature reserve to enjoy a specialty meal featuring our grass-finished beef and Mata de Monte. These events not only support our operations but also uplift local businesses.
Building Awareness and Advocacy
One of the biggest challenges we face is helping people understand what regenerative farming truly means. It’s not just about avoiding pesticides or growing “healthy” food; it’s a holistic approach that restores ecosystems, combats climate change, and nurtures communities. However, for many, these concepts can feel abstract or overwhelming.Farm issues are complex, and for some, rather boring —the idea of creating and sustaining a regenerative farm. But by experiencing the land, eating the food, and drinking the agave, you are immediately connected to the land, and ideally, demystifying the concept of regenerative farming. In my case, this connection has made me more obliged to care for the farm and I'm also more in awe of it. Sharing the farm’s stories and making them digestible for others is something I love to do. It’s good to be connected to a farm or farming in 2025.
Offering Digital Detoxand Healing Experiences
Cañada de la Virgen is a remote location—a sanctuary where guests can escape the noise of modern life. With no WiFi service, the ranch provides the perfect environment for a digital detox. Our casitas, nestled along the Virgen River, offer a tranquil space to reconnect with nature. Guests find peace in walking the river, listening to the symphony of birds, drinking the pristine water, and taking in the serene landscapes, oftentimes, by horseback. This unique setting also makes the ranch an ideal venue for healing retreats. The ranch’s serene environment creates a deep sense of restoration and renewal for a yoga weekend, mindfulness retreat or writing workshop.
In 2024, Cañada de la Virgen became Mexico’s first Certified Wildlife Friendly® Reserve, a prestigious designation that acknowledges our dedication to biodiversity conservation and sustainable land management. This recognition highlights the ecological importance of our work and adds another layer of significance to every visit and event at the ranch.
A Vision for the Future
Farming is about stewardship—caring for the land so it can care for us. Cañada de la Virgen is honored to be part of this tradition, and we’re thrilled to share it with you. Whether you’re able to attend a farm-to-table event, stay at one of our casitas, purchase our nose-to-tail products, or simply help spread the word, you’re helping keep this vision of stewardship alive.
As we move into 2025, we want to thank you for your support and also invite you to join us at the ranch—to disconnect from the digital world, reconnect with nature, and be part of something meaningful. The future is now, and together, we must act to sustain it.
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