Adilson Schultz is originally from Colatina, a city located in the Vale do Rio Doce region of the state of Espírito Santo. He came to Rio Grande do Sul to study, and it was during this time that he met his wife, Anete Roese. With a notable background in academia, the couple now lives on a small property nestled in the mountainous region of Linha São João, in the rural area of Salvador do Sul, where Anete was born and raised.

One day, the opportunity to become a member of the Ecocitrus Cooperative arose through the cooperative’s expansion plan. “We spent a long time looking for a way to make organic citrus production viable,” Adilson notes. “Joining the cooperative solved our main issue, which was ensuring the marketing of our production.”

Active in the group meetings organized by the cooperative, Adilson believes that without the help of fellow organic farmers, staying in the business would not be possible. “All the work relies on a three-legged stool: cooperativism, family farming, and ecology. These three things must walk together. But the most important of all is mutual support.”

The philosophy of agroecology deeply resonates with Adilson, who found in farming a practical way to apply his knowledge. From early on, Adilson knew he wanted to follow the ecological principles of Ana Primavesi — whose works rest on a shelf in their living room. Alongside them are books by Rudolf Steiner on biodynamic agriculture and guides on beekeeping practices.

Though it's been less than a decade since they began working with citrus, Adilson and Anete's property is already certified by the State Department of the Environment as an Agroforestry System. They are now on the path toward Demeter certification. “It’s the result of a responsible attitude toward producing healthy food, paying attention to every detail, and working in harmony with all living beings,” Adilson concludes.