In 1996, Permaculture arrived for the first time at the Rio de la Plata with the visit of Max Lindegger, co-founder of Ecovillage Crystal Waters in Queensland, Australia. Max gave the first Permaculture Design Course at GAIA, located in Navarro, Buenos Aires Province.

People who still work in the field today and are widely recognized participated in this course. From Argentina: Jorge Belanko, Pablo Perret, Carlos Strawb, Gustavo Ramírez, and from Uruguay: Elda Villalba and Alejandro Fernández, among others. 

Immediately, Puerta'l Sur, a permaculture venture led by Elda in San Luis, Canelones Department, Uruguay, was born. This project included food production (garden, fruit trees, eggs, milk, yogurt, and meat). With an educational focus, they worked with school and high school groups, and the first Introductory Courses to Permaculture in Uruguay were also held.

Every month, "open door" days were held for the general public, where families, children, and young people participated. During these events, food from the place, known as "farmer's pot," was offered. It was shown that sustainable life in the countryside is possible.

Seeds were sown in many hearts that still fondly and emotionally remember that beautiful project. After 7 years, 2002 brought a great crisis and a tornado that destroyed part of the project, and Puerta'l Sur closed.

During the next 4 years, Elda participated in different experiences and teaching in Neuquen, Argentina, and Jerez, Spain. These years served as personal growth, training, and cultural recovery, preparing the ground to continue spreading the word in our country.

In 2006, Elda resumed teaching in Uruguay by conducting Residential Permaculture Design Courses at Tierra Comunal, Rocha.

The 12-day residential courses were held during Holy Week. These years have served as seedbeds where many people have awakened to consciousness and questioned what kind of life they want to lead. From these people, various projects have emerged that are working in different parts of Uruguay through Permaculture.

In 2011, the Permaculture Training Project began, located in the Sierras del León, 15 km from Aiguá, Maldonado.

With an educational spirit similar to Puerta'l Sur, the proposal to demonstrate the possibility of sustainable living from a holistic Permaculture approach was resumed.

Interns with a medium level of knowledge and experience who want to advance in this path are welcomed. "Open door" days, called Minkas, are also occasionally held, where participants share in an atmosphere of companionship and learning.

Today, the doors continue to open. More and more people are gathering and raising questions about how to return to a more meaningful life, a search for reconnection with our Being and what surrounds us.

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