About US
Our Story
Regener8 Farm emerged as an idea proposed by Centner Academy founders and became a working reality in November of 2021. The farm is developing quickly, providing food for Centner Academy schools and now to the general community. There are currently 3 plots producing vegetables with additional items coming from the hydroponics operation. R8 harvests for the Centner Academy schools, CSA members, farmer's market and wholesale buyers. Summer 2023 marked the beginning of R8 attending Legion Park Farmers’ Market every Saturday from 9 am -2 pm. R8 brings farm fresh produce, farm fresh eggs and honey to the farmers’ market. Additionally, Keez Beez keeps their bees onsite where they harvest the R8 honey.
The newest addition to the project is the aquaculture operation where R8 farms thousands of tilapia and soon shrimp trout and bass. R8 aims to be a model of regenerative agriculture, ethical and holistic farming and to provide reliable nutrient-dense foods. Also keeping close to heart the goal of being an agro-ecology educational hub for youth and people of all ages.
Regener8 Team
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David Centner
Founder, Regener8 Farm and Retreat
A Miami-native serial tech entrepreneur and the co-founder of Regener8 Farm and Retreat, David is interested in healing the world through providing therapeutic spaces, spiritual and community events, and the purest quality fresh produce. -
Leila Centner
Co-Founder, Regener8 Farm and Retreat
Founder of Centner Academy, a globally minded K-12 school in Miami, Leila is co-founder of Regener8 Farm and Retreat. She is passionate about providing the most nutritious food to Centner Academy students directly from the farm, and educating youth to be spiritually connected, entrepreneurial, and in touch with nature. -
Thais Thiesen
General Manager, Regener8 Farm and Retreat
Thais has been involved with the vision for Regener8 since its onset, bringing with her two decades of experience in regenerative design, permaculture, market gardening and community-based projects. Her goal in this project is to create an environment that is not only beautiful but also productive, educational, and regenerative. -
Alicia del Aguila
Farm Manager, Regener8 Farm and Retreat
Alicia is dedicated to contributing to the education of the next generation, focusing on topics like regenerative agriculture, wellness, fostering healthier eating habits, and nurturing a connection to nature.
Our Practices
The farm practices a minimum-till to no-till approach. Practicing no-till or minimum till brings an incredible amount of benefits to the environment, the farmer and the quality of the food. No-till keeps the organic matter in the soil undisturbed, preserving its structure and preventing soil erosion. It also increases the ability for the soil to hold moisture. Therefore, any application of fertilizer will be held in the soil rather than be washed away and polluting other areas. The organic matter, when kept undisturbed, builds up its "Soil Food Chain," in which all the fungi, insects, organisms, and microorganisms that naturally live in the soil can function properly to support the growth of healthy roots, fruits and leaves.
When every part of the "Soil Food Chain" is working together, the effects show on the plants because they grow healthier, more vibrant, and larger, and the plants’ nutritional value is heightened. When tilling an area, the organisms become exposed to sunlight which destroys them and displaced from their natural habitat, and that is one reason why tilling an area is harmful to soil health.
The other negative aspects of tilling include that weed seeds get reseed into the soil! And no farmer likes dealing with weeds over and over... Although weed management strategies is another subject to talk about in a no-till or minimum till farm, the bottom line is that the less disturbed the soil, the less weed pressure. Tilling also reduces carbon sequestration. The more soil is exposed to oxygen, the more carbon dioxide is produced. A no-till approach reduces the amount of times soil is exposed to oxygen, leading to more carbon sequestration and reduction in greenhouse gasses.
Our hens are free range. They are raised by R8 farmers from the time they are chicks and they grow up roaming freely in a safely guarded space. The hens eat high-quality feed that is non-GMO and free from corn and soy. The hens receive natural supplements and special weekly care that keeps them healthy and strong.