# Madrid farmer's refusal to sell agricultural land

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/madrid-farmers-refusal-to-sell-agricultural-land
> Updated: 2026-09-04T14:54:29.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2.

Cristian González Atena, a farmer in the Sierra de Madrid region of Spain, has declined a €700,000 offer to sell his 10-acre farm in Bustarviejo. The offer, which was intended to facilitate the conversion of the land into an event space, represented a significant increase over his original purchase price of approximately €38,000.

Atena has prioritized agricultural preservation and the cultivation of plant biodiversity over the financial gain. He manages a collection of over 3,000 plant varieties, including more than 210 rare or old species of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. To support this work, he has invested in infrastructure such as solar-powered irrigation and water storage.

Despite facing environmental challenges, including hailstorms that nearly caused farm failures, Atena has maintained operations through crowdfunding. He continues to supply produce to local residents and high-end establishments, citing a desire to leave a legacy for his family and humanity through the preservation of seed collections.

## Claims

- Cristian declined a 700,000 euro offer to sell his land. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The farm is located in Bustaviejo, in the Sierra de Madrid region of Spain. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The property is situated at an altitude of 1,300 meters. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Cristian purchased the land over ten years ago for approximately 38,000 euros. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The farm survived two near-failures caused by hailstorms through crowdfunding. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-04: Spanish farmer refuses 700,000 euro offer to sell land

A Spanish farmer in Sierra de Madrid has refused a 700,000 euro offer to sell his land, citing a commitment to family legacy and seed preservation.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spanish-farmer-refuses-700000-euro-offer-to-sell-land

### 2026-08-12: Madrid farmer rejects €700,000 offer to preserve plant biodiversity

Farmer Cristian González Atena rejected a €700,000 offer for his 10-acre Madrid farm to continue preserving over 3,000 plant varieties and cultivating diverse crops.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/madrid-farmer-rejects-700000-offer-to-preserve-plant-biodiversity

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Cite as: Madrid farmer's refusal to sell agricultural land. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/madrid-farmers-refusal-to-sell-agricultural-land