Owing to the hardships associated with a difficult physical relief and climate, many of the early poor suffered from a lack of foodstuffs. The region was dependent on the water mills to mill flour, and during the summer a lack of water meant that no milling occurred. Some innovative farmers constructed local mills, powered by oxen, horse or donkey that allowed them to mill grain or corn for their respective families or friends. The construction of windmills, particularly at Arrebentão permitted continuous milling, but dependent on wind.