Guidance for Creating Landowner Profiles

Nathaniel Ortiz Albino & Luz N. Sierra

Finca Calichi / Café de Reyes – Adjuntas, Puerto Rico

Making the connection: Heriberto Martínez Méndez, mYo/Asekia’s chief agronomist in Puerto Rico, who is a farmer and forest landowner and leads landowner outreach efforts on the island, met Nathaniel and Luz at agricultural meetings and had also participated in the same programs for farmers with them years before. 

Nathaniel Ortiz Albino and his wife, Luz N. Sierra, who began to actively participate in mano-Y-ola/Asekia’s Hispanic Forest Landowners Outreach pilot program in Puerto Rico in 2023. At their farm, Finca Calichi, located in the mountainous region of Adjuntas, they practice sustainable agriculture to grow a diverse range of crops, including vanilla beans, shade-grown coffee, and citrus fruits. 

During two site visits, Heriberto collaborated closely with Nathaniel and Luz to:

• Complete an in-depth landowner survey.

• Capture aerial drone images of the land, share them with the landowners, and discuss resource concerns, possible planting opportunities, and conservation practices that could be implemented. 

• Share Spanish-language fact sheets on NRCS forest conservation practices.

• Listen deeply to the couple’s aspirations, challenges, and concerns related to their land.

In 2024, Luz and Nathaniel participated in all 10 monthly workshops provided by mYo/Asekia. These interactive sessions explored topics such as bat conservation, agroforestry, the importance of pollinators, and fruit tree propagation. To facilitate communication with all 50 of the program participants, including Luz and Nathaniel, Heriberto added all participants to a WhatsApp group. He used the WhatsApp group to share information about each of the upcoming workshops, which took place once a month on Saturday mornings from February to November. Many of the workshops were held on the farms of program participants, creating an opportunity for participants to share their knowledge as well as to exchange ideas and experiences. The workshops also enabled participants to gain hands-on experience in practices such as fruit tree grafting and bat box construction that they could implement on their lands. 

At the final workshop and program celebration, which included a resource fair for program participants, mYo/Asekia honored Luz and Nathaniel with an award acknowledging their exceptional commitment. All participants received a certificate to celebrate their participation in the program. Representatives from a variety of agencies and other entities that specialize in agricultural services and natural resource management attended the resource fair, where they shared valuable information and personalized advice with program participants. 

Additionally, all participants received a copy of mYo/Asekia’s booklet, Our Forest, Our Legacy. This bilingual booklet contains brief, easy-to-read descriptions of 17 different NRCS conservation practices that can enhance forest conservation and accompanying hand-drawn illustrations of each practice. 

Throughout the program, Heriberto centered landowners’ needs and goals. He maintained consistent and open communication with Luz, Nathaniel, and the rest of the participants, helping to build trust and create a sense of community that was strengthened by the opportunity to connect in-person at interactive workshops. 

When mYo/Asekia’s communications staff visited Luz and Nathaniel in November along with Heriberto, they had already started implementing conservation practices such as contour planting on their land, helping to demonstrate the impact of the program. 

To further enhance Luz and Nathaniel’s story, the mYo/Asekia communications team visited Finca Calichi to record a video interview, tour the property, and gather material for a feature article. Luz and Nathaniel exemplify the future of sustainable agriculture by approaching their work with passion, innovation, and deep respect for the land. Their dedication to conservation, wildlife protection, and community-building serves as a powerful example for others.

In the video below, Nathaniel speaks candidly about his struggles navigating government programs. Providing landowners with the opportunity to share these experiences is essential — not only for building trust but also for improving outreach strategies that address real challenges on the ground.

Links to Luz and Nathaniel’s profiles (by mYo/Asekia):🎥 Video (YouTube) 📄 Article

Maria and Pedro Vélez 

Vera Farm – Sebring, Florida 

Making the connection: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offices and state extension services can be helpful sources of information and assist in facilitating connections with landowners. mYo/Asekia outreach staff in Florida first connected with Maria and Pedro during outreach to farmers as part of the Hispanic Climate-Smart Commodities Initiative (HCSCI) in central Florida. mYo/Asekia’s chief agronomist in Florida, Paul Pendergast, had contacted the local NRCS office, which provided him with Maria and Pedro’s contact information. 

Since Maria and Pedro Vélez started farming in 2019, they have collaborated with the NRCS on a variety of projects including solar-powered wells and a structure that provides shade and a dry area for their sheep. On their farm in Sebring, Florida, Maria and Pedro raise miniature donkeys and sheep in addition to growing plants for nurseries. They are also starting to grow vegetables with NRCS support, using pest management techniques that reduce the need for pesticides and fungicides. For Maria and Pedro, farming is about living in cooperation with nature. Vera Farm is also planning to establish dozens of additional trees, including fruit trees and native tree species, as part of a silvopasture system. This effort is part of the Asekia Inc. Private Forest Fund, sponsored by the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, and also involves one of Maria and Pedro’s neighbors, Frans Marken. At the time of publication, Vera Farm has 60 young trees that they plan to plant in spring 2026, allowing the trees to overwinter first to reduce the risk of frost or cold damage.

They learned about available programs by searching online, learning about the services offered by local government offices, and connecting with their neighbors. This proactive approach enabled them to find out which programs were available. 

In 2024, Pedro and Maria graciously hosted a program orientation at their farm, welcoming potential participants, outreach staff from mYo/Asekia and Victus Puerto Rico, and NRCS staff. 

To create landowner profiles of Maria and Pedro, mYo/Asekia communications staff coordinated with our outreach staff to arrive at the orientation early, allowing time to meet them, record a video interview, walk through Vera Farm, and take photos of Maria and Pedro at the farm before the orientation began. 

Maria and Pedro’s story serves as an inspiring example and highlights what farmers can achieve through collaborating with agencies such as NRCS on projects that conserve natural resources and support farmers in reaching their goals.  

Links to Maria and Pedro’s profiles (by mYo/Asekia):🎥Video (YouTube) 

📄Article