Resilient Farming at Fig Casa Nursery

Sandra Bruno Figuereo at Fig Casa Nursery in Fort Pierce, Florida

Growing up at her parents’ farm in the Dominican Republic, Sandra experienced sustainable agriculture firsthand. Her family raised cattle and cultivated cacao and coffee in an agroforestry system, with the cacao providing shade for the coffee. After attending college in New York, Sandra now applies the same principles at Fig Casa Nursery, the farm she owns in Fort Pierce, Florida. 

At Fig Casa, Sandra and her family care for a wide variety of trees that produce crops including mango, coconut, and avocado. The farm specializes in rare varieties and currently grows about 250 varieties of mango and dozens of varieties of avocado. During her journey with Fig Casa, Sandra has also found creative ways to adapt to the unique environmental conditions that affect the farm, from water with high salt content to an unusually cold spell this winter that damaged many of the farm’s trees. (Sandra is hopeful for the trees’ recovery.) 

"The idea of Fig Casa is to embrace our roots and care for our environment," Sandra explains about the vision behind the farm. 

Agroforestry

The farm has about 30 chickens, which provide eggs for Sandra’s family and the opportunity to sell surplus eggs. Additionally, the farm is currently home to about 8 sheep and 4 cattle along with some donkeys and rabbits. Sandra is working with Asekia agronomist Paul Pendergast to create a silvopasture system, integrating animal and crop production. As part of the system, trees will provide shade and shelter for the animals. 

Enduring an Unexpected Freeze

A dry mango tree was damaged by frost at Fig Casa

This winter, extremely cold weather, including frost, damaged many trees at Fig Casa. During a tour of her farm, Sandra pointed out some of the trees that had been affected, including a small mango tree that had lost its flowers and coconut trees whose leaves had turned brown. There is still hope for the young mango tree – its flowers may grow back in time for it to have a productive growing season this year. Despite the uncertainty, Sandra maintains a positive outlook about the coconut trees, too. 

“I haven’t seen this [before], so I cannot predict [the outcomes],” she says. “But I’m very positive in the sense that some of these plants are well-nourished, and they’ll come back.”

Adapting to Salty Water 

The water at the farm can be very salty—sometimes even to the extent that it can harm plants, Sandra explains. To address this challenge, Fig Casa has implemented a rainwater capture system that also supplies water for the farm’s animals. In addition to serving as a solution to salty water, this system also helps the farm conserve water. 

Conclusion

Sandra emphasizes that she’s had support throughout her journey as a farmer. 

“I had people that backed me up,” she says. “It’s awesome to know that you’re not on your own. Somebody’s giving you a hand.” 

More people should learn about natural remedies and the healing power of plants — knowledge that is being lost, she adds. 

She also enjoys the independence that comes with being a farmer. 

“This is teaching on your own terms and doing things on your own terms, without the pressure of the corporate ladder. Besides, I think that if I can do this, and people see that I can do it, more people will be inspired to do it.” 

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