This Spring, We’re Cultivating Community

Finca Gaia hosted our first forestry workshop of the year! Pictured: mYo Natural Resources Intern Caroline Sanabria Colón (right) with Ana and Manuel Baez (center, left) of Finca Gaia.

Dorado, Puerto Rico — In February, mano-Y-ola began a series of interactive workshops in Puerto Rico with a visit to the beautiful forests of Finca Gaia, located near the island’s north coast. 

In the first workshop, Manuel Baez Jr. of Finca Gaia shared valuable knowledge about the various plants and animals found on the farm and the unique characteristics of the local ecosystem. He also demonstrated how to prune trees. 

For more about the workshop, we now have the privilege of passing the microphone (or keyboard) to Caroline Sanabria Colón, who participated in the event. Caroline is a Natural Resources Intern with mYo and studies Agriculture Education and Agricultural and Environmental Systems at the University of Puerto Rico—Mayagüez. Caroline tells us more about Finca Gaia below.

Nine forestry program participants attended the first workshop.

Finca Gaia

In Dorado, Puerto Rico, a paradise known as Finca Gaia exists, a family project that has flourished thanks to the love and dedication of the Baez family. 

Those caring for Finca Gaia have transformed the farm into an ecological sanctuary. On the property thrive “more than 300 flowering, fruit, exotic, native, and endemic trees,” according to Finca Gaia’s website. The Baez family’s commitment to ecological agriculture and conservation has turned the farm into an example of sustainability and caring for the environment.

At the workshop, participants got a first-hand look at Finca Gaia’s diversity of plants. Eleven of Puerto Rico’s 13 bat species have also been observed at the farm!

In a recent collaboration with mYo’s Hispanic Forest Landowners Outreach Program, Finca Gaia hosted an inspiring workshop that brought together forest landowners from all over Puerto Rico. With nine program participants attending, the workshop was an opportunity to exchange knowledge and experiences of conserving and caring for the earth. 

During the workshop, Manuel shared his passion for nature and the wildlife that inhabits Finca Gaia. From birds such as troupials, distinguished by their song and bright orange feathers, to bats of different species and even beetles, the farm is a refuge for a variety of insects and animals that coexist in harmony. Manuel emphasized the importance of educating the public about biodiversity and preserving it for future generations. – written by Caroline Sanabria Colón

Carlos Díaz Palmer, or Carli (right), learned about tree grafting from Eugenio Toro Toro, known as Don Geño Toro.

Hispanic Forest Landowner Spotlight: Carli

Our workshop series will continue this month with Carlos Díaz Palmer, who we know as Carli, facilitating a workshop about propagating citrus and avocado trees. Carli inspires us with his dedication to ecological practices and extensive knowledge of how to care for and propagate trees. Carli plays a vital role in the island’s arboriculture because of his ability to select varieties that can better withstand natural disasters and adapt to climate change.

Carli is a specialist in fruit tree propagation by grafting at the beautiful Hacienda Rita in San Germàn, Puerto Rico. Using agroecology, Carli works with nature instead of using toxic chemicals. 

Since 2011, Carli has been working on the farm full time. He has many roles - farmer, administrator, grafter, and buyer. “I do everything,” Carli said, laughing. 

Hacienda Rita is a family farm whose name is a tribute to Carli’s grandmother. Carli explained that her father started the farm and the tree project. Today, the tagline that Carli’s father bestowed on the farm continues to express Carli’s philosophy: “Hacienda Rita: Making the environment better for you.” 

“I don’t see it as a job…I’m passionate about it,” Carli said. “Being in touch with the trees and sharing the correct message about ecological agriculture and grafting trees so that people who get to know the product might be more motivated to plant…It’s a simple method that should be in the hands of society, of the community.”

Coming Soon!

On March 16th, Carli will share his knowledge of fruit tree grafting with our forestry outreach program participants at our second workshop of the year.

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Our community is growing, and we’d love for you to join us! On Instagram and Facebook, we share forestry and agriculture tips, news from our program, and the stories of Hispanic forest landowners.

This newsletter was written by Caroline Sanabria Colón, Courtney Columbus, and Jessica Zafra, reviewed by Adrian Parrott, Nolo Martínez, and Jessica Roqueburg, and produced by Patricia Morales.