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Gandules
Farmland in San Sebastian that is being used to grow gandules, or pigeon peas, after being cleared following Hurricane María.
Zona Agricola
Seen from the highway leaving the San Juan area, “Zona Agricola” means agricultural zone. About 80% of agricultural crops were wiped out by Hurricane María in September 2017.
Agricultural Zone
Over the past few years there has been a resurgence of agriculture on the island of Puerto Rico, with governmental programs pushing for an increase in agriculture, especially using conventional methods and preparing single crops for export; as well…
Greenhouse Damage
The greenhouse at Finca Mi Casa in Camuy, Puerto Rico was damaged by Hurricane María. This greenhouse, when functional, is used for water and weed control, to grow crops that are difficult to grow in the fields such as lettuce and tomatoes. The…
Talking with Don Luis Soto
Raíces Cultural Center Director Francisco G. Gómez talking with Don Luis Soto of Finca Mi Casa about the damage his farm suffered during Hurricane María.
Compost
Don Luis Soto of Finca Mi Casa showing his outdoor worm composting set up.
Hand Tools
The Raíces crew preparing a patch of earth with Don Luis to plant three varieties of beans for seed saving.
Working the Earth at Finca Mi Casa
Raíces Director Francisco G. Gómez and volunteer Christina Proxenos working the earth at Finca Mi Casa under the direction of Don Luis Soto. During our visit, we planted a small patch of three varieties of beans for seed saving from some of the…
Planting Beans
Raíces Director Francisco G. Gómez planting beans from seeds donated by Seed Savers Exchange at Finca Mi Casa.
Black Gold
Don Luis Soto of Finca Mi Casa explaining how he prepares his organic compost mixture with worm castings, ground eggshells, ground stone, peat moss and coco fiber.
Compost Mixing
Don Luis Soto explaining to Raíces EcoCulture Coordinator Nicole Wines how he makes his compost mixture for planting on his organic farm. Using all natural, organic and local resources, Don Luis works to regenerate the soil and maintain and improve…
Preparing the Earth For Planting Beans
Don Luis Soto watches over as the Raíces Crew helps prepare a bed for planting beans. This planting was intended for seed saving of three different kinds of bean seeds sent to Puerto Rico to help regenerate a local seed stock. Before planting, the…
Don Luis Soto
Don Luis Soto preparing a patch of earth for planting beans at his farm Finca Mi Casa in Camuy, Puerto Rico. The heirloom bean seeds planted here were used for seed saving and growing a local seed stock on the island of Puerto Rico.
Greenhouse Production at Finca Mi Casa
Despite losing the plastic roof and the door to the screened in greenhouse, Don Luis Soto of Finca Mi Casa resumed annual crop production inside his greenhouse almost immediately after Hurricane Maria passed. When the Raíces crew visited in January…
Dino Kale
Heirloom dino kale growing in a polyculture of tomatoes and aromatic herbs on Finca Mi Casa in Camuy, Puerto Rico.
Heirloom Tobacco
Don Luis Soto keeps one heirloom tobacco plant in production in his greenhouse in order to save the seeds.
La Cosecha - The Harvest
As Don Luis tours his home based farm, he harvests fruits and leaves from the plants that are growing for visitors to sample. Three months after Hurricane María devastated the island of Puerto Rico, Don Luis and other small, local farmers already had…
In the Greenhouse
Don Luis explaining what is growing inside the greenhouse area and what has changed on the farm since Hurricane María to Raíces Cultural Center Director Francisco G. Gómez. The plastic roof and repairs to this greenhouse became one of the projects…
Shallots
Shallots are one of many crops not common to the Caribbean that Don Luis Soto has been able to adapt to the tropical growing conditions and proposed successfully on his farm Finca Mi Casa.
Damaged Greenhouse Post-Hurricane Maria
Some of the damage to the screened in greenhouse at Finca Mi Casa in Camuy, Puerto Rico as a result of Hurricane Maria. Almost immediately after the Hurricane, a work brigade of volunteers from Organización Boricuá de Agricultura Ecológica de Puerto…
Fresh Plantings at Finca Mi Casa
Freshly planted plots at Finca Mi Casa in Camuy, Puerto Rico. All seeds planted on the farm are open pollinated so they are suitable for seed saving. Don Luis Soto, the owner of Finca Mi Casa is an expert seed saver on the island of Puerto Rico. Many…
Raíces Visits Finca Mi Casa
Raíces Cultural Center Director Francisco G. Gómez talking with Don Luis Soto of Finca Mi Casa about the his experiences during and after Hurricane María. Reminders of the devastation everywhere, from damage to structures to scarred and damaged trees…
Finca Mi Casa
Plots of freshly planted land at Finca Mi Casa. Crops planted here will be for small scale food production, seed saving and supporting local pollinators.
Resiliency and Hospitality
Raíces Cultural Center’s January 2018 visit to Finca Mi Casa was a true lesson in resiliency and hospitality. In the face of Hurricane Maria and the difficult relief and recovery period that continues to this day, Don Luis Soto of Finca Mi Casa…
Tropical Garlic
Though garlic and onions are difficult crops to grow in tropical environments, Don Luis Soto of Finca Mi Casa has developed methods and seed stock for both that have adapted to tropical climates, producing full sized, organic garlic and onions. The…