In 2020, after a career in communications and living in cities, I started this permaculture project in the hills of Yabucoa, which I run with the help of two to four volunteers, neighbours and friends. 90+ different plants, mostly local fruit trees, but also (medicinal) herbs, are growing around the house and down the slope towards the creek. We experiment with natural ways of feeding and protecting the plants (syntropic methods made popular by Ernst Götsch), and enjoy eating and sharing the 100% bio/organic crop. I don't have pets, but you'll see and hear dogs, cats, roosters, chickens, iguanas, lizards, frogs, and birds, as well as (rarely) snakes, spiders, and (many) ants, and flying (also stinging) insects. Be aware that this is a 12+ growing zone, so extremely hot and humid, and not comparable with mainland USA farming.
We work together and individually, mostly in the early morning hours before lunch, and again after 3PM, in order to avoid the stinging sun. During a minimum of 25 hours per week you'll clear areas by cutting grass and bushes, deweed, mulch, prune trees, plant, harvest, apply compost, ... Most meals are prepared by me, but all household chores are shared gender equally. There can be outages, but the fiber optic internet is rather reliable and I have solar power and a backup water cistern. There is no public transportation. An Uber ride to/from the farm to San Juan can cost anything between USD 30 to 100 one way. I pick up/drop off when possible.
On the ground floor there are two rooms with a total of four individual beds for up to four volunteers (or two guests and two volunteers) who share a bathroom. We share living room, dining room, and kitchen. I have my private room and bath upstairs. Field clothes, gloves, sun cream, bug spray, soap and shampoo, linnen and towels are provided. We wash and line dry together when necessary. Mindful use of resources expected. No phones during meals. Expect oats, soy milk, seasonal farm fruits, seeds and nuts, as well as coffee/tea for breakfast, and well-balanced plant-based whole food lunches and dinners with home made juices and teas. There is no individual fridge space, but you can bring your non-perishable snacks. Breakfast at approx. 6:30AM in Summer (7AM in Winter). Lunch around 12:30PM and dinner around 6:30PM. By 8PM most are ready for bed, and by 10PM the house goes silent.
This is a place for volunteers who don't need to be entertained, but like to socialize, be in nature most of the day, read, write, do their yoga or exercises, play board games, watch birds etc. There's a sewing machine, there are tools and materials to get crafty or creative. To avoid humid mattresses I kindly ask you not to spend all off your free time in or on your bed. There are plenty of alternative places to read or relax in and around the house.
Every now and then (once or twice a month) I'll take you to a nice spot in the area - Playa Guayanés (a beautiful beach, but NOT a swimming beach), Piedra Blanca, Bosque Pterocarpus, Punta Santiago, the tiny towns of Yabucoa and Humacao, and/or shopping. If the work and weather permits we might even spend a day at Luquillo Beach (for swimming) or drive to San Juan (historic old town and Capital of Puerto Rico). None of these outings are guaranteed, though.
Brigade days: One or two times a month we might work on other farms in a radius of 30 minutes, or other farmers come and work on our land.
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Forestry
Aromatic or medicinal plants, teas
Seed saving or production
Renewable energy production
Food justice / sovereignty
Mechanics / tools / technology
Methods or systems
Biological pest control
Biodynamic agriculture
Fukuoka farming
Holistic management
No-till farming
Permaculture
Regenerative agriculture
Mentoring opportunities
Woman-operated
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
0.6
Hectares
|
1.5
Acres
