After losing their home to Hurricane María in 2018, Paola Cimadevilla Torres and Derrick Hernandéz began living in a bus in the rural community of Las Marías, Puerto Rico. Life on wheels or “al volante,” in Spanish, opened their eyes to the food insecurity many, including themselves, faced in the aftermath of the natural disaster. About 69% of farmers experienced food insecurity post-hurricane, with a third of the population still struggling today. In 2021, the couple bought a ranch and founded Finca Alvolante, a family-led organization that offers workshops and hands-on training on agroecology and healthy eating for local families, students, and aspiring farmers. They believe educating people on sustainable farming is crucial for improving food production and community resilience, as well as protecting the environment. “Sustainable agriculture not only adds value to products but also unites communities and families because it is in the kitchen that we all come together,” says Torres.
Some of the native fruits produced at Finca Alvolante’s sustainable ranch. Photo: Finca Alvolante
Finca Alvolante Inc. serves as a community hub, receiving volunteers to carry on talks, workshops, and educational activities. They host various events, such as birdwatching in collaboration with the Puerto Rican Ornithological Association and workshops on food preservation techniques, which are especially useful during natural disasters. Open to visitors, Finca Alvolante showcases the sustainable farming practices in their ranch and offers assistance in designing urban forests, agroforests, and home crops. They also promote seed exchange programs focused on native species – including native lime (limón criollo), soursop, and ice-cream bean – and have planted over 800 fruit trees and edible plants on their land. Future plans include establishing a “forest-school,” where students can learn about ecology through hands-on activities. Through this work, Finca Alvolante directly supports local biodiversity and enhances food security and disaster preparedness for families in Las Marías.
Finca Alvolante has planted over 800 native trees on their ranch. Photo: Finca Alvolante