Support a Small Organic Farm in Puerto Rico Adapt to Climate Change

Agroecological Farm, La Comarka, is a family project with a community outreach for planting and harvesting vegetables in harmony with the environment, free of pesticides that began in 2016 in the Caguana neighborhood of the town of Utuado, Puerto Rico. As time has passed, we have noticed a drastic change in the patterns of rain and drought, which has caused alterations to the crops due to the extremes of both lack of rain and excess of it. This situation is currently one of the greatest threats against agriculture in Puerto Rico.

Climate Change, and the challenges it brings for the immediate and long-term future that small farmers have to face in order to grow healthy food make agricultural production on our family farm even more complicated. In addition to planting, Climate Change affects our animals (goats and chickens), which contribute to the production of the compost that we use as the main source of fertilizer and organic fertilizer on the farm. For the past few years, we have managed to manage periods of drought, by capturing rainwater by using our roofs on the farm and cisterns for storage in months of abundance. In extreme cases we have had to resort to looking for water daily outside the farm in order not to lose the harvest and to be able to finish the planting seasons, so vital for our livelihood and that of other families. On the other hand, to handle the excess rain, we had to build a planting tunnel. We have done everything possible to face the drought climate variation.

It is for this reason that a year ago we decided to start the process of requesting the different permits and requirements before the pertinent government agencies (Department of Natural Resources, State and Federal Department of Agriculture) to dig a water well on the farm for irrigation. . The process of requesting the permit to drive the well, by its nature, has been exhausting, but fruitful at the end of the day. We have completed all permits positively and successfully. However, these permits have an expiration date from the moment they are granted, that is, we have a deadline to complete the entire process to drive the Well. If we are unable to complete the Well within that period of time, then the permits will lapse and we will have to start the long and tedious process of applying for permits with the various agencies all over again. Unfortunately, we cannot allow the permits to expire, since it would take too much time and financial resources that we no longer have. This situation would imply that we would have to be off the farm again processing new permits, instead of using that time to sow and cultivate, which is vital for our livelihood and that of other families. On the other hand, for the well to work we need a solar system, this is because we do not have electricity on the farm. In addition to this, two (2) additional planting tunnels are necessary, which will help us manage and ensure planting during periods of excessive rain such as last year 2022 where for about 7 continuous months there was barely a break in the rain. .

Due to the above, and in the spirit of being able to adapt to Climate Change, we have made the decision to launch this fundraising campaign to dig in the water well, install the solar system and build two (2) additional planting tunnels. Your contribution, however small it may seem to you, will be important, as it will help us increase the production of vegetables, mitigate the damage of Climate Change and continue contributing and benefiting the community with our products.

It is for this reason that we need your contribution.

The strength is in the joining!

Thanks a lot.

Marla, Joey, Fiorella and Einstein

***What your donation will help with:***

• Climate Change adaptation and mitigation in agriculture context (due to extreme weather variations)

• Drive a well (for irrigation during long atypical droughts like recent ones 2018 and 2019 due to Climate Change)
  
• Build 2 "High Tunnels" (30' x 72' for indoor growing during atypical extreme rain season like last year 2022 - due to Climate Change)
  
• Build solar system (to run the water extraction pump for the well and crops irrigation system)

How can you make a Donation?

• Venmo ( @Marla787 )
• PayPal ( [email protected] )
• ATH Móvil ( 787-354-7454 )
• GoGetFunding ( right on this website / platform )