Tierra de Oportunidades
Contact Name & Title:Address:
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Project Description:
Contact:
Eric Toensmeier, Project Director, Nuestras Raíces
329 Main St
Holyoke MA 01040
(413) 535-1789
erict@nuestras-raices.org
www.nuestras-raices.org
Sponsoring organization: Nuestras Raíces
Project Summary:
Many residents of Holyoke grew up on farms in Puerto Rico and have
extensive farming backgrounds. They would like to farm, but face many
challenges, including language and access to land and capital. Many of
these aspiring farmers begin as members of Nuestras Raíces’ urban
community gardens. The Tierra de Oportunidades program began in 2004
with the purchase of four acres of rich farmland just a few miles from
downtown Holyoke. The land was divided into ¼ and ½ acre parcels and
six farmers began raising crops and livestock. In 2007 The project
began renting the adjacent 26 acres, with 10 farmers leasing space.
The site is under development as a cultural agritourism destination,
featuring lechon asado pig roasts, farm store, live music and theater,
paso fino horse demonstrations, and petting zoo.
Mission: Nuestras Raíces is a grass-roots organization that promotes economic, human, and community development in Holyoke, Massachusetts, through projects related to food and agriculture.
Communities Served: Primarily
audience is the Puerto Rican community of Holyoke, Massachusetts, and
the surrounding towns. In 2007 the project is began to work with
refugees from the former Soviet Union, Burma, Somalia, and other
regions.
Languages: Spanish
Agricultural Production Areas:
Puerto Rican specialty vegetables and herbs (e.g., calabaza, recao,
ajdulce, cilantrillo), and small livestock including chickens, rabbits,
goats, and pigs
Areas of Expertise: Puerto Rican crops, small scale livestock operations, cultural agritourism.
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