Training the future of food sovereignty
We’re growing a community of knowledgeable, resilient farmers and stewards of the land.
We offer hands-on apprenticeship opportunities and volunteer programs for those eager to truly learn what it means to practice sustainable farming on a unique island like Vieques. If you’re ready to get your hands dirty and immerse yourself in the realities of sustainable agriculture and farming, you’ve found your place. Our programs are designed to teach real-world sustainable farming techniques at La Finca.
Farming in Puerto Rico, especially on Vieques, isn’t always picture-perfect; it’s genuine, hard work, deeply rewarding, and constantly evolving. We’re looking for individuals who want to learn sustainable farming methods by doing it through apprenticeships or volunteer programs, who are open-minded and willing to embrace the cultural and geographical nuances that make Vieques different from other regions. This isn’t a “glorified” or “romanticized” farm experience; it’s a chance to engage in the grunt work – planting, weeding, building, and harvesting – that forms the backbone of true self-sustainability and embodies the benefits of sustainable farming.
If you’re passionate about putting in the effort to accomplish projects with limited resources and equipment, and you’re ready to farm, not just theorize about it, you’ll thrive here at La Finca.
Our farm serves as an agricultural hub in Vieques, providing immersive apprenticeship opportunities for Veterans and students deeply interested in sustainable crop production, animal management, and comprehensive sustainable food systems that go beyond our volunteer programs. We believe in learning by doing. Apprentices will participate in every aspect of farm life, from daily chores to larger projects, fully immersing themselves in the local food system of Vieques, Puerto Rico.
Get hands-on experience in:
You'll help design, plant, grow, irrigate, and harvest from our nearly 0.5 acres of fruit and vegetable production, including our new hoophouse. We experiment with diverse growing styles for both local specialty crops like gandules, papaya, and yuca, and high-value vegetable varieties, such as arugula, mustard, radish, and bok choy. This means we get to experiment with different grow styles that contribute to food farming and sustainability! Our twice-weekly harvests supply local markets and restaurants in Vieques, with surplus often donated to community kitchens. We strictly follow USDA Organic standards to ensure the best quality produce.
Experience every step of the food supply chain. Learn about markets, record-keeping, and vital food processing techniques. La Finca de Hamberto also serves as a processing hub, converting hundreds of pounds of discarded food into value-added, shelf-stable products, enhancing island food resiliency. Our food scrap program, where we take back food scraps from restaurants in Vieques to harvest seeds and convert to animal feed and compost, is part of our commitment to sustainable food systems.
Learn about holistic animal care across our several acres of pasture for livestock. This includes feeding, pen building, and understanding rotational grazing, a key aspect of regenerative farming. We also explore silvopasture principles in our animal management.
In the past two years, our apprentices have gained invaluable skills in self-sustainability and the advantages of sustainable farming.
We provide a unique and comprehensive learning environment, offering opportunities to learn directly from experienced ranchers, livestock veterinarians, engaged community organizations, and knowledgeable extension agents. For those interested in deeper theoretical knowledge, our farm embodies principles you would find in an agroforestry course, and we highlight how ecological biodiversity can be enhanced by restoration agriculture. Select workshops are also open to the public, sharing our knowledge of organic farming for sustainable agriculture!
Beyond our intensive apprenticeships, we offer flexible opportunities for the community to get involved—from getting your hands dirty as a volunteer to mastering technical skills in our farmer-to-farmer workshops.
Our volunteer programs are hosted throughout the year, offering a chance to work alongside our dedicated team and immerse yourself in the practical components of farming sustainably. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and possess a genuine willingness to learn and contribute. Whether you enjoy playing in the dirt, nurturing seedlings, working with animals, constructing new pens, feeding the pollinators to enhance biodiversity in agriculture, processing food, or simply learning about life working on a sustainable farm, there’s a place for you here
Our commitment extends beyond our fields. La Finca de Hamberto regularly hosts hands-on workshops specifically designed for other farmers and aspiring growers on Vieques, but can be attended by apprentices and volunteer programs, too. These sessions cover a range of critical topics in sustainable farming practices, from advanced composting techniques and efficient water management strategies to optimizing soil health and integrating thoughtful design for agroecology. We share our practical experience with sustainable farming methods and offer insights into establishing and maintaining resilient operations in the unique island environment. Our goal is to foster a network of sustainable farms across Vieques, collectively enhancing the island's food security and promoting widespread adoption of regenerative farming principles. We also offer guidance on understanding USDA organic standards and the path to USDA Organic certification.
Are you ready to learn about sustainable farming by getting your hands dirty? If you’re interested in our apprenticeship opportunities or volunteer programs, or simply want to learn more about how you can join us in cultivating a more sustainable Vieques, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
Cultivating food sovereignty and ecological resilience in Vieques, Puerto Rico. We are a USDA Organic farm dedicated to building a self-sufficient future through regenerative agriculture, rural development, and hands-on community education.
Our Ecosystem of Impact: La Finca de Hamberto, Community Through Colors, and Sail Relief Team form a collaborative network. Together, we build community resilience through art, food sovereignty, and disaster response.
Copyright © 2025 La Finca de Hamberto | All rights reserved | Web Design by Re:Mapped Solutions
