Nuestras Raíces is a grassroots non-profit organization that promotes human, economic, and community development in urban communities across Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1992 by a small group of community residents who wanted to improve Holyoke’s neighborhoods through the creation of community gardens, Nuestras Raíces has grown over the years to include a wide range of programs and activities related to food, agriculture and the environment. Nuestras Raíces – which means “Our Roots” – continues to be nurtured by the local Puerto Rican community’s strong agricultural ties and rich cultural traditions.
One of our biggest assets is “La Finca,” a 30-acre farm we run along the Connecticut River in Holyoke. At the farm we have greenhouses, high-tunnels, a petting zoo, a Lechonera (pig roast restaurant), a horse barn, a youth garden, permaculture gardens, livestock pasture, about 10-acres in vegetable production, an event area, and a farm store. Programs include our farmer incubator program, youth summer program, the kinder-garden initiative, and our CSA program.
We have a long history of partnering with the Pioneer Valley’s various educational institutions through providing support for research, service learning, work-study, internship, and volunteer opportunities. We’re proud to continue this tradition by offering many opportunities to work with us this coming year, whether it’s through our 2014 La Finca internships, our UMass Amherst Civic Engagement and Service Learning course, or one of our many long-term volunteer positions.
Check out the ‘get involved’ tab of our website, www.nuestras-raices.org, to find more information about how you can get started with this one-of-a-kind ‘agri-cultural’ revolution.