La Finca
Located on the shores of the Connecticut River, La Finca is a 30-acre urban farm at the heart of Nuestras Raíces' work to build a just food system, boost economic development, and produce specialty cultural crops for the Latino community.
La Finca was born out of a participatory community planning process. Through this process it became evident that community gardeners wanted opportunities to grow food not just for themselves, but to market and sell through small agricultural businesses. Through a collaborative process, Nuestras Raíces worked with community members to locate a suitable piece of land situated next to the Connecticut River in southern Holyoke. La Finca has since grown into a launching pad for both aspiring and experienced farmers to take ownership over the agricultural process from seed to market. La Finca has grown into a regional hotspot for Caribbean cultural crops, which are difficult to obtain through the national industrial food system, and has collaborated with the University of Massachusetts Amherst to build up cultural crop seed stock.
"Many community members come to our farm and say, 'It looks like Puerto Rico!'"
GET IN TOUCH
Learn more about opportunities at La Finca by contacting us with one of the contact forms below.
Where to buy La Finca Produce
La Finca farmers regularly sell their produce at the Holyoke, Easthampton, Chicopee, and Springfield Farmers Markets. La Finca grows for and manages a community-supported agriculture program.
Available Produce
JUNE
Basil, Cilantro, Flowers, Lettuce, Spinach, Strawberries, Scallions
JULY
Baby Arugula, Basil, Beets, Butter Lettuce, Carrots, Cilantro, Cinnamon Basil, Cucumbers, Dill, Flowers, French Breakfast Radishes, Lowering Dill, Green Cabbage, Green Leaf Lettuce, Green Bell Peppers, Kale, Rainbow Chard, Scallions, Summer Squash/Zucchini, Yellow Squash
AUGUST
Asian Pears, Arugula, Baby Kale, Basil, Beets, Broccoli, Carrots, Cucumbers, Chard, Cured Yellow Onions, Cherry Tomatoes, Curley Kale, Egg Plant, Garlic, Hot Peppers, Heirloom Tomatoes, Kale, Mint, Onions, Pears, Parsley, Pea Shoots/Micro-Green, Red Potatoes, Summer Squash/Zucchini, Sweet Corn, Sun-gold Cherry Tomatoes, Sweet Peppers, Sage, Thyme, White Potatoes
SEPTEMBER
Ají Dulces, Apples, Beets, Carrots, Cabbage, Cucumbers, Celeriac, Cubanelle Peppers, Calabaza Squash, Cured Red Onions, Egg Plant, Flat Leaf Parsley, Green Peppers, Garlic, Hot Peppers, Heirloom Tomatoes, Kale, Kohlrabi, Onions, Pears, Parsley, Pea Shoots/Micro-Green, Rainbow Chard, Red Potatoes, Scallions, Summer Squash/Zucchini, Sunflowers, Thyme
OCTOBER
Ají Dulce, Arugula, Carrots, Cabbage, Calabaza Squash, Collards, Delicate Squash, Egg Plant, Frying Peppers, Fennel Bulb, Garlic, Hot Peppers, Kale, Kabocha Squash, Leak, Onions, Parsley, Pea Shoots/Micro-Green, Peppers, Pumpkin, Scallions, Sorrel, Sweet Peppers, Sweet Potatoes, Thyme, Tomatillos
Farming Opportunities and Economic Development
Farmland at La Finca is available for interested community members to rent small plots of land (1/8-1 acre). Nuestras Raíces supports farmers to start their own small food businesses through sharing resources and providing marketing assistance. In 2017, Nuestras Raíces launched the 100 Finqueros Training Program; a 100-hour introduction to organic farming principles and agricultural business planning, hosted at La Finca.
La Finca is also a site for growing small businesses. We currently hold numerous economic development opportunities including the Paso Fino (Fine Step) Horse Barn, Lechonera (Pig Roast) and multiple greenhouses. Our on-farm businesses work together to provide services to the community and make La Finca an attractive family destination in the city of Holyoke.
Events and Visiting La Finca
La Finca hosts several vibrant cultural celebrations throughout the year and provides refreshing solace from the bustle of Holyoke and its surrounding cities. The annual Festival de la Cosecha (Harvest Festival), held at the end of September, provides an opportunity to tour the farm, meet our finqueros, buy farm-grown fruits and vegetables, and enjoy the spectacular riverside setting.
La Finca is also available to rent for events and celebrations.
We offer farm tours to interested parties ($8/Adult, $4/Child). If cost is an issue, we offer groups the opportunity to do two hours of volunteer work in exchange for a tour.
Volunteers are welcome to drop in and help with various projects at the farm, just simply reach out to the farm manager for instructions and opportunities.
Our Partners
Vervane Foundation
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