From Retail to Regenerative Farming

Hiya, I’m Nicole! I’m the daughter from the mother-daughter regenerative farming duo of Finca Nueva Creación.

One of the first things people always ask me is how I got here. The short answer is that I followed my mom here from Texas. There, I worked many thankless years in retail and endured too many college courses with no real direction. Feeling stuck, unsatisfied, and uninspired, I knew it was time for a change. I miss aspects of Texas (can you say Whataburger and Buc-cee’s), but not the extreme heat and cold or the crazy price of apartments. When I visited Puerto Rico, I felt the clean air, saw the jungle of trees, and felt at peace. I’ve never looked back.

Why Regenerative Farming?

Ever since I was a young child, I’ve enjoyed growing my own produce and have had an entrepreneurial spirit. I was thrilled when I managed to sell a few of my tomatoes in front of my house. Knowing that my tomatoes were chemical free and could be eaten straight off the vine gave me a sense of satisfaction. Caring for all living things has always been one of my passions, so regenerative farming was a natural decision for me.

Now my days are challenging, but satisfying. I help my mom, Maria, on our regenerative farm and to rehab our HUD repo house and apartment. I’m also enrolled in Oregon State University’s online BS in Agriculture Sciences program. When we’re not all muddy or paint-covered, I’m teaching mom how to use social media and she’s teaching me how to use power tools. It’s a generational win-win.

My dream is to create a community outreach network for promoting not only regenerative farming, but also to inspire the next generation of young farmers. I want to be a part of increasing awareness of the possibilities for regenerative agricultural entrepreneurs.

Join me on my journey from the crazy retail life to Puerto Rico regenerative farmer. We’ll learn how to farm holistically together.