Finca Marta: Agroecology and Organic Farming at its Best
Finca Marta, a 20-acre organic farm was founded by agronomist Fernando Funes Monzote. Located 20 miles west of Havana, Finca Marta is an all-time favorite EEAbroad day trip.
One of the many fascinating developments in Cuba is the innovative emergence of organic farming throughout the island nation. At EEAbroad, our goal is to expose students and travelers to the many facets that have shaped what Cuba is today, and shed light on how the country is constantly evolving. This is why we love taking our groups to the world-renowned organic farm, Finca Marta, to learn firsthand what makes Cuba a leader in agriculture reform, and Fernando Funes Monzote a leader in agroecology and organic farming.
First, it is important to note that Cuba has not always been a leader in the world of organic agriculture. In reality, it was the collapse of the conventional big-agriculture sector, as well as the reduction of large imports from countries such as the Soviet Union, that forced Cuba to adopt ingenious new models and methods of food production that are innovative and sustainable. To learn more about the evolution of agriculture in Cuba, we encourage you to read our blog — Organic Agriculture in Cuba: an Unforeseen Leader.
SO WHAT MAKES FINCA MARTA SPECIAL?
Located just 12 miles to the west of Havana, Finca Marta is an accessible day trip that has gained the attention of not only Cubans, but also an international audience, as a benchmark for sound agroecological management practices. (See The Guardian Article: The Farmer Who’s Starting an Organic Revolution in Cuba and TEDxHabana Talk: Agriculture for Life presented by Fernando Funes Monzote.)
Finca Marta was born from talent, tenacity, and ingenuity. This twenty-hectare farm is the brain-child of Fernando Funes Monzote, who has a Ph.D. in ecological production and conservation of resources (from the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands) and in agricultural engineering (from the University of Agricultural Sciences of Havana). In 2011, after traveling the world to deliver agroecology lectures in more than 40 countries, Funes decided to begin his own farm using the agroecological methods he shared with so many. This was the inception of Finca Marta, named in honor of Funes's late mother, a renowned Cuban researcher and lover of nature who also dedicated herself to the pursuit of agroecology in Cuba.
Funes faced a daunting challenge starting from scratch on a plot of land that showed little opportunity, as it had no access to water, its soils were shallow and rocky, and it was plagued with an abundance of invasive plants. Funes’s vision was to develop a healthy, harmonious agricultural environment without the use of any chemicals such as herbicides or pesticides. Beyond this, Funes aimed to create a sustainable, interdependent relationship between nature, humankind, and surrounding communities.
After a lot of digging and perseverance, wells for water supply were established by accessing underground natural springs. Excess water was stored in cisterns to support expanding crops, as well as domestic livestock and wild animals that contributed to the overall health and balance of the farm. In the beginning, yields from the farm sustained Funes’s family but as time passed and improvements were made, they were able to distribute growing surplus harvests to social institutions, the local population, as well as the restaurant/tourism sector. As Finca Marta has grown, so has its operation, now employing 20 people which has satisfied Funes’s desire to make a strong positive contribution to the local community by providing in the form of stable income and employment.
Another of Funes’s priorities has been to create energy self-sufficiency for the farm, and this has led to the creative-use of Finca Marta’s resources at hand. For example, the farm utilizes solar energy to pump water and a biodigester to capture methane (from animal feces), which is used as gas to cook and heat water.
As for flora biodiversity, the farm has more than 50 plant species, mostly vegetables and fruit trees. Wild fauna plays an important role as well, with areas of the farm protected for the nesting of birds and mammal habitats because Funes recognizes the importance of animals’ roles in the production and health of the farm and the overall, local ecosystem.
One of the most coveted features of the farm is its honey production. Finca Marta started with a single hive but it now supports approximately 100 hives that produce more than 40 tons of honey in recent years. This success has led to supporting and guiding others in raising bees.
In recent years, Finca Marta has expanded to offer agro-tourism where people may visit and take a tour of the farm. They also have a small restaurant where visitors can savor dishes made from the organic ingredients grown onsite. Additionally, Finca Marta has established relationships with universities and research institutions, which have given rise to internships that allow Cuban students to work and learn firsthand on the farm.
One of the main principles of agroecology is the balance between understanding and conserving the environment and taking advantage of it without damaging alterations. Finca Marta proves that agroecology in Cuba can be highly productive, sustainable, and beneficial to nature, humankind, and communities. Through the inspiration and leadership of Funes, we are confident that Finca Marta will continue to inspire that interdependence achieved between nature and humankind, benefiting both worlds and moving closer to the way we are all meant to co-exist.
COME VISIT FINCA MARTA WITH US
Because in-person travel is currently restricted, we now offer the opportunity to experience Cuba through the lens of virtual learning. Our virtual learning module about Cuban Environmental Studies pays a visit to Finca Marta, where we learn about the farm’s history and founder, Fernando Funes Monzote, and how Finca Marta is an ingeniously planned, interdependent system that yields an impressive variety of vegetables, fruits, livestock, and honey.
We hope this blog inspires you to “Learn Now, Travel Later” and come see for yourself how leaders like Finca Marta are leaving their mark on an ever-evolving nation. You can do this by joining us on one of our study abroad and faculty-led programs or through small-group cultural travel.
