Hector
The Birth of Conuco Farm
1996 – 2003
Hector moved to New York City from the Dominican Republic in 1996. He started working at farmers markets throughout the city, and soon joined the first round of the New Farmer Development Project, an initiative run by GrowNYC and Cornell Cooperative Extension. This project supported immigrant farmers in New York State getting started in agriculture in their new home.
Hector founded Conuco Farm in 2002 after a couple season of working at Wengerd Farm in Pennsylvania and attending workshops from the New Farmer Development Project.
By the end of the 2002 growing season, he developed a much better understanding of the complexity and challenges that small-scale natural farming can present.
Finding Conuco's Home
After three big farm moves and many years of experience farming on rented land, Conuco Farm found our home in New Paltz, New York. We have been farming here for 10+ years and are dedicated to protecting this land for years to come.
Maggie
Maggie Joins Conuco Farm
2024-
After working with Hector for multiple seasons, Maggie officially joined Conuco Farm as a business owner in 2024. As a young farmer, Maggie is always always learning and is bringing a lot of energy to the team. She loves all aspects of farming and is helping to diversify what we grow to include a wider range of herbs and edible flowers.