Farming in La Gomera

This is what it's all about.

On La Gomera, I bought a 3,000 m² piece of land that had been unused for over thirty years. It is located in Alajeró, about 800 meters above sea level, in the south of the island, with a humid winter climate and very dry summers. Today, a large part of the land is still overrun with cacti, which means that preparing the soil will require a lot of work. But I see real potential in this place, the possibility of creating a living, nourishing growing space in connection with the local environment.

The land will be divided into several areas. On the upper part, I will plant aromatic plants that need little water, such as rosemary, sage, and thyme. The lower terraces will host a small permaculture vegetable garden and an edible forest of mixed fruit trees.

A water system combining rainwater and filtered greywater from the house will allow me to irrigate the crops without drawing on drinking water. I already use decomposing cactus paddles from the compost, full of water, as slow, natural irrigation at the base of existing trees.

I don’t know yet what the next phase will look like. Maybe vegetable boxes to sell, maybe some small-scale processing like drying aromatic herbs. But my goal is clear, to build a simple, human-scale farming activity that makes sense to me and to the island.

My project is special because ...

This project is a way to act in a concrete way, to create something from what is already there, and to lay the foundations for a more coherent, grounded and respectful everyday life. It is special because it begins where no one saw anything anymore, on a piece of abandoned land left untouched for years. Where the vegetation has taken over, I see potential, a space to rebuild slowly, with care and coherence.

This is not an industrial project or a fast commercial plan. It’s a human-scale, handmade approach designed to adapt to the place, the climate and local resources. Everything happens here, on site, from soil preparation to cultivation and transformation. With few means, but a lot of care and dedication.

I want this project to integrate naturally into the island, not by taking, but by contributing. By bringing a little movement, a little energy, through a simple, rooted activity that makes sense locally.

I am not aiming to produce a lot, but to produce well. With Gomera Vida, I want to lay the foundation for a small, concrete and viable model. A respectful, artisanal way of farming, deeply connected to La Gomera.

It is a way of life, and a way of acting. Transforming a place, creating connection, and doing something that lasts.

This is what I need backing for.

Your support will help me move from intention to reality.

The goal of this campaign is to raise 17,000 € to fund the concrete steps needed to launch the project.

I will begin by preparing the soil, including the purchase of compost, basic tools and mulch. This first phase is essential to turn dormant land into cultivable soil. I will allocate around 1,800 € for this.

Around 5,000 € will go toward seeds, aromatic plants and fruit trees. I plan to create two complementary zones, one dedicated to plants suited to dry climates and the other focused on fruit, vegetables and food autonomy. Nursery prices can be high, and the needed quantities significant.

Installing the water system, including rainwater and greywater collection, storage and drip irrigation, is a major part of the project. For around 5,000 €, I will set up rain and household water collection, storage tanks and an irrigation network adapted to all cultivated areas. This system is essential for growing sustainably in a dry climate.

I will also need about 500 € for gardening tools, and around 1,500 € to build a small plant transformation space for drying, packaging and storage.

Finally, around 3,200 € will go toward communication, shipping of rewards (herb sachets, cards, books…) and the platform fees for Wemakeit.

With your help, I will be able to launch this project under good conditions, grow climate-adapted plants, install a sustainable water system, and transform this land into a vibrant, nourishing place deeply rooted on the island.

If you’d like to follow the beginning of the project, you can find me on Instagram: @gomera.vida 🪸 And if you have any questions, advice or feel like reaching out, don’t hesitate. I’ll reply with pleasure! 💖