We are busy as bees at Levantando!

Thanks to our generous Levantando donors, we began our Honeybee initiative in April 2024. Beekeeper Maria was selected for our pilot farm after she completed beekeeper training. Her farm received 2 bee hives, 2 colonies of bees, basic beekeeper training, beekeeper suits, safety equipment, and tools. Within six months, there was a significant increase in pollination for crops. As part of our ongoing education, beekeeper Maria provided suggestions to improve the training materials to better assist the new beekeepers.

In the first year of the program we supplied 12 bee hives to farmers around the island, including initial set-up and ongoing education for each beekeeper, beehive boxes, protective gear and tools, and a colony of honeybees for every beehive.  Farmer Freddy in Salinas has even successfully rescued 2 colonies of honeybees near his property!

We are preparing for our first honey harvest by the end of 2025! In addition to continued bee education, Levantando will include hands on workshops for honey harvest and honey bottling. The overall impact for each farmer is a noticeable increase in crops from increased pollination from the bees and the resulting honey harvest will serve as an additional revenue stream for our farmers in the years to come!

More Levantando Activities

During the intense 2025 spring rains, annual maintenance and registration was completed for all the shared equipment as part of our annual maintenance budget and schedule.

Our newest equipment purchase is a double axel equipment trailer to assist with equipment and supply deliveries.

The Vermeer wood chipper is currently on-site in Corozal, getting plenty of use in Manati, Canovanas, Ceiba, and Humacao since the beginning of the year.

We have supplied shared equipment & tools for 3 community led brigades, where multiple farming families participate in tree trimming and cleanup to produce mulch. Mulch is a natural pest barrier and provides better moisture retention in the soil.

We Need Your Help!

Volunteer Opportunities with Levantando

  • Outreach team to manage the Levantando booth at farmers markets to promote awareness for potential donors and eligible farmers
  • Bilingual volunteer to assist with equipment scheduling and coordinate equipment transportation
  • Equipment transport – drop off and pick up equipmentand tools around the island. Requires 4WD heavy duty pickup truck with tow hitch and experienced driver

Annual fundraiser – Would you like to help plan the annual fundraiser?

We are looking for volunteers to assist with:

  • Venue selection & scheduling
  • Promoting the annual fundraiser event and ticket sales
  • Collecting art and experiences for the silent auction
  • Event assistance for check-in, silent auction,and support