Helping You Grow and Make an Impact
Meet Our Team
The people bringing Hacienda Lago del Cidra to life.
Douglas Jackson
Founder, Land Owner, and Steward
Douglas has been working with regenerating landscapes and actively conserving forest lands and jungle for over 15 years. His commitment to seamlessly integrating hospitality experiences into the landscape has been proven in Nicaragua and California. Since 2021 he has been stewarding the 8 acres that make up Hacienda Lago del Cidra. He is committed to developing a agro-tourism approach in Cidra that celebrates on site food production whilst offering a hospitality experience with a multitude of luxurious touches.
Yaosca Jimenez
Founder and Steward
Yaosca is passionate about plants and how their healing properties can influence people’s health and wellness. From plant medicines and their origins to the healing presence of plants in the landscape, Yaosca is dedicated to plants and their propagation and use in education. Yaosca is committed to connecting to the local community especially at the level of children’s education and experience. Through her efforts, HLDC has already worked with local schools and the Boy Scouts of America using the site as a classroom and educational space.
Alixandria Clark
Garden Manager and Designer
Alix has been with HLDC from the first day and first tree we planted. She is a true "Jane of all trades" having developed an ever expanding garden and testing program, learned to process and preserve many foods we produce and contribute designs and concepts for the entire site from the landscape to the household and beyond.
Jeffrey Negron Del Valle
Orchardkeeper
Jeffrey has been passionate about organic agriculture for over 20 years. Jeffrey brings a combination of dedicated work ethic, local knowledge and experience from his own farmstead nearby to our work at HLDC. As our project grows and expands he continues to “step up” and contribute to our ongoing success and development. He is a valued member of our team.
Christopher Shanks
Agro-Forester and Researcher
Chris has been working with regenerative agriculture for over 25 years and specializes in agro-forestry and permaculture design for land planning and project execution. Chris is developing a collection of native and introduced fruits trees and nuts adapted to the wet tropical climate of Cidra. His directive is to research and select successful varieties of fruitful species that adapt well to Cidra’s climate and to share that research with the local community in an effort to reignite local agriculture. The plantings throughout the site are both orchards and landscaping. Allowing guests and visitors to both learn about and sample our research.
Our Story
Cultivating regenerative, sustainable agriculture.
Perched along the serene shores of Lake Cidra in Puerto Rico, Hacienda Lago del Cidra began with a vision of more sustainable farming. Knowing that steep slopes are the most fertile, we built our orchards on a mountain side with an incline from 1200 to 1500 feet over just a quarter mile.
To overcome the challenges of farming on a slope, we embraced the principles of agroforestry and regenerative agriculture, interweaving agricultural crops with strategically selected forestry species like vetiver grass, a robust, deep-rooted plant, to help fight erosion. The grass not only stabilized the soil but also provided a crucial anchor against runoff, allowing our orchards to flourish.
We invite visitors to explore our farm, visit our commercial nursery, and learn about sustainable farming practices firsthand. Our commitment extends beyond cultivation—we strive to inspire and empower future generations of farmers, horticulturists, and sustainability advocates.
-Hacienda Lago del Cidra
