Pilar Quintero’s connection to nature goes beyond just growing and picking fruit. It would almost appear that the Columbian native and long-time Georgia resident had the ability to communicate with the earth itself.
Quintero’s bond to nature is such that she even has an avocado tree growing in her home, alongside a plethora of seeds, plants and farm animals.
Quintero is the owner of Rancho Alegre farm, a family business she started after a career in real estate. Today, her farm offers unique nature experiences to the public, including feeding animals, milking cows and even wedding and birthday celebrations.
It all began 12 years ago, when Quintero happened upon the large Rancho Alegre property during a business trip. “We started coming with the children on the weekends. We made it into our country home. Then we wanted horses, and when we saw how many we had, and how much manure they produced, we said, now what do we do with all this? Then we realized, composting. I started seeing programs online and learning on my own, and one thing led to another, and here we are today,” said Quintero, who added that the ranch was dilapidated and required extensive renovations.
On the 15-acre farm, located in Dacula, Quintero, along with her husband and three children, offers a diverse variety of nature experiences that transcend agritourism. “We go further. We teach about composting, earthworm breeding, milking animals and beekeeping, amongst other field trips,” she explained.
Connecting with the community is another of Quintero’s objectives. In addition to offering fermentation classes, every Tuesday she opens the doors of Rancho Alegre and holds her very own farmer’s market. Orders are taken online and participating farmers sell organic fruits and vegetables, locally produced honey, and unpasteurized cow and goat’s milk.
The work day is long for Quintero’s family, due not only to the effort that goes into managing the business itself, but also the networking they do with local businesses and Latino farmers. “We always think about our community, but we always look after ourselves. We want to show that we are Latinos, but that we are organized Latinos,” said Quintero.
For Quintero, the road to learning has been paved by nature itself. “The earth heals you,” she assured.
About the Author
