Guadalupe Landero ~ Elder

Guadalupe Landero is among the oldest forest gardeners at El Pilar. Guadalupe attended elementary school in the neighboring community of San Jose. Unfortunately, at an early age, a tumor in the sole of his foot prevented him from continuing instruction. However, he still showed interest in his education and managed to learn the basics of reading and writing.

At the age of 23, he began working with the cattle farmers at Banana Bank.  He had steady employment there for the next 15 years until Banana Bank went under new management and all previous employees were laid off. Guadalupe searched for new work but with no luck. Seeing this as a new opportunity, he became active in agriculture.

Early on, Guadalupe worked the land owned by Mrs. Martha Waight.  For nine dollars per acre each year, he could clear and use the land as he pleased.  The land was later purchased by the government and then shared among the local villagers.  Thus, Guadalupe acquired the land he had worked on so many years and was rewarded for his investment.

To support the local economy, the government purchased all the corn that the farmers could grow which eventually led to the clearing of much of the forest. Guadalupe spotted this dangerous trend early and after clearing his reserve once, he allowed it to grow back so that he could later harvest lumber and plant profitable mahogany and cedar trees.  Guadalupe now reserves 12 of his 22 acres to nurture 42 different species of trees while he continues to intensively cultivate the remaining 10 acres with okra and other crops. He has recently incorporated perennial flowers, heliconia and ginger, for the growing hospitality market of Bullet Tree Falls.

Guadalupe, a Bullet Tree Falls native, resides with his wife of 60 years on his property. Together they have 12 children, and many grandchildren.