Campo Caribe is an innovative company dedicated to producing fresh lettuce through hydroponic technology in a controlled environment inside high-tech greenhouses. Located in Barranquitas, we operate 5.5 acres of shade houses with retractable roofs and an advanced system that allows us to regulate nutrients, temperature, humidity, and irrigation, among other factors.
We are driven by the mission of offering products of the highest quality that promote health and sustainability in Puerto Rico, ensuring freshness and nutritional value in every leaf. By cultivating locally, we not only deliver products to the table in less than 72 hours but also help reduce imports and carbon emissions, strengthening food independence for the Island while boosting the regional economy and the sustainable development of our community in Puerto Rico.
At Campo Caribe, we grow in a high-tech, controlled environment that enhances the quality, freshness, nutritional value, shelf life, and sustainability of our lettuce, far surpassing imported options.
Retractable roof maximizes natural light, prevents overheating, and ensures uniform conditions without the need for artificial lighting, reducing energy consumption.
DWC (Deep Water Culture) system keeps roots in a nutrient-rich and highly oxygenated solution, promoting rapid growth, healthier leaves, and yields superior to traditional methods.
Temperature control ensures stronger plants with minimal risk of disease.
Rainwater collection serves as the primary source for irrigation and pool refills.
At Campo Caribe, we believe in an agricultural production model that generates real benefits for Puerto Rico:
We create more than 80 local jobs in Barranquitas, strengthening our community.
We significantly reduce imports, contributing to the goal of real food independence on the Island.
We operate an efficient system that uses less land and harnesses over 60% of rainwater, minimizing the consumption of natural resources.
We actively support social causes to fight hunger in Puerto Rico, bringing hope for a better future.
Aaron Fields is a seasoned grower, manager & executive in the field of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) with over 20 years of extensive experience in greenhouse production. Throughout his distinguished career, Aaron has made significant contributions to both innovative startups and industry giants, including Monsanto, Syngenta, Gotham Greens, and Eden Green Technology.
With expertise encompassing a wide spectrum of areas – from growing and management to research, genetics, production, and design Aaron has played a pivotal role in advancing the technologies and practices that are driving the future of sustainable agriculture. His work has taken him to diverse locations, allowing him to apply his skills and knowledge in varied and challenging environments.
Mr. Fields has been committed to furthering the CEA industry through education. He has been interviewed in numerous podcasts and has been a speaker to professionals and students of all ages. Aaron has been featured in many industry publications and starred in a YouTube channel focused on teaching the public about hydroponics and fresh produce. He continues to speak at industry conferences and advocate for the industry to the government.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Aaron enjoys time spent with his wife and two daughters, Harper and Iris. Together, they enjoy exploring the beach, hiking, music, and travel.
Zuleyka Mendoza Ramos joined Campo Caribe in January 2021. Prior to CC, Ms. Mendoza worked as the Purchasing and Corporate Relations Director for Empacadora Hill Brothers, where she also held the roles of Sales Manager, Quality Control Supervisor and Receiving Supervisor. As the Corporate Relations Director, Ms. Mendoza positively changed the image of the company and established solid relationships with senior executives of the major supermarket chains on the Island, as well as with different organizations. These partnerships made possible the realization of beneficial seminars for Produce Managers of club stores and supermarkets chains, in the fields of health and security, fresh fruits and vegetables diseases and seasons, and FDA regulations, setting an industry precedent.
In addition, Ms. Mendoza developed a strategic marketing campaign for a new product being launched, resulting ranked top on sales on the Island. Her excellent personal skills, together with her ability to communicate and motivate, not only contributed to great sales increase results, but also helped her lead a successful group of merchandisers, establishing a novel service within the industry.
Aligned with the company values and committed to the community, Ms. Mendoza participated in an initiative supporting homeless individuals, transforming their lives in amazing ways, and becoming excellent professionals; she describes this as one of her most gratifying experiences. Her appointment as a Purchasing Director, supported by her expertise in sales, and other executive roles, not only involved her in the development of the company’s Strategic and Succession Plans, but also allowed her to establish excellent relationships with suppliers in the United States and many other countries, as well as expanded her knowledge in the food industry in Puerto Rico.
Zuleyka is passionate about tennis and traveling the world; her nieces, nephews, and furry companions mean the world to her.
BS (Cum Laude) in Business Administration from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus
Isaí joined Campo Caribe LLC in March 2025, bringing over eight years of experience in regulatory compliance within the food industry. Throughout his career, he has established himself as a reference in food safety, serving as Coordinator, Quality Inspector, and Consultant, collaborating with companies in the sector to ensure regulatory compliance, the implementation of food safety management systems, and the continuous improvement of production processes.
He has worked at renowned companies such as Pan Pepín, Vaquería Tres Monjitas, and PRIMEX, where he strengthened his expertise in quality control, internal audits, and compliance with regulatory standards. He holds key certifications such as HACCP and PCQI, both essential to ensuring the safety and quality of food products.
saí combines deep technical knowledge with a strategic vision, enabling him to lead multidisciplinary teams, develop effective training programs, and ensure successful audits under both national and international standards. He has experience in the production of ready-to-eat products, packaging, and their different presentations. He is a certified auditor in Global Food Safety Initiative standards, including SQF, FSSC 22000, and PRIMUS GFS, in addition to having served as a Quality Auditor under the ISO 9001 standard. His focus is centered on risk prevention, consumer protection, and operational sustainability.
Beyond his technical expertise, Isaí has shared his knowledge as a lecturer and workshop facilitator, training entrepreneurs as well as members of the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA).
Passionate about traveling the world, teamwork, and the manufacturing of safe foods, Isaí remains committed to raising food safety standards at every stage of the food chain.
Camille joined Campo Caribe LLC in December 2024. A native of Barranquitas, her life was deeply shaped by the influence of her family—especially her grandfather, a beloved farmer in the town. She leads the Human Resources department, a role that allows her to apply her corporate experience to a growing agricultural context, contributing to employee well-being and strengthening the organizational culture.
She studied Psychology at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, driven by her interest in human behavior, neuroscience, and social relationships. Later, she completed a Master’s degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology at Carlos Albizu University, convinced she could combine her passion for people with the strategic functioning of organizations.
Her professional career began at Claro Puerto Rico, where she built a strong foundation in structured recruitment, unionized environments, and high-volume selection processes. She later advanced to Liberty Communications of Puerto Rico, where she strengthened her knowledge in benefits, leave management, employee experience, and onboarding processes—building a comprehensive background in human resources.
Camille deeply values that her work allows her to be present for her two children, Lyanna and Owen Gabriel. She is passionate about art, music (especially heavy metal), plants, animals, and family moments.
Arturo joined Campo Caribe LLC in early 2025 as Maintenance Manager, bringing more than two decades of experience in construction and industrial maintenance. He graduated from the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering in 2001.
Throughout his career, Arturo has led the development and implementation of mechanical maintenance programs for various companies in Puerto Rico and the United States. In 2008, he achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first—and to date, only—Puerto Rican to serve as both an electrical and structural engineer at one of the most prestigious shipbuilding companies in the United States.
In 2013, he decided to return to Puerto Rico to reconnect with his roots, his family, and his community. Since then, he has held key positions at companies such as Cadillac Uniform, Suiza Dairy, and CC1, where he worked as Maintenance Engineer, Maintenance Lead, and Manager, primarily within the food and manufacturing sectors.
At Campo Caribe, Arturo has embraced the challenge of leading the maintenance department in a dynamic and growing agricultural industry. His technical leadership, focus on continuous improvement, and commitment to excellence have significantly strengthened both the team and the company’s operations.
Outside of work, Arturo enjoys working on cars, exploring nature—especially Puerto Rico’s beaches and rivers—with his family and friends, and following sports such as basketball and boxing.
Andrea has more than five years of experience at Campo Caribe, where she has stood out for her strong sense of responsibility, respect, dedication, and commitment in carrying out her duties. Her career demonstrates a solid work ethic and a proactive attitude toward challenges.
On a personal level, she enjoys outdoor activities, such as going to the beach, and values quality time with friends and family—aspects that reflect her sociable and well-balanced character.
Jonah Helmer joined Campo Caribe (CC) in 2022. Prior to joining CC, Mr. Helmer worked as a Grower at Element Farms and Researcher in the Cornell Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Group under the direction of Dr. Neil Mattson and Dr. Michael B. Timmons. Mr. Helmer has experience designing, growing in, and managing multiple types of crop production systems including greenhouse leafy greens and herbs, hydroponic strawberries, industrial and medical cannabis, and aquaponic production systems.
As a researcher in the Cornell CEA Group, Mr. Helmer designed novel hydroponic and aquaponic production systems for strawberries. He hired and managed research assistants for experiments evaluating the efficiency of these novel production systems. Mr. Helmer published information on these systems for farmers on the Cornell CEA website (https://cea.cals.cornell.edu/crops/cea-strawberry-runner-propagation-for-deep-water-culture/).
During his time at Element Farms, Mr. Helmer worked closely with the Head Grower to optimize water quality to increase arugula yields and implemented an integrated pest management system which reduced greenhouse pests by 20-50%. Mr. Helmer is passionate about sustainable agriculture and providing access to fresh healthy produce. He loves hiking and exploring the natural world.
BS (Highest Honors) in Plant Sciences from Cornell University
Kevin López Gómez, originally from Mexico, joined Campo Caribe in January 2024. Kevin graduated from Tufts University with a focus on Mechanical Engineering. Before joining Campo Caribe, he served as the Production and Maintenance Manager at GreenLife Farms, one of the few farms that integrates Deep Water Culture (DWC) with Cravo Greenhouses for crop production.
At GreenLife Farms, Mr. López was instrumental in expanding the farm’s production capacity by 20 times over three years, enabling it to service 25% of Publix stores, the largest employee-owned supermarket chain in the U.S. His expertise encompasses the maintenance and upkeep of a wide range of equipment, along with experience in both DWC and Gutter Systems. Kevin’s skills in optimizing resource use, developing new processes, and managing CAPEX initiatives have significantly enhanced infrastructure and efficiency in his previous role, and he continues to apply these skills at Campo Caribe.
In his free time, Kevin enjoys playing soccer and dancing salsa and bachata, reflecting his vibrant and energetic personality.
BS (Magna Cum Laude) in Mechanical Engineering, Tufts University
