Camilo Román Muñiz is a young farmer, with a B.A. in Agricultural Sciences from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus and an MBA degree from University of Phoenix.
His spouse, Suan Y. Muñoz, has a B.A. in Communications and assists her husband in administrative aspects of the dairy farm. Camilo has also been on the Board of Directors of the Puerto Rico Milk Industry Board since 2015. “I love agriculture and animals, and I feel very proud to produce food for my people and my country,” said Camilo.
Carrying on the family legacy
In 2013, Camilo purchased the dairy operation from his father, Felipe Román, who started the business in 1985. The generational succession of the operation was spurred by Felipe Román’s interest in retiring, which allowed Camilo to purchase the business.
To date, Camilo’s operation produces 31,399 milk quarts with a total of 126 milk cows. The dairy farm is located in 24 acres of land leased to his father in the Hato Arriba Ward in San Sebastián on the northern coast of the Island. In addition, Camilo leases 300 additional acres close to the farm that are used for cow pasturing.
Partnering with Farm Credit
Puerto Rico Farm Credit financed the purchase transaction, as well as the construction of Camilo’s property, and a credit line for the dairy operation. Although Camilo’s father is technically retired, he continues assisting his son with different tasks in the dairy operation, as pro bono, and is on site helping on a daily basis.
Positive working relationship
Camilo describes his relationship with Puerto Rico Farm Credit as excellent. “I can call Jorge Colón at the bank at any time and they are always willing to help.” He also said the thoroughness of the documentation process, the detailed procedure when handling cases and the information requirement from PR Farm Credit as a positive and correct one, because it shows the professional and formal way in which the institution is managed.
The young farmer has a positive vision of the agricultural sector on the Island, despite the fact that the country is currently facing economic challenges and the government has fiscal woes. Camilo has become an industry leader because he enjoys cooperating and helping other farmers with sharing best practices and ideas that will lead to maximizing their production and yield more efficient operations.
