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Raíces Visits Finca Mi Casa
Raíces Cultural Center Director Francisco G. Gómez talking with Don Luis Soto of Finca Mi Casa about the his experiences during and after Hurricane María. Reminders of the devastation everywhere, from damage to structures to scarred and damaged trees…
Purslane
Christina Proxenos, a volunteer with Raíces Cultural Center who came on our January 2018 relief support trip to Puerto Rico, harvesting purslane from the Plenitud PR greenhouse to include in the day’s lunch salad.
Planting
Student volunteers planting at Plenitud PR during their service learning trip.
Permaculture Farm
Plenitud PR is an organic farm based on permaculture principles and techniques. Through a variety of growing and sustainability practices, including creating a food forest, rainwater harvesting, greenhouse production, terraced farming, raised beds,…
Permaculture Education
Hands-on experience is the best teacher when learning about organic agriculture, permaculture and agroecology. Some of the seedlings being planted on this slope will produce food, while others will set deep roots to preserve soil stability and…
No Till Farming - Digging Stick
St. Thomas University VISIONS program participant Tobias Knight preparing holes for transplanting seedlings into the steep slopes on a terraced planting area of Plenitud’s organic permaculture farm. Tilling would weaken the soil structure on this…
Mizuna
Mizuna, an Asian salad and cooking green, growing in the greenhouse at Plenitud PR. Growing a diversity of heat resistant varieties adds to the biodiversity of the landscape and gardens.
Loving Service at Plenitud
While working in the greenhouse at Plenitud, resident Rebekah Sánchez and intern Bri Treppeda take a moment to show their friendship and affection.
La Cosecha - The Harvest
As Don Luis tours his home based farm, he harvests fruits and leaves from the plants that are growing for visitors to sample. Three months after Hurricane María devastated the island of Puerto Rico, Don Luis and other small, local farmers already had…
In the Greenhouse
Don Luis explaining what is growing inside the greenhouse area and what has changed on the farm since Hurricane María to Raíces Cultural Center Director Francisco G. Gómez. The plastic roof and repairs to this greenhouse became one of the projects…
Heirloom Tobacco
Don Luis Soto keeps one heirloom tobacco plant in production in his greenhouse in order to save the seeds.
Harvesting Purslane
Rebekah Sánchez, a resident and team member at Plenitud PR, harvesting purslane from the greenhouse garden bed. Purslane is often thought to be a weed, but when allowed to grow and harvested for food, it is an extremely nutritious and delicious…
Harvesting Patchouli
Plenitud PR intern Bri Treppeda harvesting patchouli leaves to use as mulch on adjoining growing rows.
Hands-On Service Learning in the Garden
Service learning program participants Darian Kolb, Sunita Dharod and Mackenna Crisally from St. Thomas University’s VISIONS program gaining hands on experience by volunteering in the garden as they learn about permaculture and agroecology principles.
Greens in the Greenhouse
Kale, scallions, cilantro, parsley, lettuce, mizuna, arugula, chives and more were already growing in the greenhouse just weeks after repairs had begun in December 2017, and greens and herbs were already mature and being harvested when the Raíces…
Greenhouse Under Construction
The greenhouse at Plenitud PR was still under construction for reparations from Hurricane María when the Raíces crew visited in January 2018. However, the repairs had begun as soon as the grant announcement from Juntos Together Disaster Relief…
Greenhouse Seedlings
A variety of seedlings sprouting in trays in the greenhouse at Plenitud PR. The greenhouse was heavily damaged by Hurricane María, with repairs happening from the end of December to the beginning of January, thanks to a grant received by the Juntos…
Greenhouse Production at Plenitud
Greens and herbs growing in the greenhouse at Plenitud PR. Tender annuals and seedlings are grown in the greenhouse in order to extend the season through water control. The young seedlings and the greens are protected from driving rains and given…
Greenhouse Production at Finca Mi Casa
Despite losing the plastic roof and the door to the screened in greenhouse, Don Luis Soto of Finca Mi Casa resumed annual crop production inside his greenhouse almost immediately after Hurricane Maria passed. When the Raíces crew visited in January…
Greenhouse Critter
The garden beds at Plenitud PR are filled with life and biodiversity, which in turn helps with natural pest control. Lizards hang out on the edge of the garden beds to sun themselves and wait for insects.
Garden at Tainasoy Apiario
The garden beds at Tainasoy Apiario are raised beds with irrigation ditches fed by a rainwater catchment system. The beds are made on contour for soil stability and to help prevent erosion, as well as for water management. These beds are for annual…
Frutas y Vegetales Osvaldo
Roadside produce stand just a mile away from Finca Mi Casa in Camuy, Puerto Rico. It was a relief to see a small, local business providing fresh food to the community in contrast to the amount of destroyed, damaged and yet-to-be reopened businesses…
Fresh Harvested Starfruit
Tobias Knight, a visitor to Plenitud PR during a service learning exchange with St. Thomas University’s VISIONS program. This is the first time Tobias saw or tried eating a starfruit.
Food Gardens at Plenitud PR
Tomatoes growing in a raised bed at Plenitud PR.
El Departamento de la Comida - Closed
We passed by where the Departamento de la Comida restaurant and local food farmer’s market used to be before Hurricane Maria. The restaurant and market were put on hold to create the PR Resiliency Fund project, which will support at least 200…