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Zona Agricola
Seen from the highway leaving the San Juan area, “Zona Agricola” means agricultural zone. About 80% of agricultural crops were wiped out by Hurricane María in September 2017.
Yokahu Tower Through the Trees
Four months after Hurricane María passed through the island of Puerto Rico ,the environmental destruction remained clearly visible on the landscape. The trees were not as lush and green, the foliage was sparse, and landmarks that were normally hidden…
Working the Earth at Finca Mi Casa
Raíces Director Francisco G. Gómez and volunteer Christina Proxenos working the earth at Finca Mi Casa under the direction of Don Luis Soto. During our visit, we planted a small patch of three varieties of beans for seed saving from some of the…
Working in the Greenhouse
Many hands make light work. With about a dozen service learning volunteers, the entire greenhouse can be weeded and watered in about 15 minutes.
Working at the Seed Brigade
Volunteers Rahnawn and Gregory sort seed donations for school seed banks.
Weeding the Greenhouse
Service learning program participants Sunita Dharod and Darian Kolb from St. Thomas University’s VISIONS program weeding the garden beds in the greenhouse at Plenitud.
Watering the Greens
Service learning program participant Mackenna Crisally from St. Thomas University’s VISIONS program watering the greens growing in the greenhouse beds at Plenitud.
Watering Seedlings
Service learning program participant Duncan Anderson from St. Thomas University’s VISIONS program watering seedlings in the greenhouse at Plenitud.
Watering in the Greenhouse
The greenhouse at Plenitud PR is used for food production and educational programs. Greens are more easily grown in the controlled environment under the greenhouse plastic, where the amount of water the plants receive can be monitored and controlled.…
Watering
All visitors to Plenitud contribute to the work on the farm or in the community in some way. Service learning program participant from St. Thomas University’s VISIONS program watering plants in the greenhouse at Plenitud.
Water Levels Falling
Due to the draining of Lake Guajataca for dredging and repairs to the damn that was breached during Hurricane María, water levels in the rivers and streams leading into the lake are also dropping.
Water Levels Dropping
Water levels were near an all time low at Lake Guajataca when the Raíces crew drove over the dam in January 2018, due to the draining of Lake Guajataca for repairs to the dam.
View from the Rainforest
Landslides and sparse foliage could be seen across the land from a viewpoint in El Yunque National Forest, despite the fact that nature had begun to regenerate. Ecologists and scientists researching and working to help restore El Yunque have stated…
View from Plenitud’s Earthbag House
View of the developing food forest at Plenitud PR that can be seen from the front door of the farm’s earthbag house.
Vejigante
Vejigante masks made by the Ayalas remain on display in the home.
Tropical Garlic
Though garlic and onions are difficult crops to grow in tropical environments, Don Luis Soto of Finca Mi Casa has developed methods and seed stock for both that have adapted to tropical climates, producing full sized, organic garlic and onions. The…
Trees Damaged by Hurricane María
Trees along the road leaving Loíza up into Carolina and Río Grande that were damaged during Hurricane Loíza. Landscapes, forests and jungles were left bare and brown by the storm and its aftermath. At the time of the Raíces Disaster Relief Support…
Three Months After María
In January 2018, it was evident that the natural landscape was beginning its path towards regeneration, while human communities still struggled to provide basic services like a functioning electric grid and running, clean water. Driving over electric…
The Seed Huntress
Sefra Alexander, The Seed Huntress, sorting seed packets donated by Hudson Valley Seed Library at the PR Resilience Fund’s week long Seed Brigade.
The Raíces Crew with the Finca Mi Casa Crew
Don Luis and Doña Carmen Soto of Finca Mi Casa with Raíces Cultural Center co-founders Francisco G. Gómez and Nicole Wines during our Sustainable Disaster Relief Support Exchange Trip in January 2018. Raíces is proud to have provided support to Finca…
Terraced Food Forest
Pathway through two mountainside terraced garden beds. The terraced beds are planted on counter and designed to help control the flow and absorption of water from rainfall. Because of the terraforming and water management techniques that Plenitud…
Tara Rodriguez Besosa at the PR Resilience Fund’s Seed Brigade
Creator and leader of the PR Resilience Fund initiative Tara Rodriguez Besosa receiving donations brought to Puerto Rico from members of our home community in Central NJ by the Raíces Cultural Center crew. Included in the list of supplies requested…
Tangled Wires, Destroyed Grid
Mangled utility poles and dangling, tangled wires were a common sight throughout the island, even in the lush rainforest of El Yunque.
Talking with the Ayalas
Raíces Director Francisco G. Gómez speaking with Raquel and Junito Ayala about the storm, the aftermath, and the recovery and rebuilding.