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Science Lesson
A local resident of Las Marías brings her son, who is homeschooled, to Plenitud PR for practical hands on science lessons. In this photo they are cutting patchouli leaves off the plant to use as mulch in the next garden row. The patchouli grows…
Service Learning
Student participants in the VISIONS program at St. Thomas University in Minnesota on a service learning exchange trip, planting on the terraces of the organic permaculture farm at Plenitud PR.
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…
Biodiverse Community Farming
Part of the service learning experience at Plenitud PR is hands-on group farming. Done in community with residents of Plenitud and local volunteers from Las Marías, interns and students, a large group working together can get a few large tasks done…
Cutting Patchouli
Plenitud PR intern Briana cutting patchouli and creating bunches to use as mulch. This adds rich organic matter to the soil as it breaks down, and the patchouli plant regenerates it’s leaves quickly, making a it a renewable green fertilizer. The…
Rebekah Sánchez at Plenitud PR
Resident of Plenitud PR, Rebekah Sánchez was leading the service learning group when the Raíces crew visited Plenitud in January 2018. Rebekah also runs her own organization called Siembra Boricua and works to help educate youth about agriculture as…
Harvesting Patchouli
Plenitud PR intern Bri Treppeda harvesting patchouli leaves to use as mulch on adjoining growing rows.
Bri Treppeda at Plenitud PR
Bri Treppeda was an intern at Plenitud PR when Raíces visited the farm in January 2018. Here she is harvesting patchouli to use as mulch.
Terraced Farming
The Plenitud PR team designed and terraformed along the slopes at their farm in Las Marías. Farming using permaculture principles has helped hold the soil, and the farm saw little erosion during Hurricane María and the months of rain after the…
Tobias Knight at Plenitud PR
St. Thomas University VISIONS program participant Tobias Knight participating in service learning at Plenitud PR’s permaculture farm.
Service Learning at Plenitud
Service learning program participant Mary Timm from St. Thomas University’s VISIONS program watering plants in the greenhouse at Plenitud.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Service Learning - Watering in the Greenhouse
Service learning program participant Mackenna Crisally from St. Thomas University’s VISIONS program watering the greens growing in the greenhouse beds at Plenitud.
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.
Checking Seed Starts
Plenitud PR resident and team member Rebekah Sánchez checking the progress of seedling starts in the greenhouse at Plenitud. Seedlings are grown under the plastic roof of the greenhouse to control the amount of water they receive and protect them…
Cilantro Flowers Attracting Pollinators
Some herbs, greens and flowers are allowed to go to flower and seed to help attract and feed the pollinators as well as for seed saving for future plantings. Cilantro flowers are great at attracting pollinators, especially honeybees and native bees.
Watering Seedlings
Service learning program participant Duncan Anderson from St. Thomas University’s VISIONS program watering seedlings in the greenhouse at Plenitud.
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.
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…
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.
Permaculture and Biodiversity
Permaculture planting principles promote biodiversity of plants and animals in order to nourish and support the regeneration and building of the soil instead of the depletion and erosion of soil that happens in monocropped, industrial agriculture…