Everywhere we look in the natural world, we see connections and mutually beneficial relationships between plants, microorganisms, birds, insects, and animals. For example, the world-renowned soil biologist, Elaine Ingham, has helped to demonstrate that millions of microorganisms…

I learned to eat after I turned 25. Before that, I thought that anything that tasted good and satiated my hunger was food. I think that eating is one of the biggest human pleasures–in fact, when I was little, I would say that my favorite part of the school day was lunch time.

After Hurricane María, all of our lives changed - even those of us who practiced rainwater harvesting and had barrels for collecting water for the plants. For my family, my wife and 2 young children, our inverter and a boat battery to generate electricity that we use during the last hurricanes only lasted 1-2 days. This time, the challenge of where to get rainwater or electricity hit hard and made us think outside the box. We should be resilient. 

Food is a universal experience - it is the one thing in this world that no matter what age you are or what experiences you have had, there is a relationship that exists between food and self. Food has a way to bring people together, and over the last year and a half I’ve had the beautiful opportunity to see how this can happen.

Few places in the world are blessed with the natural abundance that can be found in Puerto Rico. Geographically, the island has been blessed with a number of microclimates that are abundant with water, sun and soil. However, this same geography makes us more prone to a number of environmental hazards like hurricanes, landslides and earthquakes.

We thought we’d share some recipes for traditional Puerto Rican foods that you can share with your own families and friends, just as we’ll be doing here at the farm. Here are some classic favorite foods that you will find in homes all over Puerto Rico at Christmas time.

Hello! My name is Myrna Torres and I am a very fortunate teacher of six wonderful kids with neurodiversity. Together, we are the Salón a Tiempo Completo Modificado at the Eva Patria Custodio High School in Las Marías. I learned about Plenitud PR through Arlene Ramírez, the occupational therapist for my students. INFINITE THANKS, ARLENE!

In our modern world, we have access to so much information at our fingertips; we can know about any person, place, or thing in just minutes. But “knowing” about something through reading and listening often leaves gaps in the learning process. Hands-on, experiential learning allows us to develop a more complete and in-depth understanding of a topic or concept.

“Paula, Natalia--hey, drop what you’re doing and come with me. I want to share something with you. This can’t wait!”

Although Paula and Natalia were a bit taken back by my insistence, they could tell from my facial expressions and enthusiasm that it was something positive, something to be excited about. “Wait, let me get my coffee- I’ll be right there,” said Natalia as I motioned her to hurry up and get in the car.

Nicole Barreto Gaud is an 11 year old girl, a student from Las Marías, sweet as can be and very passionate about planting. She is a living example of inspiration for other students and adults. Nicole told me that she discovered her passion for agriculture at just 7 years old, through her participation in Plenitud PR’s Crezco en Plenitud program at her school, Dr. Silverio Medina Gaud Elementary School.

We love variety and creativity in the kitchen! If you are looking for new ways to get more veggies on your plates, you’ll love this Celery Root Vegetable Rice, which can be cooked and enjoyed in just 10 minutes.

The heart of Plenitud PR is our 15-acre educational farm and teaching center in Las Marías, Puerto Rico, and this is the place that I call home. My name is John, and I have the privilege of serving as the Operations Director of this little slice of tropical paradise. This position grants me a window into everything that happens on-site, and I want to give you a glimpse into a day in the life at Plenitud PR.

These nourishing muffins are a Plenitud PR staff favorite for their robust flavor and nutrient-packed ingredients. Enjoyed at breakfast, as an afternoon snack, or as a post-meal dessert, they are the perfect treat to add a little brightness to your day!

It’s hard to believe that COVID-19 has had a grip on our world for more than a year now. During this time, we’ve been physically separated from friends, family, and community to keep each other safe. We’ve adapted to new ways of communicating, learning, working, and staying connected. And here at Plenitud PR, we’ve been looking to serve our community in innovative ways while also protecting those most vulnerable to the pandemic in our area.

Vermicomposting is a method of composting that uses worms to convert food waste into nutrient-dense castings. Not only are their castings rich with minerals and micronutrients such as magnesium, calcium, and nitrates, but the worm's skin produces a mucus that kills toxins and bad bacteria like E. coli, creating a scrumptious and nutritious compost smoothie for your plants.

SuperAdobe--a type of bio-construction-- has become one of the few modern techniques for building safe, structurally-sound, long-lasting structures from sustainable materials to shelter ourselves in times of climatic disasters. For the last 10 years, Plenitud PR has been leading the movement in teaching this style of architecture to provide safer, more reliable housing for people in Puerto Rico.

Since its inception, Plenitud PR has strived for more sustainable, ecological, and healthier ways of living, full of gratitude and love. In this process, we find ways to connect more deeply with the natural rhythms of the world. Nader Khalili, the founding architect of The California Institute of Earth Art and Architecture (better known as Cal-Earth), had a similar vision when he first started working with earth in order to develop SuperAdobe construction.

My name is Jaris Delgado, and I serve as Plenitud PR's Holistic Educational Content Development Lead. Through my service with Plenitud PR, I have come to understand just how impactful the work that we do really is, especially for the children and youth of our Puerto Rican community.

When school was about to start up again, Plenitud PR took on the project of creating lesson plans for 178 students from 3 different schools in Las Marías and Maricao. Can you imagine being a child and having to take classes online? I’m sure a lot of you are first-hand witnesses to this dynamic - kids stuck at home, on screens all day, with no real creative stimulation or social interaction. In response, Plenitud PR came up with the idea of arranging and distributing agriculture and art kits along with interactive tutorial videos to spice up students’ online classes.

I have found a new passion in my life. While a world of madness swirls around me, I have found my true north, a new direction filled with surprises and smiles every day. I have found a lost treasure that fills me with hope.