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Projects
Tres Amigos Farm, Las Marías, 2011-present
This project consists in creating a permaculture education center where individuals and groups may participate in workshops and internships to learn design and application of sustainable practices.
This farm of Las Marías is mainly grown of starchy vegetables and fruit trees. Our efforts have focused on introducing sustainable practices for soil conservation, responsible water management and bio-diversification. For food production we are using the techniques of layered gardens, bio-intensive planting, and planting in refrigerators and tires recycled as pots.
We are currently in the first phase of the project: design and development of Zone 1 and 2 (areas of integrated orchards, aquaponics, vermi-culture, chicken tractors, nursery). Upcoming permaculture designs include phytoremediation ponds, rainwater harvesting, forest food (food forest) and buildings made of superadobe. Stay tuned for workshops and contact us for volunteer opportunities and internships.
See photos of our work on this farm.
This farm of Las Marías is mainly grown of starchy vegetables and fruit trees. Our efforts have focused on introducing sustainable practices for soil conservation, responsible water management and bio-diversification. For food production we are using the techniques of layered gardens, bio-intensive planting, and planting in refrigerators and tires recycled as pots.
We are currently in the first phase of the project: design and development of Zone 1 and 2 (areas of integrated orchards, aquaponics, vermi-culture, chicken tractors, nursery). Upcoming permaculture designs include phytoremediation ponds, rainwater harvesting, forest food (food forest) and buildings made of superadobe. Stay tuned for workshops and contact us for volunteer opportunities and internships.
See photos of our work on this farm.
Permaculture School, 2011
This project consisted of creating a permaculture school where individuals and groups may participate in workshops and internships to learn about the design and application of sustainable practices. This school was developed by Plenitud in Utuado, in collaboration with the Permaculture Institute of Puerto Rico. We developed practices and research in: organic gardens, agroforestry, responsible water management, renewable energy and bioconstruction.
Casa Siempre Vida, Arecibo 2010-2011
Casa Siempre Vida
(House of Forever Life) is an effort to construct a multi-purpose space at Plenitud. The center hosts
yoga and reiki healing sessions, as well as workshops on organic
farming, bio-construction and other sustainable practices. We are
proud to have hosted the first Superadobe workshop in Puerto Rico,
where attendees helped build a 16-foot high dome that now serves as
the main area of Casa Siempre Vida.
In this course, we trained seventeen residents of the island's Garrochales (Arecibo) community in Superadobe construction.
Currently, we are in the final stages of construction and soon we will have an open house and lectures on bio-construction and sustainability.
See pictures of Casa Siempre Vida.
In this course, we trained seventeen residents of the island's Garrochales (Arecibo) community in Superadobe construction.
Currently, we are in the final stages of construction and soon we will have an open house and lectures on bio-construction and sustainability.
See pictures of Casa Siempre Vida.
Agroforestry Systems with Moringa Oleífera, 2010-present
Moringa Tree. Photo by Jeff Adams
In the fall
of 2010, we received funding from the USDA's Conservation Innovation
Grant to create an educational and outreach program focused on the
Moringa “miracle tree."
Moringa is a versatile and beneficial tree for both humans and animals, although it is not widely utilized in Puerto Rico. With this project we plan to establish a demonstration area, showing the many ways Moringa can be planted and used. We also plan to publish a manual on the use and management of the Moringa Oleifera and offer workshops on Moringa and agroforestry techniques.
Moringa is a versatile and beneficial tree for both humans and animals, although it is not widely utilized in Puerto Rico. With this project we plan to establish a demonstration area, showing the many ways Moringa can be planted and used. We also plan to publish a manual on the use and management of the Moringa Oleifera and offer workshops on Moringa and agroforestry techniques.
Moringa PDF Spanish English
Design and Construction of Urban Organic Gardens
We offer services to the public to help with the construction and design of organic vegetable gardens for households, schools, communities, farms, churches, and restaurants. We offer a range of garden types to fit with the needs and desires of our costumers. Our gardens range from simple container gardens to elaborate projects that complement the landscape they are part of. We also aid with the development of large forest gardens that feature vegetables, herbs, fruit trees, and leguminous plants intercropped for maximum productivity and biodiversity.
The heart of this service is environmental education. We commit ourselves to teaching the necessary maintenance skills, providing the tools and knowledge so gardeners can continue to grow their own food. We can also provide participating schools and communities with an integrated curriculum in conjuction with a garden project.
We promote gardening and education as a means of reconnecting with nature, promoting unity within family and community, increasing food security and nutrition, and encouraging ecological awareness.
Click here to see portfolio of gardens.
Click here to learn more about school gardens and integrated curriculum.
The heart of this service is environmental education. We commit ourselves to teaching the necessary maintenance skills, providing the tools and knowledge so gardeners can continue to grow their own food. We can also provide participating schools and communities with an integrated curriculum in conjuction with a garden project.
We promote gardening and education as a means of reconnecting with nature, promoting unity within family and community, increasing food security and nutrition, and encouraging ecological awareness.
Click here to see portfolio of gardens.
Click here to learn more about school gardens and integrated curriculum.
Organic Gardens Workshops and Agroforestry
For over two years we have offered basic and advanced organic gardening workshops and agroforestry workshops to provide participants with the knowledge, practical experience, and inspiration to begin or improve their gardening skills. The workshops are usually held at our teaching center, but we also offer them in homes, schools, universities, institutions and farms. The workshops typically last 4-6 hrs. We also provide workshops with flexible hours for groups of children, adults and seniors.
Contact us or see our calendar for more information on our workshops.
Contact us or see our calendar for more information on our workshops.
Superadobe Workshop, Rincón, Puerto Rico in collaboration with Earthen Hand, April 2010
In April 2010, Plenitud worked in collaboration with Scott Howard of Earthen Hand to offer the first Superadobe workshop in Puerto Rico. During this workshop we trained twelve local and international participants in Superadobe construction and began building a 13' diameter dome on site. After the workshop the owners of the farm, John Rossiello and Gina Mikan, continued the construction and finished the dome.
