Plenitud Iniciativas Ecoeducativas

Hurricane Fiona Community Relief and Resilience Efforts. On September 18, 2022 Puerto Rico was impacted by Hurricane Fiona, leaving practically the entire island without public utilities including water and electricity. The following day, Plenitud PR's team jumped into action, launching the distribution of 200 plates daily to vulnerable seniors and community members, installing 10 rainwater harvesting tanks, trained 100 people in emergency water filtration, and supporting local farmers. These activities were identified by community members as the most pressing needs following the Hurricane. La Cancha Sana Community Center that was launched in 2020 by Plenitud PR to be a hub for resiliency in times of crisis was in full operation, providing water, hot meals, and electricity to the entire community, thanks to the off-grid system. A summary of additional community efforts include: -Offered meal delivery services to 60 vulnerable elders for 21 consecutive days (September 19 - October 19), providing stability, food security and daily check ins in a difficult moment. A total of 1,260 plates were distributed to seniors. -Offered fresh lunches to the entire community, distributed from La Cancha Sana Community Center for 21 consecutive days. A total of 2,100 plates were distributed (average of 100 per day) featuring local produce purchased from local farmers. -Purchased produce from farmers to reduce financial loss resulting from disruptions to sales and marketing and crop damage. -Organized and led work parties on local farms to clean up storm damage. -Installed 10 rainwater harvesting systems for seniors and vulnerable families, guaranteeing water security to approximately 40 people. -Distributed 100 emergency water filtration systems and trained 100 individuals in emergency water filtration techniques and the basics of rainwater harvesting. -Offered community members daily access to offgrid electricity to charge their cell phones and devices as well as fill up jugs with purified drinking water at La Cancha Sana (utilizing off-grid solar system and rainwater harvesting and purification system) -Employed local community members and staff to participate in relief work -In the middle of the recovery, Plenitud PR hosted a kids movie night to give parents a break while schools were closed and homes were without internet, power and water. It was a much needed break and respite for many hardworking families. -Held a post-recovery workshop available to all community members on rainwater collection and harvesting techniques. Attended by 30 local community members

Amo mis Abus Program. This year, through the support of Banco de Alimentos, Fundacion Triple S, and Plenitud Sustainers, Plenitud PR was able to not only continue serving between 50-60 vulnerable elders in the local community but also increased the frequency of serving them 3 times a week with the additional funding that arrived. As the rural population in Las Marias continues to age, these services are more and more essential. In 2022, Plenitud PR provided: -50-60 elders weekly preparation and delivery of healthy meals prepared from scratch and made with almost all local ingredients that were sourced from agro-ecological farmers from the Western region of Puerto Rico as well as from our teaching and production farm. In the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona, Plenitud PR delivered meals to 60-70 elders for 21 consecutive days (1260 meals!) providing stability, food security, and daily check ins in a difficult moment. -Following the Hurricane, the program Amo Mis Abus experienced an expansion of its services providing food and nutritional security through the delivery of locally sourced produce, two meals a week and to sixty (60) participants. In addition, the team increased the amount of companionship visits to the Abus to once a week visits for (4-5) of the participants. -Source, prep and deliver 210 boxes of fresh vegetables, root crops and local products for 50-60 vulnerable elders each valued in an average of $40-$70. -Coordinated (6) Work Parties of 5 or more volunteers to support different elders to repair and/or clean their houses as well as building gardens. -Accomplished (2) fundraisers to support 3 elders with urgent needs. - Assured that 95% of elders have water security through rainwater cisterns, including the installation of 16 additional cisterns at elders homes. -The (4) chefs and sub-chefs of the program were trained with nutritional and healthy cooking knowledge from experts in the field. This included multi-day workshops to the Amo mis Abus staff and community leaders, on healthy cooking, nutrition, and wellness practices. -Provided (2) workshops on home vegetable gardens for elders and their families in collaboration with the Banco de Alimentos Puerto Rico at La Cancha Sana, our Community Center where we cook for the Abus. -Launched a Course on Wellbeing and Healthy Cooking that impacted (17) participants through (7) classes and personal coaching. As part of this, conducted (8) meetings in total with nutritionists, doctors, and other health professionals in the development of the healthy cooking workshops and curriculum. Participants reported significant changes and benefits as a part of the program and have continued to meet monthly to continue learning and healing together.

Agroecological Agriculture Program. Agriculture is the largest and most established program at Plenitud PR. In 2022, the program achieved significant impacts and outcomes in the areas of food security, education, and support for local farmers through an incubator program. In addition, over 1000 individuals directly benefited from the agriculture program. Food Security. The agriculture team increased on farm food and water security through two main projects: Increasing the quantity of food production through intensive farming techniques and increasing the economic impact of vegetables sales for local farmers. 2021 = 4,000 lb / 2022 = 8,264 lbs of local vegetables grown 2021 = $11,000 / 2022 = $27,537.90 in sales of local vegetables Through the sales of the produce, 150 local families weekly received fresh, local produce in a food desert where fresh produce is difficult to access. In addition, Plenitud PR collaborated with 7 local farmers who utilized the Plenitud Sales, marketing, distribution channel to sell produce weekly and increase their economic viability as farmers. In addition many production, sales, marketing and distribution tools were created, enhanced, and shared with the local farmer alliance. As climate change continues to change the consistency of rain during both the rainy and dry seasons, water security is more essential than ever for farmers. Through the installation of a river irrigation system, on farm water security was increased greatly. Installing the river irrigation system was a complex and comprehensive process possible through the support of many experts and resources, and in early 2023, the first water arrived from the bottom of the farm to the top of the farm via the new irrigation system. Education. Plenitud continued to develop its educational model and formalize the courses, workshops and content into a agriculture educational library for beginning farmers and individuals. In 2022, the agriculture team added: -Development of Food Access and Literacy (FAL) content to increase sales for farmers in the region and improve previously created educational material based on feedback from course participants on agricultural practices, crop planning and maintenance tools. This also included the creation of social media templates to present simple educational material to the general public and 28 recipes of how to use local production. -Continued Plenitud PR's Intensive Agroecology training educational programing which includes our apprenticeship, mentorship and internships. -Tested and improved the Annual Agroecology Apprenticeship curriculum, adding new topics like soils and bio-fertilizers. There are now 6 Spanish educational tools covering a wide variety of topics from crop maintenance to bio-fertilizers. -16 Social media templates created to continually publish easy to understand Spanish infographics (factsheets). -1314 Siembra Boricua Manuales sold and distributed. Plenitud PR began work on the second edition including adding Soil health and water management chapters. Mentorship and Incubator Program Plenitud PR's educational program and support to local farmers continued in 2022. This included intensive and comprehensive mentorship support to: -17 participants through a 6 month- Agro-ecological hands-on course -3 mentorship participants -17 participants in the Business Workshop Incubator program who also received personalized legal/financial consulting -3 incubator participants receiving consistent technical support, access to resources, and over $20,000 in incubator funds through Plenitud PR grants

Over 1500 individuals were received on the Plenitud PR teaching center and farm to learn, tour and have a Plenitud PR experience, the majority enjoyed a farm to table meal during the visit featuring food from the farm.

Plenitud PR launched a significant response to Hurricane Fiona from the La Cancha Sana Community Center distributing food for 21 consecutive days to vulnerable seniors and community members (over 2500 meals), installing rainwater harvesting tanks, training people in emergency water filtration, and supporting local farmers. Plenitud PR was able to promote the work and programs through many radio and TV news outlets.

Plenitud PR was selected as a semi-finalist for the Primo Tina Hills award, one of the most competitive humanitarian awards in Puerto Rico.

100 volunteers were recruited and managed across various areas of the organization.

Plenitud PR's fundraising team maintained a thriving "Plenitud Sustainers" program, at 104 sustainers in 2022. Plenitud Sustainers donate to the organization monthly, providing a stable donation base. In return, they receive monthly benefits such as receiving behind the scenes tours, monthly offerings and first looks at program updates. Hurricane Fiona relief efforts drew significant funding and new donors to the Plenitud PR family in order to support relief efforts during and following the hurricane.

19 staff and over 45 professional services local Puerto Ricans received full and part time employment through Plenitud PR's programs and operations. 5 VISTA members and Plenitud PR launched a partnership with AmeriCorps State and National Program.

1314 Siembra Boricua Manuales sold and distributed. Plenitud PR began work on the second edition including adding Soil health and water management chapters. This extended Plenitud PRs reach. Several talks and workshops were given across the island on the manual including collaboration with University of Puerto Rico's agriculture programs.

17 individual adults graduated from the in person Josco Bravo Agroecological 20 week intensive hands on agriculture training course in Mayaguez and at Plenitud PR. Through the process 9 Spanish agro ecological topics were created.

The agriculture mentee and incubator program thrived with 3 mentee's and 3 incubatee's receiving intensive training, hands-on experience and funding to support farmers starting their own small farm. Incubatee's received over $20,000 in compensation for projects on their farms through Plenitud PR's grants.

17 participants in the Business Workshop Incubator program also received personalized legal/financial consulting.

Over 100 individuals attended workshops held by Plenitud PR on compost, home gardens and worm composting.

3 partner Ninez y Juventud schools managing school gardens and holistic gardening, agriculture, mindfulness, and yoga curriculum. 250-300 students impacted through the program.

Over 500 students visited the farm for 1 day immersive workshops on agriculture, bomba (music), theater, and more. Launched "Healthy Thursdays" at the partner schools to share healthy food options and inspire creative use of fresh produce.

Significant work continued to secure and create an official permitting process for Superadobe construction in Puerto Rico.

Completion of 2 model superadobe domes, trailing of a new style of roofing and testing new techniques such as earthen floors in place of concrete.

16 rainwater harvesting systems were installed in the homes of disadvantaged elderly people in the Las Marias community. 95% of Amo mis Abus elders as of the end of 2022 are water secure. 124 individuals received rain water filtration and harvesting training.

5 AmeriCorp VISTA service members received professional development and mentoring while supporting organizational capacity development in the areas of agriculture, food & kitchen systems, architecture, design, communications, and service learning.

2,850 hot vegetarian meals were delivered to vulnerable elders in the Las Marias Community.

3 local women leaders received steady employment and professional development opportunities through the Amo mis Abus program.

250 boxes of local fresh vegetables and fruits were delivered to elders valued at $40-$70 per box.

Plenitud PR Service Learning program was re-launched with the arrival of 20 students from Drexel University in December 2022.

Launched a monthly tour of the farm in October 2022 that is open to the public and includes farm to table meal and river visit.

Launched a new Course on Wellbeing and Healthy Cooking that impacted (17) participants through (7) classes and personal coaching. As part of this, conducted (8) meetings in total with nutritionists, doctors, and other health professionals in the development of the healthy cooking workshops and curriculum. Participants reported significant changes and benefits as a part of the program and have continued to meet monthly to continue learning and healing together. Developed a mini-cookbook as part of the course.