Those who appreciate healthy food may be interested to help Puerto Rican farmers to recover their land after the impact of Hurricane María in September 2017. Below you may read information about two volunteer agricultural programs in the Municipalities of Aibonito and Yabucoa, Puerto Rico.

1. Aibonito’s Agroecological Support Brigade Circuit Volunteer Program

(a) Places where you may volunteer services

Agroecological farmlands in the Municipality of Aibonito, Puerto Rico

(b) Leading association

Aibonito’s Agroecological Support Brigade Circuit ("Circuit")

(c) Volunteer works

Tasks such as removal of debris, reconstruction of ranches, and agricultural works (e.g.: cultivation of soil, planting of seeds, creation of compost).

Examples of crops that have grown in the Circuit’s farms are: pumpkins, squash, tomatoes, peppers, beans, eggplant, corn, mesclun, arugula, and cabbage.

(d) Event dates: Wednesdays

As of the date of publication of this article, the volunteer activities are held weekly on Wednesdays. Depending on the progress made on the farmlands, it is possible that volunteer activities under this program be held monthly in the future.

For more information about the volunteer program’s duration, farm locations and hours, you may contact the Circuit’s representative specified below.

(e) Minimum required qualifications to participate as a volunteer

Minors need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian during the volunteer activity. For more information about the participation of the minors, please contact the Circuit’s representative.

(f) Lunch

Potluck- Each volunteer should bring a lunch dish to share with the group. Also, bring proper dining utensils.

(g) Contact information

Daniella Rodríguez Besosa, T.: 787-431-8424 (text message is preferred)

2. YUCAE Project Volunteer Program

(a) Place where you may volunteer services

YUCAE Project’s Farm in the Municipality of Yabucoa, Puerto Rico

You may read more information about this farm in an ecotreasures article titled “Cassava and its Extended Family in YUCAE Project’s Farm” (ecotreasures.com/magazine/articles/51)

(b) Leading organization: YUCAE Project’s Committee

(c) Volunteer works

Phase I- Clearing of the Farmland

Tasks such as general clearing and cleaning of the farmland, removal of weed on trees and debris.

Phase II- Preparation of the Land and Agricultural Works

Tasks such as plow work, cultivation of the soil, and planting of seeds for the growth of crops (e.g.: cassava, pineapples).

(d) Phase I Dates in January 2018

January 16, 23, 30 (Tuesdays)
January 13 and 27 (Saturdays)

Phase II Dates in February 2018

February 10 and 24 (Saturdays)

For event hours and further dates, you may contact the organization.

(e) Minimum required qualifications to participate as a volunteer

(i) Adults and minors who are at least 13 years old may participate,

(ii) Minors may participate subject to prior written authorization by parent or legal guardian. Minors need to be supervised by parent or legal guardian during the volunteer activity.

You may contact the organization for more information about the required qualifications to participate as a volunteer.

(f) Contact information

Lydia Díaz, YUCAE Project’s Committee representative, T.: 787-385-5422 (text message is preferred)

Note: The information provided herein is based on information submitted by the volunteer program organizations. Please contact the organizations for any updated information regarding the volunteer programs.