Project Overview
Commodities
Practices
Proposal abstract:
In the 2026-2027 cycle, the Puerto Rico SARE State Program will focus on developing a comprehensive educational manual on sustainable planting practices, targeting farmers, extension faculty, and other agricultural professionals. The manual will cover the entire crop production process-from land preparation to harvest-integrating key concepts such as soil health, cover cropping, efficient resource use, and organic fertilization. Inspired by traditional local knowledge and updated with modern sustainable agriculture principles, this manual will be adapted to the island's agro-ecological conditions.
Alongside the publication, a series of hands-on training workshops will be conducted in collaboration with NRCS and hosted at the Agricultural Experiment Stations in Gurabo and either Lajas or Juana Díaz. These workshops will reinforce the manual's content, focusing on regenerative practices, soil conservation, and farming systems. We expect to train approximately 40 participants, with 20 per site.
As part of this effort, the state's Strategic Plan for Sustainable Agriculture will also be reviewed and updated to align future priorities with current educational needs and outreach strategies. This update will support the broader mission of expanding awareness about SARE-funded opportunities and sustainable farming resources available to producers across Puerto Rico.
Finally, outreach will be amplified through different events, field days, and agricultural fairs, where the manual and SARE resources will be shared with a wider audience. This project aims to build capacity and promote long-term sustainability in Puerto Rico's agricultural sector.
Project objectives from proposal:
In the new 2026-2027 period, efforts will focus on the development of a Sustainable Planting Practices Manual, accompanied by a series of hands-on training workshops targeting agricultural professionals, extension faculty, and individuals interested in sustainable farming. The manual will offer a comprehensive approach to the sustainable crop production process, from land preparation to harvest, including:
- Soil conservation and soil health techniques
- Efficient use of water and other natural resources
- Management of cover crops
- Organic fertilization methods
The manual aims to update and revive traditional farming practices through a modern lens, aligned with current principles of sustainable agriculture and food security.
Key topics to be addressed in the manual include:
- Site selection and land preparation: Fertile soils, minimum tillage, and weed management.
- Design of planting areas: From household gardens to commercial plots, with visual plans and recommendations based on family size and space availability.
- Recommended crops based on local climate: Crop-specific guidance including planting dates, spacing, germination time, and harvest windows (e.g., pumpkin, corn, lettuce, cilantro, tomato).
- Soil management and fertilization: Comparison of chemical vs. organic inputs.
- Water conservation and efficient irrigation techniques.
- Local seed production and preservation.
The second component of the project consists of theoretical and practical training sessions in collaboration with NRCS and Extension technical staff. These will be held at the Agricultural Experiment Station in Gurabo and Agricultural Experiment Station in Lajas or Juana Díaz. Within the practical component, a series of planting modules will be developed for crop production. These planting modules will be replicable for both subsistence-scale food production systems and commercial-scale agricultural production systems. The plantings established in the practical training area will place special emphasis on starchy crops (root and tuber crops) using varieties released by the Agricultural Experiment Station. The use of these locally developed varieties represents a significant contribution to sustainable food production, as they have been evaluated and adapted to local agro-ecological conditions.
At the household level, these plantings promote food sovereignty and resilience by encouraging the production of staple crops and reducing dependence on external inputs and imported seed sources. At the commercial level, this approach supports farmers by facilitating the development of on-farm seed reserves, strengthening local seed systems, and enhancing long-term production stability. Additionally, the use of released varieties helps preserve locally adapted germplasm while increasing farmers' capacity to maintain consistent yields under changing environmental conditions. Approximately 20 participants per region are expected, for a total of around 40 participants.
The workshops will focus on manual-related topics, with NRCS staff leading key sessions on:
- Soil conservation
- Cover cropping
- Soil health, among others
Additionally, the committee will meet to review and update the Strategic Plan for Sustainable Agriculture at the College of Agricultural Sciences. This update will help define priorities for future funding cycles and promote SARE funding opportunities and educational resources for individuals and organizations interested in sustainable agriculture.
Development of an Educational and Practical Manual
- Description: Develop and distribute a modern, Puerto Rico-adapted manual on sustainable planting practices, aimed at producers of varying scales.
- Timeline: The manual will be completed within three to four months.
In addition to formal training, the team will continue participating in outreach activities such as agricultural fairs, field days, and educational events, where SARE resources and funding opportunities will be promoted.