P.O. Box 364868 ‐ San Juan, PR 00936‐4868 ‐ 787.766.5206 ‐ www.pr.nrcs.usda.gov The Caribbean

May 2012 Volume 1, Issue 6 NRCS Caribbean Area Commemorates Director’s Corner th USDA’s 150 Anniversary! As we celebrate our 150th anniversary, we On May 15, stronger communities and a stronger continue working 2012, the nation. hard to implement U.S. Depart‐ conservation on the Said USDA Secretary, Tom Vilsack, “For ment of Agriculture (USDA) cele‐ ground and strive to 150 years, USDA has supported our na­ SOIL brated 150 years of work on behalf become a better organization. tion's economic prosperity and touched of agriculture, rural America and the lives of generations of Americans. I’m people throughout the country and It is hard to believe summer is just proud of the USDA employees who carry world. around the corner. Along with our out President Lincoln's legacy through­ summer months – and BBQ, sun and In the midst of the Civil War in out the country and around the world, longer days – our Caribbean Area 1862, President Abraham Lincoln making USDA a truly ‘Every Day, Every faces another challenging hurricane signed an act of Congress into law Way’ department. Whe ther improving season. We need to be prepared to WATER establishing USDA. Two and one‐ domestic and international access to protect life and livelihood. half years later in his final annual food, promoting nutrition and safety of message to Congress, Lincoln called our food supply, conserving our natural I appreciate your commitment and USDA “The People’s Department.” resources, advancing agricultural ex­ dedication to this great agency and At that time, about half of all Ameri‐ ports, or developing the rural economy, to your families. That is why I ask cans lived on farms—compared USDA helps Americans lead better lives." that you set aside some time this with only 2 percent today. month to update your emergency Please visit our 150th Anniversary web‐ plans and prepare for another hur­ Since then, USDA has helped sup‐ site at www.usda.gov/USDA150 to find ricane season. AIR port the tremendous growth and out more about our history and the year success of American agriculture, ‐long celebration. You can also sign‐up Enjoy your summer, you very well drive economic growth, conserve to receive historical USDA factoids and deserve it. Be safe. natural resources, and build photos delivered right to your inbox. Yours in Conservation, Edwin Almodóvar, Director USDA­NRCS Caribbean Area Pachamama Forest Garden Works with the NRCS Organic Initiative to Create a Sustainable Farm USDA at 150 Factoid PLANTS

conserve resources on her farm In 1900, 39.2 percent of the U.S. population lived on farms, compared through the NRCS Environmental Qual‐ to 1.8 percent in 1990. ity Incentives Program (EQIP) Organic Initiative. Pachamama Forest Garden is a thirteen Inside this Issue: ‐acre secondary forest farm in the NRCS Caribbean Area Commemorates 1 Uroyaon Mountain Range between Ma‐ USDA’s 150th Anniversary ANIMALS yagüez, Añasco and Las Marías. The Director’s Corner 1 Pachamama project uses a low impact Pachamama Forest Garden Works with approach to create a sustainable family the NRCS Organic Initiative to Create a 1‐2 farm. The concepts they are applying Sustainable Farm include: agroecology, agroforestry, silvi‐ U.S. EPA Region 2 Honors 2 culture, , holistic and con‐ & U.S. Virgin Islands Environmental Volunteer installs hillside ditch designed servation farming. Rural Development Aid Available for by NRCS in Pachamama Forest Garden. 2 Through the NRCS conservation plan‐ Farmers HUMANS Over 10 inches of rain fell along ning process, Pachamama Forest Gar‐ Meet the Utuado Field Office 3 Puerto Rico’s West Coast this past den is installing practices to control Organic 101: What the USDA Organic 3 March, in a season that is usually storm water runoff flowing from the Label Means dry. While a blessing, heavy rains hills towards the valley where many NRCS Recognizes Women Agronomists 3 can also cause complications for food crops are planted. One practice, a During March 2012 Women’s Week farmers. Raquel Robledo, Resource hillside ditch, was built along the con‐ NRCS Caribbean Area Celebrates Earth Conservationist with the Mayagüez 4 tour to repair one of their biggest prob‐ Week with Outreach Activities NRCS Field Office, is helping lems: an old road created by all‐terrain Workshop Provides Río Loco Pachamama Forest Garden owner, 4 Watershed Project Update ENERGY Magha García, control runoff and (Continued on page 2) Activities & Events 4 Page 2 The Caribbean Pachamama Forest Garden Works with the NRCS Organic Initiative Rural Development Aid to Create a Sustainable Farm Available for Farmers

(Continued from page 1) Ms. García and farm volun‐ The USDA Rural Development (RD) teers have started subsis‐ agency encourages Caribbean Area vehicles (ATVs). After digging a 115‐ tence ecological planting of farmers to participate in their assis‐ foot long hillside ditch, Ms. García edible crops, and are con‐ tance programs. The Value Added started to see an immediate improve‐ tinuing their work moving Producer Grant (VAPG) Program is a ment in one of Pachamama’s fields. In fallen trees, exploring the grant‐only program to help agricul‐ less than a year, vegetation has grown land for nature trails, in‐ tural producers enter into value‐ up along the eroded ruts and bare, ventorying flora and fauna, added activities. Applications can be muddy areas damaged by motorcycles developing a submitted for either planning or and ATVs, helping to protect the soil. conservation plan and working capital, but not both. RD managing the farm’s natu‐ seeks projects to market value‐added ral resources. In this way, agricultural products and/or for farm‐ they will gradually inte‐ based . Applicants grate as many concepts of must provide a 50 percent match for as possible.

To follow Pachamama awarded funds. For VAPG Program Forest Garden’s activities, details, visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/ visit their blog at: http:// BCP_VAPG_Grants.html. The Small pachamamapr.blogspot.co Minority Producer Grant Program is m. For details on the EQIP also available for Caribbean Area Organic Program, contact farmers. For details, please visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/pr/ or LEFT: Volunteers dig plant beds on January 20, your local NRCS Field Of‐ 2012 (top) and small herb garden built with local fice or visit our website at www.rurdev.usda.gov/fl/ (for USVI stones dug from plant beds (bottom). www.pr.nrcs.usda.gov. clients) or contact your local Rural ABOVE: Casey River in flood during March rains. Development office.

U.S. EPA Region 2 Honors Puerto Rico & U.S. Virgin Islands Environmental Leaders The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency The 2012 PR & USVI Environmental Qual­ clude news and events related to energy has honored an environmental educa‐ ity Award winners are: and the environment in Puerto Rico. The tional project, a media organization and a coverage provided on Miprv.com has pro‐ business in Puerto Rico and two organiza‐ Business and Industry—Green Way Ex­ vided crucial education to the public about press has programs in emissions control, tions in the U.S. Virgin Islands with Envi‐ the proposed Vía Verde pipeline project, technology, education and community rela‐ ronmental Quality Awards for their suc‐ , windmills and other environ‐ tions in Puerto Rico. Green Way Express re‐ cess in protecting public health and the mental news and advancements. The site duced their energy use, resulting in 27% environment. EPA Regional Administrator also promotes the importance of conserv‐ lower CO2 emissions. They also started a Judith A. Enck presented this year’s ing aquatic resources. program, which diverted 3,276 lbs awards to recipients at a ceremony held of waste from landfills last year. Green Way Environmental Education—Beyond Vi­ April 22 at EPA’s offices in Manhattan. Express now recycles 91% of all waste they sions Foundation has made environ‐ “Change that will create a healthier and produce, providing unique supply chain solu‐ mental education, awareness, advocacy more sustainable future begins with people tions to reduce their environmental impact. and its mission since 1997. like those the EPA is honoring today,” said Its efforts across the U.S. Virgin Islands Environmental Education—Proyecto Re­ Administrator Enck. “They give of them­ have helped a diverse range of communi‐ cinto Verde (Green Campus Project) is an selves and set a high bar in their actions to ties by providing youth education, com‐ initiative of the Inter‐American University of protect public health and the environment.” munity assessment programs and health Puerto Rico. The project promotes environ‐ awareness initiatives. EPA presents the Environmental Quality mental protection and conservation aware‐ Awards every year during Earth Week. ness through environmental education in Non­Profit Organization, Environmental Awards are given to individuals, busi‐ academic and community settings. Focus or Community Group—Island Green nesses, government agencies, environ‐ areas include administration, recycling, re‐ Building Association (IGBA) created the mental and community‐based organiza‐ forestation, health education and conserva‐ first and only Residential Tropical Green tions and members of the media in EPA tion. They aim to positively impact local eco‐ Building Certification program to promote Region 2, which includes Puerto Rico and systems and achieve a better quality of life sustainable tropical architecture and envi‐ the U.S. Virgin Islands. The awards recog‐ for the university and its community. ronmental preservation on St. John, USVI. nize significant contributions to improving In 2012, IGBA established the St. John Re‐ Press and Media—Miprv.com. In 2011, Mi the environment and public health in the source Depot to reuse and recycle con‐ Puerto Rico Verde (My Green Puerto Rico), a previous calendar year. For details about struction materials, and they hold monthly website offering tips on how to lead a green the EPA Region 2 Environmental Quality environmental education meetings open lifestyle, changed its editorial section to in‐ Awards, visit www.epa.gov/region02/eqa. to the public. Volume 1, Issue 6 Page 3 Meet the Utuado Field Office NRCS Recognizes Women Agronomists During March & Wildlife Service (USFWS) and EnviroSur‐ vey, Inc.—to establish an effective outreach, 2012 Women’s Week planning and technical assistance relation‐ NRCS female staff were honored on ship between the agencies to implement March 9, 2012, during a Puerto Rico EQIP contracts. The goal of this innovative College of Agronomists (CAPR) event effort between the 3 agencies is to establish to celebrate Women’s History Week. effective conservation strategy for area cof‐ The activity featured presentations fee plantations. tailored to female agronomists and a Studies have shown that native tree species recognition ceremony where manag‐ provide beneficial shade to conserve re‐ ers from all represented agencies sources and improve wildlife habitat on cof‐ Utuado Field Office staff from left to right: Israel Vega, honored Female Agronomists from District Conservationist; Evelyn Rivera, Soil Conservation fee plantations. All three agencies are part‐ their workforce. Technician; and Norberto Valentín, Soil Conservationist. nering to ensure that the correct type and number of tree species will be planted to Over 100 women agronomists repre‐ The NRCS Utuado Field Office serves the peo‐ meet agency standards and specifications. senting various local and federal gov‐ ple of Utuado and Jayuya, Puerto Rico from The species they are working with are: Moca ernment agencies and private indus‐ the USDA Service Center on Fernando L. (Andira inermis), Guaba (Inga vera), Guamá try participated in the event. Ribas Avenue in Utuado. (Inga laurina) and Capá Prieto (Cordia allio­ The team of Israel Vega, Norberto Valentín dora). Since the USFWS and EnviroSurvey and Evelyn Rivera bring a wealth of experi‐ nursery produces only species approved to ence in specialized areas of agronomy, bot‐ establish shade coffee plantations, the agen‐ any, soil, water and . We cies have a verbal agreement to use this re‐ are co‐located with the Farm Service Agency source for active EQIP contracts with multi­ and Rural Development offices to provide a story cropping (379) practices to be imple‐ one‐stop center for your farm and rural home mented in 2012, 2013 and 2014. loan needs. Please call us at 787‐894‐1480 or stop our FWPM Lydia E. Collazo (left) and ASTC for Currently, the NRCS Utuado FO is working offices for further information or assistance Field Operations, Fernando Arroyo (right) in conserving our natural resources! recognized Zahira Vega (center left) and with non‐traditional partners—the U.S. Fish Linette Rosado (center right).

Organic 101: What the USDA Organic Label Means Between nutrition facts, “Organic 101: Allowed and Prohibited otherwise be allowed in 100% organic ingredient lists, and dietary Substances” in our March 2012 issue). products. “Made with organic” products do claims on food packages, not have the USDA organic seal, but must “organic” might seem to be Organic meat regulations require animals still identify the USDA‐accredited certifier. to be raised in living conditions that allow just one more claim to deci‐ You can look for the certifier’s identity on their natural behaviors (like pasture graz‐ pher when food shopping. packaged products to verify that they meet ing), be fed 100% organic feed and forage, Understanding what “organic” really means USDA’s organic standards. and not given antibiotics or hormones. can help us make more informed choices As with all organic foods, none should be during our next visit to the grocery store or For processed, multi‐ingredient foods, grown or handled using genetically modi‐ farmers’ market. USDA organic standards specify more fac‐ fied organisms, which organic standards tors. Regulations prohibit organically‐ USDA‐certified organic foods are grown and expressly prohibit (see “Organic 101: processed foods from containing artificial processed according to federal guidelines What Organic Farming and Processing preservatives, colors, or flavors. They also that govern factors like soil quality, animal‐ Doesn’t Allow” in our January 2012 issue). raising practices, pest and weed control, require that ingredients are organic, with and use of additives. Organic producers some minor exceptions. For example, proc‐ Be an empowered consumer—make in‐

rely on natural substances and physical, essed organic foods may contain some ap‐ formed decisions about the food you pur‐ mechanical, or biologically‐based farming proved non‐agricultural ingredients, like chase by becoming familiar with what the methods as much as possible. enzymes in yogurt, pectin in fruit jams, or USDA organic label means. While there are baking soda in baked goods. many marketing claims that add value to Produce can be called organic if it’s certified foods, be assured that USDA organic prod‐ When packaged products are labeled that to have grown on soil that had no prohib‐ ucts are verified organic at all steps be‐ they are “made with organic [whatever ited substances applied for three years tween the farm and the store. prior to harvest. Prohibited substances ingredient],” this means they contain at

include most synthetic fertilizers and pesti‐ least 70% organically‐produced ingredi‐ Reprinted from the USDA Organic 101 blog

cides. When a grower has to use a synthetic ents. The remaining non‐organic ingredi‐ series that explores different parts of USDA’s substance, it must first be approved accord‐ ents are produced without using prohibited organic regulations. For details about USDA

ing to criteria that look at its effects on hu‐ practices (genetic engineering, for example) Organic, please visit: www.ams.usda.gov/ man health and the environment (see but can include substances that may not AMSv1.0/nop. San Sebastián Field Office Celebrates Earth Week with Outreach Activities! districts, and the instruments staff use in the field to put conservation on the ground. The two‐day field visit highlighted common conservation practices applied on the Patiño farm such as contour planting, crop rotation, nutrient management and pest management. Staff also demonstrated how they used various survey instruments to design and install con‐ servation practices in the field and distributed SCT Michelle Catoni (bottom right) and SC Javier a factsheet to the students describing NRCS’

Torres (top row, 5th from right) pose with RUM stu‐ Environmental Quality Incentive Program ABOVE: SC Torres demonstrates survey equipment dents while visiting the Patiño Farm in Aguada, PR. (EQIP) and Earth Team Volunteer Program. use to RUM students visiting the Patiño Farm. BELOW LEFT: SCT Catoni shows RUM student how For Earth Week 2012, San Sebastián Field For details or to schedule an outreach activity to use a hand level. Office staff Javier Torres (Soil Conserva‐ with the San Sebastián Field Office, please call tionist) and Michelle Catoni (Soil Conserva‐ 787‐896‐3565 or 787‐896‐2987. tion Technician) led a two‐day field visit USDA at 150 Factoid for 29 University of Puerto Rico‐Mayagüez In 2009, 8,569 U.S. farmers reported (RUM) students and two professors to Mr. producing renewable energy on their Sigfredo Patiño’s Farm in Aguada, PR. farms, saving an average of $2,406 on NRCS staff partnered with the Northwest their utility bills. Conservation District and RUM professors to familiarize students with EQIP conserva‐ tion practices established in the Coloso Activities & Events Valley and other San Sebastián Field Office Guánica Crab Festival, June 15 ‐17, 2012, at the Malecón. Mango Festival, June 15‐17, 2012, Eudaldo Báez García Blvd., Mayaguez, www.mayaguezpr.gov Workshop Provides Río Loco Watershed Project Update Paso Fino Competition, June 17, 2012, Vieques Club Ecuestre, Barrio Santa María delivered a presentation on soil bioengineer‐ ENTSC Management of Manure Nutrients Webi‐ ing practices for stream bank restoration. nar, June 27, 2012, 2:00‐3:00 p.m. NRCS Resource Conservationist, Mario Lajas Agricultural Fair, June 29‐July 1, 2012, Route Rodríguez, spoke about NRCS’s Coral Reef 116, Casa Grande sector, Lajas, PR Initiative project in Guánica Bay & Río Loco. Mango Melee, July 1, 2012, St. George’s Village Plant Materials Specialist, Edwin Más, fol‐ Botanical Garden, St. Croix, USVI Participants in UPR Sea Grants Rio Loco workshop listen lowed up with a presentation describing con‐ ENTSC Soil Moisture‐based Irrigation Scheduling: to partner presentations. Theory & Practice Webinar, July 12, 2012, 2:00‐ servation practices applicable to the Río 3:00 p.m. Loco Watershed. Also assisting was Soil Con‐ On March 15, 2012, NRCS participated in a ENTSC Climate Smart Agriculture: Intro to Agro‐ University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Sea servation Technician, Harry Maldonado. Climate Information & Decision Support System Webinar, July 19, 2012, 2:00‐3:00 p.m. Grant workshop to update stakeholders on Other workshop topics included: the Initia‐ Castillo San Felipe del Morro Artisan Fair, July 20‐ the efforts to improve the Río Loco River tive for Río Loco Watershed Conservation Watershed in Guánica, PR. Representatives 23, 2012, 10:00 a.m.‐6:00 p.m., El Morro, San and Restoration, Runoff Management appli‐ Juan, PR from local and federal government agencies, cable for Río Loco Watershed (by EPA); and ENTSC River Science for Non‐Engineers Webinar, as well as the general public attended. Shade Coffee Initiative (by USFWS). For de‐ July 25, 2012, 3:00‐4:00 p.m. NRCS Caribbean Area Director, Edwin tails on the Guánica / Río Loco Initiative, ENTSC Establishing & Maintaining Habitat for Almodóvar, welcomed participants to the please contact Mario Rodríguez at 787‐831‐ Pollinators & Beneficial Insects Webinar, August 14, 2012, 3:00‐4:00 p.m. workshop, then Engineer Lydia E. Collazo 3101 x116 or [email protected]. ENTSC Design of Silage Leachate Collection Sys‐ tems Webinar, August 29, 2012, 3:00‐4:00 p.m.

We’re on the Web! Editorial Board:

USDA‐NRCS Caribbean Area www.pr.nrcs.usda.gov  Edwin Almodóvar, State Conservationist 654 Muñoz Rivera Ave., Suite 604  Nilda González, Administrative Assistant

Hato Rey, PR 00918‐4123  Ismael Matos, NRI Specialist Phone: 787‐766‐5206 Follow us on Twitter @NRCS_Caribbean &  Faye Williams, Secretary Facebook under NRCS Caribbean Fax: 787‐766‐5987  Julie Wright, Editor, Program Analyst

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