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USDA-NRCS Caribbean Area Newsletter

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USDA-NRCS Caribbean Area Newsletter 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 Puerto Rico 2 culture, permaculture, 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 biodiversity 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 renewable energy. Applicants grate as many concepts of must provide a 50 percent match for sustainability 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‐ solar energy, 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. recycling 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 stewardship 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.
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