University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
English Department
Progress Report
DATE: December 1st, 2020
TO: Professor Pier Le Compte
FROM: Laura Blondet Vázquez, Douglas J. Acevedo Cruzado, Eduardo Ballester, Leonel
Class Ríos, and Patricia Alvarado Maldonado.
SUBJECT: Progress Report of “Finca Buena Vibra”
Introduction of Agriculture:
Agriculture is a vital branch of science for human beings that consists of economic
and technical activities related to soil treatment and the cultivation of land for food
production. It comprises a whole bunch of human actions that transform the natural
environment. Agriculture in Puerto Rico is a vital and fundamental part of our culture and
Puerto Rican roots. The controversy about the relevance of agriculture in Puerto Rico is
between those who think it is not essential for improving the island, and the others who
believe that agriculture is the new way to keep Puerto Rico moving forward, progressing,
alive, and increasing the economy of Puerto Rico. Many crops are grown on the island, like
coffee, rice, corn, and sugar cane. In this work, our focus will be on coffee crops. History
dates back centuries to the arrival of the indigenous people to our island, who began with
their crops and harvesting different fruits to survive. Later, with the Spanish arrival, the
agricultural sector in Puerto Rico continued to develop in a more sophisticated manner,
implementing new products on the island, such as coffee. Puerto Rico was the only Spanish
territory in America that produced coffee.
Coffee originated from Yemen, and the Spanish brought it to Puerto Rico. Yemen is
an Arabian Peninsula; therefore, Puerto Rico's coffee is of the Arabian variety and has to be
like that by law. All American coffee comes from a single tree that is in a greenhouse in the
Netherlands. The Dutch took a tree from Yemen and gave it the right conditions to grow.
From there, they brought seeds and distributed them to St. Martin, Puerto Rico, the
Dominican Republic, and other countries. The Spanish had a law called "Spanish Crown
Law" that protected coffee. The book "Amargo Café" says that in 1860s Puerto Rico was
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
English Department
obsessed with coffee and polishing it; this is how we earned our good reputation. Therefore,
by the middle of the 19th century, Puerto Rico's coffee was the best in the world. The first
town to grow coffee in Puerto Rico was Coamo.
In the 20th century, coffee was not so important in agricultural production and was
left aside. The factors that influenced this to happen were that despite the importance of
agriculture in our economy, during the first half of the 20th century, the rejection of our
traditional peasant culture was encouraged due to extreme poverty, the devastating impact of
diverse natural phenomena, and the social problems that the world was facing at that time.
This led to the oblivion of the native agriculture of our Puerto Rican peasants. Furthermore,
with the United States’ arrival in 1898, they took over all the peasants' lands and ended up
being exiled from their lands and turned into a relic of the social imaginary. In this way, these
lands became the Americans' domain, where they implemented their production factories.
Finally, coffee became a forgotten product and the priority of production at that time was
sugar cane.
Nowadays, coffee production in Puerto Rico is scarce due to how the government and
the system have changed because of the lack of labor and the economy. When Hurricane
Maria hit the island in 2017, the few crops that the island had of coffee were affected and
destroyed. This caused our agricultural production to deteriorate. Currently, many of these
affected sectors have not had a response from the government. As a consequence, most of the
products we consume daily are imported. Most of the coffee we drink today comes from
Mexico. Brazil is the largest producer of coffee in the world. Since most of the products
Puerto Ricans consume are imported, this has caused a deterioration in the economy and the
stability of the island's agricultural activity. Therefore, the agriculture of Puerto Rico has
changed since the industrialization and all the economic changes that have happened since
then. Consequently, we are well behind in the industry of planting and harvesting in
agriculture.
There are two types of people who work in agriculture in Puerto Rico. We have
farmers who work for the government and farmers who work independently. Independent
farmers arose because they probably worked for the government and were dissatisfied with
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
English Department
their work conditions. They gave up working from the government to work independently.
By working independently, these farmers have their own farms, harvesting their products to
sell them to the markets they want. They can also create their own business from the products
they produce. Rafael Rodríguez, the farm owner where this group was working, is an
example of an independent farmer. He has his farm where he has his crops and sells what he
produces. He is starting; however, he has future projections to grow to a grander scale in his
production. Therefore, independent farmers are the ones who kept farming alive all this time
that this industry has been declining. Soon, if agriculture develops, those who will keep this
industry from expanding will be independent agriculture.
Agriculture in these times could be represented as a critical point for advancing the
country's economy since agriculture is a way to offer new opportunities where new
beginnings are created. In this way, the possibility of creating employment opportunities for
people is given. If agriculture on the island develops, this may increase production and labor
where economic conditions in Puerto Rico would improve. Agriculture is a sector that serves
the country, which is vital to the country and individuals' lives. Therefore, the agriculture of
Puerto Rico can benefit both, the people and the nation by commercializing agriculture,
exporting products to other countries, and producing our food to not depend on anyone in the
future.
Project Background:
Technical writing course, also known as ENGL 4021, is a course given by professor
Pier Le Compte Zambrana which all undergraduates biology students must take. This course
teaches technical communication that will help students write and communicate more
effectively within their work field, allowing them to transmit their ideas with a proper format
using higher clarity, accuracy, conciseness, and correctness. Throughout the semester, from
August to December 2020, we have learned different aspects of how to write technical
documents and make a technical presentation. Finally, for the final part of the course, all
technical documents' characteristics must be applied to elaborate the Progress Report. This
report is written by a group of five students, and to complete it, it was required to complete a
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
English Department
total of four hours of community service in the chosen farm, "Finca Buena Vibra" located at
Ponce, Puerto Rico. The members of the group are Laura Blondet Vázquez, Douglas J.
Acevedo Cruzado, Eduardo Ballester Rivera, Leonel Class Ríos, and Patricia Alvarado
Maldonado.
Tasks:
In the process of developing the work and being able to complete it in the most
efficient way, it was decided to divide the work into three phases: organization, distribution,
and performance.
I. Organization
This job consists of a lot of focus and commitment. For this reason, it was planned to
work the four community hours at “Finca Buena Vibra” at Ponce, since it is an accessible
meeting point for all team members. The team also planned that different parts would be
assigned to each member of the team during the process.
II. Distribution
To be prepared for the community hours work and technical report, it was
decided to distribute different responsibilities to each member of the team and thus be
able to work more fluidly. The responsibilities were:
● Photography (take evidence)
● Secretary (write down essential details discussed)
● Information gatherer
III. Performance
Once finished organizing and distributing the different responsibilities, we visited the
chosen farm and worked with the farmer Rafael Rodríguez. The farmer gave an educational
tour of the farm and assigned a task for the members; clean coffee plants by removing ripe
coffee seeds from the plants all over the farm to, later on, observe the coffee beans being
processed through multiple phases. This is a crucial task since ripe beans can end up in the
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
English Department
ground, and an infected plant by an insect can be born, which will not give fruit. The protocol
phases to prepare coffee beans are:
● Collect ripe coffee beans from plants (red beans).
● Removal of the first two layers of coffee beans. (Figure III)
● Fertilization of the grains. (Figure IV, V)
● Wait for beans to dry in the sun for about four days.
● Removal of last dry layer.
● Roast coffee beans for consumption.
Goals:
Some of the farmland goals were to work with the maintenance of coffee plants and
obtain photos to evidence our work. However, the main goal was to find and discover as
much information as possible regarding the past and the future of the coffee seeds and the
production in Puerto Rico. Another goal was to help students see the relevance of agriculture
and increase their knowledge of this topic. We have uncovered how the coffee seeds were
transported onto Puerto Rico by the Spanish colonies right after conquering the island of
Puerto Rico. Not only that, but we also learned about how Hurricane Maria affected the crops
and the seeds of our beloved coffee. Now we can understand the importance of agriculture
and know that it is vital to the impact on civilization. This information can be distributed in
the following:
I. The effect of the Hurricane Maria on the farmland:
After some explanation, we were left with the fact that the employees were short-
handed and that there was nobody else looking for the job, and almost all the seeds were
severely damaged practically wholly. The employees were harder to find, and he was left
with only three workers that only come three days a week.
II. The History of the origins of the coffee seeds:
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
English Department
The coffee seeds in Puerto Rico came from Spain during the conquest of Puerto Rico
and the founding of what we know now as San Juan. The coffee seed from Puerto Rico
quickly became one of the most popular in the “Old World” and the most sold; said to have
the best taste of any other coffee seed. Spain used to trade and sell these coffee seeds around
the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Puerto Rico was once recognized as the best place
with coffee production thanks to its quality, and it was also known for having perfect places
to farm these seeds since it had the ideal conditions for them to grow.
III. Information about the coffee seeds and its production:
The coffee seeds grow from a tiny white flower that auto pollinates itself. During this
process, the seeds can also spread and cultivate more coffee seeds. For the coffee to taste
better, you must get the seeds with a dark red color, which means the seed is matured and
ready to be collected. The process of making the coffee is by peeling the outer layers of the
coffee seed, leaving only the seed itself visible. After this, we put them in a barrel and wait
three to five days to ferment. After the fermentation is complete, we put them on a table
facing the sun directly; this will dry off the seed and be ready for use and consumption.
IV. The Importance of Agriculture:
This objective was achieved by visiting the farm "Finca Buena Vibra." This way, the
students had the opportunity to have a first-hand experience of working with agriculture by
involving in the cultivation of coffee beans, the maintenance required, and understanding the
process of their production. Besides, by participating in these activities, students can see the
significance of encouraging independent farmers and their crops.
Goals in Process:
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
English Department
Our ongoing goal is to grow new coffee trees for us to collect the seeds. With this, we
also can spread the name of the farmland to make it more popular.
Limitations:
There were very few limitations in terms of driving towards the farmland of “Finca
Buena Vibra.” However, the road was rough and difficult because of its poor maintenance
and pod holes along the way.
Future Projections:
As we walked seeing the crops, the farmer expressed his future plans with the team.
He wants to expand his crops by producing different fruits in addition to coffee. Furthermore,
he wants to employ young people who really value the agricultural industry. Besides that, he
wants his crops to be organic while maintaining quality and taste. In his future, he plans to
have more than one type of coffee tree. Also, he has designed to transform the farm into a
ranch where tourists and local people can go and see it, explaining the history of coffee.
Finishing, stopping in a coffee shop that the tourist will have a taste of the final result, that
will be the cup of coffee with a slice of pastry cake, appreciating the entire view of the ranch.
He wants to progress in all aspects, have all the permits that he needs, so the Secretary of
Agriculture can visit. His desire is so much that he would like to have each plant in a
greenhouse like in Holland to distribute it to all the world. In this way, making Puerto Rico
recognize it as the best coffee as it was in the 1860s. Also, he has a structure built in one part
of the farm, based on a house with a pool that he wants to convert into an Airbnb so people
can stay. All this accomplishment would make them happen when he feels that he has a
stable production of coffee.
Conclusion:
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
English Department
Agriculture has been a principal theme for the human race. The agriculture technique
was a significant change in humanity’s history; we passed from being nomads to learning
how to cultivate our own stuff. In this project, we learned the great importance of agriculture.
We specifically learned about the cultivation of coffee. In the process, we learned the history
of coffee in Puerto Rico, the requirements for a coffee tree to grow, and the different methods
that have the fruit of coffee to be converted into the cup of coffee that you drink in your
house. After this project, we realized all the hard work and the time that is involved in the
coffee industry. It’s have been a lot of learning for all of us, not only in the coffee industry
that was the one that we emphasize, but also with Rafael Rodríguez, the owner of “Finca
Buena Vibra” that responds a lot of questions that we had, like how the government helps the
farms in Puerto Rico after the pass of hurricane Maria. He responds with sincerity that the
government only helps specific farms, but he does not receive any help. The farm “Finca
Buena Vibra” is a beautiful place, and Rafael Rodríguez is an excellent host that teaches us
and responds to all the questions that we have. This was a fantastic experience that we are
going to remember for the rest of our lives.
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
English Department
APPENDIX A
Service Log
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
English Department
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
English Department
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
English Department
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
English Department
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
English Department
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
English Department
APPENDIX B
Minutes of Group Meetings
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
English Department
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
English Department
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
English Department
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
English Department
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
English Department
APPENDIX C
Photos
Figure I: Coffee plant with ripe seeds (red seeds).
Photo captured by Patricia Alvarado
Figure II: Students collecting coffee seeds.
Students: Douglas Acevedo, Eduardo Ballester, and Laura Blondet
Photo captured by Patricia Alvarado
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
English Department
Figure III: Coffee seeds being processed (removal of layers).
Photo captured by Patricia Alvarado
Figure IV: Coffee seeds before fertilization.
Photo captured by Patricia Alvarado
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
English Department
Figure V: Coffee seeds after fertilization.
Photo captured by Patricia Alvarado
Figure VI: Coffee after being processed (last phase).
Photo captured by Patricia Alvarado
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
English Department
Figure VII: Rafael Rodríguez (farmer) with students
Students: Patricia Alvarado and Laura Blondet
Photo captured by Eduardo Ballester
Figure VIII: Rafael Rodríguez (farmer) with students
Students: Eduardo Ballester, Douglas Acevedo, and Leonel Class
Photo captured by Patricia Alvarado
Figure IX: Members of Team 1 culminating the visit to Finca Buena Vibra.
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
English Department
Members: Patricia Alvarado, Laura Blondet, Leonel Class, Eduardo Ballester, and Douglas
Acevedo
Photo captured by Rafael Rodríguez
APPENDIX D
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
English Department
Self-Reflection
References:
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
English Department
Álvarez Febles, Nelson (1993). “Critique of contemporary agriculture and ecological
agriculture as an option for development in Puerto Rico,”Master's thesis in Social Ecology,
Goddard College, Vermont.
Álvarez Febles, Nelson. (2009). Prologue in Desde Borínquen Atravesada: apuntes para una
sustentabilidad jíbara, José Rivera Rojas, Sembrarte PT, Caguas.
Bergad, Laird W. (1983). Coffee and the Growth of Agrarian Capitalism in
Nineteenth-Century Puerto Rico, Princeton University Press, Princeton.
Moscoso, Francisco (2001). Agricultura y sociedad en Puerto Rico, siglos 16 al 18: un
acercamiento desde la historia, Puerto Rican Culture Institute, San Juan