Memorandum

Progress report

Date: December 8, 2022

To: Prof. Pier Le Compte

From: Lara Ballester, Miguel Costas, Sofía González, and Laura Massó

Subject: Progress Report on Atabey Garden Volunteer work

INTRODUCTORY SUMMARY

As part of the course ENGL4021, Prof. Pier Le Compte required the students of section

M03 to complete eight hours of community service at an agricultural organization. The project

extended from August 18, 2022, to December 8, 2022. The aim of this project was to involve

students in the agricultural field to raise awareness about the need to start a home garden and

become self-sustainable. Students volunteer at the Atabey Garden, which is part of a student

organization called the Student Pro-Agriculture Coalition (CEPA by its spanish initials) at the

University of Puerto Rico at Ponce. This organization was founded in 2014 by a group of 7

students alongside Prof José Villalón Sorzano, that recognized the importance and growing

problem of food security in the island of Puerto Rico. This group of students formed the

organization with the mission to create awareness about the importance of food security and how

we can help increase it in Puerto Rico. Additional objectives include:

A. Teaching students the importance of self-sufficiency

B. Educate students on how to create and maintain a garden.

The project faced several limitations including:

A. Adverse weather conditions

C. Lack of resources due to inadequate funding from the university.

This progress report provides a detailed description of the project, including all activities

performed by the students and their contributions to Atabey Garden. The report also discusses

the value of the project and how it contributes to the overall objective. Additionally, the report

addresses any issues and challenges the project faces and potential improvements for the garden's

progress.

I. WORK COMPLETED

A. Creation of a medicinal garden

1. The students prepared the terrain for planting

2. The students divided sections using rocks

3. The students planted medicinal herbs including:

a) Mint

b) Lavender

c) Oregano

d) Chamomile

e) Tobacco

f) Aloe vera

g) Lemongrass

h) Anise

B. Routine garden maintenance

1. Watering plants
 2. Removing weeds

3. Organizing supplies

4. Picking up dried leaves

5. Moving the compost

C. The plating of diverse plants

1. The students sowed pumpkin seeds into the ground.

2. The students sowed squash seeds into one of the raised beds.

3. The students sowed melon seeds into another raised beds.

4. The students sowed bean seeds into the remaining raised beds to aid with nitrogen

fixing.

II. CURRENT WORK

A. Fixing the watering system

B. Maintaining the crops

C. Incorporating beans into the compost and raised beds,

III. PLANNED WORK

A. Atabey Fair

B. Expanding raised beds to include more examples that students can follow

C. Sow a higher diversity of crops

IV. INDIVIDUAL TASKS

Member #1: Miguel J. Costas Sabatier

As student of the course Technical Report Writing for Biology (ENGL 4021) and

president of CEPA I started working on the Atabey garden located on the University of Puerto

Rico on August 18, 2022. I received the students that were going to start their volunteer hours
and assigned the present students to start weeding the raised beds present on the garden.

Afterwards, we marked the ground to form ditches. Furthermore, we worked on preparing the

area for the watering system. This was done by a group of five students. Furthermore, we started

sowing beans in the raised beds. After this was finished, we started preparing the ditches with the

help of a hoe, through these ditches we made sure to leave space for the watering system. On this

day we also tested the soil quality of the raised beds, we did this with the help of Dr. Omar Vélez

López. This work took us from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Furthermore, we continued this work

during the next visit, which was on august 23, we also prepared the raised beds to be able to sow

seeds during the next visit.

On September 6, 2022, we continued our weeding and cleaning tasks, which were the

most common. These were repeated every day I was present in the garden. During this day we

also started filling a bigger raised bed that is now the centerpiece of the garden in with soil that is

rich in nutrients. This soil was given to us through the universities composting program.

On September 13 we focused on sowing seeds into our raised beds. They work to help fix

nitrogen into the soils which is one of the most important compounds. Once finished sowing we

watered the plants and made sure not to leave containers that could be sent flying during the

hurricane Fiona.

On October 4, 2022Angel Arocho and I took care of the aftermath of the hurricane. We

picked up tree branches that fell on the Atabey garden area, we also picked up our small

greenhouse which after the rain and wind it got blown off. After doing this we made sure that we

could utilize the greenhouse and verified the health of the bigger plants, which the soursop tree

was uprooted.
 On October 18 , 2022, I received a big group of students, and I tasked them with picking

up fallen tree branches and set them in our composting boxes. I also tasked another student with

trimming the dead branches from the soursop tree and use it for the compost boxes. While the

students were taking care of that I alongside another group of students focused on cleaning the

grass with the help of a hoe and weed the boxes.

On October 20, 2022, I utilized the association’s trimmer to help speed up the cleaning

process. This was done alongside a group of students which focused on using a rake to pile up

the grass and set into the composting box. Said composting box was being churned to ensure

proper aeriation of the soil and bacteria which help create such a nutrient rich medium for plants

to grow. We finished this day with weeding and watering of our raised bed and the tires of the

perimeter.

On November 1 the group of students and I focused on the health of the plants. We

weeded the raised beds and verified that there were no pests present in the plants. By this point

many of the crops were starting to grow at an accelerated rate, which is why we watered them

more aggressively. During this day we also started cleaning the tires that form the perimeter

around the garden to permit the tobacco plants to grow unencumbered by grass.

On November 3, 2022, after receiving the students we focused on cleaning the grass with

the help of a hoe, since the weeds had been growing at an accelerated rate, because of the amount

of rainfall that had fallen recently. We also started preparing the roof for the big greenhouse

which works primarily as a warehouse for the soil and instruments we need to use. This roof was

sewed together by Paola Kalil during the month of September.

On November 15, I focused mainly on receiving donations from the students. These

donations were then organized inside the greenhouse. While this was happening a group of
students was preparing a secondary medicinal garden. It was made so that the students present

during that maintenance could plant some medicinal crops, this were lavender, tobacco,

chamomile, anis, and rosemary.

On November 17, 2022, a small group of students went and alongside them I focused on

cleaning the garden, to be able to feed our compost boxes with more green material. They were

then churned, and the final task of the day was weeding the raised beds.

Member #2: Sofía González Tossas

As a student of the course Technical Report Writing for Biology (INGL4021) I began

working on the Atabey Garden located on the University campus on September 9, 2022, at 2:00

pm. The treasurer of CEPA, Francisco Castro assigned me and the other present students our first

task. Which was divided in two groups. Both groups were designated with the duty of filling

repeatedly a large wheelbarrow with soil using shovels. Said soil was located near the garden and

was filled with a mix of nutrients through a process of composting. We also had the

responsibility of removing plastic and metals from it. The purpose of this task was that when the

wheelbarrow was at a maximum capacity, the students had to move it to the necessary locations

to then use the retrieved soil on a range of empty car tires that were aligned across the garden

space. Using a shovel, students grabbed a copious amount of soil and then released it on said

tires to the point they were half full. This went on until all the tires were filled with the soil. After

completion, Francisco Castro gave the students three bags of sunflower seeds. Alternating with

seed bags I was in charge of picking a seed from each bag and then planting them inside the soil

filled tires using a small shovel. Making sure they were in a proper location according to

Francisco. The other present students had to water them, assuring they met all the requirements
necessary for their growth. Three different bags of sunflower seeds were used because Castro

stated that the health of each type of seed in the bags was unknown and to assure at least some of

them were to grow, the decision was made. The process of planting and watering concluded at

5:00 pm. Even though this was made on the month of September, yet no growth of the

sunflowers has been observed. A possible reason for this is that a week after, Hurricane Fiona hit

the region and there is great possibility that the tires were filled with an excessive amount of

water that led to the loss of the seeds. They could have been removed accidentally through this

event.

On October 25, 2022, CEPA hosted a conference titled Compost which was given by

Professor Gloria Rojas at 12:15 pm to 1:15 pm virtually through Google meet. To which I

attended. The purpose of this meeting was to teach students and any individual about the

importance of the process of composting, its benefits in agriculture, and impact on ecological

terms. Since it’s a waste reducing practice that also promotes the enrichment of soil and the

distribution of nutrients for plants. Said conference contributed to the students' knowledge but it

also provided relevant and useful information for working on the garden relating to soil, seeds,

and plant handling. Which eventually served on the next occasions students worked on the

garden.

When the month of November came, I visited the garden on the 10 at 3:00 pm. Said day the

garden was being managed by Francisco Castro and Priscilla Cintrón. Upon arriving I was

assigned with the task of collecting large rocks that were found in areas near the garden and

placing them inside a wheelbarrow. Eventually, I offered my help to other students that were

distributing soil on a designated area. A circle of soil was being made for the future creation of a

Medicinal Garden. After the total distribution of the soil was concluded we started placing the
rocks that me and other students obtained on a spiral form and the remaining ones were used to

make devised sections across it. Which is recommended for this type of garden so that the plants

grow in an assigned space and don’t invade the area of the other ones. As it also looks more

organized. When the whole process was concluded we were handed a set of medicinal plants

including mint, lavender, oregano, chamomile, etc. for planting and watering. Which was done

quickly with the help of Professor Omar Vélez. Said plants were planted by their roots and

watered right after. Lastly, I had the task of picking dried leaves that were on the ground near a

tree with a rake and placing them in a bag. When finished, I spread the leaves on top of newly

planted herbs to maintain the soil on the pertaining space.

Lastly, on September 16, 2022, I watered the left section of the garden which contains

pumpkins and other vegetables with my classmate Lara Ballester. This activity began at 2:30 pm

and concluded at around 3:15 pm. On the 28 and 29 of November 2022 I watered the entire

garden including all of its components. On the 28 the watering process began at 5:25 pm and

concluded at 6:10 pm. While on the 29 the process began at 10:30 pm and concluded at 11:26

pm.

Through the mentioned activities, that include planting, cleaning, watering, and sowing, the

Atabey garden has progressed as a project. As us students worked comparatively and proposed

goals for each garden session, the amount of work done has increased. Which lead to a quicker

improvement of the garden. By taking care of it and implementing new ideas it has gained more

enhancements and attraction from the Campus members. By doing my part in what I was

assigned I promoted the garden’s growth.

As a student of the ENGL4021 section M03 course, I worked on the Atabey Garden from

September 13, 2022, to November 15, 2022. The president of CEPA, Miguel Costas, assigned

me two tasks related to the orchard's maintenance. My first task was to water all the plants

directly exposed to the sun. These plants need frequent watering to avoid the consequences of

excessive sunlight, such as yellow or brown leaves, reduced growth, and death. My second task

was to remove weeds from the garden. Weeds compete with plants for nutrients, water, and

sunlight, which can lead to reduced growth of the desired plants. Weeds can also harbor pests

and diseases that can spread to the garden plants.

On October 25, 2022, I attended a conference by CEPA presented by Prof. Gloria Rojas

that extended from 12:15 pm to 1:15 pm. The conference was about the importance of

composting, its benefits on agriculture, and its environmental contribution. The importance of

composting includes providing nutrients for plants causing their growth and improving their

overall health. Composting also reduces food waste which contributes positively to the

environment.

On November 4, 2022, I assisted with the maintenance of the Atabey Garden from 3:00 pm to

5:00 pm. Pricilla Cintrón, vice-president of CEPA, assigned a group of students and me the task

of collecting rocks to build a medicinal garden. The students received instructions from Pricilla

to arrange the rocks in a spiral shape with subsections for each plant to grow. This design allows

plants with different ecological needs to grow together in a single location, making it an efficient

use of space. Prof. Omar Velez, an advisor of CEPA, also assigned me the task of planting

lavender in the outer sections of the spiral.

students and me the task of storing and organizing new donations to the garden. The president

also assigned us the task of covering one of the garden structures with a mesh fabric to keep the

least amount of sunlight from reaching the inside of the structure, which served as a storage

facility for plants, materials, and soil. After completing this task, we removed weeds from the

melon patch. I also donated soil and plants, including lavender, mint, oregano, and kalanchoe, to

the Atabey Garden.

Member #4 Lara V. Ballester Torres

As a student of the ENGL4021 section M03 course, I was assigned to work on the

Atabey Garden, but I could not work directly in the garden because this semester I am going

through medical diagnosis, and I was instructed by my doctor to prevent doing strong physical

activity. Nevertheless, I talked to the president of CEPA, Miguel Costas, on how I could

contribute to the project, and he told me I could help water the plants. Also, I donated soil and

medicinal plants to help with the development of the garden. On October 25, 2022, I went to a

conference titled Compost, it was given by Professor Gloria Rojas at 12:15 pm to 1:15 pm

through google meet platform. Professor Rojas informed us about the importance of composting,

this process decreases the need of pesticides or other chemicals used in the plants, avoiding soil

erosion. Composting also helps the soil retain nutrients and attracts helpful organisms such as

worms, they create tunnels which facilitate the access of water and oxygen through the soil.
CONCLUSION

The Atabey garden is currently in progress. When the semester began it only contained

only a small amount of vegetation but through the work of the students of the course ENGL4021

and the members of CEPA it has rapidly developed and now contains a diverse amount that

includes pumpkins, squash, melon, and beans. As also a Medicinal Garden that serves as an

insect repellent. It is still under development because certain goals haven’t been met yet but it

has shown great improvement during the present semester. As students but also science majors,

the whole experience has made us learn and develop skills of great use.

If interested in more information about the progress being made on the Atabey garden contact:

Miguel Costas Sabatier, the President of CEPA through his email: [Link]@[Link] .
Enclosure: Picture evidence, Service logs, and self-reflections
 Appendix A:

Evidence of participation on the Atabey Garden

Pictures Descripition

Figure 1: It presents the left area of the

Atabey Garden which contains a set of raised

bed planters. Said section was watered by

students Lara Ballester and Sofía González on

September 16, 2022, at 2:30 pm.

Figure 2: The pictures shows student Sofía

González watering the planted vegetation on

the raised bed planters found on the left

section of the garden on November 10, 2022.

Photo taken by Fabiola Alvarado, 2022

Figure 3: The picture depicts students Laura

Massó, Sofía González, Professor Omar

Vélez, and the other students that volunteered

at the garden on November 10, 2022,

surrounding the Medicinal Garden.

Photo taken by Oscar Green, 2022

a hose a watering can at the garden on

November 10, 2022.

Photo taken by Fabiola Alvarado, 2022

Figure 5: Picture taken from the right side of

the garden on November 29, 2022, after the

morning watering session was completed by

Sofía González.

Photo taken by Sofía González, 2022

Figure 6: It presents the superior left section

of the garden including its vegetation like aloe

vera after the last watering session of the day

was performed by student Sofía González on

November 28, 2022.

Photo taken by Miguel J. Costas 2022

Figure 8: Raised bed with melon starting to

grow.

Photo taken by Miguel J. Costas, 2022

are used to fix the nitrogen into the soil.

Photo Taken by Miguel J. Costas, 2022

Figure 10. Another raised bed with beans,

they have the same use to fix nitrogen into the

soil.
Photo Taken by Miguel J. Costas, 2022

Figure 11: Spiral medicinal garden, in it there

is anise, lavender, rosemary, chamomille.

Photo taken by Miguel J. Costas, 2022

Service Logs

CamScanner
 Appendix C:

Self-Reflections on Project