University of Puerto Rico at Ponce

English Department
Technical Writing (ENGL 4021), Section L03

Memorandum

Date: December 8th, 2022

To: Pier Angeli LeCompté Zambrana, PhD
From: Edwin S. Lugo-Ruiz, Leader
Jessica N. Rivera-Toledo, Secretary
Valerie Martínez-Negrón, Information Gatherer
María V. Calaf-Gelpi, Timekeeper
Subject: Progress Report on the Atabey Garden at the University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
(UPR-P), Ponce, Puerto Rico

Introductory Summary

This progress report is based on the contributions and progress achieved by the students of the
English course ENGL 4021 – L03, along with the members of the student association known as
“Coalición de Estudiantes Pro-Agricultura” (CEPA) during the fall semester of the 2022-2023
academic year. As its purpose, this report intends on documenting all the work done by each of
the members of the groups, as well as the unfinished work that is left by the time every member
completes their minimum community service hours with the garden at the university. Said
community service hours consisted of planting, composting, weeding, watering, sowing,
donations, and attendance to the various educational workshops and conferences held by CEPA.
All tasks held in the garden were done during the months of October and November, beginning
on October 20th, 2022, and finishing on November 25th, 2022. Each of our members worked a
minimum of eight hours, a requirement of this assignment for coursework of ENGL 4021. Due
to the recent passing of Hurricane Fiona on September 18th, 2022, most of the objectives for our
time spent in the garden was to help recover some of the areas that could be used for planting
since there had been a lot of debris thrown around because of the winds. Thanks to all the effort
of the students there have been great leaps in the progress made to rebuilding the garden,
although there is still a way to go.
Compost Workshop

All throughout the semester the student organization CEPA held various workshops and
conferences in which they had resources teaching the students about different areas inside the
field of agriculture. During this workshop, given by Dr. Gloria Rojas, she explained the basics of
compost bins and compostable materials, as well as the science behind what is compost. This
topic was of the upmost importance as the students attending the garden were in the process of
creating their own compost bins.

“Coalición Estudiantil Pro-Agricultura”

Coalición Estudiantil Pro-Agricultura (CEPA) is a student organization within the biology

department in the University of Puerto Rico at Ponce. It first started in 2014 with the initiative of
the students. It was created with the purpose of promoting food sustainability and the production
of better-quality food. Some of their objectives include:
1. Stimulate action around the need for self-sustaining food production.
2. Promote the efficient use of natural resources.
3. Promote a positive image about agriculture as an occupation or profession.
4. Promote the benefits of using organic seeds and products.

They offer educational workshops and conferences for the university community, agricultural
fairs, conversations, and dialogues on issues of sustainable and agricultural development, and
collaborations with other UPR student organizations to develop gardens. You don’t need to have
knowledge about agriculture to be part of the organization, there you will be offered the tools to
obtain that knowledge. You will learn about agroecology and its benefits, and how to plant,
harvest and maintain crops.
Work Completed

In the Atabey garden there are different tasks performed during each maintenance visit. One of
these tasks was removing weeds to create a clean environment without obstruction. Another task
performed was the transplanting of seedlings. This consisted of relocating the growing plants
into bigger and better pots so that they have more space to grow. Watering the plants was one of
the most important tasks performed because it kept the soil healthy and in optimal conditions for
the plants to grow. Composting was also carried out in the Atabey garden, as this helps to
nourish and fertilize the soil with or without plants. Finally, a garden of medicinal plants was
created. Each member of the group donated 4 medicinal plants for the creation of this garden.
Other materials needed in the garden were also donated, such as soil and plastic bottles to create
recycled pots. Images of each member performing different tasks will be displayed in Appendix

Materials

Gardening tools are a crucial part to make sure everything is done adequately in any garden.
The equipment necessary for the tasks given were provided by CEPA’s council members. This
was done so that the students could focus on doing their community service hours, without the
added stress of having to go out and buy the tools they would need if they didn’t have them
already. Despite this, some students went out of their way to bring their own equipment for the
betterment of the garden. Some of the gardening tools used include the following:
- Flower Pots / Planters
- Wheelbarrow
- Hoe
- Garden Hose
- Rake
- Hedge Shears
- Pruning Shears
Unfinished Work

This semester had a lot of roadblocks due to the weather, resulting in the maintenance visits to
the garden to be postponed or canceled. There were occasions where it would rain for days and
the garden would be flooded, which directly impacted the projects CEPA could get done. One of
the biggest projects that CEPA was determined to finish soon was the irrigation system, keeping
the area of the Atabey garden clean. Another of the last projects left unfinished was the compost
for the plants since it takes time for the organic material to break down for it to be usable.

Future Work

For many years the student association CEPA has been doing an agriculture fair but due to the
global pandemic, and the hurricanes and natural disasters that have come to the island they had
to put these activities on pause. However, CEPA plans on restarting these fairs once more, so
students and families can enjoy them again. Another big project that CEPA has planned is to start
preparing workshops where they will demonstrate different examples of how other students can
start their own gardens at home.

Closing Remarks

The purpose of this project was to encourage students to help enhance our environment.
Specifically, by working on the Atabey Garden at the University of Puerto Rico at Ponce.
Medicinal plants, fertilizer and empty plastic bottles were some of the materials that were
donated. Alongside, some of the work we did included pulling out the weeds, sowing seeds,
watering the plants, digging row gaps, and transferring seedlings. All of these activities helped
contribute to the restoration of the garden post pandemic and hurricane. Although it was a class
project, it helped students get out of their comfort zone and connect with their environment. In
addition, the vegetables grown at the Atabey Garden can be consumed by the students or donated
to the community nearby. In conclusion, although the project is over, students of the University
of Puerto Rico at Ponce should continue to want to strive for a better campus environment.
Whether that be by donating items such as plants or tools, or by actively working on the Atabey
Garden during their free time.
Appendix A: Photos
 (F. 1.1) (F. 1.2)
Figure 1: Figures 1.1 and 1.2 of the Atabey Garden at the University of Puerto Rico in Ponce.
Shown in figure 1.2 are the shelves where items such as soil and plant pots are stored.

Figure 1.1 and 1.2 taken by: Edwin Sebastian Lugo

 (F. 2.1) (F. 2.2)
Figure 2: From left to right in figure 2.1 and 2.2: Edwin Sebastian Lugo Ruiz, Jessica Nicole
Rivera Toledo, Jiang Alex Portalaín Cordero, Alder John Torres Santiago and Priscilla Cintrón
Bartolomei. As shown in figure 2.1 and 2.2, the students are picking weeds to clear up the soil
and prepare it for planting seeds. Picking weeds is done to allow the new seedlings the
opportunity to absorb all the nutrients it can without having to compete with the weeds.

Figure 2.1 and 2.2 taken by: Miguel J. Costas Sabatier

Figure 3: Jiang Alex Portalaín Cordero is shown kneeling next to the small garden. Here is
where the weeds were picked out, and all that remains is seedlings.

Figure 3 taken by: Jessica Nicole Rivera Toledo

Figure 4: From left to right: Jiang Alex Portalaín Cordero, Edwin Sebastian Lugo Ruiz and
Jessica Nicole Rivera Toledo. This figure represents the recollection and separation of compost
from around the Atabey Garden in order for it to be preserved and later used as an organic
fertilizer.

Figure 3 taken by: Miguel J. Costas Sabatier

 (F. 5.1) (F. 5.2)
Figure 5: Valerie Martínez-Negrón in both figure 4.1 and 4.2 is shown transferring soil using a
shovel from the wheelbarrow into a bucket. This was done in order to facilitate the process of
transferring the soil into the new pots for plants on the shelves.

Figure 4.1 and 4.2 taken by: Génesis Mercado Feliciano

Figure 6: Valerie Martínez-Negrón is shown here transferring the seedlings. This is done to
allow the young plants to grow with more space while also benefiting from the fresh fertilized
soil.

Figure 5 taken by: Génesis Mercado Feliciano

Figure 7: From left to right: Mint, Spearmint, Aloe Vera and Thyme. These are
medicinal plants that were donated by María V. Calaf-Gelpi to the Atabey Garden.

Figure 6 taken by: María V. Calaf-Gelpi

 (F. 8.1) (F. 8.2)

(F 8.3) (F. 8.4)

Figure 8: Figure 8.1 is called Sandalwood. Figure 8.2 is called Chamomile. Figure 8.3 is called
Anise. Figure 8.4 is called Ruta Graveolens. All 4 figures are medicinal plants that were donated
by Valerie Martínez-Negrón to the Atabey Garden.

Figure 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4 taken by: Valerie Martínez-Negrón

Appendix B: Service Log Hours of Members
Appendix C: Self-Reflection