University of Puerto Rico in Ponce 

English Department 

ENGL 4021 M06

MEMORANDUM 
 

DATE: December 1​st​ ,2020

TO: Prof. Pier Le Compte

FROM: Aixa Cruz Ortiz, Valerie Orengo Casiano, Anelmarie Garcia Pratts, and Yandreliz
González Robles

SUBJECT: Progress Report- Farm Finca Buena Vibra

INTRODUCTORY BACKGROUND

During our virtual class reunions, you assigned different groups to visit farms and do four hours
of community service to learn and understand more about the agriculture of Puerto Rico. Our
group, consisting of four members, visited the farm called “Finca Buena Vibra” located in
Ponce, Puerto Rico on November 9​th​, 2020, in which this farm consists of a family agrobusiness
dedicated to the cultivation of arabica coffee, also they follow agro-ecological practices and the
planting of coffee in shade. We agreed to go together as a group and worked together while
helping on the farm. As of now, we have completed 100% of our project as scheduled and this
report reflects the work done and what we have learned during the time given.

WORK COMPLETED

In the first hour we arrived we got the chance to talk to the supervisor of the farm named Rafael
Rodriguez to briefly discuss what must be done in the farm. He told us about how other groups
have already gone there before us hence the reason why there was not much work to be done
aside from cleaning, planting, and watering the plants. We managed to complete these tasks on
the time given and got the chance to see what other projects Rafael had to do in his farm while
asking questions and discussing the importance of agriculture in Puerto Rico. Also, we talked
about how the pandemic has affected the process of cultivation and farming in his business but
how he is still willing to keep educating those who want to learn the importance of farming.
TASK ASSIGNED TO EACH MEMBER OF THE GROUP

Because we were a group of four, we divided the work into two groups to achieve a much faster
pace in the process. These are the task each member of the group was assigned to do:

● Aixa Cruz and Valerie Orengo were responsible for planting and watering the plants.
● Anelmarie Garcia and Yandreliz Gonzalez were responsible for cleaning the gardens and
removing weeds.

LIMITATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The “Finca Buena Vibra” has several limitations that can play against when visiting the place.
These limitations include:
● Timing: this farm is managed by Rafael Rodriguez, who only works from 7:30 am until
11:30 am everyday.
● Location: this farm is located at the very top of a mountain in Ponce with narrow and
dangerous roads.
Among the recommendations, we must emphasize that Rafael Rodriguez is willing to receive
students and visitors who want to take a tour. In addition to the fact that he is an educated person
with a lot of interest in his work and to help others.

OTHER PROJECTS

Aside from cultivating coffee, in this farm they had other agricultural projects running. Here is a
few of what we managed to see:

● The Planting of different types of fruit plants

● The Planting of corn
● The Planting of different types of wildlife flowers
● The Harvest of honey by managing beekeeping using an apiary.

FUTURE PROJECTIONS

Since Finca Buena Vibra has year-round cultivating processes, many things are still in need to
do. We managed to help plant the next generation of coffee shrubs. Rafael plans to cultivate
these coffee beans between May and July of 2021. Their aim is to expand their cultivation
processes with other crops such as cocoa and corn. Honey production is ongoing and needs
maintenance to work efficiently.
CONCLUSION

To conclude, this project met our objectives because we expanded our knowledge, completed
community service hours, developed leadership, etc. Also, we contributed, helped, developed
skills, and understood the importance of creating your own products. These are some examples
of the knowledge that we gained on our progress report. In contrast to the previously discussed,
we also learn the value of the beekeepers and farmers of our country. They wake up every
morning to create quality local products like honey, coffee, among other products. It is very
important to value the work of the farmers because they are responsible for food production,
herb production and are in charge of livestock care. Lastly, it is expected to continue fulfilling the
objectives presented and continue with the development of more communitary activities as the
ones we participated in.
 APPENDIX A
Service log and photos as evidence of the work done in the farm

Figure 1: ​Aixa Criz Ortiz’s Service Log with certification signed by Rafael Rodriguez
Figure 2: ​Anelmarie Garcia Pratts’s Service Log with certification signed by Rafael Rodriguez.
Figure 3: ​Yandreliz Gonzalez Robles’s Service Log with certification signed by Rafael
Rodriguez
Figure 4:​ Valerie Orengo Casiano’s Service Log with certification signed by Rafael Rodriguez.
 Figure 5:​ Finca Buena Vibra’s logo.

Figure 6:​ Preparing a pot with soil for transfer of coffee plants.

Figure 7: ​Transferring the coffee plant to the flower pot.

 Figure 8:​ Finishing setting the coffee plant.

Figure 9:​ Aixa Cruz Ortiz shoveling dirt for the small flower pots.

Figure 10 :​ Water irrigation systems for the coffee seedlings.

 Figure 11: ​Anelmarie Garcia Pratts pulling out weeds.

Figure 12: ​Yandreliz Gonzalez Robles pulling weeds from plants.

Figure 13: ​Yandreliz Gonzalez shoveling soil into flower pots for the transfer of seedlings.
 APPENDIX B
Minutes taken for the reunions

Figure 14: ​Minutes taken on October 20th, 2020.

Figure 15:​ Minutes taken on November 3rd, 2020
Figure 16: ​Minutes taken on November 13th, 2020
 APPENDIX C
Self reflection on the Progress Report

Figure 17:​ Valerie Orengo Casiano’s self reflection on the Progress Report