As part of a joint effort, Levantando partnered with Te Amo PR and ToolBank PR, lead by Evan of Creator Academies to build garden for hands on education at Escuela Nemesio Rosario Canales Elementary School in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The multi-week project began with the students researching the agriculture zone, sun and water requirements, and planning the garden project for the school courtyard.
Evan and the students created a project plan of materials, schedule, and task breakdown. Nick from Finca Caribe provided on-site consulting for the watering system, what plants to grown in the garden, and expert recommendations for the project plan.
Students prepared the garden site and the gathered the materials in anticipation of the volunteer weekend of November 2 & 3, 2025. The weekend tasks included building an educational garden, install water cistern, cut and remove tree branches, chip tree branches into mulch for agriculture beds and compost.
Saturday:
Volunteers dig the garden parameter, build the garden dome, use chainsaws and machetes to cut and clear trees blocking the sun in the courtyard, and cleared the area for the water cistern and designated compost area.
Sunday:
With the area completely cleared, the garden dome construction is completed, the water cistern moved into place and plumbed, and all of the tree branches are chipped into mulch for the garden bed floor and jump start the compost area.
All of the dangerous chainsaw and chipper activities were deliberately scheduled during the weekend as a safety precaution for the elementary school. The heavy equipment tasks are completed, and the students resume their tasks on Monday. The students begin planting in the new garden and begin their agricultural journey learning about soil health, growing food, planning and managing projects, and incorporating the right technology tools for each task.
Levantando is proud to be part of this community project for our future farmers of Puerto Rico!
