Join us for a unique opportunity to make a tangible difference! We’re seeking enthusiastic students eager to immerse themselves in a transformative adventure in the picturesque landscapes of Utuado, Puerto Rico.

If you are passionate about environmental sustainability, food security, and climate resilience and ready to help farmers develop resilience to climate change, this program is for you. It offers you the chance to collaborate closely with a local initiative committed to fortifying food security and cultivating climate resilience, and their partner farms in Utuado, Puerto Rico’s breathtaking terrain.

Here, the legacy of Indigenous peoples is deeply ingrained. The region’s rolling hills are dotted with traditional coffee farms, each narrating the economic and cultural history of Puerto Rico. However, it’s worth noting that this beautiful landscape also bears the scars of climate change. During Hurricane Maria, Utuado faced significant landslides, a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather events. Spending time in Utuado will afford students the opportunity to reflect on how climate change is reshaping both the landscape and culture of Utuado and to discuss the significance of local traditions in addressing climate and environmental challenges.

Students will collaborate with COSSAO, an initiative to boost the local economy by strengthening food security and resilience to climate change. Students will work with COSSAO and 14 of their most active member farmers in rural Utuado, Puerto Rico. These farmers are facing significant challenges to the local agricultural sector, particularly in the face of climate change and increasing centralization of the food distribution economy that undermines local agricultural production. In response, the organization engages member farmers for agroecological activities that support agritourism in the region through programs for hospitality, health, and agriculture. Students will also have an opportunity to engage with students and faculty from the University of Puerto Rico and federal agencies working on climate change in the region.

The University of Puerto Rico and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Adaptation Partnerships (CAP) / Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments (RISA) program for Puerto Rico and the Caribbean are assisting this organization and the farmers in organizing a Community Resilience Forum scheduled for June 2024.

Join us in Utuado, Puerto Rico, and contribute to the solution. Be part of an unforgettable experience that blends education, community engagement, and real-world impact!

Community Partnerships

The students’ involvement will span various phases:

1. Preparation: Students will help the COSSAO and local farmers and their partner organization to collaborate with the Caribbean Climate Adaptation Network, a NOAA CAP/RISA Team staff in the planning and preparation for the forum.
2. Forum Support: Students will actively participate in the forum, taking on roles such as rapporteurs and assisting with logistical tasks.
3. Implementation: After the forum, students will work on implementing the solutions proposed during the event. For example, they might help generate heat maps of the fields, monitor air quality with handheld devices to ensure safety, or assist with planting and maintaining crops that help control soil erosion.
4. Engagement: Students will collaborate with their designated host farm, gaining insights into their agritourism techniques while enthusiastically participating in everything from farm labor to restoration activities on the historic farm COSSAO is working to restore to its former glory.