Welcome to the NRCS Caribbean Area: Puerto Rico & U.S. Virgin Islands Web Site!

• Agriculture Partners in Puerto Rico Celebrate Conservationist Farmers of the Year during Earth Week 2013 - NEW! • Organic Initiative Deadline Extended to May 15, 2013! (English | Spanish; PDF, 153 KB) - NEW! • NRCS "The Caribbean" Newsletter - March 2013 issue (PDF, 819 KB) - NEW! • Shade-grown Coffee Protects Puerto Rico Bay Coral Reefs • Protecting Corals in the Caribbean: USVI Coral Reef Initiative Update (PDF, 327 KB) • NRCS & UPR Release Guide to Common Weeds of Puerto Rico & the USVI • NRCS Caribbean Area Releases its Fiscal Year 2012 Annual Accomplishments Report (PDF; 1.3 MB) • Shade Coffee Factsheet (PDF, 385 KB); Hoja Informative de Café Sombra (PDF, 367 KB)

NRCS Caribbean Area Re-Announces the Availability of 2013 Conservation Innovation Grants NRCS Caribbean Area (CB) re-announces the availability of the 2013 Caribbean Area Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies.  Applications will be accepted from Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands and will be awarded on a competitive basis. NRCS-CB will have approximately $120,000 available to be distributed among selected projects, and the maximum award amount for any project will not exceed $30,000.  Applications will be accepted from eligible government agencies, non-governmental organizations or individuals for projects between 1 and 3 years in duration. Of particular interest are applications for innovative demonstration partnerships on energy conservation, nutrient management, soil health, wildlife habitat, coral reef ecosystem protection/enhancement, adaptive management and outreach. Download the complete request for proposals HERE (PDF, 165 KB). Applications must be received by NRCS-CB before COB 4:30 p.m. on May 31, 2013.  ..More Info on CIG FY13 April 21-27, 2013 is National Volunteer Week! (en Español) NRCS Caribbean Area celebrates National Volunteer Week from April 21 – 27, 2013 by thanking and honoring its Earth Team volunteers for their service to conservation. NRCS State Conservationist, Edwin Almodóvar, said Earth Team volunteers are making an environmental impact in the Caribbean Area. Last year 38 volunteers donated 3,834 hours. "That’s worth $85,534.86 of benefit to our customers and the taxpayers," said Almodóvar. "These are impressive numbers, and we are grateful for the help, but we also recognize much more conservation work needs to be done." San Sebastian Celebrates Earth Day & National Volunteer Week 2013 ..More Info on National Volunteer Week and Earth Team (en Español) First NRCS People's Garden Inaugurated in the Caribbean Area On February 28, 2013, the first NRCS People’s Garden in the Caribbean Area was officially inaugurated at the Tropical Agriculture Research Station (TARS) in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. The Mayagüez People's Garden is a collaborative effort between NRCS, UPR Mayagüez, TARS, the UPR Agricultural Experiment Station, UPR Cooperative Extension Service, UPR Sea Grant, the Oeste Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD), Casa Belén, and Mayagüezanos Pro Salud y Ambiente. Project partners donated all the materials and supplies (plants, compost, etc.) to build this beautiful garden. We congratulate our NRCS Mayagüez Field Office, Ecological Sciences and Soil Sciences Division employees for putting together an extraordinary event with our partners and co-workers. ..More Info on NRCS Caribbean People's Gardens Hispanic & Women Farmers & Ranchers Claims Deadline Extended! (Atencion a todos Agricultores o Ganaderos Hispanos y a Mujeres Agricultoras y Ganaderas) If you believe that USDA improperly denied farm loan benefits to you between 1981 and 2000 because you are Hispanic, or because you are female, you may be eligible to apply for compensation. Completed Claims must be submitted by May 1, 2013.  For more information visit www.farmerclaims.gov or call 1-888-508-4429. ..More Info on HWFR Claims Look for Farm Conservation Needs Now, Visit Your Local NRCS Office Many farmers don’t realize that most USDA conservation programs are open for sign-up at any time, continuously, not just for a few weeks each year.  Most programs offered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are open year-round for applications.  Contact your local NRCS office now to avoid the late rush. ..More Info on Conservation Programs Unlock the Secrets in Your Soil Growing with Soil Health Management Systems can help farmers to increase crop productivity and profitability while improving the environment. Visit the national Soil Health website to learn how to unlock the secrets in your soil! (Las publicaciones en Español). NRCS Shares 'Secrets of the Soil' with Agro-Ecology Students - NEW! ..More Info on Soils

STAY CONNECTED:

Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

Updated 05/17/2013

For additional information, please contact: José A. Castro. For comments about the website, please contact: Julie Wright

The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment.