Planting the Seeds of a Brighter Tomorrow
“We share, we laugh, we save money, we eat healthy and spend time together; my family feels healthy. “
—Nicole Barreto Gaud
The hot sun felt strong in Las Marías. But on Nicole’s patio, it felt fresh and there was a distinct energy. Between the sunflowers and eggplants, I saw her watering her garden and her grandfather preparing to harvest. I sat down there with Nicole to hear her story and share it with you today.
Nicole and her grandfather filling seed trays in their home garden.
Nicole Barreto Gaud is an 11 year old girl, a student from Las Marías, sweet as can be and very passionate about planting. She is a living example of inspiration for other students and adults. Nicole told me that she discovered her passion for agriculture at just 7 years old, through her participation in Plenitud PR’s Crezco en Plenitud program at her school, Dr. Silverio Medina Gaud Elementary School. For the last four years, she has shared with her family all that she has been learning, while also, deepening her understanding of agriculture by working with her grandfather, who is also a farmer. Together, Nicole and her grandfather have been building a home garden in their backyard!
Nicole continued sharing about the impact that planting has had on her life, her family, and on the school community. Doña Milagros, Nicole’s grandmother, also told us that there used to be many farmers in the community, but now there are only 4 farmers left out of the 101 households in the area. This lack of locally produced food has resulted in the area being a food desert. “The place where we buy our food is a half hour away from my house, and it is not as fresh. To plant is good for your time, for saving money, and for your health.”
Nicole starting her garden when she was in 2nd grade.
Nicole continued to share that the person in her family who works the most in agriculture is her grandfather. It is not something that the generation after her grandfather and before her generation put into practice often. But since Nicole was in 2nd grade, she has learned more about how to garden, with the help of her teachers Rosita, Marlene, and Nilda, and the Crezco en Plenitud program.
Nicole not only built a productive garden at her home, but also deepened her relationship with her grandfather through her love of gardening and art. “We planted and harvested broccoli, peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, beans, cilantro, lettuce, sunflowers, corn, squash, okra and kale. I like it a lot because I collect the harvest, bring it to the house, wash it, and use it to make sofrito and to cook. Now we don't need to go looking for them far, I only need to take them out of the fridge. We don't have fertilizers and it’s healthier for eating better.”
“The program taught me how to clean the land, remove the weeds, and plant. I remember creating an area like a square, cleaning it and creating holes to put seeds into. I think the first thing we planted were flowers and after, we continued to plant vegetables. And when we harvested them, we sold them to the parents of students in the school or if not, we gave the food to the school cafeteria for the meals they make for the children.”
Nicole, in 5th grade, with her teacher Ms. Nilda in the school’s garden.
Jaris distributing 5-gallon rainwater cisterns at one of our partner schools.
Without having access to the school’s community garden during the pandemic, Plenitud PR adapted and distributed over 407 agroecology and art kits so young people like Nicole could bring the garden to their home and involve their family in the process. Nicole says that in addition to agroecology, her next favorite Crezco en Plenitud activity was learning about the benefits of rainwater harvesting. “We need it now more than ever, because it is better for us. For example, when there is not water in the house, I go and collect it, filter it, and use it for watering the plants or washing my hands when I’m in the yard.”
Nicole also discovered her passion for teaching!
Nicole shared with great enthusiasm that it is important for her that more children and young people are motivated to learn how to grow, process and consume fresh products: “I would like to continue teaching so that other people can garden with their families.And when I have children, I will also teach them that harvesting is the best for the environment and for good health. Also to consume rainwater, and learn many more things like the ones I learned; they can see it as a game, for example, to those who like science. As I am doing the program, I would like it to expand to higher grades.”
“For my part, I am going to continue planting and cooking foods from the garden because my health, studies, and family come first.”
You can support more of our children and their families in gaining access to materials to plant together in their homes, as well as access to holistic and complementary education kits. One way to do this is by making a direct donation to the Crezco en Plenitud program, or by becoming a Plenitud Sustainer to make an ongoing contribution each month.
Thank you for supporting Nicole and our young leaders of tomorrow!
